Ferra opened the auxiliary channel beside the aperture while Hajin knelt beyond the child's sightline with all five Rings dormant. Divine Eye guided a thread of gold no thicker than a hair toward the first needle, carrying no restoration command.
"Tiny, tiny, keep it tiny," he whispered, "it's a peek, not a rescue."
The thread brushed the diagnostic contact beside her shielded horn, and he followed its returning edge without committing another current.
Her core slid half a finger's width before the membrane answered, and Hajin severed the thread right at its source. The cycle wrenched that displaced center back into its seat, and a spasm struck her frame like a closing fist.
No cry escaped her as she curled tight against the next cycle, and his hand stayed lowered outside.
"Shit, sorry, sorry," he breathed.
Vella counted the returning beats under her breath until the violent contraction finally loosened its grip on the child.
