I didn’t mean to... I swear

"Cough, Cough"

Aether coughed, his chest heaving as the thick dust finally began to settle around him. Through the haze, he noticed Snowflake, her tail gently coiling around him, holding him steady.

"Snowflake?" he croaked, "Are you alright?" His words were laced with concern as he reached out, his hand trembling as he softly patted her.

Snowflake slithered in response, her scales cool against his skin, and slowly unwrapped her tail, letting him down gently.

"Yessss~," she hissed, her voice soft but soothing.

Aether offered her a weak smile, his fingers brushing her head before he glanced around, confusion clouding his mind. His eyes fell on the massive bolts and nuts scattered across the ground. "What… what the hell is going on?" he muttered under his breath, his gaze drifting upward.

The sky above him still pulsed with raw, terrifying energy, crackling with power as if the heavens themselves were on the verge of tearing apart.