Descent into Silver
Miryam curled up again near Kai's side, her tail wrapped around his wrist like a ribbon of warm light. Her breath was even. Her aura was stable.
Skyweaver remained perched above, half dozing but always scanning. Tunnel Crown and Stone Ram took first watch, alternating positions along the ridge line.
Kai set up the trip-grid, a line of stinglets hidden in rock crevices, each primed to spike with lightning if unauthorized aura crossed them. A low, invisible wall.
He glanced back at Luna, who had already nestled into the tent they shared. Her white silver hair caught the dim glow, eyes half lidded, fingers brushing Miryam's cheek before sleep claimed her.
But Kai couldn't sleep yet. He stared up at the storm sky, at the shifting runes etched by lightning. And felt the pull in his chest again. This time not just the desire to grow, but the responsibility to lead. To choose.
