After Naraka left the chamber, the door opened again. A woman stepped inside, her footsteps measured and deliberate.
Erymas instantly drew his sword.
"Shinrei Maria? Why are you here?" he asked, then lowered the blade once he recognized her.
"What else?" Maria replied with a faint smile. "I came to see my new sibling."
She walked closer, her eyes falling on Nujah lying inside the glowing machine.
"When will it be finished? Is it dangerous?"
Erymas's face darkened.
"According to Naraka, it won't threaten his life. But because he was once human, the risks of side effects are high. Still… in the end, he'll survive—and become much stronger."
Maria frowned. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
"The cleaner the soul energy around him, the easier the rebirth," Erymas said.
Maria chuckled softly. "Then I could bring some of the kind-hearted creatures from my forests." She snapped her fingers—only for Erymas to raise his hand sharply.
"No. The operation must remain stable. The more crowded the energy, the greater the risk. No more than a hundred small beings."
"My animals aren't mischievous, you know," Maria muttered.
"Mother entrusted me with his safety," Erymas replied firmly. "If you want to help, then help—but if not, please leave."
Maria tilted her head, surprised. "Our new sibling… is a child?"
Erymas stiffened, realizing he had slipped.
"Yes. But tell no one. You didn't hear it from me. As the eldest sister, you have the right to know—no one else."
At that moment, a slender snake with glowing yellow eyes slid into the room. It darted toward the machine. Erymas struck in a flash, cutting it in two—but its foul stench poisoned the air. Nujah's body trembled, the light within the machine fracturing.
Maria quickly raised her hand, purging the foul air with a wave of magic. Together, she and Erymas moved the machine to another chamber.
The instant they entered, Naraka appeared, answering Maria's telepathic call. Without a word, she touched the machine, drawing out the black blood left by the serpent and erasing it in her palm.
"Mother, I—" Erymas began.
"There's no need," Naraka said gently. "You did all you could. It was handled before it grew worse."
She looked down at Nujah. "He will awaken within an hour. Until then, make sure nothing disturbs him. I will investigate the serpent myself."