In the end, what appeared before Xilos and Winnie, who was barely clinging to consciousness, was Mia's left hand—a hand that, from the wrist down, had completely turned into a section of stark-white bone with not a trace of flesh attached.
Only a few lingering scraps of ash-like skin still clung to the joints of her finger bones, making it all the more bleak and horrifying.
The Pale Rift vanished completely. Not a trace remained in the void, and that eerie draining force was cut off along with it.
The power leaking from Winnie's body stopped as well. Though she was weak, her condition had temporarily stabilized.
Mia slowly drew back that left hand that had already become bare bone and let it hang at her side. Her face remained calm and unruffled, as if losing the flesh of one hand were no more than brushing away a speck of dust.
Only the brilliant golden radiance around her seemed to have dimmed by an almost imperceptible fraction compared to when she had first appeared.
She turned her head, and those deep eyes finally looked toward Xilos, who was pinned in place, and Winnie, whose face was pale and whose aura was feeble.
Her gaze was as still as an ancient well, yet it made Xilos feel a chill even deeper than the one she had felt when facing the Pale Rift moments ago.
Silence lingered in the void for a while. Only the faint light of distant stars shone coldly over this corner where a silent clash had just taken place.
The pressure on Xilos had not been lifted. She still could not move and could only watch Mia warily, thoughts racing as she guessed at this mysterious being's purpose.
At last, Mia spoke.
Her voice was cold and clear,