For Noah, minutes slowly bled into hours.
His head began to pound with a steady thrum. His eyes watered, and his vision wavered in and out of focus.
But he didn't stop. Or rather, he couldn't stop. Not when he was this close.
Sweat rolled down his temple, dripping onto the sand beneath him. His breathing grew heavy, but his will refused to break.
Layer after layer clicked into his mind, until finally…
Click.
The formation slotted into place, whole and complete, etched into his mind.
Noah slumped backwards onto the sand with a heavy exhale. His chest rose and fell, each breath ragged.
The coarse grains clung to his clothes, sticking to his sweat-soaked skin.
He hadn't realized how drenched he was until now, with his shirt plastered to his body and his hair damp against his forehead.
He stared up at the ceiling, chest still heaving, a small grin on his face.
"Got it."
Noah sat up slowly, still breathing hard.
