Lattice and Lies

Daelano drops the paper at Aether's feet. Her steps falter slightly, but she does not turn back. As she descends from the platform, she mutters under her breath, her voice light, almost wistful.

"What a great dance... I'll use my violin more properly next time and sing the song of liberation."

Then, without hesitation, she grips the hilt of her sword and plunges it back into her gut, the blade sliding between flesh as if it belonged there. She does not flinch. Unbothered. She walks away, her form shrinking into the distance, swallowed by the haze of battle and dust.

Aether stares after her, something cold clenching around his throat. His breath stalls, refusing to move, as though it has been stolen. He reaches up instinctively, clutching at his neck.

Daelano was already gone.

A text appears before him.

[Adaptive Evolution]

Aether curses under his breath.

"Always appearing when I DON'T need it."