The Failsafe Wasn’t a Lie

"Well, well," Vyrelda said, raising a brow. She looked more curious than sympathetic. "Look who survived."

The man's eyes fluttered open. Blood trickled from a gash on his forehead, and a deeper wound near his ribs caused him to shiver uncontrollably. "You… don't understand… what you've done…" he rasped, voice weak but laced with fury.

Cerys paused, lowering her blade just an inch. The quake overhead rumbled again, sending a scattering of pebbles across her boots. "What do you mean?"

He coughed, gripping his side as if trying to hold himself together. "The device… it wasn't just for amplification… it was…" He groaned, letting his head roll back, eyelids flickering. "A failsafe… to hold it back." Every word took visible effort.