The World did not end.
It screamed.
The sound tore through the ancient kingdom as the seventh seal shattered, sending crimson light racing across the sky. Towers crumbled. Rivers of molten gold turned black. The seven crowns above the throne fell one after another, striking the ground with deafening crashes.
Aliena felt Sebastian's hand slipping from hers.
"No!"
She tightened her grip.
His face appeared through the storm, his golden-red eyes wide with terror.
"Aliena, let go!"
"Absolutely not!"
"You don't understand what you've done!"
"Then explain it when we're somewhere that isn't collapsing!"
Despite everything, something almost like a smile crossed his face.
Then a black chain erupted from the ground and wrapped around his chest.
Sebastian screamed.
Aliena's smile vanished.
The chain pulled him backward, dragging him toward the ruins of the throne.
She caught his wrist with both hands.
"Sebastian!"
His fingers slipped through hers.
And then he was gone.
