The Heart's lower lab felt too bright for morning. Lights steady. Air clean. Machines waiting.
Hikari tightened her gloves. Esen rolled his shoulders once and shook out his hands. He didn't joke this time. Alteea stood behind a console with her hair tied high and her face set like stone that learned to listen.
Feris was awake.
She floated inside the containment ring, a soft halo of invisible field holding her from touching the ground. Bandages crossed her ribs and arms. Her hair drifted as if there was water here. There wasn't. Just Eon, thick in the room like a breath the world forgot to let go.
Feris looked at them and tried a smile.
"This isn't where I die, right?" she asked.
"If it is, I'm taking your bunk" Esen said.
Hikari didn't smile. Alteea didn't either.
"Begin" Alteea said.
