The forest remained oddly still after the Spring winked shut, as though the entire valley were adjusting to Nova's new glow. The air felt fuller, like a breath held too long. Even the starflies hovered in slow spirals, wings beating silently, entranced.
Samantha didn't realize she was shaking until Callum steadied her shoulders. "Breathe," he murmured, voice low, warm, still crackling faintly with post-ritual intensity.
"Breathing is irresponsible at this point," she whispered, palms pressed to her temples. "My daughter just elbowed ancient magic in the face and it let her."
Kai lifted Nova like she was a sparkly trophy. "She's a prodigy. A tiny, dangerous prodigy."
Nova giggled, flashing him with a weak sparkle like a baby firefly.
Marcus stepped closer to the sealed Spring, eyes narrowed behind his glasses. "It's dormant again. But not gone."
Linda squinted at the ground. "So what you're all saying is… my grandchild is now in charge of a magical geological feature."
