章 24: A Fiery Evolution

Breakfast was a tense affair. Despite the cozy warmth of Daena's cabin, the atmosphere was thick with silence and the occasional glare cast between bites. Liria barely touched her food, her mind still buzzing with thoughts of the upcoming evolution and what it would mean for her abilities. Across the table, Enara picked at her meal, clearly uneasy, especially under Daena's watchful eye.

Then, just as Liria thought things might be calming down, the door swung open. Standing in the entrance, silhouetted against the morning light, were Enara's mothers the Demon Queens, Verida and Nyssara. Their fierce expressions and imposing presence brought the room's temperature down a few degrees.

Daena greeted them with a nod and a knowing look. "Ladies, you're just in time. I was about to explain to Enara here why sneaking out and battling Direhounds isn't exactly what we call 'proper behavior.'"