Raizen stood near the foot of the bed with his hands loose at his sides, shoulders a bit stiff, like this was just another briefing with important people. He kept his face calm because it was the only thing he could control. But inside, his mind was loud - not with panic, but with questions that wouldn't stop stacking on top of each other.
Outside the chamber, Ukai was still engulfed in Atman's dark cloud. He could hear some sounds if he focused: the slow creak of living wood under its own weight, the faint groan of bridges somewhere in the tree-city, the restless hush of leaves brushing together as the wind passed through layers of green.
Inside, everything was so still that Raizen could hear the Ruler breathing.
His eyes drifted back to the Ruler's hands, resting on the blanket, fingers curled slightly like they were always ready to clamp down.
He swallowed.
