The shore did not warn them.
There was no thunder.
No dramatic tear in the sky.
It began with the sea.
The roar behind them — constant— simply… stopped.
Not softened.
Stopped.
The waves froze mid-crest as if painted in place. Foam hung in the air like carved marble. Even the gull that had been circling above seemed suspended in a single, silent arc.
Dax was the first to turn.
"What the…"
The word never finished.
A pressure settled into the air.
Subtle at first.
Then tightening.
Like invisible hands pressing against the sides of their skulls.
One soldier dropped to a knee, clutching his head.
Another cursed under his breath.
Jasper had been mid-smile after their heavy talk, something about Dax's "stone-face diplomacy," when his voice cut off abruptly.
His step faltered.
Just slightly.
Dax reached out instinctively, steadying him.
"You alright?"
Jasper blinked once.
Twice.
His pupils flickered.
Not dilated.
Flickered.
