A Small Rematch

"Things just get better and better, don't they?" Elara muttered, her gaze locking onto the approaching figure.

She didn't wait for a response. "Kimi, once I have him away, you take off immediately. The ship still has enough fuel to reach Rothshire Base in Veyrion. Get reinforcements. And one more thing—" Her voice hardened. "We can't trust the guards or the head figures running this place, at least not for now."

Kimi nodded, too many questions on her mind with no time to ask.

Elara turned forward, eyes narrowing as she took in Vincent Ruiz. His profile matched the reports—lean, wiry, a glossy jacket hanging off his frame like it barely fit. His short, disheveled hair gave him an almost careless look, but his sharp features carried an edge of madness. Then there was the shard—jagged, protruding from his pant leg like a parasite feeding off his body.