Adam doubled over, a sharp impact slamming into his stomach that sent him stumbling backward through a tangle of unfamiliar vegetation. His instincts screamed—attack!—and his body coiled to retaliate, scales already rippling across his skin.
"Adam! Adam, are you okay?!"
Ignis's voice cut through the adrenaline, and Adam froze mid-strike. The "attack" was Ignis herself, wrapped around his torso like an overgrown lizard, her face buried against his chest. Her flames flickered erratically, more from emotion than combat readiness.
"Ignis?" Adam's arms came up slowly, carefully, paturing her back. "I'm fine. I'm fine. Calm down."
Ignis squeezed tighter, her voice muffled against his clothes. "Adam... I thought... when that light hit us, I thought I lost you too..."
Adam let her cling, his own heart still pounding from the teleportation and the sudden impact. After a long moment, he gently pried her loose enough to look around.
