They reached a flatter stretch of the trail and slowed their pace. The air was thicker here, warmer than the peak, and their breath no longer fogged as heavily.
Caria stopped and dropped onto a rock. "Okay. Five minutes. If anyone argues, I'm hitting them."
No one argued.
Sophia sat beside her and checked her mana focus. "We used a lot up there. Not dangerously, but enough that we shouldn't push tonight."
Lyra leaned against a stone pillar and scanned the surroundings out of habit. "No movement. No tracks. Looks like the mountain really did clear us out."
Aria closed her eyes briefly. "The pressure is gone. Whatever sleeps below is sealed… for now."
Puddle dipped closer to the ground and rested, glowing faintly. "Puddle tired. Big magic makes head fuzzy."
Rhys nodded. "You did good up there."
Puddle brightened a little. "Puddle helpful."
