As the hours passed, Kali found herself struggling to remain upright. Her head ached, and the darkness beyond the canvas seemed to sway whenever she looked at it.
Once, she reached for her mana again. The absence was almost infuriating enough to make her laugh.
She had used more strength biting through bone than this body possessed in its entirety. People had begged beneath her, struggled against her threads, offered anything they owned for another day of life.
She had rarely listened for long.
Now Haren's breathing kept drawing her attention. Whenever it grew too quiet, she nudged him until he stirred.
"Stay awake."
"I'm tired."
"So am I."
He moved beside her, making what little room he could.
Kali lowered herself against the stone.
The formation had made this place. It had made the road, the storm, perhaps even the man struggling to breathe beside her.
