"Scion!"
Arix burst into the room, still wrestling with how to stop Scion from becoming the Pontifex. But what she saw next made her blood run cold—Scion, poised to take his own life.
"No! Don't do it!" Arix cried out, her voice shaking with fear.
Scion hesitated, just for a heartbeat. His once vacant eyes seemed to catch a flicker of something—maybe life, maybe regret. But even as he glanced at the girl sprinting toward him, his grip on the sword didn't loosen.
His lips moved, forming words Arix couldn't catch. Then, with a resigned sigh, he closed his eyes and let the blade slice through his throat.
For a brief moment, the world stood still. Every breath was held, eyes wide in horror as Scion moved to end it all.
Some tried to reach him, to stop him, but they were too late. All they could do was watch as his blood stained the sacred throne of the Pontifex, soaking Arix's clothes in the process.
Shoutout to burninghawkman and C_Prescod for your golden tickets!