The cavern lies safely above the tide, where dry stone rises beneath a ceiling veined with faint aetherlight. Argona rests against the wall, her wound sealed beneath fresh bindings.
Tojiro’s cursed great sword remains in his hand. Blue pulses travel along its dark length, revealing faint movements within the severed tether fragment buried in its core.
Argona
Do not pull at it. Trace the connection only. If the blade draws blood, stop before the presence learns your shape more clearly.
Argona extends her uninjured hand toward the sword without touching it. Her red eyes follow each blue pulse as though reading a dangerous current.
Argona
The fragment is an anchor, not a doorway. Find where the ancient thing holds it, then withdraw. You are not giving it another path into you.
Tojiro
The pulse moves through the fragment before it reaches the blade.
The cavern falls quiet around them. Water murmurs far below, while the sword’s glow gathers beneath Tojiro’s fingers, waiting for his attention.