The room was still trembling faintly from the sudden movement of Elsa's curse seal. John and Merlin stood frozen for a moment, both expecting the worst. John's heart leapt into his throat, and Merlin's hands shook as he leaned over his daughter, afraid the seal had awakened entirely.
But in the next breath, the violent stirring softened. The dark pattern that had slithered across Elsa's chest and shoulder slowly eased into stillness, as if it had only twitched in protest, not fully awakened.
Merlin exhaled deeply. "It… it didn't reawaken. It was only reacting to your power surge," he said, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Thank the ancestors."
John nodded, still breathing hard. "Good. Then we're still in control."
Merlin placed a hand on the boy's shoulder, steadying himself and John at the same time. "We continue. No hesitation. The more we delay, the more unstable her condition becomes. The seal must be removed completely."
