Tara doesn't wait. If Seraphina is channeling something that makes her own mages flee in terror, he needs to match it. Or at least try to survive it.

  He begins channeling his energy, building it up, concentrating it. His wolf form remains steady, but inside, his energy core pulses with increasing intensity.

  "Okay," Tara thinks. "If she's going nuclear, I'm going nuclear too."

  The air around Seraphina continues to warp, the runes growing darker, more complex. The temperature drops further. The ground trembles more violently. Unolf struggles against his bindings, but the magical chains hold firm, reinforced by multiple mages working together.

  Tara's energy blast continues to build. He can feel it reaching critical mass, the power ready to erupt. He aims it at Seraphina, at the center of that gathering storm of magic.

  They're both ready. Both about to release.

  But then, a voice cuts through the tension.

  "Stop!"

  The word is sharp, clear, cutting through the chaos like a blade.

  Tara's head snaps up. He sees her—a figure standing between them, her robes flowing in the wind, her staff raised. Aria.

  Her expression is determined, her eyes fixed on Seraphina. "Master Seraphina, stop! Please!"

  Seraphina's concentration wavers. The runes around her flicker, the dark energy pulsing irregularly. Her head turns, her eyes finding Aria. For a moment, her composure cracks completely—surprise, relief, concern all flashing across her face.

  "Aria?" Seraphina's voice is different now, softer, less controlled. "You're safe?"

  "I'm safe," Aria says, her voice steady despite the wind. "But you need to stop. Both of you. This doesn't need to happen."

  Tara hesitates. His energy blast is still building. But Aria's presence changes things.

  Aria's eyes shift to Tara. "And you. Stop charging that blast. You're not going to win this fight, and even if you did, you'd destroy half the tower. Is that what you want?"

  Tara considers this. "She has a point."

  He begins to release the energy, letting it dissipate slowly, safely. It takes effort—holding back that much energy, controlling its release—but he manages it.

  Seraphina watches him, her expression still conflicted. The runes around her continue to flicker, the dark energy unstable. She's holding back, but barely.

  "Aria," Seraphina says, her voice regaining some of its authority. "Step back. This creature is dangerous. It escaped containment, destroyed tower infrastructure, and attacked my mages."

  "He didn't attack anyone," Aria says, her voice firm. "He was defending himself. He's not a monster, Master Seraphina. He's intelligent. He's—"

  "Aria, you don't understand," Seraphina interrupts. "This artifact—"

  "I understand perfectly—it is a souled artifact," Aria says, her voice rising. "I understand that. But I also understand that it was locked in a containment chamber, treated like a dangerous beast. And I understand that it's the reason I'm alive right now."

  Seraphina's expression shifts. The runes around her begin to fade, the dark energy dissipating. The temperature starts to return to normal. The ground stops trembling.

  Tara watches the exchange, his energy now fully dissipated. "Yeah, you should listen to this girl, ancient witch."

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  Unolf struggles against his bindings, but the mages holding him seem uncertain now. Their attention is split between their archmage and Aria.

  Seraphina's staff lowers slightly. The runes fade completely, the dark energy gone. The air returns to normal. She looks at Aria, then at Tara, then back at Aria.

  "You're certain?" Seraphina asks.

  "I'm certain," Aria says. "He's not a threat unless you make him one."

  Seraphina considers this. Her expression is still guarded, but the hostility is gone. She looks at Tara, studying him, her eyes analytical.

  "Very well," Seraphina says finally. "Stand down. All of you."

  The mages holding Unolf hesitate, then release their bindings. The magical chains fade, and Unolf shakes himself free, his enlarged form returning to normal size. He moves to Tara's side, his posture still alert but no longer aggressive.

  Tara remains in wolf form, waiting. "Okay, so we're not fighting anymore. That's good. But I'm not sure what happens next. Do I just... walk away? Do we have a conversation? This is awkward."

  "Master Seraphina," Aria says. "I need to tell you what happened."

  Seraphina's expression is thoughtful now. "Very well, Aria. I'll listen."

  "The artifact is Tara," Aria says. "That's what he calls himself. And he's not just an artifact. He's... more than that."

  Tara thinks about this. "Good thing she remembered my name. I am really tired of being objectified. Although I am an object."

  Seraphina studies Tara for a long moment. Then she nods, her expression still guarded but no longer hostile.

  "Very well," Seraphina says. "Aria, you'll give me your full report. And we'll discuss... Tara's situation. But no more messing around. Is that understood?"

  Aria nods. "Yes, Master Seraphina."

  Seraphina's eyes shift to Tara. "And you? Do you understand?"

  Tara considers how to respond. He can't speak, but he can communicate. He shifts slightly, then uses his paw to scratch into the dirt: "UNDERSTOOD."

  Seraphina's eyes narrow slightly. She looks directly at Tara, her expression unreadable. "Also, I am not a witch. And definitely not ancient."

  Tara is surprised. "Wait, did she just... respond to my thoughts? Can she read my mind? I was just thinking that, not saying it out loud! Don't you have a privacy policy here?"

  "Very well. Aria, come with me. We have much to discuss."

  Aria follows Seraphina, but before she leaves, she gives Tara a nod.

  Tara watches them go, then looks at Unolf. "Well, that was unexpected. But at least we're not dead. That's a plus."

  Unolf gives a low whine, his expression uncertain.

  "Yeah," Tara thinks. "I know. This is weird. But I think we might have just avoided a disaster. And maybe, just maybe, we've made an ally instead of an enemy."

  ********* Chapter end *********

  *TYFR! I hope I didn’t make you wait too long.*