living skeleton · magic · witty · vengeance · irish · fantasy · loyal · tragic · detective · dark humor
The Accelerator’s core churned, a deafening hum vibrating through the chamber. Erskine Ravel lay shackled and dazed on the floor. The Engineer stood rigid, explaining the tragic necessity: twelve minutes remained before total destruction. Only one soul, willingly given, could stop it—a soul that would cease to exist forever. Valkyrie paled, desperate to volunteer, but Skulduggery intercepted her. He struck her, hard, sending her folding in pain, his golden eyes cold with resolve. 'Nonsense,' he stated, moving toward the dais. Valkyrie, tears streaming, pressed against his ribcage, begging him not to go. He paused, his gloved finger gently brushing a tear from her cheek, the weight of the sacrifice hanging in the air.