The chamber doors sealed shut behind Fenric, his shadow vanishing into the cold stone like it had never been there.
For a long while, there was only the sound of Aria and Laxin's ragged breathing, echoing in the wreckage of shattered bones.
Aria pressed her forehead against the floor, too exhausted to lift her head. "…He's insane."
Laxin, sprawled flat on his back, let out a broken laugh. "You're just figuring that out now? The man looked me in the eye, conjured a boss monster, and said 'adapt.' That's not training—that's attempted murder."
She groaned, rolling onto her side to glare at him. "And yet… we're alive."
He tilted his head toward her, lips quirking despite the burns still glowing faintly across his arms. "Barely. I'm ninety percent sure my spleen's on strike."
Aria chuckled weakly, then winced, holding her ribs. "…Don't make me laugh. It hurts."
