He shook his head slowly, his breathing uneven. "I don't have much time," he said, locking eyes with me.
For a second, I froze. The calm in his voice didn't match the tremor in his body. He looked down at the void below, his eyes distant, unfocused. The crimson glow from the link behind him washed over his face, and sweat trickled down his temples.
I reached out, Essence already gathering in my palm; violet and green currents swirling together as I prepared to rip the chain apart.
But before I could touch it, Dante's hand shot up, stopping mine midair. His grip was weak but steady.
"Don't," he said quietly.
Behind him, I heard Steve curse under his breath. "What the hell do you mean don't?"
North stepped closer, her voice trembling. "Billion… we can't just stand here."
Dante exhaled, his breath shallow, and released my hand. "It will be of no use," he said quietly. "I will die anyway."
