"What's wrong?"
The question carries innocent concern that hides the satisfaction building in my chest.
"I don't know," Professor Eternalis admits, the words carrying something that might be the first genuine uncertainty I've ever heard from her.
She tries again.
And again.
And again.
Each attempt more desperate than the last, each failure more obvious, each moment spent pushing against my barrier bringing the lava walls closer to convergence.
I look up.
My attention rises toward the walls of destruction that continue to grow—higher, broader, more unstable with each passing second. The lava at their peaks begins to lean inward, gravity and structural instability combining to create inevitable collapse that approaches with the particular patience of forces that don't need to hurry.
"Professor..."
My voice carries warning that I hope sounds genuine.
She follows my gaze.
Ancient eyes find the growing walls, assess the threat that accumulating lava represents, calculate the timeframe before that threat becomes fatal.
It'll only be a matter of time before it falls inward.
Before it consumes everything in its path.
Before anyone still standing between those walls discovers exactly how hot molten rock can be.
She looks behind her swiftly.
The motion is instinctive—checking for escape routes, assessing alternative options, searching for the threat that has apparently disappeared while she was focused on the barrier.
I follow her gaze.
The hellhound is gone.
"W-What?" The stammer escapes before I can moderate my response—genuine surprise mixing with performed confusion in ways that probably make my reaction more believable. "Where did he..."
I whip my head back toward Professor Eternalis.
And flinch.
Not from her.
From the figure standing behind her.
From the man who has apparently materialized while everyone was distracted by walls of lava and invisible barriers.
I smile then.
The expression spreads across my features with the particular satisfaction of plans finally reaching fruition—delight that I don't try to hide, triumph that I let show in every line of my face.
I cross my arms.
The gesture carries the particular confidence of someone who has been waiting for this moment, who has been working toward it through methods that no one else could see, who has finally achieved position to deliver the revelation that changes everything.
