"I have given you a chance to retreat, but you guys just triggered my limit."
Ren's voice was calm but sharp, like a blade about to strike. His eyes, usually emotionless, carried a cold finality that made Evie's skin prickle.
Before Evie could ask what he meant, a thick cloud of smoke suddenly spread in all directions. It swallowed everything in sight within seconds.
"W-what is this?" Evie gasped, her heart racing. The grey fog rolled in like a living thing, twisting and curling through the air. It was odorless, tasteless, and strangely heavy — like it carried a chill that seeped into her bones.
"Don't worry," Ren said softly, his voice low and distant. "Everything… will end now."
The tone of his voice was gentle, almost too gentle. It didn't match the chaos forming around them. That strange softness made Evie's heart skip. It was the kind of voice that made her feel safe — but also uneasy, like there was something more behind it.
