"You can go now!" Sebastian turned sharply to Ezekiel, his tone firm despite the pallor of his face. "We got this. You go help the others."
Ezekiel's eyes narrowed, scanning Sebastian's still trembling hands and faint aura. "I don't think so. Your mana's stuck in limbo—you're forcing your body past its limit. Stay still. I'll stabilize you."
Sebastian raised a weak hand, cutting him off, and gestured toward Elrond, who was still surrounded by skittering insects at the barrier. "Save your strength. Use it on Levi and the others—they're probably facing something worse. A puppet user, or… whatever the hell that magic style is."
Ezekiel hesitated, glancing at Elrond. The barrier still pulsed faintly, Elrond's swarm working tirelessly—but ten minutes had passed, and the shadow sphere hadn't even cracked.
"Fine," Ezekiel muttered at last, the word edged with reluctant frustration. "But if anything changes—if something happens—I'm coming back here."
