Page 93 of Court of Aether and Shadows

"It's time," Elenore said softly, sitting back on her heels. "The worst of the damage is repaired. Though, I’d heed with caution that you should be very careful with future battles. At least for a couple of weeks if not months. The walls are thin in the other realms which were impacted by the Weaver’s merciless intentions. It can cause issues and make it easy for manipulative elements to take over,” she explained earnestly before giving a glint of a smile. ”You can shift now, but it will still take time to fully heal."

Fenris's form began to blur, reality-bending around him as he initiated the transformation.

The process was slower than usual, more deliberate, as his weakened state required careful control. Shadow and starlight wrapped around him like a cocoon, and when it dissipated, Liam knelt in the wolf's place.

The transformation had left him shirtless, revealing numerous bruises and magical burns across his muscled torso.Despite his obvious exhaustion, he carried himself with dignity, pushing himself to his feet with only a slight grimace.

"The healing will progress faster here," he said, his voice rough from the shift. "The Twilight Court's natural energy resonates with my shadow stores."

His eyes fixed on Sparrow's sleeping form in my arms, and I felt the pull between them — an ancient magic different from but no less powerful than my own connection to her. The wolf in him recognized its mate, even as the man understood the complexity of the situation.

I made a decision then, one that centuries of kingship had taught me was necessary.

Sometimes maintaining power meant acknowledging other claims, other bonds that could strengthen rather than threaten one's own position.

"Hold her," I said, moving toward him. "Just for a moment, while I seal the rift. She'll rest easier feeling your presence, and your own healing will accelerate with the contact."

Surprise flickered across Liam's face, followed by deep gratitude.

He stepped forward, accepting Sparrow's weight into his arms with infinite care. The moment they touched, I saw some of the tension leave her face; felt the subtle shift in her power as it recognized his energy signature.

"The wolf in you calls to something in her," Moira observed, her ancient eyes seeing more than she revealed. "A new aspect of her nature, perhaps? Or something that was always there, waiting to be awakened?"

"Questions for another time," I said, though I had my own theories about the bond between them. "The rift must be sealed before anything else comes through."

I turned to face the rift, its edges still shimmering with unstable energy. The tear in reality pulsed like an open wound, each fluctuation sending ripples through the fabric of our world.

It would take considerable power to seal it properly, to ensure no other ancient horrors could slip through its depths.

"Vash'nor thy'leth seal'eth,"I began, raising my free hand toward the dimensional tear. Shadows gathered around me, denser than before, responding to the ancient tongue with eager intensity.

Finn stepped forward slightly, his natural affinity for portal magic drawing him to the process.

"The edges are... singing," he said in wonder. "Like they're trying to find their way back together."

Moira placed a steadying hand on his shoulder.

"Reality wants to be whole, young one. It seeks balance, even when torn. Watch and learn. This is magic far older than any taught in modern times."

My shadows reached out, beginning to weave through the ragged edges of the rift. Each strand of power had to be precise and had to match the exact frequency of the tear before it could begin to pull it closed.

One wrong move could widen the breach instead of sealing it.

"Shal'ven mor'eth bind'sul," I continued, feeling the ancient magic respond to my command. The shadows began to pulse with their own light, creating patterns that mimicked the natural flow of reality itself.

Kaelon moved to stand at my right hand, his own power joining mine in a familiar dance. We had sealed countless rifts together over the centuries, and his presence made the complex work easier — more stable.

"The Void Weaver's threads left a residue," he observed quietly. "It needs to be cleared before the seal can take properly."

I nodded, adjusting my magic accordingly.

The shadows shifted from weaving to cleansing, dissolving the last traces of the ancient horror's presence. Each pulse of power made the rift edges cleaner, and more receptive to being rejoined.

From his position still holding Sparrow, Liam watched with intense focus.

"The resonance is changing," he said, his wolf-enhanced senses picking up subtle shifts in the magical frequency. "It's accepting the seal."

Indeed, the rift was beginning to close, reality knitting back together under the careful application of shadow magic. The process had to be gradual — too fast and it could create shockwaves that would endanger everyone present.

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