At the Edge of a Cliff

For a reason, no one would ever comprehend, the Terrestrial Expression shifted its attention from Konrad to lock on Ilkaalt, and assailed her with a lightning storm, thereby unwittingly saving Astarte's life.

And as she stared at Ilkaalt's battered form, Astarte failed to comprehend how things aligned themselves so perfectly that right before her life ended, lightning dropped to save her!

"Am I…protected by heavens' will?"

She wondered in a stupor.

"That is not far from the truth."

Qehreman, who saw through her mind, wanted to say but restrained himself. And to follow the script, he "awoke" from Ilkaalt's control and locked a bewildered gaze onto Astarte. Seeing him, she didn't hesitate, vanished to reappear by his side, and pulled him away from Ilkaalt faster than the eye could follow.

"Let's go!"