Caden's eyes snapped open, the darkness of their underwater hideout momentarily disorienting. The sensation that had roused him from sleep was unmistakable – the distinct presence of Beta Caden and Beta Elara drawing closer, their essence signatures rippling through the stellar sea like ominous undercurrents.
Sitting up, he tried to steady his racing heart, his mind racing with a sudden realization. In this universe, essence wasn't treated as a part of oneself, as an extension of one's being. Instead, it was wielded like a weapon, a tool for dominance and control. This fundamental difference in perception explained the harsh, aggressive nature of their essence, its discordant resonance in the universal flow. It was a perversion of the natural order, a stark contrast to how essence was revered and harmoniously integrated in their universe.
Aeliana stirred beside him, sensing the shift in his mood. "What is it?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.
