Anna was waiting beside the portal when Max returned to the manor.
She crossed the room before the light behind him disappeared and wrapped both arms around him. Max held her just as tightly. For seven days, they had spoken through the dungeon connection almost constantly. He had always known where she was, and she had always known he remained alive.
Neither fact made this moment unnecessary.
"The core is secure." Max said.
"I heard."
"The invader's entrance is gone."
"I heard that too."
Anna did not release him.
Max rested his cheek against her hair and allowed the silence to remain. The challenge notice had occupied the edge of his sight for a month. During the last seven days, every part of his dungeon interface had carried troop positions, warnings, reports, and a timer measuring how long strangers still had to take his core.
Now the edge of his vision was empty.
He had expected relief to feel larger.
