"Kana! Look at me!"

Evaya shouted, appearing directly in front of her this time, her body forming a barrier between her and the bronze doors.

For the first time, Kana's gaze shifted faintly, her blank eyes glimmering faintly with gold and silver beneath the dim temple lights.

Evaya's breath hitched at the sight.

"…What are you?"

She whispered under her breath.

But Kana didn't answer.

Instead, she stepped forward again — silent, relentless — the air around her trembling faintly with an unseen pressure.

Evaya raised her hand, summoning her full power this time, shadows surging to wrap around Kana's wrists in a last desperate attempt to restrain her.

For a moment, it seemed to work — the bindings tightening around Kana's arms, halting her advance —

And then, with a small flick of her fingers, Kana shattered them.

Evaya stumbled back, staring in disbelief.

This wasn't normal. This wasn't Kana.

And yet… she couldn't bring herself to draw her weapon.

She knew, instinctively, that if she treated Kana like an enemy, she'd lose her completely.

But if she didn't act fast, the wards wouldn't hold her back for long.

______

Kana didn't remember when it started — only that, at some point, the world around her blurred into silence.

Her footsteps echoed softly against stone as she wandered aimlessly, her vision unfocused, her mind heavy with fog.

It felt as though she were no longer inside the temple. Instead, she stood within an endless maze, the hallways twisting and curling into shapes that didn't make sense.

Somewhere deep in the stillness, a voice called to her.

[Come.]

It was soft and warm, yet threaded with something strangely alluring — a promise hidden beneath its gentle tone.

[Follow me… and you'll be free. Free from this place… free from the weight you carry.]

Kana's lips parted slightly, her breathing shallow.

Free.

Her feet moved without thought, guided by an unseen pull.

The maze stretched endlessly before her, but the voice was always ahead — whispering, calling, promising. She followed, trying to reach it, certain that if she just kept going, she would find a way out.

But no matter how many steps she took, the scenery never changed.

Left, right, straight, another turn — it was all the same.

She frowned faintly, her chest tightening with unease.

"Why… can't I get out?"

There was no answer.

Only the voice, calling her deeper.

Then, without warning, other whispers stirred around her.

At first, they were faint — overlapping fragments, like shadows brushing against the edges of her mind. But they grew louder, weaving through the silence until they filled her ears.

Some were sharp, harsh — unfamiliar tones she couldn't place. Others were soft, fleeting, almost soothing, but she couldn't make sense of them.

Her heart began to race.

Were they friends? Were they enemies?

"Who's there…?"

She breathed, spinning in place.

No one answered.

The whispers closed in, surrounding her from every direction, and instinctively, Kana braced herself.

She didn't know who they were or what they wanted — but she knew she couldn't allow them to reach her.

Her hands trembled faintly as she raised them, her body tensing in preparation.

But then…

[Don't panic.]

The voice.

This time, it came from inside her — calm, steady, certain.

[I'm here. Let me guide you… I'll help you.]

Something shifted within Kana, and without meaning to, she surrendered to it.

Her body moved before her thoughts could catch up.

When the first shadow lunged toward her, she sidestepped smoothly, her footwork so precise it felt almost unnatural.

Her arm shot out instinctively, catching an unseen force by the wrist — and with a simple twist, she redirected its momentum and sent it sprawling into the void.

Another presence closed in from behind, and without even looking, Kana ducked low, sweeping her leg in a clean, fluid motion that took it down effortlessly.

She didn't think. She didn't hesitate.

Her body simply… knew.

The more she moved, the more she realized just how natural it felt — as though this strength had always been there, buried deep within her, waiting to be awakened.

Her breathing steadied, her muscles relaxed, and her movements became lighter, freer.

For the first time in what felt like forever, she wasn't struggling.

She was flowing.

The shadows came faster now, but she didn't falter. Her body twisted and turned with seamless grace, each strike precise, each motion instinctively efficient.

She ducked, spun, countered — her strikes sharp and measured, carrying a strength she never knew she possessed.

Somewhere deep inside, she could feel her heart racing, but her mind was strangely calm.

The voice inside her spoke again, almost approvingly.

[Good. Just like that, little one. You see? You were never as weak as you believed.]

Kana exhaled softly, her movements growing even sharper.

For the first time, she felt weightless — unshackled from the constant heaviness of her fears and doubts.

She didn't want this feeling to end.

But then, exhaustion began to creep in.

Her breaths grew heavier, her limbs slower. The weight she had momentarily escaped came crashing back down, pressing into her shoulders like chains.

The voice returned, but this time it was softer, almost gentle — a lullaby in her ears.

[That's enough for now.]

Kana frowned faintly, stumbling mid-step.

"No… I can keep going…"

[You've done well, Kana. Better than I expected. But you're tired. Rest, little one… Rest, and I'll come for you soon.]

Something inside her resisted, desperate to stay awake, desperate to keep moving. She reached out in her mind, grasping for the voice that had guided her through the chaos.

"I… I don't want to stop yet…"

She whispered, her voice trembling.

[Shh.]

The whisper was soft, soothing, final.

[Soon, I'll take you away. Soon, you'll be free.]

Kana's vision blurred.

Her hands reached out unconsciously, as though trying to hold onto that promise, her fingertips grazing the emptiness ahead of her.

And then—

Warmth.

Someone grabbed her hand.

Her eyes widened, the trance shattering like fragile glass.

Her vision cleared just enough for her to see a familiar face — Evaya, standing before her, her brows drawn tight in concern, her grip steady and grounding.

"Kana! Look at me! You're here. You're safe."

Evaya's voice cut through the fog like sunlight breaking through storm clouds. Kana blinked, struggling to focus. Her lips parted, and her voice came out weak, almost dazed.

"I'm… fine."

She breathed softly.

But before Evaya could reply, Kana's body gave way, the last remnants of strength leaving her all at once.

Her knees buckled beneath her as her weight collapsed forward. Evaya caught her immediately, cradling her against her chest, lowering them both carefully to the ground.

______

Since i don't think people are interested in this story anymore, i will try to wrap it around 210 chapters and start a new one later.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.