The Mawflower's chamber finally fell quiet. The colossal plant-creature was already dissolving into drifting motes of pale green light, leaving nothing but the heavy scent of crushed foliage. Nathan slumped back against a thick root pillar, a healing potion uncorked in his hand and Moonlight resting heavily across his knees. The sharp, stabbing agony in his ribs had faded to a dull, relentless throb.
"You're leaning left again." Elise stood over him, the soft luminescence of Aurora's Heart casting a gentle glow across her exhausted features. The staff made her look almost ethereal in the dim light. "The potion helps, but it's a patch, not a cure. You're running on fumes."
"We all are," Nathan muttered, using the root pillar to push himself upright. His ribs flared in protest, but he forced his breathing to remain steady. "We don't stop until this Tower is clear. Two floors left. Floor 4 will be environmental. Floor 5 is the Empress. We pace ourselves, we survive, we go home."
