The Light Over The Horizon [Arknights]

Chapter 15

"Sorry! Sorry! I know it's out of the left field for such a question but there's a reason for why I asked you that." Trying to reassure Yelena, he spoke quickly as he had her listen to what he had to say. "Your father and sister. The two of them shared information about the backlash that you receive from casting your Arts." Followed by some additional info.

"Why did they share that information with you?" Speculation was shown on Yelena's face as she frowned. "Such information shouldn't concern you."

"Your Arts increases your Oripathy rate and your body temperature becomes uncontrollable to the point that you can give frostbite to others just by them coming in contact with you. You also need to restrain the power of your Arts because you can be a danger to others." F/N didn't look bothered despite Yelena's words. "This is a concern to me because you clearly need help. I can't offer a solution for the oripathy portion I'm afraid. But I can offer a solution for the temperature part."

"...? What do you mean?"

"Got you interested now did I?"

"..." Yelena squinted at the boy as her ears fell flat. A stinging gaze was shown as her eyes were filled with contempt.

"Sorry. Sorry. I shouldn't joke about such a serious thing." F/N shivered at the look she gave him as he adjusted his glasses to calm down. He was simply trying to lighten the mood. "Anyway, I'm being serious about this. There is a way to help solve the hypothermia part. I just need to be in physical contact while you use your Arts."

"Physical as in how...?" Yelena didn't like the idea of being touched physically. Especially from someone she barely met a few months back.

"Just a simple hold. I can keep my hand on your shoulder while you use your Arts and I'll be doing my part in helping create a stabilizer that absorbs the freezing temperature and converts it into warmth."

"Stabilizer? Converts to warmth?" As if the words were alienated, she looked at the boy and thought he grew two heads.

"Do you see this?" F/N laid both his hands on the table as he formed another fire orb. He went ahead and saw Yelena's reaction as he could see surprise and confusion about what it was he created. "In a way, I will create something similar to this to help stabilize your condition." He went ahead and explained the orb's creation and purpose just like he did to Patriot.

He waits for Yelena to speak as he finishes his explanation. Instead of speaking quickly, she had a thoughtful expression, clearly the revelation of his creations gave her many things to think about. He watched her gaze look down at the orb he handed to her.

Yelena meanwhile had a lot on her mind. It was unfathomable what came out of the older boy's mouth. 'These creations of his all happened because he wanted to find a way to warm up a little girl in need of warmth. And then he used his Arts to help everyone else.' His Arts is versatile for weather conditions as well. Able to keep people warm or cool depending on the elemental orb that they have in their possession. He also said that he can make his creations different accessories instead of an orb and the effects will be the same.

In her hand, she grips the orb with more strength than she normally would. F/N had handed the orb to her to prove to her the effect that it has on your body. She experienced firsthand the power of the orb as her body was filled with warmth. Conflicting feelings stir within her.

Day by day she and the others continue to cling to hope that there could be something to help her. At the moment, the hypothermia case of hers could be solved by the boy in front of her. Something which she is conflicted about because what if he fails? Is it better to try instead of doing nothing and getting failed results? Or is it better to just not try so the failing results won't ever decrease the feeling of powerlessness she'll feel?