Relic of the Future: Chapter 37

"Overconfidence is dangerous." Ashari said. "You should keep an eye on that."

"It's not overconfidence if victory is firmly within my grasp, is it?" Cinder stepped out the elevator as she said that. "But you're right, Ashari, it wouldn't do for me to take any undue risks so close to my victory." Cinder snapped her fingers. "Null."

Emerald both felt the drop of their aura and heard the beep of her scroll warning her. That was all, however, as Null's eyes flashed and his gun snapped up aimed directly at her face. Emerald's eyes widened, her mouth opening in a confused little o as he pulled the trigger.

[...]

The elevator doors opened on the ground floor and Headmaster Arc breathed out suddenly. "No. It doesn't look like you are."

Emerald was on her knees, shocked and silent with Ashari draped over her, his arms around her shoulders and his body covering hers as if shielding her. There were four large red holes in his back and his long hair fell over Emerald's shoulder. The girl looked too shocked to move, too shocked to even react as they stepped out the elevator and past her. Her own smaller hands were holding Ashari, though she continued to stare into the distance.

"Is he-?"

"Cinder doesn't accept competition." Headmaster said. "It's probably the same reason she sent Grimm to his death against Knight. She and Fate were of similar minds, if not similar willingness to kill those who hold you dear." He tugged Winter away from Emerald. "Leave her. The poor girl isn't going to be a problem."

"He saved me…" Emerald whispered. He didn't think it was aimed at them, more to herself. "He… He said he loved me…"

It was as uncomfortable a sigh as any Winter had seen. Ashari had claimed… well, whatever he had claimed didn't matter now with his death, but such an ignoble end felt less than righteous.

—Arc Royale: Chapter 37