The sun had begun to dip behind the distant hills, casting long, amber shadows over the Grove. Lira walked slowly along the soft moss, listening to the gentle chatter of the Fénix as they settled into their trees for the night. The bees hummed lazily between the flowering plants, and the rainbow beetles rolled their final spheres of fertilizer along the paths, finishing their day's work. Everything was calm, alive, and thriving.
A soft voice called her name.
"Lira! Come on!"
She turned to see Renkai, Thalanir, Serelyth, and Fluffy waiting near the edge of the Grove where the forest opened into a clearing. A warm glow came from a small firepit, carefully constructed with stones and arranged logs. The air smelled faintly of herbs and roasting vegetables.
Lira smiled, her tired shoulders relaxing for the first time in hours. "You're… cooking already?" she asked, a laugh in her voice.
