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"What the hell is going on here?" Zara demanded, her gaze sweeping across the scene before her: Elio tense and confused, the three girls on their knees, Kriz and Brok with expressions of shock, and Ren with a mixture of relief and suspicion on his face.

Lila, noticing the presence of her friends, visibly paled. "Oh, no," she murmured. Her golden salamander curled tighter around her neck, as if trying to hide.

Zara cursed under her breath. "This was supposed to be discreet. We didn't want anyone to see us together to avoid raising suspicions, but it seems suspicions are already well raised."

Elio, recovering from the initial surprise, stepped forward. Ember chirped inquisitively from his shoulder. "Zara, Lila, are you alright? Where have you been?"

Zara sighed, closing the door behind her. "It's a long story, Elio. And you're not going to like it."

Zara and Lila explained everything in more detail than what had already been heard: Cassandra's blackmail, the threats to Lila's family, the plan to spy on Elio. Aria, Mei, and Valeria added their own parts to the story, their salamanders huddling close, offering silent support.

When Zara and Lila finished telling the whole story, a heavy silence fell over the room. Elio, who had been listening attentively, slowly stood up. Ember shifted uneasily on his shoulder, sensing the tension in the air.

"Zara," Elio said, his voice soft but firm. "Before we do anything else, I need to talk to you."

Zara, surprised by the sudden attention, nodded cautiously. Elio guided her to a corner of the room, away from the curious ears of the others.

"I'm sorry," Elio began, his eyes fixed on Zara's. "I'm sorry I spoke to you like that before. What I said... it wasn't true."

Zara blinked, taken aback by the sudden apology. "Elio, I..."

"No, let me finish," Elio gently interrupted. "When I said you were nobody to me... I was wrong. You are somebody to me, Zara. Someone important."

Zara's face, normally hard and determined, visibly softened. A slight but undeniable blush tinged her cheeks, and her posture, usually firm and ready for battle, seemed to relax. Flare nuzzled her cheek, as if encouraging her.

"I... thank you," Zara replied, her voice softer than anyone in the room had ever heard it. "You're important to me too."

For a moment, they stood there, looking into each other's eyes, a current of silent understanding passing between them. Then, as if remembering where they were, Elio cleared his throat and turned his attention back to the rest of the group.

"As for you," he said, addressing Lila, Aria, Mei, and Valeria. "I forgive you."

The girls looked at him with shock and relief. Their salamanders perked up, scales shimmering with hope.

"You... you forgive us?" Lila asked, barely believing what she was hearing.

Elio nodded. "Yes, I've forgiven worse things... Anyway, I was planning to inform everyone about my plan to enter the sea of monsters. But now, knowing what Saren, Cassandra, and Angela are plotting... I think we need to change our strategy."

He paused for a moment, his eyes scanning the expectant faces around him. Even Kriz, usually joking, looked serious. His rabbit familiar sat still, ears twitching attentively.

"We must have already raised suspicions, to keep the hostages safe... The solution," Elio continued, "is for you to tell Cassandra the truth."

A collective gasp filled the room.

"What?" Aria exclaimed. "But... how can that be the solution?"

"Elio," Ren intervened, his voice laden with concern. His rabbit hopped nervously at his feet. "Are you sure about this?"

Elio nodded, a smile on his face. "Absolutely. I want you to give Cassandra all the intelligence. And not just that. I want you to tell her exactly when I'll be absent."

"But..." Mei began, but Elio interrupted her.

"Not only that I already know where the mana deposits are," he continued. "But that I'll be plunging into the sea of monsters very soon. In fact, tomorrow."

The room erupted into chaos, everyone talking at once. Their invocations mirrored the commotion, chirping and squeaking in alarm.

"Silence!" Zara shouted, her voice cutting through the uproar. Flare let out a burst of flame, emphasizing her command. Then, turning to Elio, she asked: "Are you sure about this?"

Elio nodded. "Completely. Listen, this is the plan. Tomorrow, after Lucien and Selene recover the mana they spent on their training and defeat the elephant to reach level 5, I'll give them my mana. Then, I'll enter level 6 while falling into the sea of monsters."

"When I hear you say it out loud, I realize again... it's insane," Brok muttered, but there was a tone of admiration in his voice. His muscular rabbit flexed, as if ready for action.

Elio turned to the girls. "I need you to act as if nothing has changed. Give Cassandra the information, but act as always... Make her believe you're terrified of the consequences."

Lila nodded slowly, her salamander's scales flickering with determination.

Elio continued, "Ren, I need you to organize teams to watch the girls' families. Discreetly, of course."

Ren nodded, his mind already working on the logistical details. His rabbit seemed to be making mental notes, its whiskers twitching.

"I need you to make sure everyone is ready to act tomorrow. All level 3 defenders must be on high alert, but without looking suspicious."

"Count on us, boss," Kriz replied, for once without a joke on the tip of his tongue. His rabbit stood at attention, mirroring his seriousness.

"Zara," Elio said, turning to her. "I'm going to teach you how to overcome level 4 as you wanted."

Zara nodded, pride and concern in her face. Flare puffed up, ready for the challenge. "I won't fail you."

Finally, Elio addressed Lila and the others. "Girls, I need you to be brave a little longer. Can you do that?"

The four looked at each other, then at Elio. It was Lila who spoke for all:

"We will. You trusted us when we didn't deserve it. Now it's our turn to trust you."

Elio smiled, feeling a surge of pride for the group gathered around him. "Good. Then, this is the plan..."

For the next hour, Elio detailed every aspect of his strategy. Every question was answered, every concern addressed. And when they finally finished, everyone in the room felt excitement. Their invocations seemed to feed off this energy, each one looking more determined than ever.

♢♢♢♢

As the group dispersed to prepare, Elio found himself alone with Zara once more.

"Be careful down there," Zara said, her voice barely a whisper. Flare chirped softly, echoing her concern.

Elio took her hand, squeezing it gently. Ember nuzzled against Flare, offering a silent promise. "I will. And when I return, you and I will need to talk."

Zara nodded, a slight blush returning to her cheeks. "I'll be waiting."

As they parted, their salamanders exchanged one last look, a silent pact to protect their humans no matter what challenges lay ahead.