บท 159: The Calm Before the Chaos

Blakely woke the next morning to the soft warmth of sunlight streaming through the windows of the Ursa Minor Guild Hall. Her body ached from the previous day's battle, and her mind was still groggy from the emotional toll of facing the Elemental Kings. She turned over, feeling the comforting fur of Matcha beneath her. The giant panda was her loyal companion and, once again, her trusty traveling bed. Even after all they'd been through, Matcha slept peacefully, his chest rising and falling in a gentle rhythm.

Blakely smiled softly. After yesterday's chaos, the calm felt almost foreign. She stretched and sat up, careful not to disturb Matcha, who gave a low, sleepy rumble but didn't wake. Her five other panda summons—Bamboo, Coral, Ember, Umbrie, and Stormie—were nestled around the room, equally exhausted from the fight with Miasma.