The Eshari stepped closer, their presence calm but firm. "You do not act alone," they said. "You act together. Trust what you have, trust each other."
The dark shapes swirled faster, circling, making the ground tremble slightly. Vahran's voice, deep and heavy, echoed again: "Decide. Stand. Or be swept aside."
The young beings looked at each other, fear clear on their faces, but also determination. One of the older ones took a deep breath. "We… we step forward," they said. "Together."
As they moved, the dark shapes lunged. The beings raised their hands instinctively, instinct mingling with courage. Energy flared from them—not words this time, but action. Light and shadow collided in a sudden surge, a struggle that was physical and spiritual at once.
Step by step, they pushed forward, their combined strength creating a small path through the circling forms. The ground shook, and the air hummed with the pulse from beneath, as if the world itself was testing them.
