Atlas gazed at his side. Claire and Lara—still frozen in place. Not breathing. Not blinking. Their hair fluttered gently in the mana-stilled air like underwater reeds suspended in motion.
He extended a hand. Tapped Claire's shoulder.
Nothing.
Not a twitch. Not a recoil. Her skin warm, yet caught in a moment she could no longer feel.
"Hmm…" Atlas tilted his head slightly, his voice soft and curious. "It's more powerful than before."
This wasn't the time-slow he had once witnessed. This wasn't just a Law. It was the silence of creation being re-written. A pause not just in time, but in recognition—the world halting because it no longer knew what to do with him?
He took another breath. It felt… meaningless.
Air passed through his lungs as if he were pretending to be alive.
A flicker of unease crawled along his spine.
Light.
That was what he felt like now. Not strong. Not fast. Not superior.
