He roars, firing a jet of water so thick that Serena just seems to vanish. I think I see the blue flare of her stasis triggering, but can't be sure. When the jet of water stops, she's simply gone.

“That was… effective,” Raith says.

“Thank you, Typhon.” I reach up to pat his foreleg, then use it to help me stand on wobbly legs.

It feels like there isn't a scrap of magical essence left in my body, but my wound is little more than a dull ache now. "I think Serena is going to hold that against you," I note.

Typhon's only response is a low rumble.

Around us, I realize the fight is nearly over. There are a few stragglers being put into stasis, but it's clear we've won. We've actually done it.

Mireen limps to my side with a grin. "Ambrose and Beck got put into stasis, but Brunhild and I made it."

I see Brunhild standing guard over their motionless forms. "Brunhild will guard the frozen ones." Her crab raises its remaining claw, clicking it loudly.

"How many are left?" Raith demands. The magical clouds of smoke and steam are still fading, making it hard to see the entire battle. Cade comes into view with a dark red cut across his face from forehead to chin. "Six left, Sir. Including you two. But all of his people are in stasis. Orders?"

"Good," Raith says. "Gather all the people in stasis in one place. Malakai’s people, too. We need to guard them. Make sure Malakai doesn't have other teams out there planning to come finish us off. And make sure nobody wakes up Malakai’s people and gives them a second chance to come for us."

"How far are we from the quarry?" I ask.

Raith eyes me. "Not far. But going for the blade means leaving the students in stasis more exposed.”

“Look how many there are,” I say, gesturing as the survivors already work to drag blue-shielded people toward a thick patch of trees. “There can’t be many left. We don’t need to buy time or stand guard. We need to finish this. Someone has to claim the blade and end the Crucible. It should be you, Raith. You’re the only one who stands a chance at beating the legacies guarding it.”

“I’d rather give you the blade.”

I shake my head. “Becoming a legacy would just mean more scrutiny. I’m safer as an aspirant, and you know it. You’re the one who needs to do it. And if you really want to protect me, you’ll have more resources to do it as a legacy.”

"Damn it." Raith looks back toward the large group of students in stasis.

I frown, head tilted. Something feels... wrong.

Raith draws his sword and grips it tightly, head slowly swiveling to take in our surroundings. He feels it too.

The air grows still, electric with tension.