Chapter 193: Sora's Pain
The battlefield had fallen quiet. Pirates retreated, ships disappearing into the horizon, leaving behind the wreckage of the Devil War.
Above, Seraphel Dawn descended slowly, his blazing wings fading into the gray clouds. Silence settled over the navy headquarters.
Inside, Sora Nithel sat rigidly, his Shinkourai sword resting beside him, eyes scanning the distant horizon. Rain streaked the windows, dripping cold over polished floors.
Then —
ALRARRMMMMM!!
Sora flinched, hand tightening on the sword's hilt. His tone was sharp, clipped:
"What now?"
The speaker boomed across the hall:
"The Supreme Admiral Uruma Nithel…"
Sora's eyes widened, heart skipping. Sweat beaded across his temples. He sprang to his feet, sword in hand.
"What happened?" he demanded, voice low, urgent.
"The Supreme Admiral Uruma Nithel… has been killed in the war against the Pirates. Killer — Morgan Tarek."
Sora froze. The world narrowed. Time slowed.
He burst outside. Rain soaked his cloak, streaming over his shoulders. His eyes fell upon his father's colossal body, blood mixing with the storm's downpour, the throat cruelly cut.
Sora collapsed to his knees, fingers trembling as he reached for the fallen man. Tears carved clean streaks down his face. Silence. The roaring battlefield faded to a distant hum.
He could not speak. His chest felt split open, each beat stabbing him like a thousand daggers. Rage and grief battled within him, but not a sound escaped.
Around him, the Seraph Admirals observed quietly, wings tucked, masks neutral. Navy soldiers whispered nervously:
"He's too cold."
But they did not see the storm raging in his soul.
Slowly, deliberately, Sora stood. His hands still shook, sword heavy in his grip. Eyes locked on his father's body, he whispered through clenched teeth:
"Bury him somewhere… nice."
The rain fell harder, mixing with blood on the ground. Every droplet mirrored his sorrow, a cleansing tempest for a man who had lost everything yet bore the weight of command.