Searing despair clawed at Cactus's mind. Whispers, sharp as desert thorns, coiled around his thoughts, twisting every memory of failure into a crushing weight. He saw Kinkajou's face, pale and still, then the memory flickered to Sunny, vulnerable, trusting. His greatest fear, failing to protect them, swelled, threatening to consume him whole. Cold sweat plastered his scales. His body trembled, not from cold, but from an internal tremor that threatened to tear him apart. He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to block out the insidious chorus of voices, the entity's insidious song resonating with his deepest insecurities.

Chapter 94: Breaking the Chains