Strax didn't respond immediately after the implicit decision that had formed between them, but the slight movement of his body already indicated that, for him, it was settled. He took a step forward, approaching Ouroboros with the same firm calm he had maintained since she woke up, without haste, without abrupt gestures, as if any excessive movement could break the still fragile balance she maintained.
"Let's go," he said, in a low tone, closer to an invitation than an order.
Ouroboros didn't respond with words this time. She only nodded slightly, almost imperceptibly, before trying to get up on her own. The movement was slower than she would have liked—her body still carried the weight of the fall, the impacts, the struggle—and, for a brief second, there was a slight imbalance, a subtle displacement that revealed how much she was still not fully recovered.
Strax noticed immediately.
Without commenting.
Without drawing attention.
He simply extended his hand.
