Vivi sat quietly beside Auren's bed. Auren turned his head, looking at her simply.
"Vivi, it's night. Don't you want to sleep?"
Gazing out the window at the city lights, Vivi answered softly, "Naaa."
"Why?" Auren asked.
Vivi tilted her head, eyes still on the streets below. "Why? Are you feeling suffocated?"
Auren followed her gaze, taking a long breath. "Yes… You're right. I'm wasting ti here, lying down. It feels like a jail."
Vivi smirked. "Jail? I think when soone isn't doing what they truly want, it feels like jail. Suffocating. Sa with , Auren. I feel it too."
Auren's eyes narrowed. "What is it you want to do, Vivi?"
Her smile lingered, but her words trembled. "I don't know. I don't know what to do—that's what suffocates . I try to be happy, but I'm not. I don't even know what I really want."
Auren shifted, disturbed by her tone. "Vivi… why are you hiding your emotions? I don't like seeing you carry that much weight."
Her gaze softened. "The weight you carry is far greater than mine, Auren. But you're still fighting. That's why… You are my inspiration."
The world slowed for Auren. Inspiration? ?
Vivi continued, her voice low but steady. "Tell , Auren… what is it? What keeps you going, even when you know the killer of your brother is stronger than you? I know what happened on the ship wasn't your fault, but still—you don't give up. You don't have mage abilities, as far as I know… so why keep fighting? What drives you? Teach .
Vivi: "What are you talking about… It's a shock for to hear this."
Auren's eyes narrowed, confusion written on his face as he gripped Vivi's hand gently. He spoke calmly."Vivi, whatever happens, do not lose yourself. Whatever happens, do not break."
His voice lowered, steady but heavy."I have nothing to lose, Vivi. I already lost everything. The people in my city treated like I was nothing. They never respected for who I am. They only praised power, position… and I had neither. All I had was a hope. A hope that filled . Hope tied to Hollow Mountain."
Auren turned his gaze out the window, staring into the mist."That mountain ant everything to ."
Then he looked back at Vivi, eyes sharp."But in your case… what is your hope? What is that one thing? Figure it out."
Vivi froze, his words echoing inside her. What is my hope? She clenched her fist tightly. There is no hope for .
Auren leaned closer."If you don't have hope… then answer this: What do you want?"
The question struck her like lightning. Her eyes widened, the words burning in her mind. What do I want?
Vivi discovers from her inner self ..
Auren: "Think about it, Vivi. You are close. Very close.
Vivi slowly slipped her hand from Auren's grip. She stood, closing her eyes, both hands pressed near her chest as if holding her heart. What do I want? What do I want…
Her lips trembled before the words poured out."I want my eyes closed, feeling the wind of the ocean. I want freedom. I want to explore this world. I want… friends."
A single tear traced down her cheek. She opened her eyes slowly, her voice steadier now."Auren… I know what I want."
Auren's face softened with a smile of relief."Congratulations, Vivi. Then… will you beco my first friend?"
She blinked at him, surprised. "Auren… you already are my friend."
Her words caught him off guard, but he smiled wider."You want to explore the world… well, I think it's not such a bad idea. I want that too. So… what if we go together? But first, I need to finish my job."
Vivi lit up like a fla. "Really? That's great! Okay then—I'll wait. We'll go together. Promise , Auren."
He t her eyes, firm as stone. "Yes. It's my promise."
Vivi's tears were gone now, replaced by a glowing grin. "Then I have my hope now. There's no need to be sad anymore!" She twirled around, arms stretched wide. "Yeah, yeah!
Ova, naro, naro, naro!"
Auren chuckled, tilting his head. "And what does that an?"
Vivi giggled, spinning once more."It ans… in this world, I am happy, happy, happy!"
Vivi said, "So, Auren, chant with —Ova Naro, Naro, Naro."
Auren rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. "Leave it…"
Vivi, speaking firmly, said, "I said, chant with ."
Auren sighed. "Okay, okay, let try… Ova Naro, Naro, Naro."
"Like that," Vivi nodded. "Now say it with . Together."
Auren couldn't help but break his character. Soon, both were chanting, Ova Naro, Naro, Naro.
Vivi then held out her hand. "Can we do a handshake? I've never done it… It would be a sign of our friendship."
"Sure," Auren said. Their hands t, radiating warmth—a handshake that spoke of newfound friendship.
Auren said, "You know, Vivi, once I get my powers, I've decided to sail out to sea for a while."
A playful smile danced on his face. "I want us to beco Tideborn… but the good kind."
Vivi's eyes widened, and she leaned back. "What? Are you out of your mind?"
Auren closed his eyes, stretched his arms, and said with a charming smile, "Vivi, I'm just waiting for my powers to co. Then I'll be free—I can walk with my head held high. Then we can start our new Tideborn group."
Vivi, still in shock, whispered, "Are you serious?"
"Absolutely," Auren replied, grinning. "But first, we have to grow up a little, you know.
Vivi slowly let a smile spread across her face and gave a thumbs-up. "Yep! Sounds interesting, Auren. I want to beco strong too. But… don't you think we should have more people with us?"
then auren shrugged. "We'll see about that."
Vivi tilted her head, thinking. "So… what should we na our Tideborn group?"
Auren grinned. Let's see "How about…
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