As the Second Supreme Monarch's body vanished into the rift, Anthony's gaze turned toward the Fifth, Eighth, and Ninth Supreme Monarchs, who looked at him calmly… aside from the Eighth Supreme Monarch, who had a wide, unrestrained smile on his face. Anthony was his son, his baby monster, and that baby monster had just displayed a level of power and ability that defied logic itself. Michael's pride was evident, shining brightly in his eyes like a sun unclouded by doubt or fear.
Anthony, however, did not return the smile. His sky-blue gaze shifted from the Fifth, Eighth, and Ninth Supreme Monarchs and moved beyond them, pausing on the First, Third, Fourth, and Seventh Supreme Monarchs who were also watching him. Outwardly, they appeared calm, stoic even, but within, their minds and bodies trembled ceaselessly beneath the pressure of what they had just witnessed.
