Nathan's knees hit the stone.
Everything else blurred.
His chest rose and fell in shallow jerks, like his lungs weren't convinced they were needed anymore.
The portal had vanished.
And so had Merlin.
No trace. No trail. No backlash of failed magic or scent of burnt mana. Just a hollow wound in the air, sealed shut like he'd never been there at all.
'He really went in…'
The battlefield around him was still dripping in blood and fear, but none of it mattered now. Not the broken tiles. Not the students catching their breath. Not the way Liliana's voice cracked into sobs beside him.
He just stared at the spot where Merlin had disappeared.
And waited for time to start moving again.
It didn't.
Not until they arrived.
Boom.
Wind curled across the ruined courtyard, carrying with it a pulse of mana so thick Nathan's skin prickled.
