Ren returned to the base just before dawn.
The white glow of the Spirit Flower still drifted through the air, but it felt weaker—or maybe it was Ren who saw everything with less color.
He walked slowly toward the cabin.He didn't want to wake anyone.Didn't want to talk.
Didn't want to be seen.
But Lyra was already awake.
Sitting quietly, bow in her lap, eyes sharp under the flower's glow.She watched him as if she already knew.
— "Where were you?"
Her voice was calm…but too firm to be casual.
Ren froze for a heartbeat before answering:
— "Just… walking."
Lyra stood, slowly.A faint, nearly invisible breeze lifted with her movement.
— "Ren."She stepped closer.— "Don't lie to me."
Ren looked away.
And that was all she needed to know.
Her heart tightened.— "You're shaking."
Ren clenched his fists.— "I'm just tired."
Lyra touched his arm—and Ren flinched back, instinctively.
She stopped.
The silence grew heavy.
— "…You've never pulled away from me before."
Ren couldn't answer.
🌫️ The First Cracks
Draven woke next.He stretched, yawned loudly—then stared at Ren.
Instant frown.
— "Dude… you look bad. Like REALLY bad."
Borin rose soon after, tapping his hammer.His usual grin vanished the moment he saw Ren.
— "Boy. What happened?"
Ren inhaled deeply.
— "Nothing. I just… needed to think."
Lyra crossed her arms.
— "And thinking requires disappearing alone at three in the morning?"
Draven stepped closer, serious for once.
— "Ren… you look like you fought a ghost."
He had fought something much worse.
Ren's stomach twisted.
— "I said I'm fine."
But none of them believed him.
The Guild had always trusted one another—but for the first time, Ren was pulling away.
And that hurt.
🜂 Lyra Is the First to See Through Him
Lyra took his forearm gently.
Ren tried to pull away—but she tightened her grip.
Not to restrain.But to steady him.
— "I can feel your wind, Ren."He blinked.Lyra continued:— "Ever since we purified the stain, my senses have sharpened. I can feel emotions around me. And right now…"
She lifted her gaze to his.
— "…you're afraid."
Ren froze.
The staff in his hand nearly slipped.
He wanted to deny it.Wanted to say she was wrong, that he was fine, that he was strong, that he'd be the leader they needed.
But the Eye's words echoed in his mind:
Loss.Pain.And choice.
His breath quickened—and Lyra noticed.
— "Ren…"She took half a step closer.— "Please. Talk to me."
But he didn't.
He only closed his eyes…And whispered:
— "I have to protect you."
Borin huffed.— "And we don't have to protect you too? We're a Guild, not your burden."
Draven punched his chest.— "Yeah! If something comes, I burn it! Easy!"
Lyra gave a sad half-smile at Draven's attempt to help…But Ren only seemed to shrink further.
— "You don't understand…"His voice almost cracked.— "…there are things out there that aren't meant to see me."
Silence fell.
Lyra squeezed his arm again.
— "Then why did you go alone?"
Ren finally looked at her.
Silver eyes—but darker now.
— "…because it only wanted to see me."
🌑 The Truth He Won't Tell
Ren told them the bare minimum.
That "something" had shown itself.That it was "old."That it might be "watching."
But he didn't mention the Eye.Or the words.Or the price.
He lied for the first time.
And Lyra saw it.Not because Ren was bad at lying—but because she knew him too well.
She touched his cheek softly.
Ren stiffened.
— "You're not going to carry this alone," she whispered.
He wanted to answer.Wanted to tell her he needed her, that he was scared, that the vision had broken something inside him.
But when he looked into her eyes—the memory returned:
"The Guild walks toward glory…""…and toward mourning."
Ren stepped back.
Lyra's hand lowered slowly.
Something inside her cracked.
✦ [Status Window – Immortal Guild]
Event Recorded: Internal FracturesLeader: Ren Tianyi — emotionally unstable
Temporary Effects:
Group synergy -5
Draven alert
Borin suspicious
Lyra emotionally hurt
New Condition (Ren):
Cycle's Shadow (Lv.1) – mark left by the Cycle
Restless Sleep – potential nightmares
Emotional Strain – fragile bonds
Guild Base: 42%Status: Outward calm; internal tension rising