In the hall, the atmosphere had become suffocating after Kharzan's departure. The five leaders remained seated around the table, evaluating their options with the gravity of those who bear the fate of millions upon their shoulders.
Lingering traces of corrupted energy still clung to the air.
"We cannot hand over the boys," Selphira affirmed, breaking the tense silence. "If we yield to this first demand, we'll be accepting our political surrender. The next request will be worse, and it won't be the last."
"But if we refuse," Arturo Dravenholm intervened, his Qilin's antlers still manifested above his head, "we risk starting a war in which we would find ourselves at a clear numerical disadvantage. A two-to-one ratio, based on the now blatant alliance between Yino and the Goldcrests."
He stood and began creating figures in the air with differently colored minerals, forming a three-dimensional diagram in the center of the room.
