Kael and Liora pored over the Shadow Council's recording, the dawn light filtering through the narrow windows of Elderglow. The betrayal of Veyra gnawed at Liora, her silver eyes fixed on her cousin's voice echoing from the device. Determined to confront her, they tracked Veyra to a secluded Lunari outpost, the air tense with unspoken history.
Inside, Veyra stood among scattered maps, her expression hardening as Liora entered. "You've come to lecture me, cousin?" she sneered, her voice laced with bitterness. Liora stepped forward, her tone pleading. "Why, Veyra? This Council will destroy us all."
Veyra's laugh was cold. "You abandoned us for that Solaris dog! Our people need strength, not your love." She gestured to Kael, her eyes narrowing. The argument escalated, old wounds surfacing—Veyra blamed Liora for surviving the raid that killed their family, claiming she'd taken the easier path.
Kael intervened, his voice firm. "This isn't about blood—it's about survival." But Veyra revealed a second shard, its dark pulse illuminating the room. "This will cleanse the Lunari of your weakness," she spat, holding it aloft. Liora's heart sank, the shard's power a stark reminder of the Void's lingering threat.
As Veyra turned to leave, Liora lunged, but Kael held her back. "We need her alive," he whispered. The encounter left Liora shaken, her guilt over her family clashing with her duty, the divide between them a wound reopened as they retreated to plan their next move.