The Iron Wheel hadn't fully settled before the hatch burst open.
Koya leapt out first.
"Koya—wait!" Anna called, but Koya was already running.
Her footsteps echoed through the halls of the Flow Star as she rushed past startled carers and attendants.
"Where is she?!" Koya's voice trembled. "My mother—where is she?!"
"In her room!" one of them replied quickly.
Koya didn't stop.
She reached the door and froze.
Her hand rested against it, trembling slightly. For a moment… she couldn't move.
Then—
She pushed it open. There she was.
Sitting upright. Awake.
"…Mom?"
The word escaped her like a fragile breath.
Her mother turned and smiled.
Koya moved instantly. She rushed forward and wrapped her arms around her, holding her tightly—as if afraid she might disappear again.
Tears streamed down her face.
"Mom… it's me…" Her voice cracked. "It's your Koya…"
A gentle hand rested on her head.
"I know," her mother said softly. "I know it's you."
Koya broke.
She hugged her tighter. And this time—
Her mother hugged her back.
At the doorway, Anna, Cal, Meriosa, and Immira stood silently.
None of them spoke.
Some moments didn't need words.
Later
Koya sat in the sitting room, her hands resting on her knees. She looked… unsettled. As if reality hadn't fully caught up with her yet.
"After all these years…" she said quietly, "…I finally heard her voice."
Anna smiled gently. "I'm glad."
The sound of wheels approached.
Koya looked up.
Immira entered, pushing her mother gently in a wheelchair, a bright smile on her face.
Koya stood immediately.
She walked toward them… slowly this time. Carefully. As if afraid the moment might shatter. She stopped in front of her mother, staring.
"Koya?" her mother asked softly. "What's wrong?"
Koya shook her head, a small smile forming. "Nothing… I'm just making sure this is real."
Her mother smiled back and reached for her hand.
Then her expression softened.
"I'm sorry," she said. "All these years… I heard you. Every word. I felt your presence. I tried to open my eyes… but I couldn't." Her voice trembled. "I'm sorry I wasn't there for you."
Koya bent down, holding her hand tightly.
"It's okay, Mom," she said gently. "What matters is… you're here now."
Golden Capital – The Same Day
What was meant to be a day of celebration had turned into something else entirely.
A day filled with questions.
"That Flowless girl really did that?"
"I saw it… but I still don't believe it."
"What is she?"
Whispers spread through every street, every home. Uncertainty had replaced certainty.
Golden Tower
The Golden Guardian stood before the Four Elders.
"Her mother waking today…" the Iron Elder said slowly, "…is no coincidence."
The Water Elder nodded. "Everything is connected. Perhaps her mother holds answers."
The Spirit Elder folded his arms. "Today would have been the perfect time to tell her… but not now." A pause. "Let her have this moment."
The Golden Guardian stepped forward.
"I agree," she said. "But what concerns me is something else…" She looked at them. "She awakened Ikua's Flow… without guidance."
Silence followed.
Then—
The Light Elder smiled faintly.
"Koya… is truly special."
Academy Dormitory.
Ra'an sat alone.
The room was silent.
But his mind wasn't. The fight replayed over and over again. Every movement. Every mistake. Every moment he lost.
His fists clenched.
He wouldn't admit it. But deep down— He was afraid. Not of Koya. But of what her victory meant.
That he might never be the strongest. That he might never surpass his brother. That his family… might never accept him.
The door opened.
"Ra'an… are you okay?" Bless asked.
Ra'an looked up.
"…How?" he muttered. "How did I lose… to that Flowless freak?"
Bless exhaled slowly.
"Ra'an… winning isn't everything."
"It is."
His voice hardened.
"Losing means you're weak. And if you're weak… you're nothing."
Silence filled the room.
Bless didn't respond.
He knew— Anything he said now would only make it worse.
Still… He didn't leave. Because even if Ra'an didn't realize it— He needed someone there.
Flow Star – Later
Koya led her friends through a wide, empty hall.
"This is where I spent most of the year," she said.
Anna looked around, frowning slightly. "So… the Golden Guardian lied."
Koya nodded. "Probably to keep you all calm… and to let me know they were watching."
Cal walked slowly, scanning the room. "A whole year…" he muttered. "Away from everything."
Then he turned.
"So… how did you and Meriosa get close?"
Koya smiled faintly. "Let's just say… we shared the same kind of pain."
Cal blinked, confused—but didn't push further.
Anna crossed her arms.
"You used the power of a god today," she said. "What did it feel like? When I use my Flow," she continued, "it's like a steady stream… calm and controlled."
"Same here," Meriosa added.
"Yeah," Cal nodded.
Koya looked at her hand.
Quiet.
"…I don't know," she said slowly. "It felt like something extra inside me. Like a surge I couldn't fully control… like my body wasn't entirely mine."
She paused.
"But at the same time… it was calm."
Silence followed.
"…Guess a god's power is different," Cal said.
Koya glanced at him. Then smiled faintly.
Night
Laughter filled the room as they all sat together for dinner.
For the first time in a long time. Everything felt… normal.
Koya found her eyes drifting constantly to her mother. Watching her. Listening to her.
Just… being with her..Even now, it didn't feel real.
If this was a dream— She didn't want to wake up.
That day would be remembered for years.
Not just by Koya—
But by the entire Golden Globe.
A day of miracles. A day of change.
And yet—
It wasn't over.
Watch Office – Night
The massive structure stood at the edge of the Golden Globe, surrounded by high reinforced walls.
Scouts were stationed everywhere.
It was the only gateway in and out of the capital.
Then—
An alarm blared. Sharp. Urgent.
"INTRUDER ALERT!"
Scouts rushed to position, weapons, ready.
Tension rose instantly.
Eyes fixed on the dark horizon beyond the walls.
From the shadows— Figures emerged. Hooded. Silent.
One stepped forward.
Wearing a Trooper uniform.
He lowered his hood. Revealing his face.
"…Ty'tilian."
One by one, the others stepped into the light, removing their hoods.
A scout swallowed hard.
"…They're back."
To Be Continued.