The dim light of the torches cast long shadows across the cold stone walls of Eliot's quarters. The room, once filled with the energy and life of Tenjo's leader, now seemed to absorb the weight of Eliot's struggles. He sat slumped over his desk, papers strewn about, maps rolled and unrolled, reports half-read. His once sharp, commanding gaze was dulled with exhaustion, dark circles framing his eyes. The silence was suffocating, broken only by the soft scratching of a pen held loosely in his hand, as if he had forgotten what he was writing halfway through.
He hadn't slept in days. The village was on edge, each night bringing the threat of more bloodshed. And with Ren's death, a sense of hopelessness began to creep in. Eliot had built Tenjo to protect these people, but now he was beginning to question everything—his choices, his strength, and even his purpose.
As the candle flickered weakly beside him, Eliot let out a heavy sigh, running his hands through his hair, which had become a disheveled mess. The divine aura inside him stirred uneasily, but even it seemed to be suffocating under the pressure. For the first time since he had come to this world, Eliot felt… powerless.
A soft knock on the door broke through the haze of his thoughts. Eliot didn't even bother lifting his head.
"Come in."
The door creaked open, and Kaito entered quietly. His usual fiery spirit was tempered, his eyes filled with concern as he took in the sight of Eliot hunched over the desk. This wasn't the fearless leader he had come to respect. This was a man drowning in the weight of his responsibilities.
"Eliot," Kaito began, his voice unusually soft, "you can't keep going like this."
Eliot remained silent, his fingers gripping the edge of the desk as though it was the only thing keeping him grounded. The silence between them stretched, uncomfortable and raw. Kaito took a few steps closer, finally pulling up a chair next to him.
"I've seen you fight through impossible odds," Kaito continued, his tone gentle but firm. "But this… you're not fighting the enemy anymore. You're fighting yourself."
Eliot's eyes flickered, but still, he said nothing. His exhaustion weighed him down like a lead blanket, making every breath feel like an effort. He could feel Kaito's gaze on him, but he couldn't bring himself to respond.
Kaito leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees. "You built Tenjo from nothing. You united this village. And now it feels like everything is slipping away, I get that. But you don't have to carry this alone. Let us help you."
Eliot finally looked at him, the frustration and weariness in his eyes so stark that it made Kaito's chest tighten. "I don't know how," Eliot admitted, his voice low and ragged. "I thought I could control this. Control everything. But the killer is still out there. We're no closer to finding them, and now… I feel like I'm losing grip on everything."
Kaito could hear the pain, the doubt that Eliot had tried so hard to hide. He reached out, gripping Eliot's shoulder with a reassuring firmness.
"You don't need to have all the answers right now. No one's expecting you to be perfect. Not even me. But you're not alone in this. You've got me. You've got Lara. We're in this together."
As if summoned by her name, Lara's voice floated from the doorway. "Kaito's right."
She stepped inside, her usual sharpness softened with concern. Lara had always been the one with the calculated edge, the one to press Eliot when he needed it. But now, seeing him like this, she understood that what he needed wasn't more pressure—it was a lifeline.
She approached him, her eyes scanning the scattered papers, the chaos that mirrored the turmoil in Eliot's mind. "I've never seen you like this before," she admitted, her voice steady but gentle. "You've always been the one who kept pushing forward, no matter what. But even you have limits."
Eliot's gaze dropped, shame flickering across his face. "It feels like if I stop… everything will fall apart."
"Nothing's going to fall apart," Lara said firmly. "You built Tenjo from the ground up, Eliot. It's stronger than you think. And so are we."
The weight of their words hung in the air, and for the first time in days, Eliot felt a flicker of relief. He wasn't sure if it was enough to lift the burden he carried, but it was something. He leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes for a moment, trying to collect himself.
And then, just as the moment seemed to settle, a familiar presence filled the room.
"Still trying to carry the world on your shoulders, sweet one?"
Eliot's eyes snapped open. That voice.
Amara.
She stood in the corner, as if she had always been there, her golden hair cascading around her shoulders, her blue eyes sparkling with that same mixture of wisdom and mystery. There was a soft smile on her lips, but her eyes… they carried the weight of centuries.
Kaito and Lara tensed instinctively, their hands twitching towards their weapons, but Amara raised a hand, her expression calming.
"Easy now," she said, her voice smooth as silk. "I'm not here to fight. I'm here to help."
Eliot stared at her, his heart pounding. Amara had always been a ghost in his life, appearing when he least expected, always leaving more questions than answers. And now, when he was at his lowest, she was here again.
"Amara," Eliot breathed, his voice hoarse. "Why now? Why did you come back now?"
She tilted her head, her eyes softening as she took a step closer. "Because you need me, Eliot. Whether you realize it or not."
Kaito's grip on his sword tightened. "And why should we trust you?"
Amara's gaze flickered to him, a playful smirk dancing on her lips. "You don't need to trust me, Kaito. But you should listen." She turned back to Eliot, her expression growing serious. "You're at a crossroads, Eliot. You've come so far, but the path ahead is dangerous, and you can't walk it alone. The darkness that's chasing you... it's deeper than you think."
Eliot felt a chill run down his spine. He wanted to ask her what she meant, but the exhaustion in his bones was making it hard to focus.
"I don't know what to do," Eliot confessed, the vulnerability in his voice surprising even him. "I'm losing control. I can feel it."
Amara's eyes softened, and she knelt down in front of him, reaching out to gently touch his hand. "You've never been one to run from a challenge, Eliot. But you have to stop fighting the wrong battles."
Her words sank deep into his mind, wrapping around his thoughts like a warm blanket. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, Eliot felt something other than despair.
Hope.
"You're stronger than this darkness," Amara continued, her voice like a balm to his shattered soul. "But you need to trust the people around you. Let them carry some of the burden."
Eliot's gaze shifted to Kaito and Lara, both of whom stood by his side, unwavering in their loyalty. The flicker of doubt that had haunted him for so long slowly began to fade.
Amara rose to her feet, her smile soft but knowing. "Rest tonight, Eliot. Tomorrow, you'll face the truth you've been avoiding. But for now, let yourself breathe."
With that, she turned and slipped into the shadows, her presence fading as quickly as it had come.
Eliot stared at the spot where she had disappeared, the room suddenly feeling both emptier and lighter.
Kaito exhaled slowly. "I don't like her."
Lara shot him a dry look. "That makes two of us."
Eliot chuckled softly, the sound surprising him. It was weak, but it was there—a sign that, maybe, he wasn't entirely lost yet.
"Get some rest, Eliot," Lara said, her voice softer than he'd ever heard it. "We've got your back."
Eliot nodded, and for the first time in a long while, he believed her.