Suddenly, a thick gas erupted throughout the culinary hall, plunging the room into immediate panic. People bolted upright, shouting and demanding answers. Acting on pure protective instinct, Galenka lunged forward to cover Elena's and Oliver's mouths.
"This is a potent sleeping gas..." Malika managed to shout before covering her own face. Her body suddenly went limp as a noodle, and her head slumped gently onto the table.
Galenka's vision began to darken. She felt her consciousness gradually slipping away, fading into the shadows. No matter how desperately she fought to stay awake, the darkness won. In her final waking moment, she cast one last protective look at the children beside her before succumbing to the deep slumber.
*
