Raizen's body refused to move.
Every muscle was a knot. His jaw locked. His lungs tried to drag in air.
It felt like someone had taken his whole body in both hands and squeezed.
Not sharp pain. Just too much of it everywhere at once.
Elin sat on the stone beside him like nothing was happening. One knee up, the other leg dangling. Her fingers were loose on the rock.
Her eyes were not.
They stayed on him, steady, curious.
"Are you calling me a liar?" she asked again. Softer this time.
Raizen tried to answer.
Nothing came out.
His tongue felt too heavy. His throat refused to obey him. His hand twitched toward his sword hilt again and did not even get half a command through.
Panic pressed in around the edges of his thoughts.
He forced it back.
This is Eon. This is her. This is the Sky Sovereign. This is not his body failing. It is being held.
The pressure tightened for half a heartbeat, as if to remind him who was in charge.
Her gaze did not waver.
