Chapter 65 : The Butcher game

The Crimson Core reverted—no, collapsed—into a crimson dice, clinking softly into Dirga's palm.

He didn't like that sound.

Instinctively, he tried to will it back into a dagger.

Nothing.

It didn't respond. No hum, no shift, no glow.

Just silence.

Like a parent too exhausted to help.

"…It's in recovery," Dirga muttered, realization hitting like ice down his spine. "Shit."

This was a first.

And it couldn't have come at a worse time.

"Run. Hide. Try to survive," Dirga said, his voice low but sharp as a blade.

"What?" Kaela stammered, eyes wide.

But Saelari didn't hesitate—she grabbed Kaela and Theryn by the wrist and bolted.

Dirga stood alone.

He grimaced. Why had he brought them here again? Right—information.

But right now, that intel didn't mean a damn thing if they died.

Hell, he didn't even know if he could survive.