After Runa and Ankhur released their respective children, they looked at them questioningly, desperate for answers and assurances.
Naeku and Erik glanced at each, while his other three wives suddenly discovered how interesting their surroundings were.
"W— We're fine, Dad," Naeku coughed, trying desperately to hide her discomfort. "I just took a little longer than expected."
Next to her, Erik scraped his throat and nodded, his brow sternly furrowed. "Y— Yes, what she said. At first we thought she passed all the tests, but it turned out there was a remnant soul of the city builders who had more tests! We, uh, we were only just able to pass them."
Naeku nodded rapidly, eyes wide. "Y— Yeah! And this remnant soul wouldn't let us inform you about anything! He was a real bastard about it!"
Inwardly, she shot an apology towards the dead Lemayian, as he'd been nothing but kind to her, regardless of the situation with Elora.
