Eccar and Aesa watched Erend closely.
The subtle tightening of his jaw, the way his eyes sharpened and then grew distant, it was enough. Whatever he was reading from the administrator of his power, it was not trivial.
They exchanged a brief glance. No words were needed. Both of them decided to wait.
If it was serious, Erend would speak when he was ready.
Meanwhile, Erend withdrew inward into his own mind.
The frozen plateau and the howling wind faded to the edge of his awareness as his focus settled fully on the System interface.
"You expected this?" he asked.
There was no emotion in his mental voice, only calculation.
A response appeared almost immediately.
[Yes. We have observed signs that the Void Architect has begun to stir again.]
Erend's thoughts sharpened.
"But why now?"
A short pause followed.
[We have not yet determined the precise trigger.]
The answer did not satisfy him.
