Collapse and Recovery

The construct's growl deepened, energized by the Lightning mana circulating through it, reverberating through the room like distant thunder. The construct tensed its posture ready to pounce.

The low, threatening sound made Lassim retain enough clarity to recall who should be approaching, though his body was too battered to rise from where he was hunched over the two bodies on the table..

"Stop," he commanded, the single word barely more than a whisper towards the entrance. His trembling hand rose weakly toward the construct. "Stand down."

The hybrid beast hesitated, its glowing bronze eyes locked onto the incoming person from the doorway. For a moment, Lassim feared it wouldn't listen, but then the construct slowly backed away, its stance easing into cautious readiness towards Lassim's position.