The man barely had time to process it.
One moment, he was lunging, triumphant, certain Ambrose had nowhere left to run.
The next —
The seeker fired multiple shots.
A deafening crack tore through the air, louder than thunder, louder than reason.
His body jerked violently as the energy bolt slammed into his skull, splitting flesh and bone in an instant.
For a second — just a second — he was frozen, eyes wide in shock, mouth still open in a half-formed curse.
Then, his legs jerk for a few seconds before his body hit the ground with a wet thud.
Smoke curled from the side of his head from the gunshot, skin sizzling where the shot had burned straight through.
Two shots in his chest, head and three shots in his abdomen.
Blood spread fast across the ground beneath him.
Ambrose did not move. Neither did the blonde woman.
Neither did anyone.
For a moment, it was as if the entire world held its breath.
[00:03…00:02…00:01…]
