Kana thrashed around to get free, and she finally broke the restraints holding her down.

The invisible grip faltered instantly, freezing in place before it shattered into fragments of light, dissolving into the golden expanse around her.

She took one last glance toward the distant source of the voice, her heart pounding wildly in her chest… and then turned away.

The light collapsed inward, the dream unraveling into shards that scattered into nothingness.

Her breath hitched as she felt herself falling — fast and heavy, as though gravity had finally remembered her.

And then — a gasp.

Kana's eyes flew open, her chest rising and falling rapidly as reality came rushing back.

The temple's secret garden swam back into focus, sunlight filtering through the leaves overhead.

Ruby was there.

Her pink hair glimmered softly in the dappled light, her brows drawn together in quiet worry as she leaned over Kana.

"Kana…You're awake."

Ruby said softly, her voice steadier than her expression.

Kana stared up at her for a long, silent moment, her breathing gradually slowing as her thoughts caught up with her.

Ruby's face was the first thing she saw — and strangely, the familiarity in her chest returned stronger than before, lingering like a half-forgotten memory she couldn't reach.

"…Ruby."

Kana breathed, her voice trembling faintly.

And though Ruby's lips curved into the smallest, relieved smile, her hand never left Kana's — holding her steady, as though she had no intention of letting her go.

Ruby's fingers brushed softly against Kana's cheek, the lingering warmth of her touch grounding her still-frayed thoughts.

Kana's breath was shaky, but Ruby's steady gaze anchored her — a quiet calm amidst the confusion spiraling in Kana's mind.

"You did well. You were brave, Kana."

Ruby said softly, her tone carrying a rare gentleness that Kana wasn't used to hearing from her.

Kana blinked, still processing everything that had just happened — the dream, the voice, the sensation of something reaching for her, trying to pull her away.

Ruby's words washed over her like a soothing balm, but before she could respond, Ruby leaned closer, her expression turning faintly solemn.

"As a reward, I'll give you something… to keep you safe."

Ruby murmured, lowering her hand and taking Kana's wrist delicately into her grasp.

Kana tilted her head, her brows furrowing in confusion.

"Safe? From what—"

Ruby didn't answer immediately. Instead, she closed her eyes and placed two fingers over the inside of Kana's wrist, right above the faint tan mark.

Kana flinched slightly at the sudden warmth spreading from Ruby's touch — a subtle thrum of mana flowing beneath her skin like liquid starlight.

The sensation deepened, and faint sigils of pale pink light bloomed on her skin, intricate patterns curling softly before fading back into invisibility.

"There. This protection seal will ensure that the thing trying to reach you… won't be able to. At least, not for now."

Ruby whispered, her voice steady yet laced with quiet resolve.

Kana stared at her wrist, the faint phantom warmth of the mark lingering beneath her fingertips.

"Ruby, tell me what's going on. What was that voice? Who's trying to reach me? You know, don't you?

She said slowly, her voice careful but firm.

Ruby hesitated for the briefest moment, her pink eyes unreadable. Then, she shook her head, a small sigh escaping her lips.

"Not now. You need to rest first, Kana — both physically and mentally. Your body hasn't fully recovered, and your spirit is still unstable."

Ruby said softly. Her grip on Kana's wrist tightened gently, grounding but not restrictive.

"I've placed the seal. As long as it's intact, you won't be caught by the one who tried to stake a claim on you."

Kana opened her mouth to protest, frustration flickering in her gaze, but Ruby moved before she could say a word.

Without warning, Ruby lowered her head and pressed her lips against the inside of Kana's wrist, right where the faint tan mark rested.

Kana froze, her breath catching sharply.

The kiss was soft, fleeting, and yet strangely deliberate — like a silent vow woven into the seal itself.

The warmth from Ruby's lips spread through her veins, mingling with the lingering hum of magic, leaving her too stunned to move or speak.

By the time Kana blinked and found her voice, Ruby had already risen to her feet.

"Wait—"

Kana reached out instinctively, her fingertips brushing against the hem of Ruby's robe.

"Ruby, I—"

But Ruby didn't turn back. Her pink hair swayed lightly as she took a step away, her expression unreadable beneath the soft shadows cast by the garden's canopy.

"Rest, Kana. That's all you need to do right now."

She said quietly, her voice carrying a softness that felt like distance.

And then — just like that — Ruby was gone.

No footsteps. No sound. No fading presence. One blink, and she had vanished from sight entirely, leaving Kana alone amidst the quiet rustle of leaves and filtered sunlight.

Kana stood frozen for a moment, her hand still half-raised, her thoughts tangled and restless.

A quiet sigh escaped her lips, and she finally lowered her arm, staring at the faint, invisible seal on her wrist.

"…What am I supposed to do now…"

She murmured under her breath, her voice barely audible.

The familiar warmth of Ruby's mana still lingered faintly beneath her skin, a silent reminder of the protection she'd been given — and of the secrets Ruby still wasn't telling her.

Kana hesitated for a long moment, her gaze lingering on the path Ruby had disappeared down, but eventually, she turned away.

"I should… head back before someone worries and comes looking for me.

She whispered softly to herself.

With slow, careful steps, she made her way out of the hidden garden, the soft crunch of gravel beneath her sandals the only sound following her into the temple's hushed corridors.

Kana turned around to take a look at Ruby one last time, but Ruby was already gone.

Her heart felt heavy and light at the same time but in the end, Kana decided to not think about it much.

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