The five cocoons shook violently.
Muffled voices burst out one after another.
"What do you mean one day?!"
Inside the colored cocoons, bodies twisted and tensed as power ripped through muscle and bone.
Cracks of energy flashed across the surface, then sealed again.
Mersha tilted her head, still smiling. "Of course one day. Full transformation takes time."
Her tone was cheerful. Too cheerful.
"So you're saying," Cindor's voice echoed from the red cocoon, strained and hoarse, "we stay like this… for one whole day?"
Mersha nodded. "Yep."
A loud groan followed.
"You mean one full day of this pain?!" Silvar shouted, his white cocoon pulsing sharply.
"Yes," Mersha replied. "Nonstop."
"Damn you, kid!" Bastor's voice came out low and furious, though even he couldn't hide the strain.
Garion crossed his arms and sighed. "Come on. Don't act like victims."
He glanced around. "All of us went through this stage."
Rachel nodded gently. "It's painful, yes. But it passes."
