Three moons rose and fell in the night sky, their light casting fleeting patterns across the land. By morning, the first rays of sunlight spilled through a narrow window, warming Nova’s face.

  A woman, dressed in simple yet elegant robes, carried a basin of water and a folded cloth, moving with practiced efficiency. She had tended to others before, expecting nothing more than another weary prisoner lying against the cold floor. But as she stepped closer, she stopped cold.

  Her breath hitched, the basin tilting in her hands, water sloshing over the rim. Her eyes widened as she stared at the impossible sight before her. Nova lay still asleep, yet the air around her shimmered with movement. Dark blue petals floated lazily in the dim light, glowing faintly as they drifted through the air like fireflies caught in an unseen current. They pulsed, almost breathing, flickering between soft and vibrant hues.

  A chill ran down Miyuki’s spine. She knew what Ki was—everyone in the village did. But this was different. This wasn’t the controlled, disciplined power she had seen warriors wield in training halls or on the battlefield.

  Her pulse spiked in panic and lips parted in shock. Then—“Kazuki! Kazuki, come quickly!”

  Heavy footsteps thundered down the hall. Kazuki arrived moments later, breath sharp, tension already in his shoulders. “What’s wrong?” he demanded, but the moment his eyes landed on Nova, his expression changed.

  His body tensed as he took a sharp step back. A ripple of silver energy surged from him, unseen but felt—a sharp, instinctive reaction. His hand twitched toward the hilt of his sword—instinct, discipline—but he didn’t draw it. He rushed over to her, abruptly interrupting her rest. ”Young one... Young one! Wake up!”

  Nova jolted awake, her heart pounding. “W-what’s going on?” she stammered, her voice laced with panic.

  Kazuki’s wide eyes darted between her and the air around her. “How... How are you using Ki?”

  Nova froze, confused. “W-what do you mean?” She followed his gaze and gasped. Dark blue petals were floating around her, glowing faintly as they drifted to the ground. The sight stole her breath.

  It was beautiful. Terrifying. Unnatural.

  She stared in shock, her chest tightening. “What do I do?! H-How do I stop it?!”

  Kazuki’s normally calm demeanor cracked as panic flickered in his expression. “Uh—okay, please listen. Take a deep breath and focus on oneself. Imagine closing a lid, shutting the flow off.”

  Nova nodded quickly, forcing herself to take slow, steady breaths. She pictured a lid closing tightly over a swirling energy, willing the petals to fade. Gradually, the glowing petals began to slow, then vanish altogether.

  When the last one disappeared, Nova looked up at Kazuki and the woman behind him, who met her gaze with a mixture of disbelief and relief.

  “You… you did it,” Kazuki said, exhaling a long breath. He straightened, his shock quickly replaced by excitement. “I knew there was something special about you. Only Shoryu can use Ki—but somehow, you managed it unconsciously. Absolutely incredible.”

  “K-Kazuki," Miyuki finally spoke, her voice trembling.

  Her words grounded him back to the reality of the situation. His tone became serious as he quickly got up to her, grabbing her shoulders. “Please. Do not tell a soul about this.”

  Miyuki’s breath hitched, but she nodded quickly. "U-understood," she said, voice diligent but shaken.

  Before Kazuki could say more, another set of footsteps echoed down the hall—heavier, more deliberate. The door slid open with a sharp clack, and Takeshi entered, his expression unreadable, eyes scanning the room with razor focus.

  “What’s going on in here?” he asked, his voice firm and cold.

  Kazuki turned smoothly, stepping slightly in front of Nova. “Nothing serious,” he said with practiced calm. “The girl woke from her rest in a panic. It startled Miyuki. I’ve taken care of it.”

  Takeshi’s gaze shifted to Nova. She was still pale, her breathing uneven, sweat clinging to her brow.

  He frowned, then glanced to the side—his eyes settling on a faint, glowing blue petal beside her.

  He stepped closer. “Whose Ki is that?”

  All three of them turned toward the petal, their faces freezing in shared panic—especially Nova.

  Before she could speak—or spiral—Miyuki suddenly stepped in front of her. “I-It’s mine.”

  Takeshi’s head tilted. “Miyuki? But you’re not a warrior. How did you manage to summon it?”

  Kazuki stepped in smoothly. “I’ve been training her. She said she wanted to be stronger, so I’ve been helping her learn. Enough to summon Ki—just barely.”

  Takeshi studied them both, his gaze sharp and unreadable. “Then why summon it here?”

  Miyuki swallowed. “I thought it might calm the girl... and also...” She glanced away, flustered. “F-For Kazuki’s favor.”

  Takeshi blinked. Then—to everyone’s surprise—he smirked.

  “Well. My brother is an easy man. I’m sure you’ll do quite well in courting him.”

  Kazuki shot him a deadpan look, clearly unamused.

  Takeshi gave a short chuckle. “You two shouldn’t worry about such useless things. Go out. Enjoy your time.”

  “Perhaps another time,” Kazuki said dryly. “I’ll stay with the child until her fate is decided.”

  Takeshi shrugged. “Just don’t keep Miyuki waiting forever.” Then his tone shifted, voice dropping low and serious. “Do remain vigilant for that... thing. You don’t know what it’s capable of.”

  Kazuki bowed slightly. “Understood, brother.”

  Takeshi gave Nova one last lingering look—sharp, calculating—then turned and disappeared down the hall.

  Once the door slid shut, Kazuki finally exhaled, shoulders slumping with the release of held tension.

  Nova looked up at him, still trembling. “Y-you lied for me.”

  Kazuki gave her a sidelong glance. “You don’t know how dangerous it would’ve been if I hadn’t.”

  He straightened, his voice steady again. “Miyuki will look after you for now. But once you’ve rested... we need to talk. I want to understand what you really are.

  Nova hesitated, the weight of his words and the strange events pressing on her mind. Yet something in his tone invited trust. Slowly, she nodded. “Y-yes… we can talk.”

  Kazuki gave a curt nod, then turned back to Miyuki.

  “Good.” He stands up and walks to the woman once more. “Miyuki, please take good care of her until I return.”

  Miyuki swallowed hard, still shaken, but she steadied herself and bowed slightly. “Y-yes, Kazuki.”

  With that, Kazuki cast one last glance at Nova, something unreadable flickering in his gaze. Then, without another word, he turned and strode toward the door.

  As he left, Nova let out a shaky breath, still staring at the empty air where the petals had once been.

  The room was silent except for the faint creak of wooden floorboards. Nova sat cross-legged on the woven mat, still trying to process everything that had just happened.

  Her heart was still beating too fast.

  And now, she wasn’t alone.

  Miyuki knelt down beside her, a wooden basin sat beside them, the water inside still steaming faintly.

  “I will be washing you on the orders of Kazuki. Please allow me to do so now.”

  Nova grew embarrassed “N-no you don't have to.”

  Miyuki knelt down, wringing out a soft cloth over the basin, letting the excess water drip back with quiet splashes. Her movements were careful, practiced—but Nova could still see it. The slight pause before she reached toward her arm.

  Nova jerked back instinctively, pulling her arms in close to her chest. “I-I can do it,” she blurted, her voice coming out faster than she intended. Her face heated instantly.

  Miyuki blinked, surprised by the reaction. For a moment, the two of them just stared at each other.

  “I… I mean, I don’t want to trouble you,” she tried again, voice softer, eyes dropping to the floor.

  Miyuki let out a small sigh, her shoulders loosening slightly. “…It’s fine,” she said simply. She didn’t sound annoyed—just matter-of-fact. “You’re not troubling me.”

  Still, she didn’t move closer again.

  Instead, she studied Nova carefully, as if taking in the way she was curling into herself, the way her hands gripped the edge of her sleeves.

  Then, without a word, she set the damp cloth down in Nova’s own hands. Nova blinked.

  Miyuki leaned back, offering space. “Here,” she murmured. “You do it.”

  Nova blinked. Hesitated.

  “What?” Miyuki raised an eyebrow. “Did you think I’d force you?”

  “No. I—I just…” Nova looked away. “Never mind.”

  She turned her attention to the cloth instead, pressing it carefully against her own skin. The warmth of the water soothed her sore muscles, and though she could feel Miyuki’s gaze on her, she tried not to think about it.

  Miyuki let Nova clean herself in silence for a while. The only sounds were the occasional drip of water into the basin and the quiet rustle of cloth against skin.

  Eventually, Miyuki reached for a dry towel and placed it beside Nova. “…I left a fresh set of clothes for you,” she murmured.

  Nova glanced at the neatly folded fabric. Something about the way Miyuki said it—soft, almost careful—made Nova feel less like a prisoner and more like… a guest.

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  She swallowed down her lingering embarrassment and nodded slightly. “Thank you.”

  Miyuki didn’t respond, but for the first time, her expression softened just a little. Then, without another word, she stood and turned away, giving Nova the privacy to change.

  “…I’m done,” she murmured as she bowed.

  Miyuki, who had been standing near the door with her back turned, glanced over her shoulder.

  Nova hesitated before adding, “Thank you. Again.” Her words were quiet, but genuine.

  Miyuki turned fully now, her eyes settling on Nova with something that wasn’t quite a smile—but wasn’t indifference either. There was a certain warmth in her expression, subtle but present.

  A small pause, then a soft nod. “You’re welcome.”

  Miyuki stepped forward, taking the basin and carefully placing the damp cloth over its rim. The gentle way she moved—deliberate but unhurried—made Nova realize something.

  Despite the initial hesitation, despite the quiet tension in the air… Miyuki wasn’t afraid anymore. Or at least, she didn’t show it.

  She adjusted the basin in her grip, then glanced down at Nova’s fresh clothes. “They fit you well,” she noted, her voice carrying the faintest trace of approval.

  Nova glanced down at herself. The garments were softer than what she had been wearing before. Not extravagant, but comfortable—something meant to be lived in, not just worn.

  For some reason, that made her chest feel strange. She lifted her hands slightly, brushing the fabric between her fingers. “…Yeah,” she admitted. “They feel nice.”

  Miyuki observed her for a moment longer, then turned toward the door.

  “I’ll go get Kazuki,” she said simply.

  With that, she walked out the cell, stepping lightly into the dimly lit hall beyond. The soft sound of her footsteps faded as she walked away, the quiet settling back into the room like a blanket.

  The room felt emptier now that Miyuki was gone.

  Nova sat motionless on the woven mat, her fingers idly tracing patterns along the fabric of her new clothes. The warmth of the bathwater still clung to her skin, but it was already beginning to fade, leaving behind a quiet coolness.

  She let out a slow breath. Everything still felt too much.

  The petals. Takeshi’s sudden entrance. The way Kazuki had lied for her.

  It all came too quickly for her to properly process. Putting her in a spiral of thoughts until suddenly, a knock was heard at the cell door, snapping Nova out of it.

  She snapped her head up to see Kauzki standing in the doorway, his calm but sharp gaze falling directly on her.

  She sat up straighter, as if that would make her look more put together, less shaken.

  “How was Miyuki?” Kazuki asked, stepping inside. His voice was steady, unreadable. “Did she treat you well?”

  Nova hesitated for only a second. “Y-yes,” she murmured, tucking her hands in her lap. “She was nice.”

  Kazuki nodded, lowering himself onto the mat in front of her. His posture relaxed. “That’s good to hear,” he said. Then, with a tilt of his head, he added, “Would you like to see her again?”

  Nova blinked. The question caught her off guard. She dropped her gaze, fiddling with the fabric of her sleeves. Would she?

  Miyuki had been… kind. Quiet, but not cold. Gentle, but not pitying. It had been the first conversation she’d had with someone who wasn’t analyzing her, judging her, or seeing her as an outsider.

  Still, she wasn’t sure how she was supposed to answer.

  “I-I wouldn’t mind,” she said finally, voice barely above a whisper.

  Kazuki’s eyes narrowed slightly, watching her carefully. But instead of pressing further, he simply nodded.

  “…Good.”

  For a few moments, neither of them spoke.

  Kazuki’s gaze never wavered from her, and Nova found herself fidgeting under the weight of it.

  He finally broke the silence “Shall we begin our conversation?”

  Nova swallowed and nodded quickly. “Y-yes”

  Kazuki inclined his head slightly. “Then I will introduce myself first.” His voice remained steady, measured—not rehearsed, but deeply ingrained, as if he had carried these words for years.

  “I am Kazuki Mizukawa, of the Shoryu people. From the time I was five years old, I have trained in the ways of the Flowing Willow and Blossoming Fist. Each sunrise and sunset was marked by lessons in discipline and dexterity. Through this, I learned that strength is as much about the mind as it is about the body.“

  He paused, his gaze steady but distant for a brief moment, as if recalling something far away. Then, he continued.

  “Once my training was complete, I was sent to this village, tasked with guarding it for twenty years. My duty is to protect this place, its traditions… and its people. Like Miyuki.”

  At that, his eyes flickered—the briefest shadow of something unsaid—before he quickly grounded himself again, shifting his focus back to Nova. “Now, it’s your turn.”

  Nova tensed slightly, gripping the fabric of her sleeves.

  She wasn’t sure what she had expected, but Kazuki’s introduction had been so precise, so certain. He spoke with the confidence of someone who knew exactly who he was.

  And that made her own uncertainty feel even heavier. Her fingers curled into her lap. “I… I don’t know what to say.”

  Kazuki didn’t react right away. He simply watched her, patient but expectant.

  Nova took a shaky breath. “My name is Nova. Nova Ishikawa.” She forced herself to meet his gaze for a moment before looking away.

  “I-I was drowning in a lake before I came here. Her voice trembled slightly. ”I don't know where I am or where this is.”

  Her throat tightened slightly. She wasn’t sure if she should keep talking, if she should stop. But the words kept coming anyway.

  “I’m scared,” she admitted, her voice breaking. “And I want to go home. I—I miss my family. I want to see them again.”

  The moment the words left her lips, a sharp ache bloomed in her chest.

  The memory of them—her mother’s laugh, her father’s steady voice, the warmth of their presence—came crashing into her all at once.

  The way they felt. The way they smelled. The way they were simply… there.

  But they weren’t here now.

  And the thought of never seeing them again—never hearing them, never holding them, never being able to tell them she was okay—

  It was too much. A sob caught in her throat as tears began to swell in her eyes, slipping down her cheeks before she could stop them.

  She tried to wipe them away, but her hands were shaking.

  Then, the air shifted.

  Kazuki’s expression changed instantly. His eyes flickered sharply to the space around her, his posture stiffening—not in fear, but in recognition.

  Nova didn’t notice it at first. Her mind was still drowning in thoughts of home, of loss, of all the things she might never get back. But then—

  A faint, familiar glow flickered at the edges of her vision. Her breath hitched as dark blue petals began to drift from her fingertips.

  They weren’t there before. They shouldn’t be there at all.

  And yet—they pulsed softly, as if responding to her heartbeat. Nova’s chest tightened. The energy around her wasn’t violent, wasn’t chaotic—but it was alive.

  She gasped. “W-what—”

  The petals swirled lazily around her fingers, glowing against the candlelight.

  Kazuki didn’t move. His gaze narrowed. “…There it is again.”

  No fear. Just focused stillness.

  “Why is it happening again!” Nova cried. “H-how?!”

  Kazuki finally moved. His hand shot forward, grasping her wrist—firm, but not painful. “Breathe,” he said. His voice was steady, grounding, like an anchor pulling her back from the storm.

  Nova’s breathing was shallow, uneven, shaking—but she forced herself to take a slow, deep inhale. The petals fluttered, their glow dimming slightly.

  “That’s it,” Kazuki murmured. “Again.”

  She did. Inhale. Hold. Exhale. The petals flickered. Slowed. Then—one by one—they vanished.

  Silence fell between them.

  Nova stared at her empty hands, her breath still unsteady, her fingers trembling slightly. It was still there. The feeling. The pulse of something inside her, waiting just beneath the surface.

  It happened again. It had responded to her. Her fear. Her longing. Her grief.

  She swallowed hard, trying to push back the lump in her throat. “I-I didn’t mean to,” she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. “I didn’t… I wasn’t even trying…”

  Kazuki didn’t answer immediately. He simply watched her. His expression wasn’t one of fear. Or anger. Or even surprise.

  It was understanding.

  Kazuki finally released his hold on her wrist, leaning back slightly.

  “…Ki is more than just energy,” he said. His tone had shifted—less pressing, more patient.

  Nova blinked up at him, still trying to steady her breath.

  “It isn’t something you simply use,” he continued. “It’s something that moves through you. Something that exists as a part of you.”

  His gaze flickered slightly toward her empty palms.

  “For most of us—the warriors, the trained Shoryu—it takes years to awaken. We meditate, we push our bodies to the limit, we study our breath and movement. And even then, control is difficult.”

  Nova swallowed, curling her fingers into her palm.

  Years?

  She had never trained. Never even thought about Ki before coming here. And yet—it had come to her twice without warning.

  Kazuki’s voice lowered slightly. “But for some,” he murmured, “Ki does not need to be taught.”

  Nova felt her stomach tighten.

  Nova shook her head, her chest tightening again. “I—I don’t understand.”

  She tried to keep her voice steady, but she could feel the panic rising again, clawing at her throat.

  “You shouldn’t be able to have these abilities.”

  His voice was calm, but unshakable.

  “Only the Shoryu can use Ki. Few others from distant lands have tried before, but none have succeeded. And yet—you have.”

  He studied her carefully.

  “You seem to be a special case, Nova.”

  Nova’s breath hitched.

  Special.

  The word twisted in her chest, but it didn’t feel like praise. It didn’t feel comforting. It felt isolating. Different.

  She clenched her hands into fists, her nails digging into her palms.

  “But I don’t want to be a special case,” she whispered. Her voice was shaky, uneven, but the words escaped before she could stop them.

  Her throat tightened painfully. “I just… I just want to be normal. I want to go home.” Her voice broke at the last word.”

  Kazuki’s expression didn’t change, but his gaze flickered slightly—just for a moment.

  He placed his hand on her head

  Firm. Steady. Present.

  Kazuki exhaled quietly, his voice lowering. “I’m sorry.”

  Nova’s chest tightened.

  “I don’t know how to take you there,” he admitted, his tone as even as ever. “But even though you don’t want these powers, I can make you strong enough to go out and find it for yourself.”

  Nova’s eyes widened slightly. Find it… for myself?

  Her breath came quicker, her thoughts a mess of uncertainty. “W-what do you mean?”

  Kazuki lifted his hand away, resting it on his knee instead. His expression remained calm, but unwavering. “I will train you,” he said simply.

  The words hung in the air like a stone dropped into still water, rippling outward, changing everything.

  Nova stared at him.

  Train her? Until she could… leave? Her chest ached, but she wasn’t sure why. “…W-why would you do that?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. “Wouldn’t it be dangerous?”

  Kazuki didn’t hesitate. “It would.”

  Nova felt a shiver crawl down her spine at his certainty.

  “That’s why people can’t know.” His voice remained steady, but there was a new weight behind it—a quiet warning.“This will stay between us.” Then, after a brief pause, he added,“…And Miyuki.”

  Nova’s mind raced. Her fingers curled slightly against her lap. Was this truly possible?

  Could she actually—

  She swallowed, forcing herself to meet his gaze.

  “W-when do we start?”

  “Tomorrow,” he repeated, pushing himself up from where he sat. His movements were fluid, deliberate, like a man who had already accepted the weight of his decision.

  Nova watched as he adjusted his robes slightly, the dim candlelight casting sharp shadows over his features.

  “This stays between us,” he reminded her. “No one can know.”

  She swallowed and nodded quickly. “I-I understand.”

  Kazuki turned to the cell door, closing it. Before he left her vision, he glanced back at her once more.

  “Rest, Nova,” he said quietly. "You'll need your strength.”

  And with that—he was gone. DIsappearing into the corridor as his steps became quieter.

  For a long time, she didn’t move.

  She simply sat there, staring at the floor, listening to the faint sounds of the village beyond her small, dimly lit space.

  Somewhere outside, distant voices murmured. The low crackle of torches burning in the night. The rhythmic hum of the wind pushing through the trees.

  But inside? Silence. Heavy. Suffocating.

  Nova let out a shaky breath and pressed her palms against her temples.

  Her thoughts were spinning too fast.

  Kazuki had agreed to train her.

  But no matter how much she tried to convince herself, a voice in the back of her mind whispered:

  What if he’s wrong? Why is she here?

  Her fingers tightened against her scalp.

  Home.

  Her chest ached at the thought of it.

  Would she ever see it again?

  She lay down on the cold wooden floor, hard and uncomfortable. She knew she wouldn’t be sleeping tonight

  Her mind and body wouldn’t let her.