After Kaelith left the room, Aether lazily sank into the chair, shoulders dropping as the tension finally slipped away from him. His gaze drifted across everyone present, a faint, tired smile tugging at his lips, eyes carrying exhaustion that no one could miss.
"I was almost worried I would miss everything," he said, "But thank goodness, I managed to reach in time."
He let out a long breath.
Soft chuckles spread through the room. If he had informed them about his awakening earlier, none of this chaos would have happened.
"Also," Aria growled, her sharp eyes snapping toward Ashara.
Ashara flinched immediately, instinctively slipping behind Aether and clutching onto him like a frightened cat seeking shelter.
"Pull. her. out," Aria said coldly, each word edged with restrained anger.
Ashara stiffened, fingers trembling as she tried to reach out to someone only she could sense... The connection answered her with nothing but silence.
