Lydia nuzzled closer, seeking warmth. Her voice was soft, almost vulnerable. "I'm glad we're here with you. I don't trust anyone else to lead us through this."
I brushed my fingers through her hair, offering what comfort I could. Vale watched the interaction without her usual mocking edge. Instead, she reached over and lightly rested her hand on my knee — a surprisingly gentle gesture.
"We should talk about what comes next," she said after another stretch of silence. "Descending directly into the maw is reckless. We need to understand the layers first."
I nodded. "Agreed. The gate has at least three visible stages from what I can sense. The outer city is the feeding zone. This temple district feels like a transition layer. Whatever's at the bottom… that's the true core."
