Darkness swam before Rui's eyes, scattering like startled fish in shallow water.
She blinked rapidly, the world slowly coming into focus—wooden beams overhead, soft bedding beneath her, and Zou's concerned face hovering above.
"The town!" She bolted upright, immediately regretting it as pain lanced through her body. "The drakelings—"
"Easy, princess." Zou's hand steadied her shoulder, gently easing her back down.
"Don't worry about those scaled nuisances. I handled them."
Rui searched his face, finding new lines of exhaustion etched around his eyes.
"You...got them? All of them?"
A familiar smirk curved his lips, though it lacked its usual brilliance.
"Please. Hunting down a few Riftspawn Drakelings is hardly challenging."
He flicked his wrist dismissively, wincing slightly at the movement.
"However, I must admit that those Drakelings were particularly annoying specimens."
The door creaked open as Suki entered, carrying a steaming bowl.
