Dust still hung in the air.
The battlefield was silent except for the faint crackling of dying embers.
In one corner—
Selene's fingers twitched.
Then—
Her eyes opened.
She inhaled sharply.
Air filled her lungs again.
Jax froze.
For half a second he didn't move — as if afraid it was another illusion.
Then he saw her eyes focusing.
"Selene…?"
She looked up at him weakly.
"Jax…"
That was enough.
He pulled her into a tight embrace.
"You're alive…! You're alive!!!"
Tears streamed down his face again — but this time from relief.
Selene's cheeks flushed faintly as she leaned against him.
"Jax…"
---
Across the ruined courtyard—
The dust finally cleared completely.
Varak lay on the ground.
His body was unrecognizable.
Deep cuts carved across his torso. His skin was charred black and cracked. His hair had burned away. His left arm was still frozen and ruined. His eyes were rolled white.
He was a corpse.
Nearby—
