There was barely any warning and definitely no final countdown.
Only the jarring groan of metal and that sudden gut-wrenching pull of gravity that came with the ringing in his ears.
Luca came to first.
His vision spun as his eyes fluttered open. And he was confused, as the first thing he saw was a faint glow around them.
The air was thick with dust and heat, and everything hurt in a dull, muffled way. It was a very familiar feeling, but one he hadn't felt in what seemed like forever.
Yet right now, it told him that they'd likely crashed into something, somewhere, and hard.
But despite the heat around him, there was this cooling presence against his side.
Xavier. Steady, solid, and protective.
The Prince hadn't let go. His arm was still shielded over Luca in a reflexive arc, spiritual energy crackling faintly around them like a net trying to hold reality together.
Luca coughed, breath catching as the sharp scent of burning metal filled his lungs.
