His voice grows sharper with every word. He looks back at Lathar.
"And what did we get? What did any of us get for it? We're no closer to the peace we all wanted."
Lathar says nothing for a long time.
Then slowly, as if admitting something he's never said aloud: "You're right."
Lathar's jaw tightens as he watches Alix descend once more, his cloak dancing in the heatwaves pouring off the Tier 7 beast.
"With Alix's strength," he says slowly, "we might finally bring peace to our continent."
Brakar smirks, faint and dry. "It's His Majesty Alix now."
They both fall silent again, the battlefield trembling with each breath of the monster.
---
He lands lightly on a chunk of broken stone, the Tier 7 beast still partially pinned by Earthmaw, snarling and writhing, plasma licking at its bindings. Alix watches the creature, his gaze unwavering.
His heart beats steady. His breath even.
But his thoughts race.
"Even with all my buffs, Tier 5 skills alone... they're not enough."
