Connecting with the Shard

Luke's gaze bore into me, his eyes narrowed and intense. My chest tightened with panic, my tail coiling anxiously around my ankles. Shards of Omniscience were the ultimate prize for the demon army. Consuming one was the only way for an eighth-level being to break through to ninth level. How could Luke, a man driven by his pursuit of power, possibly overlook this?

"Luke, please," I pleaded, stepping closer and taking his hand in mine, squeezing it gently.

He remained silent for a moment, a deep frown etched across his face. But as he looked into my eyes and saw the fear reflected there, his expression softened.

"Come on, then," he said, his voice gentle. "Let's hurry."

I nodded, my shoulders slumping in relief. I knew this wasn't the end of it, but at the very least, I had bought myself some time. He understood, for now, that I needed this Shard.