Ruby stirred, her body still aching from the previous battle. The soft light of dawn peeked through the cracks in the walls of her temporary home, casting a dim glow over the room. She lay on the floor, her limbs heavy and stiff, and for a moment, she struggled to remember where she was.
Then, the events of the battle came flooding back. The Ice Behemoth. The freezing winds. The surge of power as she delivered the final strike. She had won, but at a cost. Her body throbbed with pain, and exhaustion clung to her like a second skin.
Forcing herself to sit up, Ruby winced as every movement sent a jolt of pain through her. "I really overdid it this time," she muttered under her breath, placing a hand on her sore ribs. Her sword lay discarded by the door, the blade dull from overuse. She stared at it, a reminder of the battle she barely survived.
Before Ruby could dwell on her exhaustion, the door creaked open, revealing Guwa, her ethereal Wraith Princess and closest ally. The small spirit floated in, a mixture of concern and relief painted on her delicate features.
"Ruby! You're awake!" Guwa exclaimed, hovering closer. "I was so worried! You were out cold when I found you here last night."
Ruby managed a weak smile. "Guess that Ice Behemoth was tougher than I expected. But I won. Barely."
"You always push yourself too far," Guwa scolded, her small arms crossed. "What if I hadn't found you in time? What if you hadn't made it back at all?"
Ruby sighed, leaning her head back against the wall. "I know, I know. But I had to do it. If I don't keep pushing myself, how can I expect to climb the Tower and face whatever's waiting for me up there?"
Guwa floated closer, her expression softening. "Just don't forget to take care of yourself, too. You're no good to anyone if you burn out."
Ruby chuckled weakly. "Yeah, lesson learned. No more solo Behemoth hunts for a while."
The room fell into a comfortable silence for a moment as Ruby slowly adjusted her posture, trying to shake off the stiffness in her muscles. Despite the pain, there was a certain satisfaction in having triumphed over such a formidable foe. The Ice Behemoth was just one of many monsters guarding the path to the next floor, but each victory brought her one step closer to her goal.
Still, Guwa's words nagged at her. She had always been reckless, throwing herself into battles with little regard for the consequences. It was the only way she knew how to grow stronger, but maybe—just maybe—there were other ways to approach her journey.
Before Ruby could dwell on it further, the door swung open once more. Selene entered, her silver eyes glinting in the morning light. She carried herself with the same calm and grace as always, though Ruby noticed a flicker of concern behind her steely gaze.
"You survived," Selene said, her voice cool but with a hint of approval. "I heard you brought down the Ice Behemoth."
Ruby tried to rise to her feet, but her body protested. "Yeah," she said, forcing a grin. "Took a bit out of me, but I managed."
Selene's gaze lingered on Ruby, sharp as ever. "You're too reckless," she said bluntly, echoing Guwa's sentiment. "Fighting powerful creatures is one thing, but throwing yourself into a battle you're not prepared for is foolish."
"I had it under control," Ruby replied defensively, though even she knew how close she had come to disaster.
"You were lucky," Selene countered. "But luck won't always be on your side."
Ruby frowned, feeling a familiar surge of frustration. "I know I can handle myself. I've been training, pushing my limits—"
"And yet you collapse after each victory," Selene interrupted, her tone sharp. "Strength isn't just about how hard you can hit or how many creatures you can defeat. It's about endurance, strategy, and knowing when to rest."
Ruby fell silent, knowing there was truth in Selene's words. She glanced down at her hands, still trembling from the exertion of her magic. Her power was growing, but her body was struggling to keep up.
Selene softened her gaze, sensing Ruby's internal conflict. "You have incredible potential, Ruby. But potential means nothing if you burn out before you can fully realize it."
Ruby clenched her fists, frustration mixing with a sense of inadequacy. "I'm trying," she muttered. "I'm trying to get stronger, to be ready for whatever the Tower throws at me. I can't afford to slow down."
Selene stepped closer, her silver eyes meeting Ruby's. "I know. But strength doesn't come from rushing ahead without thought. It comes from understanding your limits and expanding them with care."
Ruby sighed, feeling the weight of the words sink in. "So, what do you suggest I do?"
"First, rest," Selene said firmly. "Recover your strength. Then, we'll focus on refining your control over your Silver Eyes. You've come far, but there's more you can do with that power if you learn to wield it wisely."
Ruby hesitated, the mention of her Silver Eyes stirring an uncomfortable memory—Summer. Her hesitation wasn't just about pushing her physical limits; it was also about the fear that came with fully embracing the power of her heritage. The last time she had relied heavily on her Silver Eyes, it had only brought more pain, memories of her former mentor flooding back.
Noticing Ruby's silence, Selene raised an eyebrow. "Still hesitant to use them?" she asked, her voice softer now.
Ruby glanced away. "It's complicated."
Selene didn't press further, but her expression held understanding. "Take your time. But remember, your Silver Eyes are a gift. Don't let fear hold you back from becoming who you were meant to be."
Ruby swallowed hard, nodding. "I'll try," she said quietly.
Selene gave a small nod of approval before turning toward the door. "Rest for now. We'll continue your training when you're ready."
As Selene left, Ruby lay back against the wall, staring up at the ceiling. Guwa floated nearby, silent for once, as if sensing Ruby's need to process everything. The battle had been a victory, but the weight of her journey was starting to catch up with her.
She had defeated the Ice Behemoth, but how many more battles like that would she face? And more importantly, would she be ready when the time came to face her greatest challenges—both within the Tower and within herself?
For now, all she could do was rest. Tomorrow would bring its own set of trials.