The tension didn’t fade.
It built.
Lyra could feel it.
Inside her.
Growing.
Her breathing became uneven.
Too fast.
Too sharp.
“Lyra,” Kael said quietly.
But she barely heard him.
Because something inside her was shifting again.
Stronger than before.
Unstable.
“I can’t—” she started.
Her voice broke.
Daniel stepped forward immediately.
“Hey, look at me,” he said.
Lyra tried.
But her vision blurred slightly.
That same energy surged again—
This time—
Harder.
Her body reacted before she could think.
She dropped to one knee—
Gripping the ground tightly.
“Lyra!” Daniel moved closer.
“Don’t,” Kael said sharply.
Daniel froze.
“What do you mean don’t?” he snapped.
Kael’s eyes were locked on Lyra.
“She needs space.”
“This isn’t space, she’s struggling!” Daniel argued.
