“So she’s just gone?”
I looked at Thea and nodded. Serith hadn’t taken much ti to explain things to , but what she did share, I could easily sympathize with. “Whatever’s happening on her end—she has her own people to think about. I don’t know if she’s gathering them, saving them, or both,” I explained.
Elric leaned in a little, his brow tightening. “Sothing big’s going on?”
I nodded again. “Guess she needed all the help she could get.” My thoughts drifted to the battle I’d witnessed, that overwhelming storm of strength and desperation. “All the help that actually can help.”
Ai and Sei had both left with her, just after Serith reassured she’d return, and that the world would remain untouched until then.
Of course, taking that guarantee at face value felt impossible, but it also seed like one of those what can you even do situations. i had been taken back with Sei, though he told he’d be learning how to Step soon. Still, I doubted he wouldn’t be kept occupied by whatever crisis was unfolding.
“Right, then I suppose we only need to keep going as we were,” Elric said, leaning back with a slow exhale.
I nodded. “Yeah, I guess so.”
Thea leaned against , her shoulder warm against mine. “We should leave soon, right?”
I pursed my lips, genuinely unsure, and turned to Elric for guidance. He rubbed the back of his neck, looking just as uncertain which honestly surprised . “I haven’t told Sia or Lyra yet. Once they know…”
I bobbed my head side to side. “Take your ti. I’m honestly following your lead here. When you’re ready, we can set out.” Truthfully, my stomach was already tightening with nerves. I had no idea what the correct move even was in cases like this.
Our whole “gorilla effort” was completely outside my expertise. But then again, so was nearly everything I’d experienced since arriving here. I wished my modern knowledge was more useful, but I hadn’t exactly been an expert in anything back then either.
Rustle. Rustle.
Behind us, the brush shook and parted. I turned, seeing Harua awkwardly pushing branches aside with her wings. “Oh! Peter! I found you!”
My mouth opened, then closed again. “Uhhh… Serith said she’d be taking you.”
Harua’s eyes widened, bright with light. “That sounds nice.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Well?”
“Yes?” she chirped.
“Didn’t she?” I sighed, fatigue creeping in.
She lifted her wings, gesturing vaguely at the jungle around her. “I’m here.” She then walked over, placed a wing on my head, closed her eyes for a brief mont, then opened them again. “I’m done… Bye!”
And without any further explanation, she spun around and vanished back through the brush she ca from.
We waited until the rustling faded entirely.
“What was that about?” Thea asked.
I shrugged helplessly. “No idea.”
Elric stood up, brushing leaves from his pants. “I’ll go tell Ly and Sia, then. Plus, we could all do so training.”
I let out a long yawn, stretching my arms until my shoulders popped. “Sounds good. I’ll need to start too.”
Elric headed off toward the living area, pushing branches aside as he disappeared into the brush. I watched him go until the leaves settled back into place and the jungle’s noises rolled in to fill the gap he left.
For a mont, Thea and I just sat there.
She leaned a little more of her weight against . “You feeling okay?” she asked quietly.
I smiled before I even really knew my answer. “Yeah,” I said. “I… actually am.” It felt strange to admit it. Maybe even wrong after everything. “A lot’s happened,” I added, rubbing the back of my neck. “But in a weird way, I feel… clearer.”
She tilted her head, studying . “Oh?”
I huffed out a laugh. “It was incredible,” I said, the word feeling too small for what I’d seen. “Their power was barely sothing I could even understand. Trying to explain it just feels impossible. But because of that…” I searched for the right thing to say. “Because of that, I know there’s so much more ahead of us.”
She let out a soft laugh. “That’s a good thing?”
I shrugged, staring up through the gaps in the canopy where a few broken branches hung. “Well, it’s better than thinking it’s hopeless,” I said. “We can get there, you know? All of us. That level of… god-like ability. It’s not completely out of reach. Not in my head, at least.”
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It was gone. The feeling before Kris had struck. I don’t know if that clarity was from the desperation. The knowledge that either I, or i would die. But it was like everything in had gone in overdrive. My perception, Spiritual awareness, and ability of control.
Even without borrowing power from Luna, I could see World Force. Not all of it like her, but the flow of power I knew existed in a spectrum of color was visible. Not in my eyes, but in a way of feeling.
Thea watched for another heartbeat, then leaned in and kissed my cheek, a light, warm press that sent a wave of warmth through . “Let’s do so training then,” she said, lips moving into a grin.
I snorted. “Straight to work, huh?”
I pushed myself to my feet and offered her a hand. She took it, fingers threading through mine as she stood. The humid jungle air wrapped around us. Whatever Serith was dealing with… that was on a different scale. For now, this was enough to focus on.
We moved through to the first Dragon Vein, where the Snake was comfortably laying down. Rather than training, it seed as if he was sleeping. The sli, now almost fully covered in gelatinous red-black scales, sat on its head too.
And Bristle, next to them.
Thea and I moved to our own spot nearby without disturbing them. My eyes closed along with hers, and I began to circulate my energy, refining my body.
Peter? Luna called out during the session.
Sensing a strangeness to her inner voice, I answered imdiately. What’s up?
I could feel her shifting on my wrist, her response taking so ti. Then longer. So, I decided to reassure her, pushing her to continue. You should say it. Sa as you always tell , better to share, right?
She relaxed, almost like taking a deep breath. I want to get stronger.
I felt my skin heating with the training, but I continued to push past my usual limits. My body could handle more as it got stronger anyway. Yeah, too. After seeing all that?
That’s not what she ans… I’m the sa, Wyrem admitted. Visions are one thing, but seeing all that up close was—revealing.
I waited for Luna to clear things up.
I don’t know how—and that it may be a bad ti—but, I think we have to split. I need my own body.
My heart spiked, a sharp thud against my ribs that almost threw off my circulation. You want to leave?
Luna’s response ca so fast it almost overlapped the thought. No! Then, softer, a little tangled. No. I—I don’t an it like that. It’s just… we’ve learned so much together, but I thought it back then too—when we were in that storm.
I thought back to it imdiately. The chaos, the pressure, the way everything had tried to tear us apart.
Yeah… you’re right, I admitted. Back then, we’d had to rely on ourselves, on our own breakthrough. We’d assisted each other, but not actively. We each had to do it on our own. I exhaled slowly. But I don’t really know how to do this. How to help you get there.
Her presence echoed through my mind. I think… I’m not sure, but I’m feeling closer to sothing, Luna said. Just like when I transford into this form. I can feel it now. Sothing will change. I don’t know what, but… she trailed off, not finishing that thought, the rest hanging heavy between us. Then she burst out, more firmly, To make it clear! You aren’t getting rid of . I won’t be leaving. Especially when you plan to go running into danger soon.
I couldn’t help but chuckle internally, even as my body continued to heat under the strain of training. Her feelings were clear. And it had been a long ti that we’d been together. Longer, in so ways, than anyone else I knew here. I understood what she wanted, and I appreciated everything she’d offered .
I’ll be sad when it happens, I admitted, but I’m happy you’ll stay. Still, I wish I could do more. Even with your ability to take over—
Wyrem cut off, his voice rolling through my Inner Realm in a dry comnt. It’s not a great idea. If she takes over a body, yours is best.
I shuddered at the thought of that “offer,” but I knew he wasn’t being serious. Or at least, not entirely. Yeah. Sure. That’s comforting, I muttered back. And what about you? I promised a long ti ago.
I felt him swirling inside my Inner Realm stone. There’s still sothing I’m missing, Wyrem said. My visions—more will be revealed the stronger I grow. But I’m in the perfect environnt for that now. Likely, if I leave you or my student, then it would only take longer to grow.
I took a deep breath, feeling my Voidseed settle, the power of absorption dimming slightly as I reined it in. Sweat clung to my skin, but the rhythm of my circulation stayed steady.
I’ll look harder for both of you, I said. There’ll be more people on the mainland. Soone has to have a blessing that could help. I promise.
We’ll both be focusing on training, Luna said. Her tone was firr now, like she’d made peace with the decision. But if there’s anything, just scream. I’ll only be mad for a mont.
I’ll be angry, but it’s fine, Wyrem added.
I started to understand their aning more clearly. How long? I asked.
I… I don’t know, Luna answered. But when I tear through this barrier, I can focus less, I think. But if I don’t look inward, then I’ll stay stuck.
I knew she was struggling just to keep moving forward recently. I always figured it was due to her talent, but Luna knew her own body best. Plus, Wyrem was there if she had any questions. Not that his answers were entirely trustworthy. Maybe this really was the right choice.
Just focus, I suggested. Don’t split your attention to just because you’re worried. I’ll call out if I need sothing.
I opened my eyes, exhaling slowly, and saw her flowers around my wrist burst into a bright, vivid pink, petals trembling.
But she was quiet after that. Wyrem too.
And I didn’t know how long it would be before either broke that silence again.
I wouldn’t unless absolutely necessary.
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