The echo of Prince Cassian's skull cracking against the altar faded, leaving a ringing silence in the chapel. The Mastermind was dead, his brain fried by his own inverted spell.
Duke Bastian stood in the front row. He didn't mourn his pawn. He didn't look horrified. He looked... annoyed.
He smoothed his doublet and turned to face the room, his eyes sweeping over the Rebel army that had just burst through the doors.
"A tragic accident," Bastian announced, his voice calm and amplified by magic. "Prince Cassian has fallen to... magical backlash. A pity."
He pointed a finger directly at the young woman at the front of the rebels.
"And you," he boomed. "The Anomaly. Silvie Briar. You have brought armed insurrectionists into the Royal Chapel. Guards! Seize them!"
The Royal Guards, confused and terrified, leveled their halberds.
"Stand down!" Silvie shouted, stepping forward. Her aura flared, pressing down on the room like gravity.
