"My legs hurt," Kairis groaned, dragging her steps through the dirt road.
Kael looked back at her. "When they dont?"
"Would it kill you to show some sympathy?" she snapped.
"Probably," Kael muttered.
Azel exhaled quietly. "You two argue more than you walk."
Lyra followed behind them, quiet. The sky had changed — the gray clouds had thinned, and the sun hung bright above.
She tilted her head up, watching it for a moment.
The memory came again — the empty face of Chronis.
Why did you do that?
She didn't ask Azel. Some questions only brought back pain that never faded.
Her hand brushed against her side as she walked. Something felt missing — like someone had taken a piece of her life and she just hadn't noticed until now.
When she glanced back, the golden light fell across the field. A faint smile crossed her face before she turned and kept walking with them.
They walked for hours until the trees thickened and the path darkened.
"You said the forest seal was close," Kairis said, folding her arms. "This doesn't look close to me."
Kael sighed. "Maybe you'd find it faster if you stopped complaining."
Kairis glared. "Say that again."
Azel walked past them, not even turning. "Ignore it."
Lyra smiled faintly and followed him.
By the time they reached the forest edge, the sky had dimmed. The sun had begun to fall, and the air grew colder.
They decided to camp for the night. Kairis lit the fire while Kael gathered wood. Lyra sat a little apart, watching the small flames dance.
Then — a sound.
Faint. Sharp. Like glass breaking far away.
Her eyes lifted.
"Did you hear that?" Lyra asked.
Kairis didn't look up. "Probably the wind."
But Lyra was already standing.
Kairis sighed. "There she goes again… straight into trouble."
Azel gave a slow nod, his tone flat. "As usual."
Kael picked up his weapon with a groan. "Let's go before she vanishes again."
The three followed her into the woods.
The forest was quiet. The moonlight filtered through the trees, silver and cold.
Lyra moved carefully, eyes sharp. Then she saw it — crimson light floating between the trunks. Shards. Dozens of them.
They trembled, as if alive.
Then one darted toward her.
She lifted her hand, forming a thin white shield in front of her. The shard struck and shattered against it. Sparks scattered across the leaves.
Her gaze moved forward — and there she was.
A small girl, no older than thirteen.
Red hair tangled around her face, brown eyes wide with fear. Her clothes were torn, feet bare, knees scraped.
"Don't come closer!" the girl shouted. "They'll hurt you!"
The shards flickered brighter at her voice, shaking in the air.
Lyra stayed where she was for a moment, then began walking slowly toward her.
"It's alright," she said gently. "You're safe."
The girl shook her head, stepping back. "No! Please—"
Lyra stopped a few steps away, crouching down so their eyes met.
That's when a shard shot straight toward her.
She raised her hand, catching it — but it cut across her palm. Blood dripped to the ground.
The girl gasped. "You're hurt! I told you—"
Lyra looked at her bleeding hand, then smiled softly. "It's alright. It'll heal."
The shards dimmed, their glow fading. The girl stared at her, shaking, unsure.
Lyra reached out slowly, her voice low and steady. "You don't have to be afraid anymore."
"Lyra!" Kael's voice cut through the forest.
The three of them hurried toward her, breathless, stepping over broken roots and scattered shards.
Kairis slowed first when she saw the scene — Lyra crouched in front of a trembling girl, a faint line of blood on her palm.
Kael blinked. "You've gotta be kidding me. You walked straight into a shard storm again?"
Lyra didn't answer. She just stood slowly, turning toward them. The small girl hid behind her, clutching at her sleeve.
Kairis frowned. "You're bleeding."
"It's fine," Lyra said softly.
"It doesn't look fine." Kairis stepped closer anyway, pulling a cloth from her pouch. "Sit."
Lyra hesitated for a second, then did as told. Kairis started wrapping the cloth around her hand, muttering, "You never did know how to stay still."
Kael crossed his arms. "So… are we just ignoring the part where a random kid tried to stab you?"
Lyra looked over her shoulder. "She's scared."
"Scared? She almost sliced your hand open!"
Lyra's tone stayed calm. "And yet, she stopped."
Kael opened his mouth, but Kairis glared at him. "Don't. Just—don't."
Azel, who'd been quiet until now, finally spoke. His voice was low. "Lyra, you don't even know who she is."
Lyra looked up at him. "She's someone who's been through enough."
"That's not an answer," he said quietly.
"She doesn't need to be one," Lyra replied, standing up once Kairis finished tying the bandage.
Azel's jaw tightened. "You're taking a risk."
"For once," Kael muttered under his breath.
Kairis blinked at that, realizing it too. Lyra — the same Lyra who once hesitated at everything, who watched but never moved first — was standing ahead of them again, steady, sure.
Kael's voice softened. "Guess she's finally back to being herself."
Kairis said nothing, just smiled faintly.
The girl behind Lyra tugged at her sleeve. "I'm sorry…"
Lyra looked down, her expression gentle. "It's alright. What's your name?"
"…Mary," the girl whispered.
Lyra nodded. "Then Mary it is."
Kael rubbed the back of his neck. "So what now? We're keeping her?"
Lyra met his eyes. "For now."
Azel sighed, shaking his head slightly. "You'll never change, will you?"
She turned toward him — calm, unreadable — and said quietly,
"Maybe that's not a bad thing."
Kairis smiled at that, stepping between them. "Alright, enough arguing. Let's go before Kael decides to test his luck on another trap."
Kael scoffed. "One time. One time."
Kairis rolled her eyes, grabbing Mary's hand gently. "Come on, little one. Let's get you somewhere warm."
They started walking back toward the camp.
Azel followed last, glancing once at Lyra — the faint glow of the fire ahead reflected in her eyes.
Something in her had shifted again. Not completely — but enough to remind him who she really was