Friends

Derek's words made Lu Jin jerk back instinctively. He wanted to refute Derek's words, but he knew Derek was right. Nothing right now was more important than Sol's survival. Without him alive, there is no way they can take the empire. Even if they managed to do it by force, the people would never accept them, which may just force them to pray to the old gods.

"Don't worry. Before I became this, I was powerful in my own right." Sol said with a calm smile.

He then turned his attention to Derek and nodded. In response, Derek raised his palm, which began to shiver as a fierce yet ominous aura escaped his palms. Souls began swirling around them as cries and pleas of the dead resounded across the room as Derek struck forward, smashing the palm into Sol's chest.

Strangely there was no cut or tear on Sol's skin, instead, Derek's palm phased into his chest and instead of gripping Sol's heart, he took hold of his soul.