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|ORION|

Ailana knows better than to summon me. I would never answer, but she has something-someone of mine that I cannot ignore.

As I materialized in the moon palace, the familiar scent of smoke and dust assaulted my senses, signaling that something was gravely amiss. Servants scurried about, their movements frantic and panicked as they attended to the aftermath of the chaos.

Ignoring their chaos, I strode purposefully through the grand corridors, my mind focused solely on one thing: finding Ailana. She was the one who had me summoned, the reason I had been drawn back to this place despite my reluctance to return.

As I reached the throne room, the scene before me confirmed my suspicions. Ailana stood at the center, her expression grim as she surveyed the destruction that surrounded her. Beside her stood Raeya, her features etched with concern as she conversed quietly with her friend.

Terielle, Eloise, and Saoirse stood at the other end of the room with two people I didn't recognize. Th