Lesley and Alvin moved at once.
Shadows erupted again, spiking toward him like spears—but Alvin didn't dodge.
They pierced straight into his stomach.
Lesley stepped forward, placing her hand on his head.
But the moment she did, her arm passed through him.
An illusion.
The real Alvin emerged behind her, fist blazing with wind, aiming for her back.
But she vanished before it could land, reappearing beside a crumbled spire.
Three more Alvins appeared, charging her from all sides.
This time, Lesley didn't fall for it.
She lunged straight for the real one.
'Killing her would be easy… too easy.'
He dodged her blows, thoughts flashing.
'Maybe it's because she's lost control…'
'But I don't want to kill her.'
'I want to save her.'
He activated the black mist, for the first time in a long while.
It was different now.
Golden specks glimmered inside the darkness, like stars in a night sky.
Alvin shook his head, forcing focus.
