The hologram flickered in the center of the room.
Eren watched from his bed, his body wrapped in bandages, his movements limited. Lyra stood at the front of the display, her posture rigid. Grace and Mark flanked her. Michael was there too, his arms crossed.
Commander Adebayo's voice echoed through the speakers.
"The Blue Rift has been analyzed. Our Lurkers detected nothing unusual about its energy signature. The Riftguard's power level remains an anomaly."
Lyra nodded. "Understood. We'll continue monitoring the area."
"Good. Rest up. You'll need your strength."
The hologram faded.
The room fell silent.
Eren lay still, staring at the ceiling. His chest felt heavy. His throat was tight.
He turned his head, looking at his reflection in the window. Bandages. Bruises. Weakness.
Tears slipped from his eyes.
I gave up on my dream for this.
For some supernatural bull crap.
And look where I am.
He clenched his fists.
Lying here while everyone else fights.
Why am I even here?
They don't need me.
They'd be better off without me.
He pushed himself up.
Pain shot through his body like fire—sharp, relentless, agonizing. He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to sit upright.
I'm not going to sit here while they fight.
I'm not useless.
I won't be useless.
He swung his legs over the edge of the bed.
Standing was worse. His vision swam. His legs buckled. He grabbed the bedside table, steadying himself.
One step.
Just one step.
A nurse saw him in the hallway.
"Sir! You're not supposed to be out here!"
Eren didn't stop.
He ran.
Pain exploded through every nerve, every muscle, every bone. Sweat poured down his face. His breath came in ragged gasps.
But he kept running.
I have to get there.
I have to help.
I can't just sit there—
He looked back to see if the nurse was still following.
Then he hit something.
And fell.
A soft voice.
"Are you okay?"
Eren rubbed his head, wincing. "Sorry—I wasn't looking—"
He looked up.
And froze.
She was beautiful.
Silver-blue scales shimmered along her cheekbones. Her eyes were the color of deep ocean water, clear and warm. Her hair flowed like liquid midnight, cascading past her shoulders. She was wearing the same sleek armor as the other Tordians, but on her, it looked like it was made for a queen.
The Tordian Voidwalker.
Kaelen.
She knelt beside him, her expression soft with concern.
"You okay?"
Eren opened his mouth. Nothing came out.
His face burned.
Say something, you idiot.
"I—yes—I'm fine—sorry—I wasn't looking—"
She smiled. It was small, gentle.
"You're fast for an injured person."
Her hand reached out, helping him to his feet. Her touch was cool against his bandaged skin.
"But you need to go back to your room now."
Eren's heart was pounding.
"I—"
"You don't want to reopen your wounds."
She released his hand, stepping back.
"Let's chat more when you're fully healed, okay?"
She smiled again.
Then she turned and walked away.
Eren watched her go, his mouth still open.
She's beautiful.
Really, really beautiful.
He couldn't stop blushing.
The nurse caught up to him.
"Sir! You need to come back—"
"Okay," Eren said, his voice distant. "Okay."
He let the nurse lead him back to his room.
But in his head, he was still seeing her.
Kaelen.
Meanwhile, Kaelen walked quickly through the corridors.
Her teammates were waiting for her at the end of the hall.
"You okay?" one of them asked. "Your face is red."
Kaelen touched her cheek.
"I'm fine," she said quickly.
She looked back down the corridor.
Her face grew warmer.
"What is this feeling?"
End of Chapter