Ashwing frowned, folding his wings tighter. "Maybe it's just the world's heartbeat or whatever. Doesn't mean it's eating people."
Lindarion didn't respond immediately. His hand brushed against the root beneath him—it pulsed faintly in response, almost like acknowledgment. Not malevolent, but aware. Watching.
He spoke finally, voice low. "Every power asks for something in return. That's the way of the world."
Ashwing huffed. "You're starting to sound like the old snake."
A faint smile tugged at Lindarion's lips. "Maybe he wasn't as wrong as we wanted him to be."
He looked down at his hand again. The faint golden light beneath his skin pulsed once, steady, deliberate. Then, very briefly, it flickered crimson.
[Alert: Unknown energy fluctuation.]
[Trace signature: Veyrath Fragment Response—active.]
[Stabilizing…]
Lindarion froze. "…No."
Ashwing straightened immediately. "What? What's wrong?"
