The atmosphere was tense when Xenovia suddenly appeared, breaking the silence with a wave and a mischievous smile. "Hey, little brother," she said casually, a tone that contrasted sharply with the seriousness of the situation. Her words lingered in the air for a moment but failed to soften Strax's expression. He regarded her with a cold, indifferent gaze, clearly unwilling to engage in her playful banter at that moment.
"Stop messing with me, Xyn," Strax replied, his voice heavy with impatience. The weight of recent events still pressed down on his shoulders, and he had neither the time nor the inclination for games. Too much was at stake, and time was running against them.