Asher followed Valeria through the underground ruins, the weight of responsibility momentarily lifted from his heart. His people, now safe within the shadowy embrace of this hidden sanctuary, began settling in as Valeria silently moved through their ranks, swiftly immunizing them to the dangerous divine mana saturating the place.
He let out a soft breath of relief, yet his moment of calm was short-lived.
"You are back. Finally!" a sharp voice pierced the silence, brimming with both frustration and relief. Rebecca stormed forward from the shadows, arms defiantly planted on her waist, her fiery eyes narrowed. "What took you so long? Do you have any idea how long we've been waiting?"
Asher opened his mouth to respond, but another familiar voice interjected with joyful abandon, "Sssssee? Told you my man wouldn't forget us so easily!" Lori hissed gleefully, her serpentine lower body slithering gracefully over the stone tiles as she approached with a broad, teasing grin.
