The light had come—soft at first, like breath caught in still air—then blooming, fierce and full, devouring the void with Vi’s power. Noah watched it in silence, heart pounding, throat tight. The rose had taken root. The island held steady. They had done it.
And now, it was time to go.
Noah pulled the compass from his coat, fingers brushing away dirt and blood. It was warm to the touch, ready to take him anywhere. He gave the others a nod, then thumbed the center. The world shifted. In the blink of an eye, the crushed tunnels of the island gave way to starlight and open air.
Noah landed on one knee in the soft grass of the Court of Stars. He didn’t wait. Legs shaking slightly, he stumbled to the edge of the healing fountain and plunged his hands into its glimmering waters. The coolness seeped into his skin, soothing the bruises, the cuts, the hollowness left by the webbing. His shoulders dropped. Breath came easier.
He bowed his head over the water, dripping and silent. They had saved something today. The rose had bloomed. Vi had answered. He waited for his comrades, knowing they’d be here within a breath.
And now, it was time to go.
Noah pulled the compass from his coat, fingers brushing away dirt and blood. It was warm to the touch, ready to take him anywhere. He gave the others a nod, then thumbed the center. The world shifted. In the blink of an eye, the crushed tunnels of the island gave way to starlight and open air.
Noah landed on one knee in the soft grass of the Court of Stars. He didn’t wait. Legs shaking slightly, he stumbled to the edge of the healing fountain and plunged his hands into its glimmering waters. The coolness seeped into his skin, soothing the bruises, the cuts, the hollowness left by the webbing. His shoulders dropped. Breath came easier.
He bowed his head over the water, dripping and silent. They had saved something today. The rose had bloomed. Vi had answered. He waited for his comrades, knowing they’d be here within a breath.
the forsaken
