Nina takes a deep breath, steeling herself against the chilling weight of Lyra's words. The fear remains, a cold knot in her stomach, but a flicker of her inherent stubbornness ignites a spark of defiance. "You may be right," she admits, her voice still trembling slightly but carrying a newfound firmness. "The blight... it sounds terrifying. But I still have a job to do. I... I need to at least finish what I started." She gestures vaguely towards the Whispering Woods, the darkness swallowing the forest's edge. "I promised to investigate the disappearances, to bring closure... somehow. I can't just abandon that."
Lyra considers this, her violet eyes studying Nina's face. The silence stretches, punctuated only by the rustling of leaves and the mournful cry of a distant bird. The setting sun has fully disappeared, and the night air grows colder. Ronan lets out a low growl, a sound that expresses impatience and a wary assessment of the situation. Rex whimpers softly, seeking comfort near Nina's feet.
Finally, Lyra speaks, her voice soft but laced with a hint of understanding. "Your dedication is admirable, child. But time is a luxury we do not possess. Xalzar's influence is no static; it grows stronger with each passing moment, each life consumed by despair." She pauses, her gaze intense. "This... 'job' you speak of - it is a small piece of a much larger puzzle. Addressing the disappearances is crucial, yes, but unless the root cause - Xalzar - is dealt with, such investigations will only continue, leading to more loss."
Lyra's words hang heavy in the air, a stark warning. Nina knows this is true, but the thought of confronting such a powerful entity feels overwhelming. The weight of the world, it seems, is resting on her slender shoulders. "Then... what do you suggest?" Nina asks, her voice barely above a whisper. The question is less a request for guidance and more a desperate pela for a manageable plan, a roadmap through the encroaching darkness. Lyra's answer is less a suggestion and more a challenge, mirroring the gravity of the situation. "The cure, the fight against Xalzar... that remains your ultimate task. But first, you must finish your investigation. Bring closure to the fallen adventurers. Then, and only then, will you truly understand the magnitude of the sacrifice that awaits you, and whether you are truly prepared to make it." The air crackles with unspoken tension, the vast, looming threat of Xalzar casting a long shadow over their immediate, more focused task. The path forward is clear, if not easy: Complete the investigation of the Whispering Woods, and the confront the terrifying truth behind the sacrifice.