The landing settles into hush. Ozone lingers in the air, mingled with ash from far below, while the faint slit in the wall keeps pulsing like a slow heartbeat.
Erma feels the silver-green scales on the knights answer his own fading strength, a tethered drain that pulls at his core with every breath.
Erma
The spell is not free. It is feeding them, and taking from me.
Errisa
You feel thin. Do you want me to hold the landing while you gather yourself?
The Elder Knight
We can stand watch. Name the cost, and we will know it.
The silver-green sheen on the knights steadies as they wait, not pressing him, only watching. Below, the road rumbles faintly, distant and unreached.
Errisa
Rest here, or draw from the stone. Either way, tell us what your body needs now.
✓ Quest Accepted
Stabilize Erma's form
“I say im fine, i ask errisa to hurry to the younglings.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled -2)
Erma
I am fine. Go to the younglings.
Errisa
As you wish. I will be swift.
Errisa turns at once, wings brushing the narrow stone as she pivots toward the glowing slit. The silver-green sheen on her scales flickers once, then steadies as she commits to the return.
The Elder Knight
That answer costs you less than your pride, at least.
The Scarred Knight
He is still holding the shape together. Barely.
Erma's claws scrape the landing, black frost webbing along one talon before fading. The knights do not move to stop him, but their life force gives another faint pulse through the tether as they keep watch.
The Elder Knight
Rest after this, if you can. We will hold while she runs.