As Manu walked deeper into the radiant chamber, he allowed his senses to sharpen. The beauty of the place was undeniable—the golden glow of the orbs, the hum of energy from the Mother Tree, and the sheer serenity of the space—but beneath it all, he felt it. A faint wrongness clung to the air, subtle but distinct.
He moved closer to one of the largest orbs, standing so near it that he looked like an insect in comparison. The dragon within twitched slightly, its translucent wings fluttering in its sleep. Manu placed a hand against the orb's smooth surface, feeling the warmth and life pulsing within, but even then, the wrongness persisted.
The violet-core dragon shifted uncomfortably behind him, watching his every move. "What are you doing, outsider? The Mother Womb is not a place for idle meddling." Her tone was sharp, but there was an edge of unease beneath it.
