The quiet that followed felt heavier than the fight itself.
Dust drifted slowly through the air, settling over broken stone and twisted metal as the last echoes of battle faded into nothing. Noel lowered Revenant Fang at last, letting the blade's hum die down until it was only cold weight in his hand. His chest rose and fell with measured breaths, the ache in his muscles finally allowed to surface now that the danger had passed.
He turned first, eyes moving instinctively to the others.
"Everyone good?" Noel asked, his voice steady despite the fatigue beneath it.
Elyra answered without words. She met his gaze and lifted her thumb, posture straight, expression sharp as ever.
Elena was seated a short distance away, one knee drawn up, fingers resting loosely against the stone as she caught her breath. Her hair clung slightly to her forehead, sweat and dust mixed together, but her eyes were clear.
"I'm fine," she said after a moment. "A few scratches. Nothing serious."
