That night the Sovereign Wing felt smaller not because the walls had moved in. Because the feelings inside were huge.
The problem was not physical it was emotional. Nyxara said in a quiet voice "You let her get too close.". Her words were sharp like a knife.
Kalen leaned against the wall trying to stay out of it. "She talked " he said. But Asha'Kareth corrected him "She tested you." Lyra was relaxed, stretching lazily "I liked her. She's fun."
Nyxaras tone dropped, like the temperature in the room. "You would " she said. Then there was silence. But it was really tense.
Kalen felt the tension between them like a weight. Asha'Kareth stepped forward trying to fix things. "We are not in competition " she said.. Nyxara responded instantly "Speak for yourself."
Lyra grinned, like she was enjoying the show. "Oh this is new " she said. Kalen sighed, "Can you not do this?". Three voices answered at once "No."
He rubbed his face feeling frustrated. "Great " he said. Nyxara stepped closer with her presence warm, like fire. She was closer than usual. It was making Kalen uncomfortable.
"You are ours " she said softly. Asha'Kareth didn't deny it she just said, "You belong to this system now." Lyra tilted her head like she was thinking, "And to us."
Kalen looked at all three of them feeling overwhelmed. "...That's not how this works " he said.. Asha'kareth's gaze locked onto his like she was trying to tell him something. "It already is." she said.
Then there was silence again heavy and unavoidable. The system pulsed again like a machine.
[SYNC INSTABILITY DETECTED]
Nyxara stepped closer like she was trying to get inside Kalen's skin. Asha'Kareth didn't move away like she was waiting for something. Lyra leaned in from the side like she was trying to get a look.
There were three presences, too close too intense. Kalen exhaled sharply like he was trying to breathe. "Not again—" he said.
[FORCED SYNC INITIATED]
This time it was stronger, like a big wave crashing down.