Laurel steadied herself as the trembling beneath her feet intensified, her fingers tightening slightly as she ensured the last Snow Lotus was safely stored within her space. Her chest rose and fell unevenly as the calm that once filled the barrier shattered completely and was replaced by a suffocating urgency that pressed heavily against her senses.
Then, a faint voice broke through the chaos from outside the cave, distorted and distant, yet clear enough for her to recognize immediately, causing her gaze to snap toward the barrier as worry began to surface across her face.
"Laurel!"
Her lips parted slightly as her brows drew together, her heart tightening as she strained to listen more carefully, and before she could confirm it, another voice followed, calmer but just as urgent, cutting through the noise and making her chest clench even tighter.
"Laurel!"
"…Alexander… Chris…"
