The Gem

The night was deep and the palace quiet, a calm that belied the tension of the day. El-Kharis, Azazel, and Esteria were gathered in a secluded corner of the palace, away from the usual bustle. The chamber was dimly lit, with only a few flickering candles casting shadows on the walls. This corner had become a temporary command center for their task that night, filled with maps and magical sigils as they reviewed their defenses.

Azazel, her arms crossed and her gaze sharp, cast occasional glances at Esteria, her disapproval barely masked. Her resentment for Esteria was clear, yet she respected El-Kharis enough to keep her thoughts to herself—mostly. The air between them was thick with unspoken tension.