(Date: Dec 31, 2025)
Stepping back onto the cracked road of Holorar, Aurora felt a sense of relief. She could feel the uneven terrain beneath her and the weight of Neo on her back as they walked back in silence. He muttered something under his breath that she chose to ignore but couldn't help the chuff and light smile that escaped her. She didn't know a lot about him but he reminded Aurora of herself in a way and she couldn't help but want to guide him down the right path, no matter how much he protested. They soon reached the main part of town; the sound of light talking and what sounded like tools on stone grew louder as they approached, they were repairing the road it seemed. Fast footfalls headed towards them and an anxious voice addressed them, Aurora recognized it belonged to Anna, the shopkeeper. She was fretting over the group and thanking them for their service. A new voice spoke up that Aurora didn't recognize but didn’t appear to be of harm to them, also thanking them for their help. Anna told them she could get Neo’s partial petrification undone so the group heads there.
The battle's toll was finally starting to catch up to Aurora as she carries Neo back to the Inn. It's a little less taxing now with the lack of heavy stone but tiring nonetheless. The five all head back to their rooms with Aurora heading to Neo’s room first.
As she sets him on the bed, he speaks up “You didn't have to do that; I can do this by myself”
“It doesn't hurt to rely on others sometimes” She says with a light chuckle.
If only I could take my own advice
She goes to leave but is stopped when Neo asks “Can you… check on Bellatrix for me”
A soft smile comes across her face as she turns back towards his voice “Of course”
After doing her rounds, Aurora was exhausted. She was happy they helped the town and the cadets hopefully learned something but she couldn't help but feel like it was too close; she couldn't protect them at all. She knew all her shots missed, hearing them blast into the cave wall as it shook. Laying down, her thoughts began to wander;
I could’ve hurt them. What if my failures caused the cave to collapse. It would've been my fault. Some protector I am. I'm in charge of their safety, their blood is on my hands if I fail. Every nick, every scratch, every bruise is my responsibility to bear.
As her thoughts grew too painful to contemplate further, she closed the curtains and removed her heavy bronze blindfold, setting it on the nearby nightstand along with her jewelry, minus a beaded bracelet that sat on her wrist. She changes into comfier clothes as her eyes adjusted to the sliver of soft light leaking from between the curtains and she assessed how good her vision was tonight; It seemed like her right eye was completely blind, while the other was mostly usable.
Aurora headed towards the nearby floor mirror to take stock in herself. She has multiple scrapes and bruises from falling debris but nothing else of note. She didn't know how injured the cadets got but she feels good knowing she at least got to heal them a bit.
Even if it was her fault they got those in the first place. It's the least she could do to atone.
She stares into her reflection and mets its eyes, pitch black and a waning gibbous greet her. Aurora figured as much as she's aware of how much vision each phase gives her but it's nice to know she's right about something at least. With one last survey of the mirror she heads to bed, unable to sleep but she can at least pretend.
Ki-rin please forgive my disgraces, I am lost on a path of my own creation.