The Sky Hid

A thick cloud of smoke swallowed the area. The walls collapsed with a deep, thunderous groan. Mora hit the ground hard as rubble rained from above. Her arm shot out instinctively, a harsh cough escaping as dust stung her eyes.

"Mora!" A voice pierced the haze - Ana.

Through the chaos, Ana emerged, leaping over fractured stone, her eyes wide with panic. She grabbed Mora by the collar and yanked her down just as a massive beam crashed into the spot she had been standing. Dust exploded around them.

Mora coughed, trying to rise, but Ana shoved her back down.

"Are you insane?!" Ana's voice trembled. "Don't just stand there like that!"

Mora's jaw tightened. "I had it under control."

"No, you didn't!" Ana snapped. "If that beam had hit you-" Her voice cracked. "You need to think!"

Carel rushed over, her usual gentleness sharpened into urgency. "You can't keep running into danger like that! That could've killed you!"

Mora rose slowly, brushing dust from her shoulder, her face unreadable. "I don't need a rescue team. I know what I'm doing."

Ana threw up her hands, fists trembling. "Then next time, do it without almost dying."

Mora's gaze flicked to her - calm, cold. "I didn't ask you to follow me."

Carel stepped in, firm. She gripped Mora's shoulder. "You don't have to. We care because we choose to."

Mora paused. Just for a second. Her face held still, but her eyes flickered - something unspoken, too fast to catch. Then she turned away, her voice low, clipped.

"I can't afford to slow down. Time's running out."

The sunset cast a golden hue across her face, catching the glint in her eyes. With that calm expression, she might've seemed serene - if not for the fierce fire behind her gaze.

Carel stood her ground. "You're not alone. You don't have to carry this by yourself."

"I'm not leaving anyone behind," Mora replied, her voice flat, decisive. "But I'm not waiting either. If you're not ready-"

"-then stay out of my way," she finished, stepping forward.

Before she could go, Carel caught her arm. "Don't charge in like you're made of steel. You're not, dumbo."

Mora slipped from her grip, her tone cool. "I know exactly what I am."

"There are still people trapped," she muttered, more to herself than to them. "I don't have time for debates. If you're going to help, then now's your chance."

Alex stepped in then, voice calm and steady. "We'll hold the ground. Do what you need to, Mora. But come back."

Mora glanced at him - not quite a smile, just the faintest shift in her expression. Her eyes softened, briefly.

"I always do," she said, and her voice carried more weight than she let show.

Alex gave a crooked grin. "You still owe me."

She tossed a glance over her shoulder. "I'll add it to the list."

Then Mora turned, her silhouette vanishing back into the smoke.

----

Aaron stood tall, blood trailing down his temple, facing the Asteria Academy Commander with ragged breath and clenched fists. Every muscle screamed, but his stance never wavered.

The Commander sneered. "Naive little boy. You've just doomed yourself-and everyone foolish enough to follow."

Aaron met his gaze, jaw clenched. "You think we'll just let you march in and take what's ours? That's twisted."