Irina released him with a shove, her flames receding as she took a step back. She clenched her fists at her sides, her nails digging into her palms as frustration boiled within her. 'No name. No face. Just the sigil.' The same sigil she now carried in her pocket, a frustratingly ambiguous clue.
Her gaze swept the room one last time, falling on each battered figure in turn. Despite her best efforts, despite her flames and fury, she'd found nothing. No threads to follow. No names to chase. Only fear and uncertainty.
"This is useless," she muttered under her breath, her flames flickering out completely as she turned away. Her fiery hair settled against her back, no longer buoyed by the aura of her power. She clenched her jaw, trying to swallow the bitter taste of disappointment.
From the shadows near the warehouse entrance, Astron stepped forward, his calm presence a stark contrast to the destruction around them. His sharp purple eyes scanned the room before settling on Irina.
