Marcus remained rooted to the spot as Hualing's crimson figure diminished against the horizon. A troubled frown creased his features as he processed what had just occurred. Something fundamental about her had changed—not just the unexpected blood wings, but her entire demeanor. The cold calculation in her eyes, the measured speech patterns, even her posture had been distinctly different from the Hualing he knew. The transformation reminded him eerily of the version he'd encountered in his future timeline.