High above the world, in a space overlooking the valley like a predator's perch, the Jackal's Nest was silent. Wanderer staggered; his double-jump with a Level 100 passenger drained his spatial reserves. Pale and sweating, sandy hair clung to his forehead.
Felicity watched, wide-eyed and trembling. She looked like a broken doll in white silk, but inside, her mind clicked coldly.
"You're so tired," she whispered, her voice a soft, melodic caress that made Wanderer's heart stutter. "Please, Wanderer... you did so much for me. You saved me. You need to rest, or the monsters will find us because you're too weak to hide the fold."
Wanderer slumped against the stone wall, breathing shallow. "I have to… keep the distortion active…"
