Their minds now buzzed with unease and questions that didn't have answers. Even Eccar, who only minutes ago had refused to listen to a single word from their enemy, now stood frozen in thought.
He stared at Orzhal-Kur, her words echoing in his head like a poison he didn't want to admit was real.
"You're not heroes."
Why would she say that?
"Not heroes… which mean the opposite?"
That thought struck Eccar's mind. He had clawed his way toward his purpose and finally found a reason for the powers that had chosen him. He wanted to protect and stand strong for the people who couldn't.
But if what this creature said was true, if their power was inherently destructive, if it fed on balance and consumed it, then everything he had built within himself was a lie.
He clenched his fists, his knuckles white and trembling.
"No…" he muttered through gritted teeth. "She's lying. Has to be."
But Erend had already taken a step forward.
