Lunaris then licked Nova, then stopped, as Nova's eyes slowly stirred open. He blinked several times, blurring, the remnants of his dream still lingering like smoke in his mind.
Slowly, he sat up, one hand pressed against the cold, uneven stone beneath him. His breathing steadied as the vision of the Convergence faded, the roaring sky, the speaking Auri, the collapsing horizon, all replaced by the stillness of Beastaria's morning haze.
The cave was quiet. The light outside shimmered faintly, a bluish hue that bent through the mist. He rubbed his temples, murmuring, "Just a dream." His voice sounded hoarse, roughened by sleep and lingering exhaustion.
Lunaris tilted his head from beside him, purring softly, his tail flicking with mild concern. Nova smiled faintly and gave the creature a gentle pat on the head. "You worry too much," he said, though he didn't quite believe his own words.
