Elara did not sleep.
She sat.
Cross-legged in the ashes, eyes open, staring at her hands as if they didn't belong to her.
Shaera watched from a distance.
Ryon sat a few feet away, quiet, saying nothing—because silence was sometimes the only kindness.
The other warriors avoided her.
Not out of fear…
But out of respect.
Because they all saw it.
She had died.
And yet… she hadn't stayed dead.
> System Thread Status: Elara
Emotion Lock: Fragile
Bond Level: 11%
Trauma Node: Guilt / Self-Erasure
Thread Type: Ashbound Guardian
Suggested Action: Begin Memory Weaving or Emotional Trigger Event
"You Called Me Back."
"I remember dying," Elara said softly.
Her voice barely carried through the firelight.
"I was shielding you. In the snow. The flames were too much."
Ryon nodded. "You held the line."
"I failed." Her voice cracked. "I failed you, Ryon. You died anyway. And now... I'm this."
She held up her flame-scarred fingers.
"A weapon without a purpose."
