The soft glow of dawn crept through the window, casting a gentle light across Pyris's room. The new day had just begun, and the quiet of the morning brought with it a sense of calm.
Pyris lay in bed, his mind still clouded by the lingering haze of sleep.
He had spent the last night contemplating the recent shift in his powers, the Live Shadows ability he had acquired from Alera still fresh in his mind.
A knock at the door startled him from his thoughts.
"Alera?" Pyris asked, sensing the familiar presence outside his door.
Without waiting for a reply, the door opened, and Alera stepped inside. She was wrapped in a loose robe, her dark hair flowing over her shoulders. Her eyes met Pyris's with a soft, inviting gaze, and she gave him a teasing smile.
"Morning, Pyris," she said, her voice carrying a playful warmth. "Couldn't sleep much last night, so I thought I'd come visit."
