Golden beams fell from the sky.
They shot down in perfect silence, piercing the Catacombs like divine pillars from above. Hundreds of them. One after the other. Soft. Gentle. Blinding in their calmness.
The carnage and chaos from earlier still lingered in the air — cracked stone, drained bodies, shattered Ki — and yet, the light made it all look… peaceful.
Sion watched the scene from beside the throne, arms crossed loosely, eyes half-lidded.
For a second, he said nothing.
Just stood there.
Watching the students vanish, one by one.
Then—
He turned his head slowly.
His gaze settled on Dara.
"It's time to go, my princess," he said softly.
And then, without waiting for a response, he stepped forward and swept her off her feet.
A perfect princess carry.
Dara didn't resist.
She leaned into him instead, her head resting lightly against his chest. A small, quiet nod left her — a soft "Uh-huh" barely more than a breath.
She turned her head slightly — just enough to face Aina.
