It was a quiet Sunday morning on Earth, Elesch not being able to have a wink of sleep, as she constantly worried about her dear brother, Nova. Adam had stayed over, sleeping on the couch, snooring lightly, as Elesch contemplated her progress and how she could grow faster.

Though nothing sparked in her mind, as it was still too early in the morning, and she hadn't had her first sip of coffee. As she finally managed to nudge her way up, the kittens, still small, though gradually growing, jumped up to her.

Some rested on her lap, as Nyx licked Elesch's face, her sadness being masked by a bright bundle of joy in front of her. She put the cats on the bed, and finally managed to get up, some of them following her, as the rest were lying on top of Adam, who was smiling and dripping saliva from his mouth.

Whatever dream he was having, he did not want to wake up from it. Elesch, on the other hand, brushed her teeth, showered, and changed to practice and get stronger. She needed to, for herself, and for rescuing Nova, whose signals were way too erratic. Almost as if he was enjoying his time in Beastaria to the fullest.

They had also detected two other signals close to him at all times, which meant that they were his companions through his adventure in Beastaria. However, Marcus was worried, since even he hadn't gone as far as Nova was going. Constantly in battle, and continuously getting battered, though winning mostly, as losing meant death.

Elesch nudged Adam, who didn't wake up, and after a few more attempts, she decided to feed the kittens and leave them with him. She closed the door and stepped outside, and saw Talia, who didn't exactly know what had happened.

Talia approached Elesch, who was nervous, as she had forgotten the excuse she had made up for Nova's sudden disappearance. "Good morning, Elesch! How are you?" Talia said in a very zesty, girly voice.

"Oh, I'm good. How are you? Did the party last night go well?" Elesch asked, blinking continually but stopping after realizing what she was doing.

"Oh yeah, it was a blast. I met this guy, and I won't lie, I'm questioning my sexuality. Like, I don't know if I am bi or lesbian, or whatever. We decided to catch up over lunch today, so hopefully he asks me out, but we'll see."

"Oh... nice." Elesch froze, then quickly said something else: "Well, I hope you have a good lunch. Unfortunately, I have an errand to run at the guild, so let's catch up later? Sound good?"

"Of course..." Talia said, as Elesch shook her hand and left. "I want to ask how Nova was," Taia whispered to herself.

Elesch's heart was pounding, as her nervousness had taken her hostage, so she had to make something up, anything up, and this was the best she could muster up. She ran a hand through her forehand, wiping the itchy sweat.

She stepped inside the guild, straight into the elevator, and stepped out in the basement. She didn't see Marcus there yet, so she stretched, changing into her athletic gear. Then, she started to shadow box, imagining that the Absyalling was right in front of her, staring her down, throwing in threats.

This made her irate, and she started to use her ability in the spar, using her rifts, her rapier, and martial arts, but as she performed all these techniques, she still felt as if she was losing against the Absyalling, losing against the imaginary opponent.

The elevator door chimed open as Marcus stepped out in his athletic gear. He saw Elesch sweating profusely, smiling at her politely, as if she were his daughter.

Marcus placed his bag down and crossed his arms as he watched Elesch's routine. Her movements were sharp, precise, yet unfocused. Each strike lacked rhythm, like her mind was trapped elsewhere.

"You're pushing too hard again," Marcus said calmly, stepping closer.

Elesch didn't answer at first. She pivoted, the edge of her rapier slicing through the air as faint energy shimmered behind it.

"I have to," she said between breaths. "Nova's still out there. His signal is getting weaker. I can't just sit and wait."

Marcus sighed. "You can't save him if you burn yourself out before you even get to him."

She lowered her weapon slightly, her chest rising and falling. The air between them was tense, heavy with unspoken fear.

The rhythmic hum of the guild's machinery filled the silence. Elesch turned away, staring at her reflection in the polished metal wall. Her eyes were distant, filled with guilt and stubborn resolve.

Marcus stepped beside her. "We've all been tracking Nova's progress. He's holding his own better than anyone expected. Maybe too well. That's what worries me."

Elesch glanced at him. "You think something's wrong with him?"

"I think," Marcus said slowly, "that Beastaria changes people. Surviving there means adapting to its chaos. And no one leaves unchanged."

The words lingered like a shadow. Elesch clenched her jaw and resumed her stance, channeling the flicker of her rift energy. "Then I'll adapt faster," she muttered.

Marcus watched her silently, a trace of pride softening his features. "You've grown stronger, Elesch. But strength without clarity leads to recklessness. You want to save Nova? Then train your focus, not just your body."

Elesch halted mid-swing, her breathing steadied. "Clarity…" she repeated under her breath. The word felt foreign, almost unattainable.

Marcus gave a small nod. "Good. Start again, but slower this time. Control your rifts. Feel the flow."

Elesch obeyed. The next few movements carried a different rhythm, measured, deliberate. The shimmering distortions around her became cleaner, quieter, almost graceful. For the first time in days, her mind stopped spiraling.

Marcus smiled faintly. "Better. Now you're fighting like Elesch, not her fear."

She exhaled, lowering her weapon. "Then maybe," she said softly, "I can finally reach Nova before that world changes him completely."

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