Wallace's hands moved quickly, tracing the familiar rune patterns into the dirt with a steady focus I hadn't seen since we first entered this nightmare. His movements were slower, his mana nearly drained, but he didn't waver.
"Wallace," I murmured, voice low. "Keep it tight. No gaps."
"I know, Professor," he muttered through clenched teeth, sweat dripping down his brow. "I'm not an amateur."
"Could've fooled me," Julien mumbled from his spot, sword angled and ready. His stance was loose but prepared—he wasn't taking chances.
Mira stayed close to Wallace, dagger poised, her eyes scanning the treeline. Her mana was thin, but her instincts were sharp. She'd strike the moment something moved.
Leo…
He stood deathly still.
I could feel the tether pulsing now—stronger than before. It was subtle, a vibration in the air, but it was feeding off of him. Whatever had latched onto Leo wasn't just a remnant.
It was waiting.
