The roots pulled back, their growth pausing like they had been told to wait. The illusions stilled, too, their reflections holding steady in the broken sky above.
Even the rivers of light curved back into calmer arcs, no longer lashing wildly through the dark, and for a moment the whole place seemed to draw breath.
The fractured sky smoothed just enough to stop trembling.
The two of them stood across from each other again, just as they had in the beginning. Opposite sides of the arena, steady, unbroken, eyes locked.
Elowen's lips curved faintly, not mockery, just a small nod of acknowledgment. A calm smile that didn't need words.
Lilith smirked back, her crimson gaze sharp, the edge in her eyes never softening.
The warm-up was over.
The void quivered faintly, as if it knew it had to brace for what came next. It waited, holding its breath, waiting for whichever storm would move first.
