A Steady Breath
Silence filled the room. I felt a faint warmth awaken within my chest, beneath the silver emblem. My clamped fists loosened slightly. Deliberately, I shifted my weight forward. My boot tapped against the smooth, transparent surface beneath me with a subtle click. Behind me, the upright framed artwork stood motionless. I paused, testing the tension of the quiet air, and drew my posture upright. I am grounded, steady, and aware.