Kenji sat on the edge of his hospital bed, staring at the pristine white walls of a hospital room. The rhythmic beeping of the machines around him filled the silence, a dull, repetitive sound that seemed to drill into his head. It was the only reminder he had that he was alive. When he had first woken up, it had been just him and the machines—no doctors, no nurses, just the hum of electronics monitoring his vitals.
His first moments of consciousness had been strange. The sterile air and the faint antiseptic smell made the room feel surreal, almost dreamlike. He remembered opening his eyes to a ceiling so white it hurt, the faint ache in his body grounding him in the present. But even that had felt distant. For what felt like hours, he had stared at the ceiling, piecing together fragmented memories of the battle, the fall, and then… nothing.
The door had finally creaked open, breaking the monotony. A man in a slightly wrinkled white coat stepped in, holding a sandwich in one hand. When their eyes met, the doctor's face lit up in surprise, and he nearly dropped his lunch.
"Oh! You're awake!" the man exclaimed, fumbling to place the sandwich on a nearby tray as he hurried over to check the monitors.
Kenji blinked slowly, his throat dry and voice raspy. "Where… am I?" he managed to croak out.
The doctor's surprise softened into relief. "You're at St. Freya." he explained, his tone calming as he adjusted the settings on the nearby machine. "You've been here for about two weeks. You were in a coma."
Kenji's eyes widened slightly at the mention of St. Freya. The place where Kiana and Mei are? he thought, his mind suddenly racing. The doctor continued obliviously, his voice steady but filled with curiosity as he examined Kenji.
"Honestly, it's a miracle you're alive," the doctor added, gesturing to the monitors. "Your healing ability is extraordinary. Without them, you wouldn't have made it."
'Of course they know about my healing factor.' Kenji thought with irritation.
Kenji leaned back against the pillows, his gaze unfocused as he processed the information. A faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he made a mental note to thank Elysia again. Somehow, he could almost feel her smugness at the back of his mind, as if she were watching and waiting for his gratitude.
Now, hours later, he sat alone in the room, absently eating a bowl of cereal. The doctor had left after making sure he was stable, and no one else had visited since. Kenji's spoon scraped the bottom of the bowl as he shoveled the last few bites into his mouth, his mind wandering. The rhythmic beeping of the machines had faded into the background, becoming a part of the silence.
He flexed his fingers experimentally. His injuries felt nonexistent, and his body felt whole again, but there was a nagging gut feeling that told him not to activate One For All. He didn't know why, but he wasn't about to ignore it.
"What happens now?" he muttered under his breath, his thoughts spiraling. Was he going to be arrested? That didn't seem likely. If he was at St. Freya, it was clear they wanted something from him. And Himeko… was she okay? He assumed she was. Someone as strong as her could survive basically anything.
As if summoned by his thoughts, the door to his room creaked open. Kenji looked up mid-bite, a spoonful of cereal halfway to his mouth. Standing in the doorway was none other than Himeko herself. Wearing casual clothes with a small hand back around her shoulder. She leaned casually against the doorframe, arms crossed, a small smile playing on her lips.
"Oh, Himeko!" Kenji said, his words muffled by the cereal still in his mouth.
Himeko let out a soft laugh as she stepped into the room, pulling a chair from the corner and placing it beside his bed. She sat down, shifting a little to make herself comfortable. "Good to see you too, Kenji" she said, her voice warm but carrying a hint of seriousness. "I'm sure you already know we have quite a few things to talk about."
Kenji nodded slowly, he had been expecting this conversation ever since he woke up. Bracing himself, he adjusted his posture, ready for whatever she was about to say.
Himeko tilted her head, raising an eyebrow as she gave him an amused look. "And can you please stop shoving cereal in your mouth while I'm trying to talk?"
"Sorry." Kenji mumbled sheepishly, setting the spoon down with a faint clink.
Himeko smiled, leaning back in her chair as she crossed one leg over the other. Her presence filled the room, a mix of commanding and comforting. "Good. Let's get started."
…
Himeko crossed her legs and leaned back in the chair, her sharp crimson eyes fixed on Kenji. "Let me start off by reintroducing myself. I'm Himeko Murata, Captain of the Hyperion, a member of Schicksal's Valkyrie forces, and an instructor here at St. Freya Academy." She smiled faintly, a mix of warmth and authority. "And, I've been looking for you for some time."
Kenji raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "Some time huh?"
Himeko's smile widened slightly. "Yeah yeah, I know you knew. I'm sure you could sense me whenever I was keeping an eye on you."
Kenji's lips curled into a proud grin, his chest puffing out a little. "I… might have noticed once or twice," he admitted, clearly pleased with himself.
Himeko chuckled softly, shaking her head. "I'll give you credit. Most people wouldn't have been able to do that." Her tone shifted slightly as she leaned forward. "But what really surprised me was finding out that you, the person I saved during that Honkai attack at the mall a few months back, are the infamous Night Runner."
Kenji's grin faltered, replaced by a sheepish smile. He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "Small world, huh?"
"You could say that," Himeko replied, her eyes glinting with amusement. She leaned back again, her posture more relaxed. "But let's get straight to the point, Kenji. I want you to join St. Freya Academy. Train your powers. Become a Valkyrie, or a Knight actually since your a man."
The room fell silent.
Kenji blinked at her, his face blank with disbelief. "Say what now?"
Himeko's expression didn't waver. If anything, she looked even more amused by his reaction. "You heard me," she said, her tone calm but firm. "I was tasked with finding the Night Runner, which turned out to be you, and bringing you to St. Freya. You have the potential to use your powers to help humanity, Kenji."
Kenji let out a deep breath, his mind racing. "And why go through all the hassle to recruit me?"
Himeko reached into her bag and pulled out a sleek tablet. With a few taps, she turned the screen toward Kenji, revealing a series of charts and graphs. The data looked incomprehensible to him, and his confusion must have shown on his face because Himeko smirked.
"If you remember, I told you your powers have a unique trait. They act like a beacon for Honkai Beasts, drawing their attention away from everything else," she explained. "The principal of St. Freya, Theresa Apocalypse, asked me to recruit you because of this. With proper training, you could play a vital role in humanity's fight against the Honkai. And honestly, I think you have a lot of potential."
Kenji sat back, his mind swirling. St. Freya? Training to be a Valkyrie? It sounded like a dream… but also too good to be true. There had to be a catch. "So, what's the catch?" he asked cautiously.
Himeko raised an eyebrow, her expression almost pitying. "The catch is that you won't get arrested by the police for acts of vigilantism," she said bluntly.
Kenji winced, his nervous laughter filling the room. "Haha… forgot about that."
"If you really don't want to be a Knight, that's fine," Himeko continued with a shrug. "But you'll need to come here occasionally so we can study your unique energy. And, of course, we can pull some strings to keep you out of jail. What I said before was just to scare you." She grinned, clearly enjoying his discomfort.
Kenji leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. He wanted to help people, and being a Valkyrie seemed like the best way to do it. Finally, he met Himeko's gaze, his expression determined. "Alright. I'm in."
Himeko's face lit up with satisfaction. "Knew you wouldn't refuse. Your two friends are going to be happy to hear you decided joined."
Kenji tilted his head, confused. "You know I'm friends with Mei and Kiana? Did they tell you that I was the Night Runner?"
Himeko shook her head. "No, they kept their mouths shut. Admirable, but if they had told us, it would've saved so much time."
Kenji felt a warm feeling appear in his chest, he was happy that his friends had kept his secret. "Did they get into trouble?"
Himeko suddenly laughed. "Trouble? Not really. But with the principal being Kiana's aunt, she definitely got an earful."
Flashback
Theresa was holding Kiana's ear and pulling it hard, an almost comical sight given how much shorter she was. Kiana knelt on the ground, clutching Theresa's hand in a futile attempt to free herself. "Auntie, please, mercy!" Kiana wailed.
"You knew I was searching for the Night Runner and said nothing?!" Theresa scolded, yanking harder.
"Mercy!" But no one came to help.
End Flashback
"Pretty hilarious scene if you ask me," Himeko said, grinning as she recounted the story.
She then leaned back in her chair, her tone softening slightly. "They have been visiting you a couple of times while you were out. Well, they were only allowed to after practically begging to see you." She smirked. "By 'they,' I mean Kiana begged. Mei just asked nicely."
Kenji's lips quirked upward at the thought. "They really came to see me?"
Himeko nodded, her expression softening. "Kiana practically camped outside the medical bay at one point, and Mei… well, she's more composed, but she showed up every time she got a chance. Looks like they care quite a bit for you."
Kenji felt a warm sensation bubbling in his chest. The idea that his friends cared so much brought a small but genuine smile to his face.
Himeko stood up, stretching slightly. "Well, that's about everything I wanted to say. Oh, and the principal would like to see you once you are ready." Just before walking out the door, she turned back to him and added, "Have a smooth recovery. I'll be waiting for you in class." Then she shut the door behind her.
Leaving Kenji alone with his thoughts once more.
He picked up his spoon and started munching on his cereal again. 'St. Freya.' Though he was nervous, he can't wait to see how things would turn out.
…
Three days after his interaction with Himeko, Kenji found himself walking through the sprawling grounds of St. Freya Academy. His eyes darted around, wide with amazement as he took in the humongous size and breathtaking architecture of the Valkyrie training school. The towering buildings, intricate designs, and the faint hum of activity from Valkyrie-in-training moving about made it feel like a world entirely separate from anything he'd ever known. Every corner seemed to radiate energy, and he couldn't help but marvel at the intricate details carved into the walls and the perfectly maintained pathways that stretched before him.
A soft chuckle broke him out of his thoughts. Kenji turned quickly to look at his guide, Rita Rossweisse, who walked a few steps ahead of him with her usual grace. Her smile was serene, yet there was a teasing glint in her eyes. "Quite the expression you have there," she said lightly.
Kenji's face flushed, and he hurried to catch up, his steps stumbling slightly. "W-well, everything is just so… cool!" he stammered, gesturing vaguely to the grand scenery around them. He rubbed the back of his neck, trying to recover from his awkwardness.
Inside, he was extremely excited to be able to speak with Rita face to face. She was the first person that showed him the strength of a Valkyrie and played a big role in motivating him.
Rita chuckled again, the sound soft and melodic. "I'm glad St. Freya has made an impression on you. Seeing the reaction of first timers are always a treat." She continued walking, her steps light and measured as they approached a flight of stairs. "The principal's office is just a few minutes away," she added without looking back.
Kenji nodded, his awe slowly giving way to nervousness. The closer they got, the heavier his steps felt. His mind raced with thoughts about the person he was about to meet. What kind of person is the principal of a Valkyrie training school? he wondered. Do they look intimidating? Commanding? Maybe like Himeko… but even scarier? He imagined someone tall, with an aura of unshakable authority, their presence alone enough to silence a room. The thought made his stomach churn.
They climbed the stairs in silence, Rita's effortless movements contrasting sharply with Kenji's stiff, deliberate steps. He couldn't shake the growing anxiety coiling in his chest. By the time they reached the grand double doors of the principal's office, he was practically vibrating with nerves. Rita knocked gently, her knuckles barely making a sound, but a clear and cheerful "Come in!" echoed from the other side.
Kenji swallowed hard as Rita pushed the doors open, gesturing for him to step inside. "After you," she said with a playful smile.
He braced himself, expecting to be awestruck or even terrified by the figure behind the desk. His shoulders tensed as he stepped forward, ready to meet the commanding presence he had built up in his mind.
Instead, he froze in confusion.
Sitting at the large desk, surrounded by papers and holographic screens, was a very small figure. Theresa Apocalypse, the principal of St. Freya Academy, looked up at him with a bright smile. Her silver hair framed her youthful face, and she swung her legs slightly, the tips of her feet just barely reaching the floor. She looked more like someone who belonged in the classroom as a student rather than its head.
"Nice to finally meet you, Kenji Aoyama," she said warmly, her voice sounding as young as how she looked.
Kenji's jaw worked soundlessly for a moment as he struggled to reconcile the image of the powerful principal he'd imagined with the cheerful and unassuming woman sitting in front of him. He blinked rapidly, his brain trying to catch up with the reality in front of him. This was the leader of St. Freya? The one in charge of training Valkyries to battle the Honkai?
Theresa seemed to notice his confusion and chuckled softly, motioning for him to come closer. "Please, have a seat," she said, gesturing to one of the chairs in front of her desk. Her demeanor was so welcoming that it almost felt disarming.
Kenji hesitated before stepping forward, his movements cautious. He lowered himself into the chair, his back stiff as he struggled to find the right words. "Uh… thank you for having me," he said finally, his voice quieter than he intended.
Theresa's smile widened, and she clasped her hands together on the desk. "I've been dying to meet you, but I'm sure you know about that already." she began, her tone light but steady. "Himeko has been keeping me updated on your progress, and I must say, you've been full of surprises."
Kenji's cheeks reddened, and he glanced away, unsure how to respond. "I… I guess that's good?" he ventured, earning another soft chuckle from Theresa.
"Good is an understatement," she replied, leaning back slightly in her chair. "But we'll get to all of that soon enough. For now, consider this your official welcome to St. Freya. You're part of something much bigger now, Kenji, and I'm looking forward to seeing what you're capable of."
Her words were kind, but there was an underlying weight to them, a sense of expectation that made Kenji sit up straighter. "Thank you, Principal… um…" he trailed off awkwardly, realizing he wasn't sure how to address her.
Theresa laughed lightly, waving a hand. "Just call me Theresa. Titles are too stuffy for my taste." She winked playfully, easing some of the tension in the room.
Kenji couldn't help but smile back, his nerves slowly beginning to fade. Perhaps this wouldn't be as overwhelming as he thought.
Theresa's smile lingered as she leaned forward slightly, her tone shifting to a more business-like demeanor. "Alright, now that introductions are out of the way. Let's get down to business."
Kenji straightened in his seat as Theresa pulled out a few papers from a neatly arranged pile on her desk. She flipped through them briefly before reading aloud. "So, Kenji Aoyama. Nineteen years old and currently working as a delivery man for Blue Dragon Couriers. Is that correct?"
Kenji nodded, his voice steady despite his nervousness. "Yeah, it is."
Theresa nodded as well, glancing at the papers for a few moments before setting them down carefully. Her eyes, now serious and inquisitive, met his directly. Her expression softened slightly, but there was an edge of curiosity that made Kenji squirm. "A few months ago, you were involved in a Honkai attack at your local mall, which was dealt with by Valkyrie Himeko Murata. But you got injured by a stray Seraph that was nowhere to be found."
Kenji shifted uncomfortably in his seat, unsure where this was heading. Before he could formulate a response, Theresa leaned over her desk suddenly, bringing her face startlingly close to his. Her intense gaze pinned him in place, and he could feel his heart race under the pressure.
"If you possessed this amount of power, why wait until after that to start doing your vigilante work?" she asked, her voice calm but firm.
Kenji blinked, caught off guard. "Uhh…" His mind raced. Should he tell her the truth—that his powers had only activated during the attack—or should he lie? Would it even be a good idea to lie?
After a brief internal debate, he decided to be honest. "Funny enough, the first time I activated my powers was when that Seraph attacked me."
Theresa leaned back into her chair, her eyes still locked on his as she motioned for him to continue. From the corner of his eye, Kenji noticed Rita's intrigued expression as she leaned slightly forward, clearly interested in his story.
"After the Seraph landed a blow on me, I just felt like… I didn't want to die there," Kenji began, his voice quiet but steady. "And somehow, when I threw a punch at it, my powers just activated. And, well… One thing led to another so... Here I am now. I have no idea how my 'energy' was able to effect the previous eruption."
Theresa rested her chin on her hand, nodding thoughtfully. "Hmm, I see." She sat in silence for a few moments, seemingly lost in thought. Then, without warning, she clapped her hands together sharply. The sound echoed in the room, making Kenji jump slightly. From the corner of his eye, he swore he saw Rita suppress a smile, her composure as perfect as ever.
"Considering your… 'heroic actions', you have already proved that you are trustworthy." Theresa said with a soft chuckle. "Also, since my niece is so fond of you, I'm inclined to believe you're a good person."
Kenji blinked in surprise. "Your niece? Kiana, right?"
Theresa nodded, her smile widening. "Yup. She's told me quite a bit about you, though I had to scold her a bit for hiding such important info from me."
Kenji wasn't sure how to respond to that, so he just gave an awkward nod. Theresa seemed amused by his reaction as she reached for another file on her desk and handed it to him.
"Here is everything you need to know about your future here at St. Freya," she said, her tone light but firm.
Kenji hesitated for a moment, unsure if he should open it now. Theresa's amused chuckle broke the silence. "Relax, it's nothing too serious. Though I should explain some of the contents now if you plan to read it later."
Kenji placed the file on his lap and nodded. "Alright, I'm listening."
Theresa's smile returned as she leaned back in her chair. "Since you're a special case, we've arranged some unique training for you. Specifically tailored to your powers and their… unique effects. You'll have private training sessions with either Himeko or Fu Hua, depending on availability."
Kenji's brow furrowed at the unfamiliar name. "Fu Hua?"
Theresa nodded. "You'll meet her soon enough. Let's just say she's one of our most capable Valkyries." Her tone carried a note of admiration that piqued Kenji's curiosity.
Theresa leaned back further, folding her hands neatly on the desk. "That's basically everything for now. You'll start in a week. We'll have personnel gather your belongings from your home, and your living accommodations are still being finalized. In the meantime, enjoy your time exploring the campus. And remember…" She smiled warmly. "You're part of St. Freya now."
Kenji stood, bowing slightly out of respect. "Thank you again, Miss Theresa. For this opportunity."
Theresa nodded, watching as Kenji exited the office with Rita by his side. As soon as the door clicked shut, she sighed softly, waiting a few minutes before leaning back into her chair.
'I'll discuss the technicalities of his powers on another day.' she thought tiredly. The eruption and everything else had left her with an overwhelming workload. Still, with Kenji now joining the Valkyrie forces, she couldn't help but feel that things were starting to look up.
…
(One Week Later)
The morning sun filtered through the windows of St. Freya's classroom, casting a warm glow over the lively chaos within. The room was abuzz with chatter as students milled about, some gathered in clusters gossiping, others flipping through their notes in a last-minute attempt to prepare for class. The atmosphere was electric, as it always was before the day began, filled with the vibrant energy of Valkyrie cadets ready to tackle whatever challenges awaited them—or at least most of them.
Kiana slouched in her seat, letting out an exaggerated groan as she leaned back, stretching her arms behind her head. "Ugh, why do we even have to sit through these boring classes?" she complained loudly, drawing the attention of the two girls sitting beside her. "A real Valkyrie doesn't need to know all this stuff! We should be out there training, fighting Honkai beasts, not stuck in here learning about…" she paused, squinting at her notebook, "Honkai energy theories or whatever!"
Mei, seated to her left, turned to her with a patient smile. "Kiana, you know knowledge is just as important as physical training. Understanding the Honkai is what allows us to fight them more effectively. Besides," she added, her tone softening, "you wouldn't want to let Himeko down, would you?"
Kiana pouted, crossing her arms. "But it's so boring," she muttered under her breath, though Mei's words clearly struck a chord.
Bronya, sitting on the other side of Kiana, glanced up from her tablet with a blank expression. "Kiana is being lazy again. Bronya suggests you focus, or Bronya will have to call you an idiotka as usual."
"Hey!" Kiana snapped, leaning over to glare at Bronya. "Who are you calling an idiot, you emotionless tin can?"
Bronya raised an eyebrow, unfazed. "Bronya is merely stating the obvious."
Mei sighed, placing a hand on Kiana's shoulder to calm her down. "Alright, both of you, that's enough. Class is about to start."
As if on cue, the door to the classroom swung open, and Himeko strode in with her usual commanding presence. The room instantly fell silent, the chatter dying down as all eyes turned to their instructor. Himeko's crimson hair gleamed in the sunlight, and her sharp gaze swept over the students, ensuring everyone's attention was on her.
"Good morning, everyone," she began, her voice carrying easily across the room. "Before we start today's lesson, I have an announcement." She paused, letting the anticipation build. "We have a new student joining us today, and I expect all of you to treat him nicely."
For a moment, there was silence as the students processed her words. Then someone in the back of the room blurted out, "Wait, did she just say 'him'?"
The room erupted into chaos.
"What do you mean, a he?!"
"A dude's joining our class?"
"I hope he's handsome!"
Amid the flurry of voices, Kiana's voice rang out, loud and clear. "We don't need a boy in the class!". Some of the other girls agreed with this statement.
Mei's eyes widened as a thought struck her. She turned to Kiana, her tone cautious. "Kiana, do you think it might be Kenji?"
Kiana blinked, her outburst faltering. "Oh… I hadn't thought of that." Her expression shifted as realization dawned on her. "Wait, do you think it's really him?"
Himeko's voice cut through the noise like a whip. "Quiet!" she barked, and the room immediately fell silent again. Satisfied, she stepped aside and gestured toward the door. "Alright, come in."
All eyes turned to the door as it creaked open. The anticipation in the room was palpable. Kiana and Mei waited for the person to come in. Then, a familiar face stepped through, and the air seemed to shift.
Kenji Aoyama walked into the classroom, his posture straight but his movements a little stiff. He glanced around nervously, his eyes darting around the classroom before landing on Kiana and Mei, who looked dumb struck at his sudden appearance, his lips curving into a tentative smile as he stopped at the front of the class. "Hi, everyone," he began, his voice steady despite the nerves gnawing at him. "My name is Kenji Aoyama. It's nice to meet all of you."
Inside, Kenji was a mess of emotions. Social interactions had never been his strength, and school had always been a particular nightmare. But he forced himself to keep his composure, his smile never wavering.
The room was silent for a heartbeat before the murmurs began. The students, all girls, leaned toward each other, whispering as they assessed their new classmate.
"He seems… respectable."
"Not bad. Definitely better looking than I expected."
"Do you think he's strong?"
Kenji's smile twitched slightly as he caught snippets of their conversations, but he kept his gaze forward.
The relative calm was shattered when two familiar voices screamed in unison.
"KENJI?!"
Kiana and Mei shot out of their seats, their eyes wide with shock.
"It IS Kenji!" Kiana exclaimed, pointing as if she needed further confirmation.
Mei's surprise softened into a warm smile. "I can't believe it. He really did join."
The rest of the class turned to them in confusion, their attention bouncing between the two girls and the boy at the front of the room. Kenji's attention, however, was fixed entirely on his two friends. He sent them a wave "Hi you two, surprise.".
Himeko clapped her hands loudly to regain control of the room. "Alright, settle down! Kenji's going to be part of this class now, and I expect you all to make him feel welcome. Especially you, Kiana. No funny business." She shot a pointed look at Kiana, who immediately slumped back into her seat with a pout.
As the class slowly quieted, Kenji relaxed slightly, though his heart still pounded in his chest. He gave Kiana and Mei another small wave, which Kiana returned enthusiastically while Mei offered a more composed nod. Bronya, as always, merely glanced up from her tablet with a neutral expression, but no one could discern that she was hiding the guilt that she was feeling.
"Alright, Kenji, take a seat," Himeko said, motioning toward an empty desk near the front of the room. "And everyone else, open your books to page 47. Class starts now."
Kenji made his way to his seat, his nerves still jangling but his determination solidifying. He could do this. He was ready to begin this new chapter of his life—no matter how chaotic it was bound to be.
…
…
…
The void of One For All was vast and unending, its darkness broken only by the faint, flickering glow of flames that surrounded a lone figure. Elysia stood still, her form wreathed in pink flames that danced softly around her.
The fire's intensity had dimmed somewhat, and her figure appeared slightly clearer than before, though still obscured. Her expression was uncharacteristically serious, her usual cheer replaced by a pensive furrow of her brows. After a long silence, she covered her face with both hands and let out a frustrated groan that echoed faintly in the void.
"Quite the expression you have there, Elysia," a voice called from behind her, carrying a tone of calm amusement.
Elysia froze before turning to face the source of the voice. Another figure stood in the void, their form similarly engulfed in flames, but theirs were a dark orange, resembling a wild, untamed fire. The two figures' flames cast contrasting hues in the emptiness. The newcomer's posture was poised and elegant, yet their tone held an undercurrent of reproach.
Elysia chuckled lightly, though there was a faint edge of nervousness in her voice. "You know me. Just thinking as usual."
The orange-flamed figure didn't seem amused. Their head tilted slightly, and their voice grew firmer. "You haven't told him yet, have you?" The words were simple but carried a weight that made Elysia flinch. Her flames flickered in response, betraying her emotions.
"I…" Elysia began, but her voice faltered. The figure sighed, the sound soft yet tinged with disappointment. It was enough to confirm what they had suspected.
"You know that the longer you wait, the crueler it will be." the figure said, their voice taking on a gentler but still firm tone.
Elysia's flames flickered erratically, and her hands clenched into fists at her sides. "I know," she said, her voice strained. "It's just… Ughh." She let out another groan, her frustration bubbling to the surface. The void seemed to pulse faintly with her emotions, the pink flames around her growing brighter for a moment before dimming again.
Taking a deep breath, Elysia steadied herself, her flames calming slightly. She looked directly at the figure, her pink flames flickering softly. "Just… wait, okay? I have it under control."
The orange-flamed figure crossed their arms, their posture exuding skepticism. They sighed softly, reluctantly accepting her answer for now. "You know we're here for you. If you're having trouble… all of us would be happy to help."
Elysia's tense expression softened, and a small, genuine smile tugged at her lips. "I know. But this is something I have to decide myself. I'm the one who started all of this, after all."