River's breathing remained controlled despite the steady drain on his mana reserves. The invisible coating around his body flickered more frequently now, the bubble film struggling to maintain its perfect camouflage as his MP approached dangerous levels. He could feel it—that familiar warning sensation when his energy reserves hit the critical threshold.
Ten percent left, he calculated silently, watching the subtle tremor in his hands as the invisibility wavered. Maybe less.
Melody remained on the sofa, her fingers still clenched together, lost in her own thoughts about the impossible choice before her. The morning light streaming through the curtains painted golden streaks across her silver-brown hair, and for a moment, River found himself studying the way worry had carved lines around her eyes—lines that no amount of stage makeup could truly hide.
Now or never.
