The bond between Axel and Atticus flares briefly in protective response, but I steady myself so the land does not react to fear.
“They positioned strategically,” Axel says, and his voice carries cold clarity, “because they were measuring response.”
“Yes,” Lucian confirms.
“They needed to see ignition, resonance, and alignment occur simultaneously.”
Atticus exhales slowly.
“And when it did,” he says, “they recalibrated.”
The dungeon hum deepens faintly in acknowledgment.
“They now understand that you are not unstable,” Lucian says to me quietly.
“They understand that you are structured.”
The word carries weight.
Structured.
“They also understand that if you complete alignment willingly,” Lucian continues, “amplification stabilizes permanently.”
Silence settles again.
“Define co
