While the others were busy cleaning up the mess—tossing fish bones into the fire and shaking off sand from their clothes—Kaya tilted her head up toward the sky.
The stars were scattered like glowing dust, quiet and beautiful.
She closed her eyes, took a breath, and then… opened her mouth.
Her voice was calm, but there was no mistaking the seriousness in it.
"You two. Shift into your beast forms and leave."
Cutie and Vayu both froze mid-movement.
"What?" Vayu blinked, not sure if he'd heard right.
Kaya didn't repeat herself with softness.
She turned slightly, her eyes meeting his with a cold sharpness.
"I said—get out. Both of you. Don't come anywhere near me. Not even within half a kilometer."
Her words hit like a slap.
Cutie took a step forward, trying to reason, his voice tight with concern.
"No—Kaya—"
She raised an eyebrow, the surprise flickering for a split second in her expression before her tone dropped colder.
"Did I ask for your permission?"
