Prince Mark, Hittag, Gurion, and Clara were the first to reach the coliseum.
At first, Quincy and the others felt relief at the sight of them—alive, moving, having made it back at all. That relief faded almost immediately as their conditions registered.
Zara immediately moved to her brother's side, her eyes locking onto the battered state of his G.E.A.R. Shock and worry crossed her face as she looked him over. "Are you okay? What happened?"
"You look like you went through it, those legs… how the hell are you even able to stand?" Even asked, his attention fixed on Hittag's legs.
Gurion stood a few steps away, head bowed, eyes fixed on the ground.
"Why are you staring at the floor like that?" Quincy asked him gently.
The martial artist flinched, shoulders tightening. He couldn't bring himself to meet her gaze, the weight of self-loathing locking him in place.
"You look shaken," Elsa said softly as she approached Clara, resting a hand on her shoulder. "Are you alright?"
Clara looked up at her, eyes glassy and unfocused, lips pressed together as if holding herself together by force alone.
Larkin glanced around them, frowning. "Hey… where's Xain? Is he waitin' outside or somethin'?"
Prince Mark shook his head, answering before anyone else could. "We encountered the Demon Lord, the one who left the champion in the state you see now."
The words caused the air around them to tense, eyes widening across the group.
"You encountered him?" Quincy said sharply. "What happened? And Xain, don't tell me he's..."
Her voice trailing off.
Clara flinched hard at the name.
Hittag exhaled slowly and shook his head. "He's not dead. At least… we don't think so. It's not..." He paused, struggling for words. "I don't think we can properly say what happened."
Gurion snapped his head up suddenly. "Xain, he got hit by a fire spell from the Demon Lord and then he just… turned into a demon. Or switched places with one. I don't know. We don't know what the hell happened."
Silence followed, thick and disbelieving.
"A demon?" Larkin muttered in confusion. "What are you talkin' about?"
"It is exactly as he says," Prince Mark replied evenly. "Xain was struck by a firebolt. There was smoke. And when it cleared, a demon stood where he had been. That demon fought the Demon Lord and gave us the opening to escape."
Even stared at him. "So you just left him there?" He asked sounding almost accusatory.
Clara visibly trembled at the words, breath hitching. She said nothing.
Elsa stepped closer and wrapped her arms around her. "Hey. You're okay," she murmured quietly, trying to steady her. "Just breathe."
"We did not have a choice," Prince Mark said firmly, turning to Even. "We could not interfere in their fight." He gestured to his damaged G.E.A.R. "This armor can take blows that would level mountains without so much as a dent. The Demon Lord made it buckle with a simple kick."
Zara's eyes widened at that.
"I would never have left him there if I had any way to help him," Prince Mark continued, his voice tight but controlled. "I did not. So do not make it sound as though we abandoned him willingly."
"I'm sorry," Clara finally spoke, pulling herself free from Elsa's arms. She turned toward the group, her gaze lingering on Larkin longer than the others. "I said I would protect him, b-but I—" Her voice wavered. "He ran ahead. I couldn't grab him in time, and then… everything happened. I wanted to help him. I really did. But I couldn't. I'm sorry." Her words broke, apology thick in every syllable.
Before anyone could respond, a voice drifted in from outside the room.
"Are you sure you want to come with? I mean, I'm alright with you, but I don't know if everyone else will be."
It was Xain's voice.
Every head snapped toward the doorway.
The door opened, and Xain stepped inside, glancing back over his shoulder. He looked… fine. Uninjured. Intact. "Okay, okay, but be ready for everyone to freak out," he said to someone still out of sight. Then he turned fully toward them. "Hey, everybody. It looks really tense in here. I think I know why, and I swear to you, I genuinely can't explain what happened. Well, not exactly at least."
The room froze, shock rippling through every face.
"You're alive…" Clara whispered, staring at him. "…and you're okay."
"Yeah," Xain said slowly. "I kinda made you all worried, I'm sur—"
He didn't get to finish.
Clara rushed forward and wrapped her arms around him, gripping him tightly. "I'm glad," she cried, her voice breaking. "I thought I let my friend die. I'm glad you're okay."
Xain stiffened, unsure what to do, then gently placed an arm around her. He glanced toward Elsa, silently asking for help. Elsa only stared back at him, expression intense and conflicted. After everything she had just heard, seeing him standing there unharmed felt wrong. Maybe not wrong, but definitely off.
"How…" Prince Mark began, his voice low and uncertain before it got back its usual control as he added, "You are going to explain what happened." Eyes narrowing behind his helm.
"I already told you," Xain replied with a sigh, patting Clara's back. "I can't really." He paused, then added, "Unless you mean how I got here so fast and in one piece. In that case…" He looked back toward the doorway. "You can come in now."
All eyes followed his gaze.
From the entrance stepped a figure everyone recognized instantly—one of the most infamous and wanted criminals alive.
The Fiend entered the room.
As everyone in the room went into a deeper state of shock.