Paths Beyond (Under Rewrite)

Grey woke to a warm sensation enveloping him. His body was supported, held upright in the glowing solution he was submerged in. It wasn't the golden brilliance of the elixir made from the Heart of Radiance, but it had a similar glow—just softer, less radiant.

"You awake now?" Shot's voice broke through the haze. She was in the cauldron next to his, her tone carrying a mix of teasing and exhaustion. "This isn't as dangerous as the Heart of Radiance, but Elder said it's going to get painful soon."

Grey shifted slightly, feeling the liquid seep into every inch of his body. Energy was flowing back into him, and his wounds were disappearing, the pain fading with each passing moment. "Did we succeed? Was there another Central Organ?" he asked, his voice hoarse but steady.

From below the cauldron, Brawl's familiar voice rumbled up. "That's right. And if we can get one every time, we'll all be changed before you know it."

Grey grunted, adjusting himself to sit more comfortably. "I think I used some of my energy for the thread, but it should come back with this elixir. A few days, maybe, and I'll have generated enough on my own."

Keen's voice came next, curious and cautious. "Generate your own... like Brawl?"

Grey exhaled softly. Brawl must've told Keen about his own new ability. "Yeah. I can."

"Alright, we can talk about the serious stuff later," Shot interjected, her voice tight as she winced. The pain had clearly started, but she bore it without complaint. "Focus on taking in as much energy as possible—and helping me advance while you're at it."

"You sound so selfish," Brawl teased, his voice carrying a playful edge.

Shot rolled her eyes, ignoring him. "Oh, and try to think of a good apology for sneaking off. I'm still annoyed, and I bet everyone else is too. If you'd taken us all along, sure, it would've been slower, but it would've been safer."

Grey cleared his throat awkwardly. "Oh—um... well, sorry."

Shot laughed despite the grimace of pain crossing her face. "Not to me, idiot. To Serene. She was—let's say—not happy. Once she knew you'd be fine, she stormed off."

"Oh... yeah," Grey muttered, shifting uncomfortably. "Any advice?"

Brawl's laughter erupted, loud and unrestrained, while Shot chuckled in amusement. "Ask Keen," she said lightly. "He probably knows best."

Keen scratched the back of his head, his expression awkward but kind. "Just say sorry. Then keep trying until she gets over it, kid. Forget about that for now—focus on how much energy you're getting from this."

Grey nodded, closing his eyes as he turned his focus inward. The pain dissolved into the background, his awareness sinking into his mental space. In the familiar darkness of his mind, he saw the pool slowly filling with golden liquid. Though it retained the same color as always, the flow was noticeably slower.

"Maybe it gets purer when it gets here," he murmured to himself.

The pool was filling at about a third of the rate compared to when he'd used a Heart of Radiance. The quantity of energy was less, but it was still potent enough to make a difference.

Grey began to suspect that the golden thread wouldn't disappear until it reached the path of Will left behind by the beast, but he couldn't be sure. Before focusing entirely on improving himself and enhancing Shot's potential, he searched for another light with the same orange brilliance as the monster they'd recently fought.

It didn't take long to spot it. The faint glow flickered in his mental space, calling to him like a distant flame. He hesitated, murmuring to himself, "Will this place force me out if I touch it like usual? Can I come back in if it does?"