Chapter 154: Think About It Later
Grim moved without thinking, his body slamming into Lin’s and driving them both to the floor of the bubble just as the magma projectile struck where her head had been moments before. The molten rock splashed against the bubble’s outer surface, and for a terrifying moment, the ice bubble began to flicker.
"Focus!" Grim shouted, grabbing Lin’s shoulders and forcing her to meet his eyes. "I need you here, now! Not lost in whatever you’re thinking about!"
Lin blinked, returning to her normal self as she saw how close they had come to disaster. Ice surged from her hands, reinforcing the bubble’s walls and restoring their protection just as another wave of volcanic debris rained down around them.
"I’m sorry," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the roar of the lava flow. "I can’t stop thinking about... about everything."
"Think about it later," Grim replied firmly but gently.
Lin nodded, drawing in a deep breath as she centered herself. The bubble stabilized completely, once again becoming the perfect protection they needed to complete their journey.
"Almost there," Captain Zhen announced, pointing toward the edge of the river.
They completed the crossing without further incident, the bubble dissolving once they reached stable ground. Lin sagged with exhaustion, the strain of maintaining her magic in such high temperatures.
"Well done," Captain Zhen said with genuine admiration. "I’ve never seen anyone maintain an ice barrier in these conditions for so long."