บท 91: Gem and failure

El-Kharis stood alone atop the towering spire of his palace, his figure framed against a sky painted in the deep blues of twilight. His wings—stretched and gleaming under the first stars—made him a fierce silhouette, a sentinel over his realm. In his hand, he clutched a small gem, its surface dark and ominous, pulsing faintly as if harboring a secret heartbeat. It was cold to the touch, though he could feel its restrained power beneath his fingertips. This wasn't any ordinary gem; it was rare, precious, and for it to appear in his territory, held by one of his own… it was troubling.

Moments passed in silence, with only the evening breeze whispering against his cloak. Then, footsteps approached from behind.

"El-Kharis," a voice said, low and steady. Gladious.

He turned, giving the briefest nod. Gladious's shadow fell long and sharp on the rooftop as he joined his leader, his gaze flickering to the gem in El-Kharis's hand. "So, Esteria found this?"