ELISERA'S WELCOME

Despite the weight of his words, the food in front of us still looks inviting, and I force myself to take a bite of the warm bread. The room hums with conversation as plates are passed around, but there is an unspoken understanding that this is not just a casual meal. Each of us is waiting for the moment when Albanus will steer the conversation to the matters that brought us all here.

As the meal progresses, General Cecile breaks the silence. "Maxwell, Emmet—what's your assessment of the situation at Mount Belden?"

Emmet glances at me before responding, his voice measured. "The crystal is secure, for now. But the forces we faced… it is clear there are greater dangers at play than we initially thought."

The table grows quiet at that, the gravity of the situation sinking in. Albanus leans forward, his eyes locking onto mine. "And what do you make of it, Maxwell?"