The spire pulsed, and Kael stepped back uneasily.
Run, the gem whispered fearfully. Run away now, or we'll both be killed.
Could the gem even die? Kael had always assumed it would live on long after he was gone.
Maybe it meant it couldn't fully live unless it had a host. Without Kael, the gem was as good as dead.
The sky overhead began to darken, as if a storm was approaching. But beyond the Capitol, the skies were purple as they always were.
Kael watched an Official pass the spire and collapse to his knees.
A wave of power pulsed out, freezing Kael in place.
The Official screamed.
Kael and Varek could only watch as they ripped their mask off and began clawing their eyes out with their hands.
Blood poured down the man's face as he screamed in agony. Then, he twitched, posture locking up.
For a moment, he looked to be at peace. Then, he collapsed over, dead.
"What…the…hell," Kael mumbled, still struggling to move.
The spire had done all that just by existing?
