The light swallowed everything.
Hermes staggered, clutching Raphael's hand. The world around them twisted, slowed, then stilled. The pink smoke froze mid-swirl, caught in the air like painted glass.
Hermes gasped, dizzy from the sudden silence. "It worked…"
Raphael's golden eyes locked onto his. He nodded once, his breath ragged but resolute. "Run."
Somner looked around in disbelief. "The hell— Why does it feel like someone clicked the pause button on the world…?"
Ymir's jaw tightened. "They froze time. Again."
Hermes forced himself to steady. "We don't have long. Let's move before it catches up."
Magni didn't waste a second. He scooped up the vase cradling the Pleroman plant with both hands, holding it as though it were sacred. Raphael clutched the jar of solinium tight to his chest. Together, they pushed through the frozen haze, past the stiff figure of Shani standing near the door. His hand was half-raised as though reaching for them, but unmoving.
