He would have been heartbroken…

Drip... Drip....

Blood dripped steadily onto the cracked ground, pooling around Thalia's feet as she struggled to stand upright, her vision hazy from exhaustion and pain. Her voice, though faint, was resolute. "I... I won't let you… win," she panted, forcing herself to hold her stance.

Aqualina, equally battered and bruised, let out a heavy breath, her lips curving into an amused smile, "Huff-Huff-Huff...N-Not... bad… Not bad at all," she admitted with a touch of admiration. "Despite not being one of the Chosen, you've proven yourself far more resilient than any of them. If Arcane had chosen you… you'd already be a sovereign," she said, nodding in acknowledgment before casting her gaze to where Raven lay, enclosed in a dome of healing light.

Helena, on the verge of passing out, strained to maintain the dome around Raven, her focus wavering as her energy dwindled. Her own vision swam, and she knew she couldn't keep this up for much longer.