Reality tore open in the throne room with a sound like silk being rent by an invisible blade. The blue-edged portal spun briefly before stabilizing, its edges pulsing with otherworldly light. Kiran emerged first, her mismatched eyes gleaming with satisfaction. Luna followed, carrying an unconscious form with casual disregard, as though transporting nothing more significant than a sack of flour.
"We're here," Kiran announced, her voice lilting with that unsettling sing-song quality. "One Thornvale spy, as requested."
Eren's heart stopped as he recognized the limp figure in Luna's arms. Viva's slender form hung unresponsively, her typically alert features slack, silver hair spilling like water toward the floor.
"Viva!" Eren lunged forward without thinking, every instinct demanding he reach her.
