The Seer was silent for a moment, watching Lucas as the circle of softly glowing runes flickered faintly beneath her. Though puzzled at first, she seemed to grasp that these were no ordinary symbols, they carried power.
Lucas didn't rush. He sat across from her outside the rune circle and closed his eyes briefly. Drawing in a slow breath, he began to chant softly under his breath, ancient syllables that rolled from his tongue with precision. It was the first stage of the rite, aligning their souls through resonance. His voice barely stirred the air, but the runes responded, glowing slightly brighter, pulsing gently like a heartbeat.
The moment felt still. He was focused. She remained seated, steady and composed, yet her eyes never left him.
When the chants ended, the room grew quiet again. Lucas looked up, locking eyes with her.
