The faint smile on Ellee's face disappeared as quickly as it came. She placed the half-empty cup down and stood. "I'll be back. Training field."
"You're going already?" Maya asked, standing too.
"I always go at this hour."
Viola tilted her head. "Is it to train... or to clear your mind?"
Ellee didn't answer. She turned and walked toward the hallway, her boots echoing softly against the polished floors.
---
The training hall was quiet. Empty. Just as she liked it. Her sword lay waiting, and as her fingers wrapped around the hilt, her mind fell into silence.
She struck the air in fluid, calculated movements. Step. Swing. Pivot. Breathe.
Her body moved, but her thoughts wandered.
Why did they feel so familiar? Their rhythm. Their presence. The unspoken synchronicity.
Was it just coincidence?
"Nice form."
Ellee froze. Xion was leaning against the wall, watching her. She hadn't heard him enter.
"I thought you didn't follow people," she said.
"I don't. Just… checking if you're okay."
She looked away. "You don't have to."
"I know."
There was a silence between them. Not uncomfortable—but heavy. Like something long forgotten.
He stepped closer. "Do you… remember anything?"
She turned to him slowly. "What?"
"About us?" he asked, softly.
Her chest tightened. "We've only known each other a week."
He smiled faintly, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Yeah. Of course."
Before she could question it, a piercing alarm cut through the air.
Red Alert. Unauthorized breach. Quadrant D.
Her body snapped into motion. She bolted for the door.
By the time she reached the main hall, the others were already gathered. Kayla and Kate had just arrived, breathless.
"Where is it?" Ellee asked.
"East wing. Near the archives," Kayla said. Her voice was calm but her eyes sharp.
"We go in as two teams," Ellee commanded. "Zion, Viola with me. Maya, Xion with the twins. Secure the perimeter."
"Yes, ma'am," they said in unison.
As they moved out, Xion brushed past her and murmured, "Stay close. You always ran ahead before."
Before?
Ellee's steps faltered for half a second, her breath catching. But she didn't stop.
Something in her chest cracked.
The faces from her dreams.
The warmth in their voices.
And now—the words that felt like pieces of her shattered past.
Was it possible…?
No. She couldn't afford to believe. Not again.
But the ache in her heart told her…
She already wanted to.