I smiled. Wide. Satisfied. Fear was efficient. And finally—I didn't have to wait anymore. Raya and Chubby shrank down in a shimmer of light and shadow, their overwhelming presences folding inward like obedient storms leashed by my will. Raya landed first—now the size of an oversized cat, still smug, still glowing faintly gold, both tiny dragon heads craning up proudly.
Chubby followed with a hmph, his dark wraith mass compressing into a round, fluffy, suspiciously harmless-looking creature with beady eyes that absolutely promised violence.
They immediately started arguing. "I was clearly more terrifying," Raya snapped, one head flicking its tiny horn. "Did you see the way the nobles screamed?"
Chubby crossed his stubby arms. "Please. I darkened the sky. I swallowed light. One old man peed himself."
"That was because of my roar."
"That was because of my aura."
"I have two heads."
"I have existential dread."
