The core's rhythm had stabilized—for now—but my chest still carried the remnant of its pulse, a subtle vibration that made every nerve ending tingle.
Vorta waved his hand, precise and deliberate, and the air in front of us parted in that familiar, impossible way. A portal shimmered into existence, vertical and quivering with subtle energy currents.
"Let's go back," Vorta said, voice calm as if asking me to fetch a cup of tea rather than navigate cosmic architecture. "It is… prudent."
I glanced at Nico, who gave me a sharp nod.
"Don't overthink it. Just follow."
I exhaled and stepped forward.
"Wait, Vorta. Before we go… can we regroup with the others? Agnos, Jiuge, Heim—they came with me earlier."
Vorta froze. A flicker of surprise passed across his otherwise unreadable face. Silver hair shifted over one eye as he regarded me like I'd just suggested juggling exploding suns for fun.
"They… came along?" His voice held disbelief, faint amusement brushing the edges.
