A hundred miles from the ruins, Emery stood at the edge of a quiet valley, his gaze fixed on the distant battlefield.
Klea had told him of her plan, though she had deliberately left out many of the details. She had insisted that everything was thoroughly prepared and had urged him not to interrupt his cultivation for a matter she believed she could handle herself.
Still, after what had happened to Gwen, Emery found it impossible to remain completely detached.
He had taken a brief pause from his seclusion, choosing instead to observe the battle from afar without revealing his presence.
Typhon stood beside him, equally silent until the pillar of violet flame erupted across the battlefield.
As the Starflame swallowed Klea whole, the Qilin hybrid's expression tightened.
"She's in trouble," Typhon said, "We're still not making a move?"
Emery closed his eyes for a brief moment before calmly shaking his head.
###
At the heart of the ruins, the masked man laughed.
