When bedtime came, Elio retired to his room, but sleep eluded him.
He tossed and turned in bed, his mind filled with thoughts about the challenge ahead and... other things. Ember, sensing his restlessness, curled up closer, offering silent comfort.
After a couple of hours of insomnia, he decided to get up for some water. To his surprise, he found his mother in the kitchen, sitting at the table with hot tea between her hands, her salamander dozing peacefully nearby.
"Can't sleep either?" Lena asked, offering him an understanding smile.
Elio shook his head, pouring himself some water before sitting across from his mother. "Too many things on my mind, I guess."
Lena observed him for a moment, her eyes penetrating in a way only a mother's can be. "There's something else bothering you, isn't there? Something that has nothing to do with the sea of monsters or level 6."
Elio lowered his gaze, surprised by his mother's insight. "How do you know?"