Ash's eyes, which had softened for a moment while he planned his revenge, snapped back to a cold, dangerous glare.
He slowly pulled his hand from Echidna's grasp, his gaze sharp enough to cut.
"Help me with what?" he asked, his voice low and devoid of warmth.
The question hung in the air, thick with the power that was still vibrating in the room. The small cracks on the window, faint traces of his earlier killing intent, were all the proof Echidna needed.
"We can start with that," Echidna said, her smile not faltering as she gestured to the cracked window and the heavy atmosphere. "With the reason, you're leaking enough killing intent to frighten a dungeon boss. You're not here as a tourist or on a quest, Ash. You're here to break something. Or, more likely, kill someone."
Terra and Aisha were stunned into silence.
Aisha's hand instinctively went to the hilt of her sword, her eyes narrowing as she stepped slightly forward, placing herself between Echidna and her master.
