Observe Castle Phoenix and Front D.

Back at home, nothing has happened yet. Your people watch the perimeter closely. There's no telling whether or not an attack will come, or what kind, but you've yet to see anyone outside of Elok's generic army--no Breiah, no Meti, none of the rest. The good news is the Shard of Draconax is still present, just in case Lord Vraelion wanted to try something else.

The succubi roam the streets. Mistress Dajy looks to one of her girls, who seems to be distracted. It's Vodrani.

"Are you well?" Dajy asks with a hand upon her shoulder.

The white-haired succubus looks up. "Ah! Yes. Of course, mistress. Apologies."

"You're worried about him, aren't you?"

Fava's puppet body pokes her head around corner. "Ooh. Succubi can fall in love, huh? How interesting~!"

With a smile, Dajy looks to the pixie and brings her hand back through her hair. "Of course we can," she responds. "Was that ever up for debate?"

Everything seems secure enough. You move your attention to Crystal Lake instead, to check on the remaining three girls. You see the Lady of the Lake already emerged, and she's speaking to them from atop the surface of the water, near the shore. Eva, Niki, and Amara sit waiting. It'll be some time before they can leap into action, so this is the calm before the storm. The moment you bridge the gap, they'll be able to join you in the final push.

Eva taps her feet against the grass. "So... this is boring," she mutters. "How long do you think we'll have to sit around?"

"Be patient," Amara says with a hand on the bunnyfolk's shoulder. "Kyle will not fail us."

"Well of course! I know he won't. It's just a matter of how long it'll be."

"I feel that," Niki says, punching the air in front of her. "I'm so ready to kick some ass, I can barely contain myself."

Eva taps her finger against her chin. "Hmm. We could do something to pass the time faster. Play Twenty Questions. Train for battle. Skinny dip. M-Meditate?"

Niki leans in close. "I'm sorry. What was that third one?"

"Meditate!"

Amara chuckles nervously. "I do not believe this is the time to play around. If the Lady of the Lake is suddenly ready for us to charge into battle yet we are in the nude, I think that would be rather impractical and embarrassing."

Eva nods with blush in her cheeks. "Y-Yes. That would be... unfortunate."

"Focus!" Niki stomps her foot down. "Let's just pretend these rocks are Elok's stupid metal golem things. Ha!" She stomps her boot down on a rock, shattering it to pieces.

"You are incredibly strong," Amara comments.

Niki grins smugly. "Ah-huh. I know. It's because I train so much. Oh, and the doodles on my boobs."

"Hey, Niki," Eva speaks up. "Does the Rite of the Sun work if you're not a sunheart?"

"Hmm." She sits down cross-legged next to her. "I'm not really sure. I don't think so. I admit, I didn't put a lot of care into the traditions part of the ritual. That's sort of why I ended up being exiled. Why, do you want me to draw on your boobs too?"

"No, I'm good!" she says, wrapping her arms around her chest.

Amara chuckles. "Body painting can be fun."

"Maybe when this is all over, but let's just focus on the upcoming battle, huh?"

"Oh so now you wanna focus," Niki jeers.