The night hung heavy with solemnity, devoid of the usual air of celebration that often accompanied such gatherings. While the rest of the exploration team dispersed to reunite with their families and seek much-needed rest, Diana remained within the confines of the palace walls, her companions Merea and Lila by her side. Despite their reassuring presence, a gnawing sense of unease coiled in the pit of her stomach, refusing to dissipate.
Navigating through the opulent corridors of the palace, their surroundings seemed to blur into a haze of muted colours and distant echoes, overshadowed by the weight of uncertainty that hung in the air like a shroud.
Diana felt Merea’s hand on her shoulder as they entered a room unlike any other in the palace. It was round, with walls of polished coral, an
