In the wall's shadow, the silhouette of the limping leg appeared whole and sound, as if the disability were just a trick of the eye.
Suddenly, the weeds in the corner of the courtyard abruptly stilled…
The blades of grass, which had just been swaying in the wind, instantly froze, not a single tremor remaining.
Immediately after, the blades of grass rustled and stirred on their own, and from them, a small, snow-white snake slithered out.
Its scales shimmered with a cold, moon-like luminescence, but in the shadows, a few faint wisps of ethereal blue were just barely visible.
Its body was no thicker than a finger. As it moved, it didn't stir a single speck of dust or even bend a blade of grass, slithering silently to rest beside Old Limp's crippled leg.
The snake's head circled his tattered shoe once before it finally raised its delicate head.
