Zero's body arched violently in Lilith's arms.
The first warning was a tremor—small, almost delicate, like a shiver running through his spine.Then the tremor became a pulse.Then the pulse became a shockwave.
A surge of unstable mana exploded outward, rippling through the ruined throne hall in spiraling lines of shadow and frost.
Stone cracked.Ash scattered.Even the air trembled.
Lilith gasped, tightening her grip on him as the unstable energy tore at the space around them.
"Zero—! Please—stay with me—!"
Mia stepped back with Amelia, raising an arm to shield herself from the sudden blast. Her eyes widened.
"His mana… it's getting worse."
No—worse wasn't the right word.
His mana was breaking.
Cracking open like a collapsing star.
Amelia's expression paled."He's burning through everything. Mana, stamina, even his life force—if this continues, his body won't last."
Lilith's face twisted in panic.
"Help me stop it!"
