The hidden sanctuary beneath the temple was carved from ancient stone, its walls etched with glowing sigils that pulsed gently, like the heartbeat of the mountain itself. Crystalline roots twisted overhead, casting reflections of moonlight through the space, painting everyone in shifting hues of silver and sapphire.
It was a rare moment of stillness.
Aria knelt beside Ren, dabbing the blood from a deep gash on his side while Elder Vaughn prepared a poultice.
"Ow, gentle hands, moonflower," Ren winced, flashing his signature crooked smile. "Unless you are trying to punish me for something I probably did not do."
Aria rolled her eyes. "This is not the time for jokes, and you are lucky it was not your ego that got slashed."
"Sadly, that is still intact," Kael muttered from a stone bench nearby, wrapping a fresh bandage around his arm.
Dax, leaning against the far wall with his arms crossed, his sharp gray eyes on Aria, chimed in. "Are we having a sarcastic show now?"
