Meanwhile, inside the chamber where the rift pulsed like a gaping wound in the world, Esther, Selene, and Annette were still locked in their desperate stand.
The violent flares of alien Magic from the rift had settled for the moment, no longer lashing like wild tendrils, but the pressure from the other side hadn't faded. If anything, it felt stronger now like something was pressing against the barrier, searching for cracks but not yet taking action.
"I'm almost… out," Annette whispered through clenched teeth, sweat trailing down her face. Her arms trembled as she kept her palms outstretched, Magic still weaving into the containment seal that held the rift in place.
Selene glanced at her with wide, worried eyes, then turned to Esther. Their gazes met—both knowing they were nearing their limits too.
"What should we do?" Selene asked, her voice quiet but strained. "My Magic's nearly gone too."
