**Cyra PoV**
After calming myself back down, I returned to Elyss's lab, the familiar hum of machinery and the faint smell of chemicals filling the air.
"Why the long face, Cy?" Elyss asked, frowning as she adjusted her goggles on her forehead, her hands busy with a set of intricate machines and scattered notes.
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Sorry, Lyss, it seems I must go. My boss recalled me."
Her frown deepened, genuine concern etched across her features. "But what about the darkness you promised to help me get?"
"I went to get it, but then he suddenly showed up," I explained, leaning against one of the machines, the cold metal grounding me. "Reginald doesn't want me using the darkness without his permission. He thinks I'm too reckless."
Elyss's eyes widened. "Reginald? You mean he just waltzed in while you were trying to harness that power?"
