The embers still whispered in the wind as Kaelen, Kelvin, and Guinevere sat cross-legged, their bodies steaming from residual flame as they meditated beneath the jagged shadow of the Circle of Resonance.
Their skin pulsed faintly with glowing etchings—flame scars from the Amaterusu—but their souls were slowly stabilizing.
Just as the forest's silence began to return, a sudden voice cut through the air:
"I'm next."
All eyes turned.
Standing at the edge of the circle was Lila, fists clenched tightly, eyes hard and gleaming beneath the sheen of mist tears not yet shed.
Kaelen stirred, but said nothing.
Kelvin raised an eyebrow. "You sure about this?"
Lila nodded, not looking at him. "I have to. I have to."
She closed her eyes and whispered as if to herself.
"They took everything from me… I need to be stronger. Strong enough to make every Dragonyx choke on their legacy."
