Aurianna touched the puppet's chest and the puppet jerked to life with a twitching shudder. Its hollow eyes glowed faintly as it stepped toward Elena, the wood creaking with every movement, before it finally became fluent.
"Don't kill her. Just help her train," Aurianna instructed.
The puppet tilted its head, and inside its skull, a small red-and-blue striped spider shifted. It was connected to threads of mana-laced silk running through the puppet's limbs, controlling the structure like a nervous system. Its eight eyes flicked toward Aurianna.
"Don't worry. I'll supply you with mana." Aurianna met the spider's gaze without flinching. The puppet gave a stiff nod.
"Now, go to the training yard. It'll spar with you."
"Thank you, Aurianna! You're the best!" Elena threw her arms around her, grinning.
Aurianna stiffened at the sudden hug, her face twisting in mild annoyance before softening. A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips before she pushed Elena away.
