[Veltharr — Recovery Day 2 — 9:00 AM]
The Anchor Stone went out while Alex was sleeping.
When Alex opened his eyes at nine in the morning and took it from his inner pocket, the crimson veins that had been present since the Ishi hot springs were gone.
Gray stone. Completely gray.
[Corruption: 57% → 61%]
Alex held it for a moment.
Then he put it away.
---
[10:00 AM]
[Corruption: 61% → 68%]
The rise wasn't explosive. It was gradual.
Fragment 1 more present.
Fragment 4 as well, though still without real integration — two conversations in the same space, neither finishing before the other interrupted.
Emily came to his room without Alex calling her.
"I'm sorry," she said when she saw his expression.
"It's not your fault."
"I know." She placed her hands. The light of Targeted Purification igniting. "But I'm sorry anyway."
The session took twenty minutes.
[Corruption: 68% → 71%]
"Slower than before," said Alex.
