[25%... 30%...]
Whum!
A heavy, suffocating pressure exploded inside the cave, like gravity itself had thickened, like the air had turned to stone.
The Dreadmaw Direfang halted mid-step, its claws grinding against the rock.
It snarled, low and uncertain, its golden eyes flickering as its instincts screamed at it.
Even Iris froze, lips parted, breath trapped in her lungs.
She didn't speak.
Didn't dare.
Then—
Crackle!
A faint whip of static cracked through the air.
Right near Alaric's body.
His hair lifted once, weightless, caught in the wind that wasn't there.
Then it began to darken, strand by strand, like shadow was soaking through the roots.
From ash-brown to obsidian black with blood-red undertone.
His bones mended with audible clicks and snaps, his limbs stiffening, repairing.
[40%... 45%...]
Then, slowly, he rose.
Not with desperation.
Not struggling.
But with silence.
Like the air parted for him.
