Alex knelt beside Chi-Chi, checking her breathing. It was faint.
Chi-Chi had no visible wounds, but Alex, though not an expert in soul magic, had some understanding of souls. She guessed that Chi-Chi's soul had been damaged.
"I'm too late," Alex murmured, cradling Chi-Chi in her arms. Chi-Chi seemed to sense Alex's warmth, her fingers twitching slightly, but she remained unconscious.
Chi-Chi had likely been struck by the angel's holy light, an attack that, like Alex's dark magic, directly harmed the soul. Ironically, angels would call it soul purification.
Alex's escape route was cut off, surrounded by ruins in the desert. The angel had destroyed the castle crystal to prevent Alex from fleeing, but hadn't anticipated losing to her.
Despite the dire situation, Alex didn't panic. She knew that if she could leave the desert and find a Lord, she could easily return to Undead City.