Veda stepped in from behind, frowning slightly. She turned Moriana's face toward her with her hands.
"Wait… are you joking, or did you really forget him?"
Moriana winked at Veda, the corner of her mouth lifting just enough to pass for a smile.
Zarius tilted his head, smirking.
"Can't blame you; everyone hopes they could forget something this ugly."
Hyran growled low, his golden eyes narrowing.
"Careful, half-breed. You're not in a good spot to mock others' looks."
Gord stared at Moriana, concern softening his voice.
"Princess... you feeling any better?"
Moriana didn't answer. She pressed her palm against the side of her head, as if trying to steady something spinning inside.
Yulia stepped closer, her tone gentle but firm.
"She needs rest. I'll take her back to the inn."
"I'll come too," Veda said, her voice quiet but resolute.
Hyran waved a clawed hand dismissively.
"Fine. Take good care of her. I don't want another day ruined by her whining."
The three of them left together, their footsteps fading into the cool night. Moriana glanced sideways at Veda.
The girl's soft face was touched by the moonlight — freckles scattered across her cheeks like tiny sparks.
Her faint smile almost glowed. When Moriana's gaze drifted lower, she caught the subtle curve of toned muscles under Veda's clothes — strength wrapped in calm femininity.
*****
The room at Evandriel Inn was silent. Night had settled completely, and the full moon spilled a silver glow through the window, painting Moriana's face in pale light.
She raised her right hand, staring at it.
That heavy feeling...
Something is still missing.
Her fingers curled into a fist, loosened, then tightened again.
Wasn't I just coming out of that tavern's bathroom?
Why did I feel like I was somewhere else?
She rubbed her hair roughly until it tangled into a messy halo.
"Damn it," she whispered, breath trembling.
"None of this makes any sense. I walked out
of the bathroom, and then… I wanted to go back. Why?
To save someone?
who?"
She turned onto her side, facing the window. The moonlight slid across her eyes like a thin blade of glass.
For a moment, I forgot Gord calls me "princess"…
And that Zarius and Hyran keep calling me "witch" even though I'm a Handler.
Why did it sound odd at that moment?
The moment flashed in her memory for a second. Her eyelids fluttered. The world outside was quiet — but something deep inside her mind was not.
***
The next day, the six gathered around the same table they'd used the night before.
Hyran slammed the dice down in front of Gord.
"My win!" he barked, voice rough and proud. He snatched the stones from the table like a predator claiming its prey.
Zarius leaned back in his chair, shaking the nearly empty bottle in his hand. With a lazy sigh, he set it down and dug a few coins from his pocket.
He turned to Veda beside him, that usual sly smile tugging at his lips.
"Veda... can you bring me another bottle? This one is almost finished."
Yulia exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of her nose.
"Hey! Half-breed, you've had enough. Stop drinking yourself to death."
Zarius closed Veda's fingers around the coins and and gave her a wink. Then said to Yulia without looking at her.
"Ugh... What are you, my mother?"
Yulia reached into the pocket of her long gray dress and pulled out a small, hexagon-shaped piece. She turned it between her fingers, eyes tracing its edges like she was studying something priceless.
Moriana noticed the glint and leaned toward Yulia.
"What makes that piece of junk so important, Yuli?"
Without answering, Yulia leaned closer and held it up in front of her.
"Here. Feel it for yourself."
Moriana took the object, rubbing her thumb across its surface. Her brow furrowed.
"It's strange… not metal, not fabric either."
"You get it now?" Yulia said quietly, resting her head on her hand, eyes distant.
"I'll try to rewind its time by the Exim," she said, her tone low, certain. "Maybe we'll see what it used to be."
Yulia straightened a little, a soft smile brushing her lips.
"That would help a lot."
Moriana paused with a blink, a sudden thought hitting her.
"Wait—why didn't you ask me that? You're too smart to forget that I'm aHandler, right?"
Yulia sighed, glancing aside.
"I was going to. But you weren't doing well these past two days."
Moriana looked at her for a beat, lips pressed, the silence saying more than her eyes, then placed the fragment on the table.
From her dress pocket, she pulled a bronze watch. She held it by its chain above the fragment, whispering softly,
"Renova."