## Chapter 43: Whispers in the Wind
The weight of a nascent alliance settled upon Lumina like a comforting cloak. The Zalthuran delegation, led by the stoic General Darius and the eloquent diplomat Elara (no relation to the Lumina Ale6), arrived with a mixture of trepidation and hope.
Lumina, once a beacon of isolation, now buzzed with the energy of diplomacy. The Lumina Council, initially apprehensive about the alliance, found themselves captivated by the Zalthurans' tales of a city on the precipice of change.
Alex (Lumina), her intuition honed by countless meditations, sensed a lingering unease within Darius. He spoke eloquently about cooperation and mutual understanding, yet a shadow flickered across his eyes whenever the conversation veered towards the unseen realm.
One evening, Alex found Darius pacing restlessly within the serene gardens bordering the Lumina Council chambers. The moon cast an ethereal glow, illuminating his furrowed brow.
