Noctis Reach's rain masked my tracks as I returned through the secret drainage path. Touching the lead-lined concrete floor of the basement, my exhausted legs nearly gave out. My right palm felt as if roasting over live coals. I threw off my cloak's hood, ravenously inhaling the cold air of the isolation room. The Arcblade hilt in my hand vibrated so violently the black metal began to crack. Blood-red light radiated from its seams, no longer stable, pulsing like a dying heart. The Veil Shard inside refused to be quieted. Robbed of the chance to drink its opponent's fear and death, it was furious and demanded release. If it detonated here, the dark side radiation would tear through the lead lining and roast The Garage above me. Kael, Grox, Jax, and the others would be wiped out because of my past's ego. I dropped cross-legged onto the steel floor. With trembling hands, I used the Veil to strip my weapon's components. Emitter, magnetic ring, and metal casing floated apart. In the cen