The dust took longer than expected to settle.
Not because there was so much of it, but because no one moved to disturb it. The broken plaza stayed exactly as it was, stone cracked and bowed inward where the guardian had collapsed, the air still heavy with the aftertaste of mana and cold. The Shard remained where it had fallen, exposed and pulsing softly, its light steady now that nothing was binding it—but no one stepped toward it.
Garron tried to straighten first.
He pushed one hand against the ground, teeth clenched as he forced his weight upward, only for his legs to betray him halfway through. His balance slipped, strength giving out all at once instead of gradually, and he would've gone down hard if Noel hadn't caught him by the shoulder and side.
"Easy," Noel said, bracing him without hesitation. "You're done pretending you're fine."
