Chapter 13: Enter Cerilla, The Luminal echos

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"Little thing?" Julie's voice carried a note of offense as Cerilla's words hit her ears. Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion and anger. "What on earth is that supposed to imply?" she demanded, her steps purposeful as she closed the distance to Cerilla. Tension radiated from her clenched fists, poised as though she might lash out.

"Huh?" Julie's questioning gaze shifted downward, landing on Tora's arm that held her back from advancing any further.

"Let's keep things civil, you two," Tora interjected, his tone taking on a parenting-like authority.

"Let's keep things civil, you two," Tora interjected, his tone taking on a parenting-like authority

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"Cerilla," Tora's voice held a commanding edge as he stepped past her. "I need you to escort her home." His words hung in the air, laden with a sense of responsibility.

"Really..." Cerilla's tone dripped with boredom, as if she were being burdened with a task she had no interest in.

"Yes, really!" Tora's frustration tinged his voice with an edge. He couldn't mask his annoyance at Cerilla's lackadaisical attitude. "She's not safe out here. So, could you actually do your job for once?"

With a roll of her eyes, Cerilla seemed to relent. "Fine... So I'm guessing she's one of us then, right?"

Tora's lips curved into a sly smirk, his gaze flickering back to Cerilla

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Tora's lips curved into a sly smirk, his gaze flickering back to Cerilla. "Yes, indeed she is."

"I'm not going," Julie's voice carried determination.

Tora and Cerilla both turned to face Julie, who stood resolute and alone. "I have to find Trevor!" Her words came out in a fervent yell. "Or have you all conveniently forgotten?" She shot a pointed look at Tora. "We can't abandon him. We need to save him!"

Tora regarded Julie with a mix of empathy and understanding, releasing a heavy sigh. "I've told you before, when someone's been corrupted, when their body is taken over by a creature from another world, there's no way to rescue them."

Julie shook her head, denying the reality that was presented to her. "No, that can't be true. I won't accept your non-..."

"That's enough," Cerilla interjected, scooping Julie up and slinging her over her shoulder. "My task is just to get her home, right?" Cerilla glanced at Tora for confirmation.

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