Echoes of Control (End)

"Who?"

Kain's head snapped up, his eyes wide. "They'll know."

And then, his body convulsed.

The air in the chamber turned sharp, charged with something raw and unnatural. The alchemists recoiled as a sudden surge of power crackled through Kain's restraints, snapping some of the weaker sigils in place. His breath came in gasps, sweat rolling down his temples as he fought.

Not against them.

Against himself.

The moment stretched, thick with something unseen. Kain's lips parted, forming words that did not belong to him.

"They're already here."

And then, he slumped.

The silence that followed was deafening.

Veylan's gaze did not waver. He exhaled slowly, turning his attention to the alchemists. "Is the lock broken?"

One of them swallowed hard. "No. It… resisted. Something reinforced it just now. It wasn't us."

A hand tightening its grip.