Regulus

The battle had already been decided.

• High above the shattered city, Regulus Corneas hung helplessly in the sky, his body curled in on itself. The man who once demanded absolute perfection had been reduced to frantic breaths and broken thoughts. *

"This isn't my fault... none of this is my fault..." he muttered, clutching at himself. "How could they betray me? My wives... after everything I gave them..."

• His breathing became more ragged as panic consumed him. For the first time in what felt like forever, there was no arrogance—only desperation. *

Then something seized him.

• Regulus flinched, convinced Reinhard had reached him again. But... this grip was different. *

He looked up.

Not red hair. Not a sword.

• Only the silhouette of a stranger. Their face was hidden from view, obscured by the angle and the light. All he could make out were their clothes as they carried him through the air without a word. *

The ground rushed toward them.

BOOM!

• The impact carved a massive crater into the earth, dust erupting in every direction. Before Regulus could even process what had happened, the stranger casually set him back onto his feet and released him. *

Alive.

Standing.

• For a long moment, neither of you spoke. *

• Regulus stared, utterly bewildered. Whoever this person was... they had just plucked him from the sky itself. *

"...Who are you?"