The Empress's gaze, calm and cold, settled on Daniel and Eva.
Not like a human's gaze. Not even like a hunter looking at prey.
This gaze… was like something beyond comprehension, examining a flaw in the fabric of existence. And Daniel? Every part of him felt like he was no longer himself.
He was just a "thing." Something now under a microscope in front of that woman.
The Empress paused for a moment. Her eyes locked onto Daniel.
"Fallen one…?" she murmured, softly and almost in wonder.
For the first time in centuries, her frozen eyes opened just a bit wider.
She raised her hand. The air trembled. Strange currents of unknown energy twisted between her fingers, and then a small mark of light formed — alien and complex, shaped like a broken ring with inward blades that looked like they were consuming themselves.
With one motion, she sent the mark toward Daniel. It moved silently, without light, and landed on his chest. It disappeared in an instant.
