Asher paced the length of the dimly lit room, his mind racing through the web of strategies he’d need for tomorrow. The First Light council was known for its sharp judgments and unyielding stance, and it was crucial he enter the meeting prepared to deflect whatever traps they might set.

Lira’s voice cut through his thoughts, calm and focused. “You’re tense, Asher. They’ll notice it if you go in like this.”

He glanced over his shoulder to see her leaning casually against the doorframe, her expression unreadable. “They’ll notice only what I allow them to notice.”

She shook her head, her gaze piercing. “Underestimating them won’t help you. These people are experts at sensing weakness. In their eyes, any emotion you show is a flaw to exploit.”

He exhaled sharply, his jaw tight. “Then what do you suggest?”

She took a step closer, her gaze steady. “Before we go in there, you need to be grounded. Centered. I’ve seen what happens to men who face them unprepared—they walk away shaken, unsure of their own strength.” She paused, her voice softening. “That isn’t going to happen to you.”

He crossed his arms, studying her intently. “And how do you propose I prepare for that?”

Lira hesitated, as if weighing her words. Finally, she moved closer, her voice low. “In Aetherium, connections hold power. But more than that, a strong connection can fortify you, make you less susceptible to outside influence. If you go in with a clear, unwavering bond to rely on… it makes you stronger.”

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Asher raised an eyebrow. “You’re suggesting we… connect. Now?”

A small smile curved her lips. “You need strength for tomorrow, Asher, and I’m offering you mine. But this isn’t just about the physical. It’s about trust, about solidifying our pact.”

He held her gaze, his mind flicking through potential ramifications. Yet there was a rare sincerity in her eyes that stilled his thoughts. He could sense her intent, the offer she made without words.

“So,” he murmured, voice barely audible, “this is another lesson of yours? Strength through connection?”

She took another step forward, her face inches from his. “Exactly. Aetherium’s a brutal place, but there’s power in those bonds, Asher. And if you’re going to survive here, to thrive, you’re going to need all the strength you can get.”

Their eyes locked, an understanding passing between them. He could feel the intensity of her resolve, her unwavering commitment. In that moment, he realized that this wasn’t a test or a manipulation. This was Lira standing by his side, not out of obligation, but out of something more profound.

“Then show me,” he whispered, voice filled with conviction. “Show me what Aetherium’s strength feels like.”

She nodded, and in the silent acknowledgment between them, they forged an unspoken pact, a connection that would shield him in the face of whatever lay ahead. Tomorrow, he would face the council, fortified by the trust they’d built here tonight. And in that, he found the strength he hadn’t realized he’d needed.