Kassian felt his blood turn cold.
One thing was political warfare, territorial maneuvering, even conquest. But this sounded like something completely different. Something existential.
"Survival?" he asked with a tense voice.
Selthia opened her eyes and looked at him directly, and for a moment Kassian saw something in that gaze that was no longer childish, something that reminded him this girl had been in communion with incomprehensible forces for years.
"If they're allowed to use the power," she said with seriousness that made the air in the chamber feel heavier, "we're going to lose. All the people of Yino are in danger of dying, and the attack will most likely come before the crystal can deliver them the eternal paradise."
The words fell over the chamber like stones in still water, creating ripples of understanding that spread through each person present.
