The Weight of It All

Rina stepped out of the medical bay, inhaling the crisp night air. The base was quieter at this houronly a few patrols passing by, their boots echoing against the pavement.

She needed space. Needed to clear her head.

Her hands found the pockets of her jacket as she walked toward the far edge of the base, where the city lights flickered in the distance.

Sybil got away. The Pulse Red operation was still in motion.

And worst of all, Rina knew she was holding back.

She clenched her jaw, frustration simmering beneath her skin. If she used her real power—if she let herself be Hunterrina this would've been over by now.

But she couldn't.

She wouldn't.

She stopped near the fence, looking up at the sky. The stars were barely visible beyond the neon haze of the city.

Rina exhaled. Just for tonight… she let herself breathe.

Rina gripped the cold metal of the fence, her breath unsteady. The weight of everything pressed down on her, heavier than any battle she'd fought.

Her vision blurred.

"Mom… I'm tired."

Her voice was barely a whisper, lost in the night. She had spent centuries carrying the burden of her immortality, hiding, pretending, never breaking. But tonight… she let herself feel.

A single tear slipped down her cheek, followed by another. She made a mistake. Sybil was out there, stronger than expected, and innocent people could die because Rina refused to unleash what she truly was.

Her fingers curled into fists.

Was she selfish for not using her power? Or was she right to be afraid of what she could become?

"I don't know what to do."

The wind carried her words away. And for the first time in a long time… she wished her mother could answer.