Maxi snapped her head up. "This thing… spoke to you?"
Riftan remained silent, his eyes locked on the monstrous form sprawled on the ground. Sensing his hesitance, Maxi anxiously prodded, "What did it say?"
Kneeling to examine the creature's limbs, Riftan sounded nonchalant when he spoke.
"It called me a sinner. Throughout our fight, it kept repeating something I didn't understand. Maybe you can make sense of it."
He recited the incantation, his brow furrowed. Goosebumps rippled over Maxi as she recognized the ancient Elvish.
Her gaze shifted nervously between her husband and the lifeless creature. Her voice shook as she said, "It was warning you… that you will pay for your sins."
A wry smile tugged at the corners of Riftan's mouth. Rising to his feet, he simply said, "I see."
Maxi was taken aback by his composure. His life had been threatened by a mysterious monster, and yet he seemed almost amused. Had he not grasped the gravity of the situation?