CHAPTER 114 — FRACTURED ECHO
The desert wind howled once more before settling into a low, restless hum.
The exposed slab was already sinking back into the sand, as if embarrassed by its own appearance. Whatever had risen had retreated just as abruptly.
Zehell's grip on her spear loosened slightly, though her eyes never left Long Hao.
"You touched it," she said quietly.
"Yes."
"Why?"
Long Hao did not hesitate.
"I felt like I should check it."
Colby blinked. "That's it?"
"Yes."
Marek scoffed. "You felt like it?"
Long Hao shrugged faintly. "It wasn't attacking."
Zehell stepped closer, her boots pressing into the soft sand. The silver lines along her spear dimmed gradually as the tension faded.
"And?"
Long Hao glanced at the slab, now half-buried again.
"It wasn't reacting to us."
The wind brushed across the dunes.
Zehell's gaze sharpened. "Then what was it reacting to?"
Long Hao met her eyes calmly.
"…Proximity."
"Whose?" she asked.
There was a half-second pause.
