I SIT IN QUIET MEDITATION.

My mind is at peace. I continue to cycle my Aura into Qi within my core. I exhale slowly, before taking in a deep, long breath. I hold it for a moment, mind cleared, entirely focused. I hear nothing. Not the explosions resounding in the distance, nor the chatter outside of my room.

“So… how long do you think she’ll be like that?”

“Probably until the third bell tolls.”

“Seriously?”

“Yeah, it gets annoying sometimes if I’m being honest—”

I know Nindran and Seiled are outside of my room. I know they are making harmless banter about me. But the meaning of their words are lost to my ears. I simply find peace within myself. And a soft white aura runs through my body.

My wounds knit to a close over the course of a cycle. I hear the bell toll, even amidst the fighting and blasts in the distance. My core is filled with Qi— with power. Both Aura and the Essences returning to me. Finally, when I feel refreshed and rejuvenated, my eyes snap open.

Looking up, I find Nindran still waiting for me, although Seiled is gone. But the azure-haired woman is not awake. In fact, she is sitting in a chair and sleeping. I force myself to my feet, feeling my body creak for a brief moment and acclimating to the renewed vigor.

I walk up to Nindran and smile.

“Shouldn’t you be helping the others?” I say, shaking my head with a sigh.

Then I run a hand over her sky-blue hair. It is soft— but my skin is tender too, having just been regrown. Of course, Nindran’s hair does not prick me. It is hair. Smooth to touch. But extra soft at this moment.

Her eyes flutter open as I brush a hand over her face. Nindran looks up at me, blinking. She groggily rubs at her eyes.

“Mm, Tian? You’re done?” She yawns as she sits up.

“I am.” I give her a nod. “I believe it is about time for us to deal with these Zombies, is it not?” I glance towards a nearby cracked window. I can see flames rising in the distance— the purple horizon is painted crimson.

“R-right,” she says as she takes a moment to regain her bearings. Nindran opens her mouth… and pauses.

I narrow my eyes at that. “Is something the matter, Nindran?” I ask, giving her a look of concern.

She tries to work her mouth. “Do you…” Nindran hesitates. “Do you really think we’ve got this?”

I tilt my head at her inquisitively. “What do you mean?”

Nindran shuffles her feet. It looks like she does not want to bring this up. She glances nervously towards the doorway, but there is no one down the hall. I place a reassuring hand on her shoulder and lean closer.

“Nindran,” I say softly, “you know you can talk to me about it.”

“R-right.” She is unusually apprehensive. Perhaps even fearful. Finally, she concedes and speaks. “I am not sure if… we’ll be able to beat this Idu, y’know?”

“Why not?” I ask, not replying just yet.

She shrugs. “Just Galgom alone brought Utana to its knees. A single Hive of Esh and En and that wretched tyrant was enough to kill our guardians and push us to the brink of extinction. We would’ve forever lived under his tyranny if not for you, Tian. But this Idu… he’s…” she trails off.

“Ah.” I realize what is going on.

Nindran averts her gaze. “Look, I know that there’s not no point in, like, sweatin’ over these details. But still, I’m kinda scared. I mean, you said it yourself— Idu is a thousand times worse than Galgom, right?”

I stare at her as she stands there awkwardly. This clearly is not something she wishes to say in front of others out of fear of reducing morale. But, perhaps, she is not the only one who thinks this.

When I explained the situation to the Keepers of the Grove earlier, I did not consider the impact my words can have on them. If even Nindran is shaken by it, then it is likely everyone— Herder, Beihal, Seiled, and even Nelrel— except maybe Kalmat are affected by it.

It is my fault for my own poor choice of words. Perhaps I should have told Kalmat and Kalmat alone. But the damage has already been done. I look at Nindran who tries to offer me a weak smile.

“Don’t get me wrong, I think you’re amazin’, Tian. But…” She scratches the back of her head. “Do you think you’ll be able to… handle… this…?”

She raises her head slightly, not really meeting my gaze. I look at Nindran. At the out-of-character azure-haired woman. Usually cheerful and carefree. Now, afraid and fearful of failure. I open my mouth. There are a lot of things I can say to try and calm her.

I can tell her that we will defeat Idu together. That even if this is more difficult than Galgom, we will still come out triumphant. Or maybe I can say that I have seen Idu and I know that I can beat him. But those words do not levae my mouth.

All I do is say, “Nindran—”

And pull her tightly into a hug. The azure-haired woman sputters, caught off-guard for a moment.

“Woah, wha—” But she pauses.

Nindran feels my soft embrace. She does not struggle, instead hugging me back. We hold each other for a moment, neither of us saying a word. Then, slowly, I bring a hand up to her chin.

She hesitates, but raises her head to meet my gaze. I look down at the azure-haired woman. Young, beautiful. Natif of Utana. Someone from a different world. But so similar to the people of mine.

And I kiss her.

It is not a long kiss. A brief peck, really. I pull back the moment it is done. Nindran flushes, but she stares into my eyes without looking away.

“We will win,” I whisper. “We have no other choice. The Elocunive saved me. So I will not let Utana fall.”

And she nods. “Right.”

With that, we left the room together.