The battle with Lady Sayuri left the air charged, yet when it ended, a strange shift fell over the chamber. The once-proud kitsune women, who had watched with narrowed eyes and sly grins, now carried themselves with the grace of attendants rather than challengers. Their once-playful arrogance softened into quiet reverence. They bowed—not deeply, but enough to mark respect—and their voices turned polite when addressing Eros, Amanda, Ngozi, Alexis, and even Violet.
One by one, they guided the group deeper into the cavernous palace. What at first had seemed like nothing but stone and shadows opened up into wonders of design.
