Round 19

The basement air crackled with more than just electrical discharge—the atmosphere was thick with something else, something ancient and hungry. Jeane maintained her aggressive stance between the duplicates and the center where Halie remained bound, dark power arcing between her fingertips in visible warning. She listened carefully for any sound from upstairs—a creaking floorboard or distant voices could mean their entire operation was compromised.

Silra's pointed ears twitched at the sound of Abby emerging from her hiding place. She glanced toward the main room where tension crackled between her sister and the mysterious intruders. I don't have time for this—we're sitting ducks down here with Jeane facing off against whatever those duplicates are, she muttered in a low, urgent tone to the approaching figure.

Jeane's wings flared wide in an instinctive display of aggressive posturing as the duplicates made their threat clear. Join you? She scoffed, dark amusement coloring her tone despite the tension coiling through her core. I have no interest in serving anyone weaker than myself—especially not creatures who reveal their true nature so... clumsily. Her crimson eyes tracked both figures with predatory focus as she maintained distance between them and the ritual circle.

Behind her, the binding magic continued to hold Hera in place, the dark orb in Jeane's palm pulsing rhythmically and casting ominous shadows that danced across the stone walls.