Why?

"..." Aether stood frozen, his heart hammering in his chest as he stared at the gruesome sight before him.

The Dragon Emperor's massive foot was planted in a pool of blood, and for a moment, time seemed to stop. His mind struggled to comprehend what he was seeing.

'No...' His thoughts refused to accept the scene, his body growing cold as his gaze traveled to the shattered forms beneath the Dragon Emperor...Selene and Aria lay motionless, their bodies crushed under the weight of the dragon.

He immediately closed his eyes, his legs giving way beneath him as the strength drained from his body.... His knees hit the ground, and a cold numbness washed over him, paralyzing him in disbelief.

The Dragon Emperor's towering shadow loomed over him as he approached, but Aether could barely process the movement. His mind had shut down, refusing to acknowledge the nightmare unfolding before him..