The chamber trembled—but not because of the creature.
It was Adrian.
The blue light surrounding him flickered violently, unstable, like a flame struggling against a storm. The broken pillars that formed the barrier pulsed unevenly, each one responding to his control… and resisting it at the same time.
His breathing grew heavier.
Not from exhaustion alone—but from pressure.
It felt like something inside him was being stretched too far.
Every breath pulled in more energy than his body could handle, and every second that passed only made it worse.
The system was no longer assisting him.
It was overwhelming him.
Adrian staggered slightly, his vision blurring at the edges. The ground beneath him felt distant, unreal, as if he was losing his grip on more than just balance.
If this continued—
He wouldn't just lose control.
He would break.
"Adrian."
The voice reached him, but it felt far away.
Seraphine.
Calm as always—but there was tension beneath it.
