Dream.

Razek smacked Evryn's shoulder. "I mean, you helped out a lot with the store—especially with Helaine. Plus, you've been running around all day, so you must be exhausted."

How considerate…

"If anything, I'll sleep here."

LNo."

"Huh?"

Cyrus flipped a coin into the air, catching it before speaking again. "I'll sleep in here."

"Why?"

"You all need rest. I want to check this place out a little more and strategize."

"Uhhh."

"Why don't you guys go on and head into the bedroom, get yourselves comfortable? If you need anything, I'll be out here." A smug look crossed his face.

"You guys heard him, come on," Helaine said, leading the way into the bedroom.

They followed her down the hallway.

Helaine pressed a button on the control panel, and the door slid open with a faint hiss.

The room was small but functional, dimly lit by a single overhead light. Three beds were set against the walls, each with a thin mattress and simple sheets. A small storage unit was tucked. It wasn't anything special, but compared to the rest of the ship, it was at least somewhat comfortable.

"Oh boy," Razek said, rubbing his hands together in excitement.

They stepped into the room.

Razek immediately ran and jumped onto one of the beds.

"This one is mine!"

Helaine sighed and shook her head. "Okay, Razek."

She walked over to another bed, sitting down before laying back with a satisfied sigh. "This feels so nice. I could just fall asleep like this."

I bet, Evryn thought as he made his way to his own bed.

He ran his fingers over the sheets before settling in, resting his head against the pillow.

So much has happened in just a few hours… its insane… Even though I just met them, they treat me like someone they've known for awhile…

"Evryn, can you turn off the light?" Helaine asked, yawning.

"Sure…"

Evryn sat up, then got to his feet and walked over to the switch. As he flicked the light off, he turned back to see both of them already out cold.

How can they fall asleel so fast? I wish I could do that… Evryn thought, feeling a twinge of envy.

Instead of lying down, Evryn left the bedroom and headed to the bathroom. He pressed a button on the control panel, and the door slid open with a soft hiss.

The bathroom was compact but functional, with metallic walls and dim overhead lighting casting a faint glow. A small mirror hung above the sink, its surface slightly scratched. The sink and toilet were built into the wall, designed for efficiency rather than comfort.

The door shut behind him.

Alone at last.

He sighed, but it felt heavy, as if he'd been holding in his emotions for a while.

After all the fighting, running, and adrenaline, he finally had some time to relax. But there was a deep loneliness settling in.

His eyes began to water, but he wiped them away quickly. No, he thought, I won't cry. I'm stronger than this.

"Mom…" His voice softened, sounding vulnerable.

He gripped the edge of the sink, staring at his reflection in the mirror.

He looked tired—rough, beaten down by everything that had happened.

He closed his eyes.

"I hope you're okay, Mom, wherever you are." He said to himself, his voice almost broken.

His grip on the sink tightened. "No. This isn't the time to feel sorry for yourself." He gritted his teeth.

Slowly, he began to calm down.

I'm too weak. I want-no, I need to become stronger, I can't lose them…

Evryn let out a soft sigh. He flushed the toilet, making sure no one would suspect him of anything, as if he had only used the restroom.

He headed back into the bedroom, pressing the button on the panel to open the door. He walked in and made his way to his bed, before collapsing onto it.

He stared up at the ceiling, wondering what the next few days, months, or maybe even years would bring.

His vision began to blur, and his muscles relaxed.

Finally, he drifted off to sleep.

***

The air felt cold around Evryn, as though he were in a vast, open space with nowhere to go. It was comforting, yet off at the same time.

Evryn opened his eyes in shock, only to find everything around him was pitch black.

A dim light shone upon him, with snowflakes falling all around.

Wait… I've been here before, I swear… Before Evryn could piece it all together, a blinding light suddenly engulfed him. He quickly covered his eyes with his arm.

The light stopped.

Lowering his arm, he muttered, "What the…?"

Evryn looked around, astonished.

He was now in what appeared to be a forest—a snowy forest.

The landscape was blanketed in snow. Tall, bare trees stood throughout, their trunks and branches coated with a thick layer of snow and ice. A gently flowing stream of dark water cut through the snowy ground, providing a stark contrast to the surrounding white. The atmosphere was soft and ethereal, with bright, diffused light filtering through the trees, creating an almost dreamlike glow.

Then Evryn noticed her…

A… no, she looked familiar, like he had seen her somewhere before.

Then it clicked—it was her, and she was looking at him. But this time, he got a clearer look at her.

She had long, silver-white hair cascading down her shoulders, with the front strands framing her face and a few falling over her forehead, while the rest of her hair flowed behind her, reaching nearly to her waist. Atop her head were distinct cat-like ears, blending seamlessly with her hair and adding an animalistic, hybrid touch to her appearance.

Her eyes were a mesmerizing pale blue, almost icy, like the glow of distant stars, with a sharp and piercing gaze that exuded intensity and confidence. The red hue around her eyes accentuated their striking look, making them stand out even more, as if the cosmos themselves had left a mark upon her.

She wore a fitted, high-collared top in a soft, silvery-gray fabric that hugged her form, the sleek material catching the light with every movement, shimmering like the surface of a quiet, celestial body. Delicate metallic clasps adorned the sleeves, adding an elegant touch, while an asymmetrical skirt fell just above her knees, made of a dark, almost ethereal fabric. The hem of the skirt had a soft, feathered trim that evoked her hybrid nature, like stardust scattered in the night sky.

A flowing cape draped around her shoulders, the fabric shifting from deep blue at the top to pale silver at the bottom, giving her a celestial, otherworldly glow. The edges of the cloak were lined with soft white fur, matching the gentle glow of her presence, like the light of a distant galaxy that quietly illuminated the darkness.

Her boots, mid-calf and sleek, had silver accents that matched the rest of her ensemble, with a faint fur lining along the top, as if they had walked through the vastness of space itself.

She stood near the flowing stream of dark water. As she looked at him, a slight smirk played on her lips, suggesting confidence, mischief, or something Evryn couldn't quite place.

Then she vanished.

Evryn's eyes widened in shock, and he immediately dropped into a fighting stance.

He wasn't sure where he was, but he didn't like where this was going.

A voice, soft and delicate, rang through his ears.

"Don't be afraid."

"Who are yo—" Before Evryn could finish his sentence, he felt her behind him.

She reached out gently, lowering his hands from the fighting stance. For some reason, Evryn felt a sensation he couldn't describe.

"Who are you? What do you want from me?" Evryn asked, his voice tinged with concern.

"Im not here to hurt you, Evryn. I've been waiting for you." 

"What do you want from me?"

She giggled softly. "That's a secret." She said rubbing her index finger across his jawline. 

I don't like this one bit, she knows my name and won't even tell me what she wants… Evryn did not like this one bit. 

"You can call me Eira." 

"Eira? That's, uh a pretty name." Evryn laughed nervously. 

She giggled a little. 

"You will know everything when the time comes." 

"What do you mean?" 

"You will find it there."

"What? What, where?"

"But, beware, danger is on the horizon."

"What are you saying—" Evryn was cut off before he could finish.

"Remember, Evryn. Until death, all defeat is psychological." 

Evryn's eyes widen after hearing this. 

Before Evryn could respond everything went black around him. 

He heard her again. 

"Now you must return, my Savior."