The silence that followed Noctis's disappearance felt unnatural — the kind that pressed against their chests until it became hard to breathe. The faint warmth he'd left behind had already faded, leaving only the cold air of the library and the faint hum of flickering mana lamps along the wall.
For a long while, no one spoke.
Charlotte's hands were clasped over her heart, her lips moving in a silent prayer she didn't finish. Elyra leaned against a shelf, arms crossed, her expression a mix of disbelief and exhaustion. Elena's amber eyes lingered on the empty spot where the hologram had stood, while Selene stood close to her.
Noir lay curled beside Noel, her violet eyes glimmering faintly, reflecting the lingering shimmer of dissipated mana.
Noel finally exhaled, the sound breaking the still air. "Guess that really happened," he murmured. His voice was steady, but his eyes betrayed the exhaustion behind it.
