We continued exploring the mansion as Noko clapped excitedly:
—"Woow! Ren just keeps surprising us-nya!"
Maya eyed me with a mix of awe and suspicion:
—"Seriously, how many more tricks do you have up your sleeve?"
Zara stayed silent, her analytical gaze sweeping over me. "Lightning spells, mana cores, and now divine magic..." she mused.
A sudden boom made us jump. The rain hammered violently against the windows, and Maya shuddered.
I discreetly moved closer to her:
—"You okay?"
—"Don't you dare tell Zara!" Maya whispered, digging her nails into my arm.
—"I won't," I promised, rubbing my sore forearm.
Zara watched Maya with interest, thinking: "She tensed up when I mentioned the rain... and now..."
CRACK! Thunder shook the mansion. Maya leapt like a startled cat, instinctively clinging to me.
—"M-Maya...?" I stammered, feeling her trembling body pressed against mine.
Realizing what she'd done, she sprang back, flushed:
—"N-Nothing! I just... slipped."
Noko giggled:
—"Ooooh, I think I get it-nya!"
Zara leaned toward Noko:
—"Hey, Noko, do you think Maya...?"
—"Yep! No doubt about it," Noko affirmed, ears twitching eagerly.
Zara smirked mischievously and, with a subtle flick of her fingers, conjured a tiny magical thunder crack near Maya.
—"AHHH!" Maya yelped, then immediately snarled: —"ZARA! What the hell?!"
—"I can't believe the mighty Amber Flame is scared of a little thunder," Zara teased, savoring every second.
—"It's not the thunder! It's... the rain," Maya admitted, crossing her arms like a petulant child.
Zara opened her mouth to ask why, but Noko cut in:
—"Don't worry, Maya! Everyone's scared of something. Like me—I hate when people touch my tail without... Eek!"
Noko jumped as if poked, immediately latching onto my back again:
—"Who touched my tail?!"
Zara raised her hands:
—"Sorry, just testing a theory."
Noko launched herself at Zara in a tackle-hug that devolved into a play-fight of light swats and feline growls. Maya watched the scuffle, and what looked like a faint smile tugged at her lips.
"At least they're getting along," I thought, relieved the party hadn't imploded at the first sign of conflict.
—"Alright, let's keep moving," I interrupted, prying Noko off Zara. —"We're almost done."
We pressed onward, nearing the backyard. A collective chill ran down our spines.
Suddenly, Noko leapt:
—"Someone touched my tail again! Zara, I mean it!"
—"Wasn't me!" Zara protested.
Maya pointed:
—"Guys... look."
A faint blue aura floated toward the backyard.
—"It's like it's guiding us," I murmured.
Zara nodded:
—"Seems so. No ghosts are left inside—we should follow."
Noko's tail bristled:
—"I've got a bad feeling about this-nya..."
The four of us exchanged glances, knowing something ominous might await. With the fading sound of rain, we stepped into the mansion's backyard.