Location: Dark Forest - Yinxin's Cave
Time: Day 565 | Telia: Day 55 (Evening)
Realm: Telia (Mission World)
The meadow inside the cave looked peaceful in the evening light filtering through the dimensional ward. Three wyrmlings played in the grass—Tianxin practicing aerial loops, Shenxin stalking invisible prey, Huaxin rolling gleefully down a small slope. Innocent. Oblivious to adult decisions weighing their futures.
Yinxin watched them with ancient eyes full of maternal love, massive silver body coiled protectively near the meadow's edge. Her wings were half-furled, ready to shield her children at any threat, though none would come through the wards Jayde had reinforced.
The scene was so tranquil that Jayde hesitated at the meadow's entrance, Reiko beside her. Disturbing this peace with impossible choices felt wrong.
[Still debating,] Reiko's mental voice was gentle. [You know what we have to do.]
