Jérémy Chapi :
At last, I had finished crafting the three new Celestial Rings by the end of the day — each bearing a distinct name: Victor, Louis, and Jules.
I had grouped them under the nickname "Cassidy," simply because of their imposing size compared to standard rings.
After a long and exhausting day invoking their power, a deep sense of relief washed over me.
For once, I could finally allow myself a well-earned moment of rest.
"Where do you want this one?" Daniel asked as he lifted the ring out of the machine with the overhead crane and set it down on a frame designed to move it safely.
"For this one, I'd like it locked inside a container. We'll need it if I'm going to convince them."
"You want to bring it with you to the conference?" Séraphina asked while checking the ring's energy capacity.
"Yes, exactly."
"But why not take a smaller one, then?" she added, both of them looking at me as if the answer were obvious.
"Impossible. First, I want them all to stay here. They need to rest.
This one's been through quite a trial — especially Adamai.
Thankfully, we used Victor for the next ones."
"Father is right. And the rings we used are supposed to have been destroyed. It's better not to display them," Iris added.
"Exactly, sweetheart. And besides… it'll be far more impressive to show that one, don't you think?"
"All right, all right… I get it. I'll wrap it up like a gift," Daniel joked as he maneuvered the ring onto the cart.
"I want to know something," Séraphina said suddenly. "Why do you think we couldn't generate one ourselves?"
My daughter shot me a sideways glance as I scrambled for an acceptable answer.
"Let's just say… it's extremely risky. And I'd need to give you a real demonstration."
"That chant you recite — is it to motivate yourself?" Daniel asked, genuinely puzzled. "I mean, I didn't understand half of what you said."
I glanced toward my daughter for help.
Iris approached. "Listen… I suggest you try to prove my father wrong tomorrow. You'll see.
For now, we all need some rest."
"She's got a point," Daniel said, rotating his sore shoulder.
"Good. We'll see about it tomorrow. And thank you again — this was very instructive," concluded Séraphina.
As they prepared to leave, I caught Séraphina giving me one last look.
I silently prayed she would drop the subject of the Celestial Rings — at least for now.
Explaining it wouldn't help; not as long as they remained unable to hear anything.
"Good luck tomorrow. You're going to need it," she said before leaving the warehouse.
Both Séraphina and Daniel went to rest — exhausted themselves.
They planned to resume the work without me, even hinting at trying to create a Celestial Ring on their own — an idea I wanted to avoid for the time being.
They wouldn't understand yet, not until they could hear what needed to be heard.
Despite their careful observation of my methods, I knew they would fail in their current state.
I had seen it in their eyes — a mix of confusion and unease, as if they were slowly starting to think I had lost my mind.
"If only they knew the truth…" I murmured, louder than intended.
Iris looked up from her canvas, intrigued.
"Did you say something, Father?"
She was painting a breathtaking scene: a woman in profile with long white hair, kissing a flower from another world whose petals shimmered with vibrant colors.
The black background made the hues even more vivid, giving the whole piece an ethereal, dreamlike atmosphere.
"No, I was just lost in my thoughts," I replied while watching her work.
"What are you going to call this painting?" I asked as I approached, admiring the details. Her hair was tied back in a ponytail — a clear sign of her deep concentration.
She thought for a moment, her brush gliding with precision.
"I was thinking… Rainbow Kiss.
But you should rest, Father. I can tell you're in pain and you haven't been sleeping well."
"You really don't miss anything, do you…?" I replied with a tired smile. "Yes, it's starting to show."
I slowly rolled up the sleeve of my work jacket: bruises marbled my left arm, the pain worsening each day and disturbing my nights.
"You'll have to tell them one day," she said softly, returning to her painting.
"I know… but it's not the right time yet. Soon."
I grabbed a bottle of water from the small fridge when the doorbell suddenly rang.
I headed to the entrance and opened it to a familiar face.
"Pavel! I'm so happy to see you!" I exclaimed with a wide smile, genuinely delighted after all my repeated requests for permission to have him visit. He wore simple civilian clothes — a shirt and jeans.
"Likewise. It's been a long time," he said, shaking my hand warmly as the soldiers who had escorted him slipped away discreetly.
I invited him inside — it was his first time seeing the warehouse. Since I had woken up in the hospital, we had only met briefly. I'd heard he'd been asking about me often. Then he had spent time with his family and returned to his NASA missions. Our contact had mostly been over the phone.
I guided him toward my daughter.
"Pavel, I can finally introduce you to my adorable daughter, Iris."
"Nice to meet you, Pavel. And thank you again for the support you gave my father," she said with a warm smile.
They exchanged a few words before I offered Pavel a drink.
He politely refused, explaining that his family was waiting for him, but suggested we have dinner together soon so he could introduce them to me.
His visit truly warmed my heart. After everything we had been through, knowing our bond hadn't been broken reassured me deeply. And soon… I would have a proposal to make to him.
Especially since his daughter's future role would become crucial — a future he didn't even suspect.
Who would have thought we'd meet again like this?
We agreed to meet in two days, though I would have to speak with Natali first — if I survived her lessons.
Even though I wasn't technically a prisoner, I still had to report any movement outside the base where I currently lived.
Usually, I had four soldiers accompanying me, whether for a walk or — last time — for a hike around the area. It had allowed me to admire nature and clear my mind.
I understood that they wanted to keep me safe, but I honestly didn't perceive the danger. Their country seemed peaceful, and I sincerely doubted anyone would try to forcibly retrieve me.
My thoughts drifted to the socio-political training Natali had promised.
What exactly was I supposed to expect?
I could already imagine the challenge it would be — and there was a high chance she'd put me through hell tomorrow. Not to mention Séraphina's comment right before leaving the warehouse…
Deep down, I was starting to worry, even though I tried to convince myself it was only humor.
I decided to push all of that aside for now. With the constant pain in my arm already ruining my sleep, I didn't need extra thoughts tormenting me.
Come on… a good shower to clear my head.
I took advantage of the large shower in the warehouse, the warm water soothing both my body and my mind.
When I stepped out, I glanced at myself in the bathroom mirror — my beard had grown quite a bit.
Maybe it was time to trim it, especially since she insisted that I look presentable — judging by the navy-blue three-piece suit I had received.
Well… I'd think about that in the morning.
I left the bathroom.
I wished my daughter good night — she wanted to finish her painting before resting herself.
I also went to check on Evangelyne and Adamai, still exhausted from creating the Cassidy ring.
I wished them a good night and a swift recovery before slipping into my bed.
The warmth of the mattress and the exhaustion of the day finally took me, and I allowed fatigue to gently carry me away.