Sighing softly, Orion sat down cross-legged upon the cold, cracked earth, his movements deliberate and calm.
His towering Dragonoid form receded slowly, scales retracting, body shrinking back to his human appearance. He exhaled heavily again, shoulders sagging slightly under the gravity of the moment.
"I didn't want to do this before," Orion murmured thoughtfully, eyes narrowing with seriousness, "because the unknown variables involved were too many. But it seems there's not much choice left."
Lumi looked at him curiously, floating gently closer to him. Her eyes sparkled with quiet anticipation and mild concern as she carefully asked, [Master, do you plan to—]
Orion raised his head decisively, interrupting her softly yet resolutely, "Yes."
