The Black Cat, Part Six

Zenith's return to the room was marked by a sudden shift in the atmosphere, her sudden arrival prompting Julia to ask: 

"Zen! A-Are you alright? Why do you look so pale???"

Zenith brushed off her appearance, deflecting the question with a wave of her hand.

She was still recovering from that feeling of being set on fire. 

It was... something. 

"Don't worry about that," she replied, her voice tinged with urgency. "I... I just want to take a look at this book." 

Asuka stared at her for another beat before muttering a quick "okay" and dropping the matter. 

Without further explanation, Zenith retrieved the necromancy tome Damian had provided, a sense of anticipation coursing through her as she flipped open its weathered pages.

As the arcane symbols danced before her eyes, a surge of energy pulsed through her, the ancient knowledge contained within the tome beckoning to her with whispered promises of power.