Lucien nodded once toward Astraea.
"Senior, please explain the whole situation to them," he said quietly. "Tell them what we know. Ask them what we don't. I want ideas."
Astraea studied his face for a heartbeat longer as if gauging whether he was stable enough to be left alone with his thoughts.
"I grant you leave to call me big sister. Our pact recognizes no lesser or greater. We are equals."
Then she turned.
Her presence carried weight even without raising her voice. The others listened when she spoke.
Lucien smiled. He remained where he was.
Sitting amid broken earth and lingering scorch marks, he finally allowed himself to breathe.
Only then did he reach inward.
And open the drops.
He turned his attention to the Alloykin drops first, which he had not had the time to examine earlier.
***
—ALLOYKIN DROPS—
Common:
• Metalized Skin Tissue — Living flesh infused with metal cells. Useful for hybrid armor or enhancement rituals.
