Chapter 86: Void Crawler.

Rex nodded, meeting her gaze with unwavering sincerity. "Yes. In his last moments, he asked me to protect you both, to make sure you had a chance to live. And I don't take promises lightly."

He glanced down, his hand resting on the edge of the bed. "I know you might not understand why things happened the way they did. And I don't expect you to forgive me, not now. Maybe not ever. But I'll be here, as long as you need me."

Lyra reached out hesitantly, her fingers brushing the juice box on the tray. She looked up at Rex, a glimmer of understanding in her tearful eyes. "Papa... would want us to be strong," she whispered, almost as if she were reminding herself as much as her sister.

Nyra's face softened, the anger being remplaced with something closer to exhaustion. She looked away, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. "Fine, but that doesn't mean I trust you," she mumbled, her voice thick.