The Dowager was still staring at the ruined field when Eden and Adrian walked past her, the air around them settling slowly after their display.
Leon watched her eyes track the devastation like she was trying to convince herself it had all been an illusion.
She barely seemed to notice the two young men until they were already beside him.
Leon let a small smile tug at his mouth.
"How was the warm up?"
A faint twitch ran across her cheek.
Even from where he stood, Leon felt the flicker of restrained disbelief, almost like her composure cracked for half a breath.
And far away, across the Arman Empire, the rulers watching through the orb nearly toppled off their platform.
Warm up? If that was warm up, no one dared imagine the main event.
Adrian answered first.
"It was a good workout. Now I'm pumped for the real action."
Leon's smile widened.
Eden, though, had a different expression, something thoughtful narrowing his eyes.
