For one moment, both of their lives had flashed before his eyes. Miraculously—inexplicably—they were both still breathing.
For now.
They were also alone and without the ring.
Regis shifted his balance to his good leg and released his hold on Reina's shoulder—she would need all the mobility she could get and he was little but a hindrance to her now. She reached back and grabbed his arm, keeping only half an eye on Drautos.
"Let me go, my dear. You cannot win this fight and support me at the same time."
Still she hesitated. Drautos closed in again, sword rising overhead while she was distracted—or he thought she was. But she took a step back, putting Regis directly behind her again, and throwing up a barrier all in one motion. Drautos' blade crashed into her shield. The magic held true.
"Let me go, Reina." Regis squeezed her hand. "I am capable of defending myself if he does not turn his full attention on me."
She would see to it that Drautos had no opportunity to do so. Reluctantly, while Drautos struggled to shatter her barrier, Reina released her hold on Regis' sleeve and turned her full attention to the battle at hand.
Drautos had yet to retrieve the ring. Whatever his motivations had been, he now seemed to prioritize retribution over all else. The Ring of the Lucii lay where Reina had thrown it: across the room, black metal stark against the white marble floor. If Regis could reach it—
He took one step on his good leg. The right one had not willingly supported his weight in almost five years, but he fixed his eyes on the ring and put that thought from his mind. Either it would hold him or he would be forced to drag himself across the room. His cane was well out of reach. He put his foot down and his weight behind his knee. Pain shot up his thigh and down his shin; he clutched at his leg, gasping, but he forced his other foot across the floor. One step. Now another. He fixed on his goal, wary of the sound of metal clashing against metal, and lightning crackling across Magitek behind him. They were far enough away for now.
Someone stepped into view. He stooped and plucked the Ring of the Lucii from the floor while Regis was still half a room away.
Imperial High Commander Ravus Nox Fleuret. Wherever his loyalties lay, Regis was loath to trust one such as him with the ring.
"Reina," Regis called over the sound of thunder and steel. He kept his eyes on the commander.
She spun, first to look at Regis, then to look where he did. Drautos turned as well, once he was back on his feet—his armor now smoking.
"The Ring of the Lucii…" Ravus held it between thumb and forefinger, admiring it in the light. Then his eyes landed on Regis. "So much strife over such a trifle. If any could wear it and gain unfathomable power, why would we follow a pampered brat?"
Reina stepped forward put herself at Regis' side once more. She ducked beneath his arm and Regis leaned on her against his better judgement. He let out a sigh of relief. Drautos was still too close for comfort. But he lifted his blade and primed in Ravus' direction.
"That isn't how it happens, Ravus," Reina said. "You lose your arm—and only that because they are merciful."
Ravus looked to her, face unreadable but intense. She held out her hand, palm up, as if expecting him to pass over the ring.
Drautos leapt.
The ring flew, forming a neat arc in the opposite direction. Drautos shifted mid-flight—or he tried to—and missed Ravus, Reina, and the ring entirely. Reina caught it deftly and, in one fluid motion, put it back on her finger.
"Ravus." Reina reached back to brush her fingers over Regis' arm, but kept her eyes locked on Drautos. "Get my father out of here. Take him someplace safe and keep him that way."
Ravus looked at Regis, utter loathing clear on his face. Not that Regis was pleased, himself, to rely on the aid of such a man—nor to leave her on her own.
Against all odds, Ravus stepped forward—his movements odd and jerky, as if he were being forced against his will. But he picked up Regis' cane, thrust it into his hand, and grabbed his other arm none too gently. If Reina trusted him then Regis had little choice except to do likewise, but it was no secret that the commander wanted him dead.
"Know this, Ravus," Reina said. "I could not care less about your sister. If he dies, I will kill her myself."
Ravus wasn't the only one staring at her, shocked by her blunt words and—more so—the look on her face. She would have done it. She would have killed an innocent for Regis' life. What had he done to allow her to come to this? Ten years he had left her alone, but before that he had been a poor father to her. If they survived tonight, he would make it right.
He would make it right.
Ravus jerked at his arm, dragging him away from Reina.
"Reina—!" Regis pulled back. "Do not do this on your own!"
"Go, Father! I will be fine."
But she didn't see the swirl of black mist in the corner as the dark tile darkened further and the air became practically opaque. Perhaps she could take care of herself. But Drautos and daemons—
"Reina!"
What stepped out of the fog was worse than daemons.
It was Ardyn Izunia.
Ravus pulled. He wasn't much bigger than Regis, but he was certainly stronger. And though Regis tried to turn back, to stand at Reina's side, he was drawn away—practically dragged as his shoes and cane slipped over smooth tile. He had no choice but to leave her alone with two monsters, unless he actively wished to cause conflict with his so-called protector.
So he went, mind numb with the thought that Reina could—and would—kill Lunafreya merely to serve revenge unto Ravus, and heartsick with turning his back on her once more.