The afternoon light over the lake had already begun to die, turning from gold to a heavy, bruised gray as thick clouds rolled in. The battlefield, which had been chaos only hours earlier, was now deathly quiet.
Kiara had stopped crying some time ago. Her voice had given out, leaving only ragged, shallow breaths. She still clung to Arceus like he might vanish if she let go, her fingers knotted tightly in the fabric of his robe. No matter how exhausted she was, she wouldn't release him.
Scarlett stayed right behind her, arms wrapped around Kiara's waist in a silent embrace. There was nothing useful to say. Some pain couldn't be soothed with words. All she could do was hold on.
Minutes dragged by.
Then something shifted.
"Kiara…?"
No response.
Scarlett felt the tension bleed out of Kiara's body all at once. The hand gripping Arceus's robe slowly loosened. Her breathing grew faint and thready.
