The soft clink of plates and utensils echoed through the loft as Stella, Duman, and Anagan finished their dinner. The day had been long but oddly peaceful compared to the intense training the others had undergone. Anagan's sharp eyes flicked towards the door as it creaked open, and in shuffled the rest of the group, looking utterly worn out.
Ogron was the last to enter, his usual composed expression faltering into one of frustration. His brows were furrowed deeply, a mix of exhaustion and something else Stella couldn't quite place. Anagan's instincts immediately went on alert; he could tell by Ogron's demeanor that something had gone awry during training. But for now, Anagan decided to stay quiet, watching his leader closely, planning to confront him later when the others weren't around.
Roxy looked like she could barely stand, dark circles under her eyes. She sluggishly dropped herself into a chair before muttering, "I think I'm just going to head to bed."
Bloom, clearly concerned, frowned. "You should eat something first, Roxy."
"I'm too tired to eat," Roxy responded, standing again, her movements slow and deliberate. She yawned widely and waved off Bloom's protests. "I'll eat in the morning."
Reluctantly, Bloom let her go, her worried gaze following Roxy as she disappeared down the hallway.
Stella exchanged a glance with Duman and Anagan. They'd had a much more relaxed day compared to the others, but seeing everyone so exhausted left her feeling a strange disquiet in her chest. She pushed the thought aside and tried to engage in small talk, filling Bloom, Musa, and Tecna in on their day. But the unease wouldn't go away. It gnawed at her, like a whisper of something dark looming just beyond the horizon.
As the evening wore on, she found herself sitting between Duman and Gantlos, seeking comfort in their presence. Gantlos, seemingly oblivious to her growing anxiety, was deep in conversation with Timmy about the new weapon design for Duman. Timmy's excitement was palpable, but Stella's mind wandered, her heart thrumming with unease.
Duman caught on quicker than Gantlos, gently nudging her. "You okay, Moonlight?" he asked, his voice soft but laced with concern.
Stella blinked, pulling herself out of her thoughts. She forced a smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Yeah, I'm fine," she said, though her voice lacked conviction. After a pause, she added, "Actually, no… I don't know what it is, but I've had this feeling all evening—like something bad is going to happen."
Duman and Gantlos both turned their full attention to her now, their brows knitting in concern.
"You think it's the upcoming battle?" Gantlos asked, his deep voice cutting through the low hum of conversation in the room. "It's natural to feel that way, especially with what's coming."
Stella frowned, shaking her head slowly. "No… I mean, maybe at first I thought it was that. But this… this is different. It feels heavier, like it's not just the battle itself, but something beyond that."
Gantlos glanced at Duman, who nodded, both of them trying to comfort her in their own ways.
"It's probably just your nerves," Duman said, his hand reaching out to brush a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "I get it. Everyone's tense. There's a lot on the line."
Stella wanted to believe them. She wanted to brush off the feeling as nothing more than pre-battle anxiety. But as the night dragged on, she couldn't shake it. Every now and then, she caught herself looking towards the door, as if expecting something—or someone—to appear and change everything.
Gantlos placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "We're all here, Stella. Whatever happens, we'll handle it together."
She nodded, grateful for his words, though the feeling of dread still lingered in the pit of her stomach. Something was coming—she could feel it in her bones—but for now, she let herself lean into the comfort of her friends, hoping she was wrong.