'What's going on?' Max was truly shaken now, his thoughts racing. 'Is this done by Mark? Or is he here right now?' That was the only explanation that made sense. After all, the infernal energy coursing through his body—powerful and chaotic—had originated from Mark himself.
Only Mark's presence could make it react like this, roaring with instinctive rage and fear like a wild animal recognizing its master—or its executioner.
"Everyone! Step back!" Max shouted with urgency, his voice sharp and laced with anxiety. The crowd instantly obeyed, sensing the gravity in his tone. They quickly retreated to the far end of the hall, fear flickering in their eyes.
Max narrowed his gaze at the four puppet-like figures at the entrance—Nortan, and the three Commandants. "I killed all four of them before," he said firmly to Elias and Aria, not taking his eyes off the walking corpses.
