The aftermath of battle settled over the library like a heavy shroud. The group stood among the scattered remains of their fallen enemy, their bodies trembling with exhaustion and the lingering rush of adrenaline that had carried them through the intense combat. The air still crackled faintly with residual energy from Aziel's lightning.
Aziel was the first to succumb to his fatigue, dropping backward onto the wooden floor with a heavy thud that sent up a small cloud of ancient dust. His chest rose and fell in rapid, uncontrolled breaths as he stared up at the spiraling ceiling of books that seemed to stretch infinitely above them. Sweat beaded on his forehead despite the coolness of the library, and his usually manic grin had been replaced by the slack expression of someone who had pushed to their absolute limit.
