"Enough," Anna declares, her voice cutting through the expansive silence. Her footsteps—sharp, staccato rhythms against the marble—carry her towards Elara. The architectural marvel stretches before them, a labyrinth of impossible proportions that defies mere description. "Huge," she mutters, then scoffs at her own inadequate word, "No. That doesn't even begin to capture..." Her voice trails off, overwhelmed by the architectural vastness that seems to breathe around them.
Aether's sudden interjection slices through her contemplation like a blade. "Can I go alone?"
The synchronicity of Anna and Elara's response is visceral—twin gasps, widened eyes, a shared moment of startled disbelief. Elara's hand rises instinctively, a protective gesture that falls away as quickly as it emerges, surrendering to Aether's determined stride.
