Part 2 - Once again, nightmares.

Chapter 16 - Blue Fire

"Anyways, I've heard about what happened to Laura from Konota." Lyra began, her voice quieter, her shoulders slumping.

Her gaze dropped to the floor, and a deep sadness clouded her expression.

She clenched her fists, trembling slightly. "I should've brought more reinforcements. If I had known that the Ebony Apostles would be involved..." Her words trailed off, barely audible. "I thought this would be a simple mission for your first official record. I thought... I was prepared."

The guilt in her voice was palpable, and for a moment, no one said a word.

...

After the brief period of recovery and medical attention, we were ready to leave. Marina had arranged a ship to take us back to Scorchern. The water levels were unpredictable after the incident, and we were told the sea would be rough. Still, the ship she provided seemed sturdy enough to weather the waves.

It wasn't much to look at—plain, almost eerily unremarkable. The dark hull blended into the surrounding waters, nothing about it drawing attention. Just a simple vessel, with no adornments or markings. Maybe it was better that way. No one needed to know we were on board, not after everything that happened.

I boarded the ship in silence, my mind still whirling with thoughts of Laura, Lucian, and the Ebony Apostles. Each step on the deck felt heavier than the last. The air was thick with tension, even as the gentle sway of the sea began to lull us into a quieter, more reflective mood.

As the ship set sail, I stared out at the vast ocean ahead, knowing that the journey wasn't over. Not even close.

I noticed Konota leaning against the ship's railing, staring out into the endless horizon. Her posture seemed heavy, burdened by the weight of everything we had gone through. I walked over, my footsteps soft on the deck.

"Hey," I said quietly as I approached, trying not to disturb the fragile calm. "How's Luna doing?"

Konota didn't look away from the ocean, her gaze distant. "She's... not herself," she muttered, her voice flat but laced with worry. "When I visited her in the hospital, she barely responded. Even jumped when I walked into the room. She even forgot to touch the food I brought her. Just... sat there, staring at nothing."

A pang of guilt twisted in my chest. 

"Do you think I should try talking to her?" I asked, though I wasn't sure what good it would do.

Konota finally glanced at me, her expression clouded with uncertainty, then returned her gaze to the waves. "I dunno," she shrugged slightly, her voice quieter. "Maybe. She might not even listen."

The wind picked up slightly, ruffling our clothes and hair as the silence between us deepened. We were both grasping at solutions that felt just out of reach, and Luna... Luna was slipping into her own world, one we couldn't easily pull her back from.

I made my way to the ship's cabin, hesitating for a moment before knocking softly. "Luna? It's me... Kiara. Can I come in?" My voice was gentle, but there was no response.

I waited a beat longer, then slowly pushed the door open, the wood creaking under my hand. The small cabin was dim, furnished with only a simple bed and a desk with a lone stool. Luna sat on the edge of the bed, her silver-white hair falling over her shoulders, hiding her face.

Her hair... it's gotten longer. 

I stepped forward cautiously, my heart aching with every slow step. Luna sat motionless, her head hung low, her eyes fixed on her lap, completely withdrawn. The sight of her like this—so quiet, so broken—was more painful than anything we'd faced in the lab.