Going Back

The loud and echoing cheers in the arena during and after Lyra's fight goes unnoticed by Lyra. With great effort, Lyra drags her body out of the stage. Nina can never get used to how pale Lyra's appearance every time she finishes a fight. Herold on the other hand already got used to Lyra's weary look and immediately calls for the medic to attend Lyra which he has done countless times already since Lyra started to fight in the arena. Herold commands the medic of the arena to personally care for Lyra without a special condition due to Lyra's connection to Madam Cherry.

This helped Lyra to keep what she earned from her fights. It was only when she reached the top 20 in the arena that sponsorship became available to her. At first, she didn't really care for any money but when Madam Cherry tells her that she has to personally fund her trip to retrieve her uncle's corpse, she couldn't help but be thankful that her fight in the arena can help earn some income.

Lyra once again enters the infirmary to recover from her injuries. It only a short time for her to recover not even an hour has passed. All thanks to the medics' supreme care. After she recovers, Lyra immediately heads back to Madam's house. She already let Herold know about taking leave after attaining fifth place, so Herold knowing Lyra was about to take a long leave promptly gives the money she gained from her fight.

"Don't waste it all at once! I mean buying some branded dresses and jewels are good and all but make sure to save some money for a future trip to another country perphaps~" Herold teases Lyra not knowing the true purpose of her leave. Hearing what Herold says, Nina almost smacks him at that moment.

"I'll keep that in mind. Thank you, Sir Herold." Lyra gives Herold a respected bow with a sincere smile. Herold surprise by Lyra's gesture only pats her head in response.

"No need to thank me! You've earned the money with all your hard work!" Herold chuckles. Lyra gives him a weary smile and turns to leave. Nina watching could only let Herold off since she knows that Herold's unaware of Lyra's true purpose for fighting in the arena. Nina quickly catches up with Lyra while giving Herold a fierce glare. Herold not thinking deeply about Nina's glare just shrug and waves goodbye.

Lyra after arriving back at Madam's house heads off to her room after bidding good night to Nina. When she reaches her room she instantly went to take a bath. After taking a bath and drying her hair off, she dazedly heads to her bed and lays down. After a few moments, she finds herself tossing and turning unable to sleep. Restless she stares at the ceiling while she keeps closing and opening her eyes. She finally grabs her sheathed knife beneath her pillow and holds onto it close to it. Finally, she's at ease and quickly drifts off to a dreamless sleep.

That morning as soon as she finishes morning practice, she heads off towards Madam's office. Expecting Lyra's visit, Madam silently awaits even though it's barely about to be dawn. Madam Cherry stares at the box in front of her with a stern expression and after a few moments, she sighs and opens it. Within it is a handgun, it looks like an ordinary pistol but looking closely there's nothing to identify it. It's a blank handgun, meaning it's untraceable and it's easy to conceal. Madam Cherry picks it up and weighs it in her hand. *Knock, Knock*

"Enter." Madam puts the gun down and waits for Lyra to enter.

"Good morning, Madam." Lyra politely greets Madam.

"Morning," Madam answers nonchalantly.

"I just want to let Madam know that I have successfully entered the top five in the arena."

"Hmm. That so."

"Yes, Madam."

"So you think you're strong enough?" Madam asks Lyra seriously.

"I believe so, Madam" Lyra answers firmly.

"Is that so. Well, whether you succeed or not will truly tell if you are strong enough or not." Madam looks at Lyra then at the handgun on her desk. She picks it up and throws it to Lyra. Lyra reflexively catches the gun.

"Madam?" Lyra blurts out, confuse about Madam's action.

"I'm giving you that handgun. Don't tell me your thinking of going to the battlefield with only a knife as a weapon? Don't overestimate yourself, ever." Madam states her tone full of seriousness. "Besides, I don't think you'll are able to buy a better gun than. I'm sure Nina was able to teach you how to use a gun before."

"Yes, Madam."

"Good. Well, have a safe trip. Make sure to bid Nina goodbye before you leave." After stating that, Madam turns her attention to the paper on her desk.

"Yes, Madam." Lyra exits the office with the handgun securely in her hand. She goes back to her room preparing to set out.

She arrives in her room and immediately packs her stuff. She didn't forget to pack her worn-out pajama and karambit knife. She stares at the bottle with burned wrinkled paper in it. She reaches for it. She stares at it for a good while hesitating to leave it behind. Eventually, she lets it down on her desk gently. She stares around her room. This is a room where she stayed for three years. Not knowing whether she'll be able to come back to this room, Lyra tries to memorize what it looks like.

Finally, after checking and rechecking all the things she'll bring with her, Lyra heads out. Before she leaves she heads off to the kitchen and bids Nina goodbye.

"Nina, I'm off. Please take care." Lyra hugs Nina.

"I..."Nina squeezes Lyra "Be careful out there! there's no shame in running to save yourself you hear me! If it's too dangerous you're always welcome to come back and bid your time to get stronger, okay!" Nina couldn't help but nag as tears flow down her cheek.

"Okay." Lyra answers, while she gives Nina a tight squeeze then she lets go.

"Take care." Nina hoarsely nags.

"I will" Lyra smiles reassuringly.

When Lyra reaches the front door, she sees Madam.

"I'll drive you to the train station," Madam says will motioning to Lyra to go to the garage. When Lyra enters Madam's car she notices a backpack full to the brim. Noticing Lyra's gaze as Madam checks her rear-view mirror, states "That backpack is yours to use. You can never be careful enough when it comes to battlefields." Lyra can only obediently nod.

At the train station, it was bustling with activity. Lyra couldn't help but check on the map and the station signs multiple times afraid of missing the train. When she finally figures out where to go, she finds herself a little overwhelmed. At the loading platform, she reaches for her ticket in her pocket to give the conductor her ticket. When she's about to hand her ticket and looks up, she notices that the conductor is a female. She wasn't even aware that she slightly pouted when she notices that it wasn't the same conductor that help her last time.

Inside the train, Lyra stares out the train window looking at the landscape. She muse that last time she wasn't able to take in any scenery at all when riding the train. Eventually, she drifts off to sleep.

Awaken by a loud explosion sound, Lyra immediately looks around. Finding nothing wrong she stares out the window only to see a landscape covered with smoke. As the train goes further the smoke gets thicker almost darkening the whole view from the train. Lyra unconsciously tightens her grip on the rail bar when she sees the scenery.

Finally, the train reaches Lyra's stop. As she steps out into a desolate platform. The familiarity of the station shocks her. Her gaze immediately lands on a bench in the distance. The bench full of bullet holes below the speaker in the distance brings back the almost forgotten memories of the last moments she had with her uncle. Then as she lowers her gaze she notices that she's standing at the same platform where her uncle gave his last goodbye and the platform where he runs to wave goodbye. Lyra's eyes moisten.

"Uncle, I'm back. This time I'm strong enough to bring you with me." She whispers trying to stop the sob that tries to come out.