After the process was done, a heavy relief washed over them all. The lattice of lingering light on the walls slowly dimmed, the room feeling less tense now even though the tether on the table still pulsed with its faint heartbeat glow.
Billy sighed, his shoulders loosening, then tilted his head toward Adrius.
"So… why not do it now?" he asked, his tone laced with the impatience of someone eager to end this thing.
Adrius let out a low chuckle, sinking into one of the chairs.
His eyes were shadowed with fatigue, the glow of exertion still clinging faintly to his face.
"Because it's still too hard for me, boy," he admitted, rubbing his temple. "My mind and core need time to recover. If I force it now I could break."
He leaned back, breathing slowly. Then with a small, almost mischievous smile, he added, "Wait a minute."
