"Everyone, I—"
His words were cut off when Aella suddenly lunged at him, delivering a tight hug.
"I thought you were dead!" she exclaimed, tears welling up in her eyes. "I thought we meant more to each other, but you didn't even contact me once!"
"I had my reasons," Neraxis replied, gently caressing her head, which was buried in his chest. "The ones who tried to kill me would've been much more active had I revealed myself."
"But a text or—"
"Nothing," Neraxis cut her off. "I'm pretty strong now, which is why I put a bounty on my head. I want them to know I'm here since they will be hearing from me soon."
"Neraxis," Celina called out, her expression clouded with guilt. "Was it my fault? Is that why you couldn't escape?"
"Not at all. They had a different agenda and held me back long enough for the nukes to drop. I'm just glad none of you were close by."
"Do you know who saved you?" Eris asked, her tone making it obvious she was referring to the Obscura.
