The Leviathan's coils shuddered, then sank deeper into the pond. A pale glow pulsed through the waters, and the beast swelled, its scales glistening as it drew in more aether. The mist thickened, sharper and heavier, pressing on their lungs.
"Not good," Nyra hissed, frost forming on her fingers as she steadied herself.
Their attacks were starting to scatter. Each movement that had flowed moments ago now felt strained, as if the beast itself was tearing apart their rhythm.
From the banks came a sneer. "See? It was luck before. Now watch them crumble."
"Pathetic," another voice scoffed. "They'll be the pond's next feed."
The jeers stung, but inside the fog, Arden didn't even glance that way. His eyes stayed on his team, reading their stumbles, their shallow breaths, their hesitation.
"Arden," Rael muttered, panting as sparks flickered across his gauntlet, "we're losing ground. If you keep pushing like this, you'll burn out before any of us."
