The training room was silent except for the dull thud, thud, thud of fists striking the bag.
Elena's knuckles were raw, split from where she'd ignored the gloves. Sweat clung to her skin, her robe discarded on the floor, leaving her in simple clothes that clung to her form. But it wasn't her body that caught me—it was her eyes.
Empty. Hollow.
A ghost of the fire she'd shown me the night before.
I leaned against the doorway, watching. "You'll break your hands like that."
She didn't answer. Another punch. Another thud.
"Elena." My voice sharpened.
Still nothing. She hit harder, as if trying to beat herself out of existence.
I crossed the room in three strides and caught her wrist mid-swing. She twisted against me, fierce but weak, her breath ragged. Her other hand shot out, striking my chest.
"Let go," she hissed, her voice cracking.
I didn't. I held her hands pinned against the bag, forcing her to look at me. "Enough."
Her eyes finally met mine, and the emptiness cut deeper than any blade. "You don't get it. I feel like I'm disappearing. Like I'm just… a piece on your board."
I tightened my grip, jaw hard. "You think I don't notice? That I don't see you killing yourself trying to be untouchable?"
Her lips trembled, a whisper escaping. "Then what am I to you?"
The question hung heavy, a demand and a plea all at once.
I leaned close, my words low, dangerous. "Mine. Even when you're a ghost of yourself. Even when you fight me. Especially then."
Her breath hitched, her resistance faltering. For a second, I saw the fire flicker again—small, fragile, but alive.
I released her slowly, my hands brushing her bruised knuckles. "You want to train? Fine. But not until your hands heal. And not like this. I won't watch you destroy yourself."
Her eyes softened just enough to show the storm beneath. She didn't answer, only turned away, shoulders shaking with a breath she didn't want me to hear.
I watched her, silent, a knot tightening in my chest I didn't care to name.
Because ghosts could vanish. And I wasn't letting this one slip through my hands.