As the laughter settled into lingering chuckles, Ethan's expression slowly shifted. He rose to his feet, his hair with quiet authority. The lighthearted mood dimmed slightly, the Spirit Beasts picking up on the change immediately. Even Onyx stopped her tail from swatting Maverick and turned toward him, solemn.
"We've enjoyed this moment," Ethan began, his deep voice steady. "But time isn't something we have the luxury of wasting. Gather around."
The five Spirit Beasts instinctively formed a semi-circle before him, Galeno gently placing Saareiya on the ground before standing tall. Saareiya remained quiet, sensing the weight of what was coming.
Ethan looked at each of them—Onyx with her mischievous smile, Maverick still itching to say something dramatic, Stygian ever-alert with a flickering flame between his horns, Sage stoic with his wings folded tight, and Galeno with his ancient calm.
