Lavayla nodded slowly. "Okay… that's good."
She planted her palms against the ground and started to push herself up when Mirek spoke again.
"Didn't you ask me to show you the beast core once I was done with it?"
She froze.
Then blinked.
"…Oh."
Right.
That.
She turned back to him, a little sheepish. "I—yeah. I did. I completely forgot."
Mirek didn't comment on that. Instead, he lifted his left hand.
Something caught the firelight—and Lavayla leaned in without even realizing she was moving.
The beast core rested in his palm.
It was… beautiful.
Completely at odds with the ravager's brutal appearance.
The core was light brown, almost golden, translucent in places, like polished amber. Shimmering particles drifted slowly within it, suspended as if in thick liquid, catching the light every time it moved. It didn't glow aggressively—just a quiet, steady brilliance, like it was breathing.
Lavayla smiled before she could stop herself.
"…Wow."
