The next day, I woke up to find the rain had stopped, and for the first time in days, I felt lighter. Everyone was downstairs, scattered across the room, talking idly. When I stepped into the living room, Mai's father stood by the window, silent, his frame rigid.
I walked to him. "Why are you standing here alone?"
His eyes didn't leave the glass. "Thinking about my village. The missing ones."
I hesitated before promising, "I'll bring them back." Even as I said it, the words felt hollow. I had no idea where they were, no trail to follow.
He turned, weary. "Don't burden yourself with it too much. I wish I knew where they were, too." And with that, he left the room, leaving me with nothing but the hollow silence of my vow.
I sank into the couch, running possibilities through my mind. The truth gnawed at me: I'd only met Nazo once, and even then, it was by accident. I had no clue where he was hiding, no clue where the captives of Yuki—or the children—were being held.
Closing my eyes, I reached out to the living pulse of nature. The voices of the world washed over me, carrying fragments of truth: whispers of the war growing, of death spreading like wildfire, of balance breaking.
Then—my focus shattered. Eqihr stepped in, his voice heavy. "News came. One of Nazo's forces is headed this way. They're bringing a fight."
I apologized for last night, ashamed. He only shook his head. "Nazo's fighters don't hold back, Goshi. You know that. They're hunting the spirits."
The weight in his words was real. If the town wouldn't let us fight, then I would be called only when devastation was unavoidable.
Mai entered, her tone sharp with concern. She'd already heard. "The town's on maximum defense," she said. Eqihr excused himself quickly, leaving just the two of us.
"Crazy day, huh?" Mai said, leaning against the wall, staring out the window. Her voice carried forced confidence.
"Crazy doesn't begin to cover it," I muttered.
Her shoulders tightened. She began speaking, halting at first, then pouring out. She told me about her only sister, how she'd lost her to an enemy village.w When she was little, she tried to protect her sister alone and failed. My chest tightened as I imagined a child standing alone against death.
As she spoke, vines sprouted unbidden from the ground, curling like fists.
"Mai!" I shouted.
She gasped and clenched her fists, forcing the roots to retreat. "Sorry… I lost control."
I shook my head. "Don't apologize. I do the same." I understood her fear, her grief. I'd lived it too.
She left the room without another word, unsettled. I didn't follow. Some wounds couldn't be pressed with words.
Alone again, I slumped back into the couch. My thoughts spun toward the coming battle—doubt creeping in, worry clawing at my chest. I was strong, yes, but without Manny, I was adrift. He was all I had left.
My body stiffened, heavy as stone, and suddenly I was pulled inward—into my mind's space. Paralysis gripped me, locking my body in place.
And there he was.
Nagi. My twin. Standing in front of me. His expression was calm, almost gentle, until he smiled.
"Hey, brother. Seems like you're in a bind, huh?"
My throat tightened. "Nagi… how are you here?"
His eyes softened. "You thought of me. That's enough to bring me."
Tears threatened, but I bit them back. He had been gone so long. Too long.
Nagi's expression darkened. "Goshi, I've been close since I died. I know what's happening. This war—it's going to be brutal. Harder on you than anyone."
I shook my head. "How do you know that?"
But he didn't answer directly. The world around us trembled, the mindscape fracturing. The ground cracked underfoot, the air tearing like paper.
"Goshi," he shouted over the chaos, "I need to tell you—who's behind the war!"
My heart pounded. "Tell me!"
His voice cut through the storm. "It's Mo—"
And then I was thrown out.
I jolted awake, breath ragged, drenched in sweat. The room was eerily quiet. Too quiet. Usually, there'd be voices, movement—but not now.
I rose, disoriented, and wandered the halls. No one. My chest hollowed as unease clawed at me.
Then, whispers trickled down the corridor. Familiar voices. I followed them until I found myself just outside a chamber.
Inside, around a table, they spoke of me.
Eqihr's voice first. "He's not safe to be around. This town might be in jeopardy."
Sammi and Qui agreed. "His power is too wild. Strong, yes—but grief will snap that control one day."
Mai's father added heavily, "If that happens, he'll be unstoppable."
And then Kalen's words cut like knives. "Worst case, we give the other half to Manny… if he returns."
My stomach dropped. My hands shook. How could they say that? After everything—after all I'd done—how could they talk about me like a weapon waiting to explode?
I pushed through the doors, ready to confront them. But the room was empty. Everyone gone.
Screams erupted suddenly, echoing through the span of my mind. Shadows twisted. My vision blurred.
"Wake up!" voices roared around me.
I staggered. Confusion swallowed me whole.
Then I realized—this was still the dream.
I shot awake for real this time, my heart hammering. Mai and her brothers were crouched over me, panic in their eyes.
"Goshi! What happened? Why were you out so long?" Mai's voice was urgent, terrified.
I rubbed my head, still hazy. "What are you talking about? I only closed my eyes for an hour."
Her face hardened. "No. You were out for two weeks."
The blood drained from my face. I jolted upright, senses dull and legs numb. "Two… weeks?"
They nodded.
"What happened while I was gone?" I demanded.
Mai's tone was grim. "Haru was attacked. The city's under siege. Another scaled sword user is here—hunting for you and Manny."
My blood ran cold. "Where are Eqihr and the others?"
"Hiding," she said. "Scattered across the town. It's too dangerous to move. They're staying out of sight."
"We have to find them!" I snapped, already moving toward the door.
"It's impossible," she shot back. "The city's crawling with Nazo's troops. Entire streets are taken. Eqihr gave strict orders—we stay here."
I turned to the window. The streets outside swarmed with soldiers, their black robes marked with fused circular emblems glowing faintly in the dark.
My jaw clenched. "Then I'll find them. I'll save this town."