The moment they stepped beyond the chamber's threshold, both Rena and Taeryn collapsed against the corridor wall, their chests heaving as if they had been drowning and finally found air. The crushing weight that had pressed upon their souls in Wendelina's presence lifted like a heavy blanket being pulled away, leaving them gasping and trembling.
Rena's hands shook as she wiped sweat from her brow. "I... I didn't understand a single word she said," she panted, looking up at Morgana with wide, confused eyes.
"Why does she speak like that? Like every word carries the weight of mountains?"
Morgana chuckled softly, though even she dabbed at the thin layer of moisture that had gathered on her forehead during the audience.
"If I had stayed any longer, I don't know what would have happened to me," Taeryn added, feeling her Origin power up close. He couldn't believe he even spoke before her.
