Moments later it disappeared into the mountain.
Gone.
The silence that followed felt surreal.
Kai collapsed onto a nearby rock.
Breathing heavily.
Alive.
Again.
Somehow.
---
The armored man approached.
Several soldiers followed close behind.
The crown gleamed beneath the torchlight.
The king studied Kai.
Then Andre.
Then Andre again.
A slow smile appeared.
"Well."
Andre groaned.
"Oh no."
The king pointed.
"Look who we have here."
Kai glanced between them.
"You know each other?"
"Unfortunately."
"Very unfortunately."
The king laughed.
Andre looked like he wanted to punch royalty.
The king extended a hand toward Kai.
"King Akshay of Yggdrasil."
Kai shook it.
At least this king seemed normal.
Then Akshay immediately ruined that impression.
"You travel with him voluntarily?"
He pointed at Andre.
Kai hesitated.
"Mostly."
"Remarkable."
Akshay nodded.
"I wouldn't."
Andre rolled his eyes.
"Still throwing shade after all these years?"
"Still committing crimes after all these years?"
Kai looked back and forth.
Like watching two old friends trapped in an endless argument.
---
Eventually Akshay's attention shifted.
His smile widened.
Dangerously.
Andre immediately noticed.
"Oh no."