The moment Lucien finished mapping the rhythm of the breath-creatures, the lake reacted.
Not with ripples.
But with a drawn-in inhalation, a cavernous pull that made the entire basin sink inward like a lung collapsing under pressure.
Every breath-creature on the lake shivered violently and then something horrifying happened.
They... merged.
Not into mist nor into vague silhouettes.
But into dense, semi-solid constructs of crystallized breath like glass statues sculpted from condensed respiration.
Where once there were hundreds… Now, only a few dozen remained.
But each one had grown monstrous.
Their thoraxes are shaped like ribcages of frozen fog. Their limbs are made of compressed inhalation. Their faces are without features. Only a hollow cavity pulled air inward like a predator tasting fear.
And worst of all...
They now carried weight, presence, and... killing intent.
Gulping sounds echoed.
One robed woman swung her blade through a creature.
