The clearing looked different in daylight.
Smoke had cleared, and the air felt thin, like the forest was holding itself together out of habit. The coalition had rebuilt a perimeter — silk walls, glowing roots, watch posts in the trees. It looked like peace, but the silence said otherwise.
Buzz stood in the center, shirtless, claws buried in the soil. Gold light traced through the veins under his shell, bright then dim, like breathing. The air around him vibrated.
Zza crouched a few steps away, silk tied around her wrists. "You sure you're ready for this?"
"No."
She exhaled. "At least you're honest."
The Elder floated above, threads spread in a wide circle that glowed faintly blue. "We begin when your heartbeat matches the soil's."
Buzz nodded once. "Let's get this over with."
He closed his eyes.
