The remains of the void parasite slowly dissolved into dark ash.
What little corruption remained evaporated into the air like smoke, leaving only faint black stains across the concrete floor of the chamber.
No one spoke for several seconds.
The silence was heavy.
Adrian kept his focus on the system notifications hovering in his mind.
The bond network had stabilized again after the fight, but the fifth slot continued pulsing with steady intensity.
Waiting.
Watching.
The system was rarely this persistent.
Seraphine noticed his expression immediately.
"The network again?" she asked quietly.
Adrian nodded.
"Yes."
Elara crossed her arms, watching both of them with growing curiosity.
"You keep referring to a network."
Lyra sighed.
"Well… I guess the secret part of the evening is officially over."
Kaelith looked toward Adrian.
"You're going to tell her?"
He considered it carefully.
Commander Elara already knew about the breach creature.
