A realization bloomed in Carius's mind like a poisoned flower.
"You caused all of this… You foiled everything. You're the reason…"
His voice trailed off. But Atticus did not pause.
There was no satisfaction in his eyes, no pride in his dominance.
Only silence.
Only judgment.
His gaze bore into Carius like a god looking upon a failed creation.
And then…
Carius shivered.
Something unfamiliar bloomed in his chest. A feeling he had hardly ever felt.
A feeling he didn't want to feel.
But it was there.
Fear.
His lips shook.
"…A monster…" he whispered just as Atticus stopped before him.
Slowly, he raised his hand, and an orb of dark crimson energy surged to life in his palm, spiraling with quiet, terrifying power.
"Atticus Ravenstein!"
The voice rang out like a bomb. Eletantron's voice.
"You have no right to pass judgment! Only the Alliance holds that authority! If you go through with this, you will be branded a traitor!"
Despite his words, Atticus didn't even blink.
