Morning came softly in the gnome realm, though there was no sunrise here—only a slow brightening of the glowing fungi on the ceiling, like dawn painted by crystals. Lira awoke to a faint hum under her bed, as if the roots themselves were stretching awake.
Tovar was waiting outside, holding two steaming cups of mushroom tea. "The Seer doesn't like to wait," he said, handing her one. "Drink this. It will steady your senses—her presence can be… overwhelming."
Lira took a sip. The tea had a grounding warmth, like soft soil after rain.
They walked through a series of tunnels that shimmered with mineral veins. The deeper they went, the quieter the air became—until even their footsteps were muffled by the stone. At last, the path opened into a wide chamber.
...
