Lyra was relieved to see last night's incident didn't traumatize Xavier.
"Oh, by the way…" She hesitated, then pulled something from behind her. "Your device. It was destroyed. I… found the remains."
She handed over a scorched, half-melted chunk of metal. His phone.
Xavier stared at it for a second and then let out a long, annoyed sigh. "That thing was new. Just bought it yesterday morning after I got out of prison…"
He flicked the ruined device into the dirt.
"Next time I'm getting a phone that doesn't blow up the moment someone sneezes on it. Indestructible. Maybe one made out of dragon bone or some stupid alloy."
Lyra nodded seriously, like it was a genuine strategy.
And then came Kilop.
The old beast walked with steady steps, dressed in fresh robes, his presence calm, but firm. Beasts along the way made space for him like water parting around a stone.
He stopped before the container and looked up.
