Chapter 64: Welcome
The air grew colder as the three of them worked together to drag the massive icy teeth toward Cadogan. Each step felt like an eternity, the weight of the shards almost unbearable. Ned's arms trembled with exertion, but he refused to stop. Beside him, Dune and Atlas gritted their teeth, hauling their own burdens without complaint.
When they finally reached Cadogan, his faint blue glow flickered like a dying ember. He lay motionless, his breathing shallow, his eyes barely open.
"Cadogan!" Ned called, dropping to his knees beside him.
Cadogan weakly tilted his head toward the icy fragments they'd brought, his voice hoarse.
"Place... the teeth... near me," he whispered.
Dune and Atlas hurried to position the shards in a circle around him, while Ned knelt closer, his heart pounding. As the last tooth was placed, the blue Neba within them began to stir, threads of light stretching toward Cadogan like tendrils of frost.
The air crackled with energy as the shards dissolved into a mist of glowing blue Neba, swirling into Cadogan's body. His wounds began to close slowly but they didn't heal fully. He let out a shuddering breath, his hands trembling as he pushed against the ground, trying to rise.
Ned reached out, steadying him. "Don't push yourself too hard!"
"I... can stand," Cadogan muttered, his voice still weak. Slowly, with Ned's help, he managed to get to his feet, though his weight sagged heavily against him.
Cadogan groaned softly. "The forest... there's a cave... not far," he rasped. "We'll... be safe there."
Dune stepped forward, looking toward the ruined buildings in the distance. His expression hardened as he turned back to his brother. "I'll find the safest route."