— "To infiltrate the Resistance of the Reminiscents," Aedan declared without a hint of hesitation.
— "Perfect. I'm eager to see how that turns out," replied the Director in an indifferent tone, before ending the conversation by shutting off the hologram.
Alone, Aedan remained motionless. His expression revealed nothing. He appeared emptied, as though every trace of emotion had been erased from him.
---
Meanwhile, on Elya's side, the shock of the revelation rendered her motionless. No words would pass her lips. Her gaze was vacant, suspended somewhere between confusion and fear.
— "Do you think she'll manage?" Arthur asked in a low voice.
— "No. Not a chance. They're placing enormous pressure on her," replied Naël, leaning against the wall, arms crossed, her expression grim.
After a moment, a dull thud echoed.
Elya had collapsed to the ground, as though overwhelmed by the weight of it all.
— "What did I tell you…" murmured Naël, before turning away silently and exiting the room with clipped steps.
As Elya lay unconscious, voices swiftly rose in the room:
— "Is that her, the supposed hope?"
— "She can't even stand on her legs… How could she carry the world?"
Arthur hurried over to support her while Denivela intervened, her tone calm but firm:
— "I know this isn't what you expected... But she's just a child. She's just learned things that would shake anyone. Give her a moment."
Some laughter rippled through the crowd before people drifted away, indifferent.
— "You call that hope… Yeah, right," someone muttered from the crowd.
As silence returned, Alpha, still hovering at the edge, walked away with a soft murmur:
— "What a disappointment…"
—
Elya regained consciousness in a darkened room. No one was there. Night had fallen. She sat up slowly, limbs stiff, then left the room.
She wandered through the silent corridors of the base until seeing a familiar silhouette: Naël, leaning against a half-open door.
— "Wow, already up?" she teased lightly.
— "What happened?" Elya asked, approaching.
— "Nothing serious... except that you made a spectacle of yourself in front of hundreds," Naël replied with a teasing smile.
— "Spectacle…" Elya muttered, burying her face in her hands.
Suddenly, voices leaked from behind the door Naël was leaning against.
— "What was that?" Elya asked, lifting her head, ears alert.
— "Nothing. Don't pay attention. Let's go."
Then, a voice spoke from the other side of the door.
— "She won't be useful to us."
— "She's a child, I remind you," came a female voice.
— "She's already eighteen. No longer a child."
— "I agree with Denivela. As soon as she arrived, you piled expectations on her. Her reaction is entirely understandable."
— "Yeah, sure," Alpha snorted sarcastically. "The best option now is to drain her veins."
At those words, Naël quietly covered Elya's ears with her hands, offering a gentle, innocent smile.
— "I know losing your men hit you hard, but that's no excuse to vent your frustration on this kid," Denivela said firmly.
— "What else can I do?!" Alpha shouted before storming out.
When he passed Elya outside, he paused momentarily. His gaze met hers—loaded with meaning as if confirming she'd heard every word. Then he carried on without a word.
Minutes later, Arthur emerged, supported by Denivela. When he saw Elya and Naël, he understood right away.
— "Judging by the silence, I assume Elya is here… Don't mind Alpha's words. He's a bit on edge these days," he said with a kind smile.
— "He'd do well to watch his words," Naël retorted sharply, grabbing Elya's arm and leading her away.
---
At the NOUVEL ORDRE HQ
Since the Director's announcement, everything had shifted. The frigid calm of nights past had vanished, replaced by relentless activity. The base pulsed with sound—quick footsteps, urgent commands. Lit by harsh artificial glow, the corridors never slept. Armed figures passed by tensely, and even the air seemed charged with static. Across the New World zones, patrols had multiplied, surveying every shadow as if guarding against itself.
In his office, the Director watched it all unfold on a massive surveillance screen. His eyes gleamed with something unreadable. And on his lips, a smile... one of those that portend very little good.
---
Back with the Reminiscents
— "Look, given how your morning went, you'll sleep in my room tonight. Here, take these clothes and go shower," said Naël, handing Elya an oversized T-shirt and shorts.
Elya remained frozen, her stare vacant, Alpha's words reverberating in her mind like hammer blows: "Drain her veins..." She wasn't sure whether she wanted to cry or disappear. It felt like she didn't exist.
Naël frowned and called softly.
— "Elya…"
Silence.
— "Elya..." she repeated, louder.
Still nothing. Naël approached and lightly nudged her shoulder.
Elya startled.
— "Sorry… you were saying?"
Naël offered a softer, more attentive look.
— "Is this really hitting you that hard? Listen, don't think now. You'll have all the time in the world to prove yourself. For now, just shower... and rest."
Elya nodded and headed off to shower. Later, Naël lay beside her, staring at the ceiling.
— "They say a lot of crap here... Don't listen to it."
— "And if I fail?"
— "Then you fail. But we'll pick up the pieces together," Naël replied gently.
Elya closed her eyes, saying nothing. Silence settled—fragile, but comforting. Naël said no more. She understood. Sometimes, all you needed was to be present. Together. Even in the ruins.