The room erupted into protest.
"Absolutely not," Lira said, her voice sharp with fear. "You don't know what that thing is. You don't know what it can do to you."
"I know it's been watching me," Kael said. "I know it's been reaching for me through the dagger. And I know that if I don't understand what it wants, I'll never be able to fight it."
Thran stepped forward, his expression grim. "Kael, this is exactly what happened before. You reached for the dagger's power, and it almost consumed you. You're playing with fire."
"I know." Kael's voice was quiet but unyielding. "But fire can also be a weapon. If I'm going to lead this tribe, I need to learn how to control it… not just fear it."
The silence stretched, heavy and uncertain. Then Valen spoke, his voice calm but laced with something that might have been respect.
