Sosuke sat on a bench outside, chest rising and falling as he caught his breath. Sweat clung to his skin from the short jog he had taken around the camp.
Two pairs of large boots stopped in front of him. He looked up to see Tina Kallard, the Starborn's old trainer.
"You're Shuhei's boy, right?" Kallard asked.
Sosuke blinked at her, thrown by her sudden appearance, before shaking it off. "Yeah, that's me."
Kallard lowered herself onto the bench beside him. She leaned forward, resting her arms on her thighs. "I heard about what happened to you. Must've been rough. I did put you through some rigorous training though, so I imagine it toughened you up enough, huh?" A smile curved her lips.
"Yeah, I guess it did." Sosuke chuckled. "It wasn't all that bad, all things considered. More like a long sleep. I hardly felt any pain." He exhaled through his nose, shoulders sinking. "I just wish it didn't drain so much out of me. I feel pathetic."
"Is that why you've been working so hard?" Kallard's brow lifted, her expression sharpening. "To get back on the field?" She didn't wait for him to answer. "That's what's pathetic." She jabbed a finger against his chest. "If you want to be of any use to us, you'll need your full strength. Rushing recovery isn't the way."
"But I—" Sosuke started.
"I don't want to hear it." Her tone cut through him. "What you've done is already enough, Estrella. You pushing through has been enough of an inspiration to get some of us through this. You think no one notices what you and your friends have done?" She sighed, shoulders loosening. "When this is all said and done, your team's actions will be praised. So rest. Rest until you know you can get back out there without breaking yourself before the fight even begins."
"I was trying to say I know I shouldn't go." Sosuke let out a puff of air through his nose, a quiet half-laugh at himself. "Maybe I was too stubborn and needed to hear it from a second person."
"I figured you'd be a stubborn kid." Kallard smirked. "I trained your father, after all. You're not much different than him."
"Really?" Sosuke lifted his head, a small glint in his eye.
Kallard nodded. "And I have no doubt you'll be better."
"Sir." A soldier stepped up to them, standing stiff. "Commander Aurelius is stable and ready to see you."
Sosuke pointed at himself, then glanced at Kallard. "Me?"
The soldier nodded.
"I'll be off then." Kallard pushed to her feet, giving him one last smile before walking away without looking back.
"Well, lead the way… soldier." Sosuke said, his voice carrying that awkward edge of someone not used to speaking with authority, especially among other soldiers.
———
Sosuke glanced at the tent before entering. It was noticeably larger than the others scattered around the camp. Of course it made sense for the commander to have the best conditions, but the difference pressed a quiet thought into his head. A gap in importance. Whose life held more weight? He shook it off and stepped inside.
Gabriel lay flat on the bed, wrapped in bandages with tubes and wires tethered to him. Even so, Sosuke could still see the burns that Julius had left behind.
"Jesus," Sosuke muttered.
Gabriel managed a grin. "That's not so polite." A cough wracked his chest.
Sosuke scratched the back of his neck and stepped closer. "Uh… why'd you send for me?"
Gabriel's hand lifted sluggishly. He gestured toward the chair. "Sit."
Sosuke lowered himself into the seat, his body stiff, unsure.
"You're feeling much better, I presume?" Gabriel asked. Sosuke nodded, and Gabriel gave a tired smile. "I am glad you made it through such a difficult trial. I imagine you're itching to fight again."
Sosuke sighed. "I've already heard it twice. 'Don't go out, Sosuke. You'll hurt yourself, Sosuke.'" He rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I get it."
"No, you don't." Gabriel's voice grew firmer. "I do believe you should rest longer, but I also believe you should be ready to fight again. What I'm telling you is this: follow your heart." His finger pointed weakly to Sosuke's chest. "Ask yourself what feels right. Trust your power. Trust your potential. I do."
He paused, catching his breath before continuing. "You may be the one to defeat Julius. The prophecy spoke of a false god. I used to think it was nonsense, but perhaps it is him. I nearly gave my life just to give you a chance."
Sosuke's eyes widened. He opened his mouth but froze, the silence stretching until he stammered. "I… I don't know what to say."
"You don't need to say anything." Gabriel's tone softened. "Just understand. Sometimes belief in yourself is the only thing that matters."
Sosuke let a small grin slip. "Thank you, Aurelius."
"I've watched you grow, even when you thought you were alone." Gabriel coughed into his hand. "With the right conditions, you could surpass me."
Sosuke frowned slightly. "What do you mean by conditions?"
"Not important yet," Gabriel said, shaking his head. His breathing grew shallow. "Go. Talk with your friends. Enjoy their company. They are the key to your evolution."
Sosuke lingered for a moment, then nodded. He rose from the chair, gave Gabriel one last look, and walked out.
As Sosuke stepped back into the camps bustle, far below, sat Arthur alone with his thoughts.
⸻
Military Camp – Underground Area
Arthur sat with his back against the wall, one hand pressed to his forehead. His jaw clenched as he muttered low to himself. "God damn it, Clyde. Damn it all."
"Oh. I thought I'd find you down here."
Arthur lifted his head at the sound of her voice. Elowen descended the steps, her presence as soft as the tone she carried. She brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear as she came to sit beside him.
"You still haven't worked up the courage to go into his cell?" she asked gently.
"It's not that," Arthur snapped, sharper than he meant to.
Elowen only smiled. "Then what is it?"
Arthur let out a long sigh. "I don't want to see him."
"But you came all the way down here," Elowen teased softly. "That sounds like someone who does. You're quite the contrarian."
Arthur's gaze lowered. "I thought… maybe he could have been an equal. Someone I could fight head on. Maybe even a rival."
"I think the word you're looking for is friend," Elowen replied.
Arthur gave a short, humorless laugh. "That's another way to put it. We were getting closer. I could almost feel it." His eyes fixed on the stone wall opposite them. "Why am I even telling you this?"
Elowen tilted her head, lips curving playfully. "Would it be manipulative to admit it's my powers?"
"Definitely."
"But you don't seem so hurt." Her words were quiet, more observation than question.
Arthur didn't answer right away. He exhaled. "There's someone else talking to him now. That's the other reason I'm out here."
Elowen raised a brow, clearly unconvinced. "Captain Winslow? I've only spoken with him a few times, but he's kinder than he looks. He wouldn't have minded if you'd gone in."
Arthur's voice dropped. "He would. I think."
"Take a break from worrying," Elowen said softly. Her hand rested lightly on his leg. "Come back up with everyone else. All this brooding will only wear you down."
Arthur turned to meet her eyes. "I am a contrarian."
Her brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"
"The old me wouldn't have even spoken to you. You were just a healer. No strength. No use in a real fight." His words landed heavy, and Elowen's hand withdrew slowly.
Before she could pull it away fully, Arthur caught it. His grip was firm, not desperate, but enough to keep her there. "Things are different now. I don't feel like my only purpose is strength anymore. Truth is, I don't even know what my purpose is. Everything's been chaos, no time to think. But you've been helpful. More than helpful. You've saved lives, changed things. You've grown too. You're not the girl you used to be." He paused, realizing how much he had said. "I'm saying too much." He released her hand.
Elowen's lips curved into a tender smile. "It's alright. It'll be our little secret."
For a moment, neither spoke. The quiet stretched, not uncomfortable, but calm. Arthur closed his eyes, his breath steadying. Elowen remained at his side, patient, her presence softening the air around them.
When she finally rose to her feet, she brushed off her skirt and looked down at him. "Go when you're ready."
Arthur gave a small nod. He didn't say it out loud, but he knew he would.