She broke into a run, wanting to throw herself into that embrace—
Then she saw those eyes.
They were not Aether's eyes.
There was no warmth in them, no longing—only the cold mockery of a hunter.
"No—"
Lumine snapped awake, but it was already too late.
The "Aether" in front of her suddenly grinned viciously, that familiar face twisting into a ferocious expression.
Abyssal power solidified into a tangible impact and slammed hard into Lumine.
"Ah—!"
Lumine screamed, her whole body flying backward like a kite with its string cut, before crashing heavily to the ground. The rocky earth cracked beneath her, and a sharp pain shot through her back, nearly leaving her unable to breathe.
She struggled to lift her head and saw the bandaged monster looking down at her from above, a cruel gleam of triumph flickering in the purple eyes beneath the bandages.
"Pathetic family affection." The Moon Hunter's voice was hoarse and grating. "The prince's blood kin is nothing more than this."
He raised his hand, and abyssal power gathered once more.
"Now, it ends."
Just as that fatal blow was about to fall, a figure suddenly rushed over—
Philins.
He practically stumbled and crawled as he threw himself in front of Lumine, using his own body to block that attack.
"Urgh—!"
With a dull impact, Philins's whole body folded like a shrimp, his already gravely injured body suffering another devastating blow.
He spat out a mouthful of blood, splattering it across Lumine's clothes, and the warm sensation made Lumine's eyes widen.
"Are you all right...?!"
"Go... hurry..." Philins's voice was forced out almost through clenched teeth. His face was as pale as paper, but his gaze remained stubborn. "Don't worry about me..."
The Moon Hunter looked at the scene, and there was even a trace