[: 3rd POV :]
Aurelian wiped the golden blood from the corner of his mouth and laughed.
A low, disbelieving laugh that slowly sharpened into something cold.
"Ha… hah…," he breathed. "So that's how it is."
He straightened despite the damage, golden light flickering unsteadily around him like a wounded sun.
His eyes locked onto Daniel, no longer dismissive, but sharpened with venomous scrutiny.
"You think you've won?" Aurelian sneered.
"You think destroying a fragment of borrowed divinity makes you victorious?"
Daniel didn't answer.
That silence only seemed to amuse him more.
"Typical," Aurelian continued, spreading his arms mockingly.
"A beast who believes strength alone defines the end of things. You can erase techniques. You can destroy laws"
"But you don't understand what you're facing"
Arin tensed beside Daniel.
"Stop talking," she snapped.
"You've already lost."
Aurelian glanced at her, smile cruel.
"Lost?" He chuckled.
