Yawn… waking up to a dog the size of a body pillow is the BEST.

  I’m rubbing and hugging Noxx in my office-room—yeah, my office-room—because it was built, and this is my first time sleeping in here. It’s so pretty.

  Eggshell-painted walls. Obsidian drapes so clean they fall from the window all the way to the floor, right beside my bed. And on the wall there’s this piece of glass held together by faint black smoke—like the smoke is gripping it from behind. Demon news is running on it, talking about the time of day… still trying to get used to that.

  I’m still trying to hunt down my father so I can see his blacksmith. I got ideas. A clock idea. A diagram idea. A don’t-let-me-forget-this idea.

  I look left and see the bathroom—stand-in shower.

  I run in like I got an appointment.

  After washing up, I come out with steam following me, wearing my black robe. Then I notice it.

  A coffee machine.

  Fancy too—multiple functions—like a rich person trap.

  And there’s a note from my mother:

  “Since I couldn’t stay once you wake up, I had this set up. Ordered by your father.Also: he isn’t here because he has a meeting in the Neutral Zone with the Holy Kingdom.Aunt Sera will be with him too.”

  …Of course.

  I look at the machine.

  Regular coffee. Cappuccino. Even espresso.

  “Wow. I wanna try everything,” I say out loud.

  Noxx walks between my legs demanding food, thumping his tail on my calf twice like I’m late on rent.

  “Yeah, yeah, I hear you.”

  I set it to regular coffee. The smell is divine.

  Then my stomach remembers: sugar and creamer.

  I open the cabinet above the machine and there it is—purple demon sugar you gotta pre-order from Hell Farmlands… and demon creamer.

  No pun intended.

  I take a sip.

  Peace.

  Then the Ledger pops up like it’s offended I’m happy.

  0/20 Wounded0/10 IllnessesComment: Get ready for a long day.

  I stare at it.

  Noxx stares at it too, head tipped up like he wants to bite it.

  “Wait a moment,” I tell it.

  Then I hear a knock.

  I call out, “Wait— I’m not decent!”

  The person on the other side says, calm, “Take your time. I can wait in the lobby.”

  I switch out of my black robe into my doctor uniform—black lab coat, purple gown, and a name tag that says:

  Sophia Valac.

  Noxx scratches at the door, impatient.

  I open it.

  My office opens into the lobby where the nurses are.

  And I see him.

  Gallant like a noble soldier. Fierce like a dragon.

  Scorin is standing by the doorway like a guard posted for the world’s most annoying princess—me.

  I have to catch myself before I trip on my own feet.

  “Good morning,” he says.

  I clear my throat like I’m normal.

  “Good morning to you too. You been there long?”

  “No,” Scorin says immediately.

  The staff says otherwise with their faces.

  Scorin glances back at them with that stare that says mind your business, and everybody suddenly remembers they have papers to file and patients to… be patients.

  I laugh a little. I can’t help it.

  He blushes—actual blush—then says, “Can I help you out today?”

  I’m shocked.

  But I don’t mind it.

  Because this version of Scorin? This version isn’t trying to kill me like the manga version would’ve.

  “Alright,” I say, trying not to sound happy about it. “Ask a nurse for protective gear. Gown. Mask. All that. Then meet me in the first room.”

  He nods like he just got assigned a mission from God.

  He goes to get changed with a relieved look like he was waiting for me to say yes.

  And I—unfortunately—have work.

  Real work.

  The first patient is a young demon boy. Fever. Chest pain.

  Scorin steps in while I’m checking him, and the boy gets scared because he recognizes Scorin.

  I immediately tell him, “Relax. He’s here to help.”

  The boy looks up and smiles.

  “Thanks, mister!”

  Scorin flinches just a little like he’s confused why anyone would thank him.

  He waves anyway. Dips his mask like he’s trying to be polite.

  The kid has the Demon Flu.

  Easy fix.

  I wave my hand and Umbral Grace flies out like it’s nothing.

  …That’s new. Usually I gotta focus harder, hold my hands out, do the whole dramatic I’m not dying today stance.

  The Ledger ticks up.

  1/10 IllnessComment: keep up the good work d-(WuW)-b

  I glare at it and raise my fist.

  “Really wanna act smug?”

  The kid laughs nervously.

  “Thank you! I feel much better!”

  I smile.

  And Scorin—

  Scorin is looking at me like he just saw gold.

  Not “cute gold.”

  More like “locked vault treasure” gold.

  His eyes have that red glint.

  Possession.

  I don’t know why, but it makes my stomach do something stupid.

  The Ledger glows brighter like it’s yelling at me to hurry up.

  And while I’m working, my brain starts drifting.

  I didn’t expect my brothers to be like that.

  Riku should’ve died out there.

  In the manga he did die.

  He wasn’t supposed to be sleeping in a guest room in my hospital right now like some VIP patient.

  And why is Scorin even here helping?

  Isn’t he supposed to be in the kingdom?

  Wait…

  Didn’t he say—

  “Neither was touching her.”

  Against the Dominion hero.

  WAIT WHAT WAS THAT?!

  I’m over here blushing like a schoolgirl and Scorin is staring like he can hear my thoughts.

  He leans closer.

  “Sophia,” he says, low. “Your patient looks like he’s dying. Should we do something?”

  I snap back into my demon body so fast I almost sprain my pride.

  “I’m sorry!”

  The Ledger climbs and climbs.

  10/20 Wounded4/10 Illnesses

  And I’m thinking—

  Even though this is MY hospital, I still can’t be lazy.

  Then the crow lands.

  Right on my shoulder like it pays rent.

  A black familiar shaped like a crow—quiet, serious, like a messenger that knows secrets.

  I blink at it.

  “…Uh. You got something for me?”

  It leans in like it’s gossip.

  Then my father’s voice comes out of its beak.

  “I hope you find everything to your liking. I will be running work of my own at home. Be mindful to relax. Also… I see Scorin is there too.”

  The crow looks at me like it’s waiting.

  Then it speaks again like a tape recorder.

  “Would you like to send a message back?”

  I smirk.

  “Yeah. Tell that big lug of a father—”

  The crow’s eyes light up.

  Recording started.

  …Oh no.

  And I didn’t know.

  So I’m talking—talking talking—all the insults, all the sass, all the “he thinks he can schedule me like a miracle vending machine”—

  Then the crow flies off mid-roast.

  “Message received.”

  My soul almost leaves my body.

  Across the ward, Scorin is panicking because a severed demon limb is moving away from its owner like it has free will.

  My soul fully leaves my body.

  While I’m getting ready for round two, I rotate my shoulders like I’m about to enter a boxing ring.

  I walk up to the patient.

  His arm is pointed in a direction it absolutely should not be.

  He looks at me and says, “Princess, well uh—”

  “Save it,” I tell him immediately. “A doctor cures the wounded. We don’t ask what caused it.”

  The veteran’s eyes glow brighter. Like Hell just obtained its own angel.

  Scorin is behind me watching—getting hyped like this is a duel instead of surgery.

  All I see in his eyes though is that same red glint.

  Like I belong somewhere guarded.

  Somewhere caged.

  I don’t bother with it.

  I grab the arm.

  Crack. Reset.

  Umbral Grace seals the bone like it never happened.

  He groans once, then flexes it like it’s brand new.

  The Ledger flickers.

  3/20 Wounded

  “Next,” I say.

  Demon female. Holy residue leaking from her shoulder.

  “Do. Not. Touch it,” I tell Scorin before he even moves.

  He freezes instantly.

  While I’m healing her, she smiles at me like she knows something.

  “You have a cute boyfriend working behind you.”

  I almost drop my focus.

  “I—uh—it’s not like that.”

  Scorin stands there completely helpless.

  His face says nothing.

  But his eyes say: mine.

  I glance at him.

  “Do you know what this lady means?”

  He blinks.

  “Uh… boyfriend? Like… a boy being a friend?”

  Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

  The demon woman and I both stare at him.

  Hopeless.

  Completely hopeless.

  The Ledger updates.

  5/20 Wounded

  I’m resting at the nurse station, sitting behind the desk.

  Scorin is trying to learn how I like my coffee like he’s defusing a bomb.

  I stare at the Ledger.

  It stares back like my mother Lysandra when I refuse to get out of bed.

  10/20 Wounded4/10 Illnesses

  Then it adds something new.

  Addition: Completing today’s quota will unlock a personal benefit.

  I squint.

  “…Excuse me?”

  Before I can argue with a floating book again, Scorin comes back with two cups of coffee like he’s carrying explosives.

  “I hope you like it.”

  He hands it to me.

  It looks perfect. Exactly how I described it.

  I look at Noxx.

  “If I pass out, drag me to emergency.”

  I take a sip.

  Perfect.

  My face warms up.

  Scorin sees it.

  And something shifts in him like he just got rewarded.

  “You know,” he says quietly, “if you didn’t make snappy comebacks all the time… you’d be more cute.”

  I choke on my coffee.

  “If you got time to stare, you got time to help more patients!”

  He laughs and jogs away like I just scolded a big dragon puppy.

  This one?

  Funniest of the day.

  Scorin is holding a severed limb from a demon male.

  We’re trying to reattach it.

  Then it pops off.

  Like it had a plan of escape.

  Scorin panics like he just saw something illegal.

  I stare at the crawling arm.

  “Sir… your arm is looking for the exit.”

  The demon male shrugs weakly. “Yeah. It does that sometimes.”

  I stare at him like I should not have heard that sentence.

  Noxx bolts after the arm.

  Catches it.

  It goes limp in his mouth like it gave up on life.

  Noxx trots back proudly and drops it in my hands.

  I smirk.

  “You’re better than that lizard, aren’t ya?”

  Scorin freezes like he just took emotional damage.

  The Ledger updates.

  15/20 Wounded

  I head toward the VIP guest room.

  I already know who’s inside.

  Riku.

  And his fiancée.

  Scorin perks up the moment I say her name.

  Pure fanboy energy.

  “Wait—wait—I finally get to meet her?”

  I stop walking.

  “…Finally?”

  He rushes to explain. “I’ve been a fan for a while! I watch from the air over the concerts a lot.”

  I look at him like he just confessed to theft.

  “You know even if you’re in the air you should pay for a seat. The amount of work she puts into her dance and song should be worth the ticket.”

  He looks like he said something he shouldn’t have.

  I sigh.

  “Well next time you do that… take me with you.”

  His face lights up.

  “YEAH! Let’s do it!”

  I knock twice.

  A voice inside calls out, soothing and bright, “I’m coming!”

  The door opens and—

  I see her.

  A stunning succubus. Like the word “beautiful” needed an upgrade.

  Scorin nudges me like say something.

  I start to sass him back—then her face hits me again and my brain stutters.

  Syrin—trying so hard not to look like Syrin—fails completely because her aura is loud.

  And then I see the mic.

  She has it like it’s her baby.

  My mouth opens before my pride can stop me.

  “Yo… you’re the pop idol—”

  Riku, in the fluffiest bed I have ever seen, looks smug.

  “Took you long enough.”

  Scorin recognized her in half a second.

  He’s starstruck.

  I elbow him in the abs.

  His abs are too hard.

  I hurt my elbow.

  Riku laughs and I wanna slug him, but that’s more work, so I choose peace.

  “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you,” I say, going humble on purpose. “I would hope it’d be on stage.”

  Syrin gasps like she remembered something.

  “Oh! Right! Tickets!”

  She beams.

  “I got you guys tickets but they’re coming soon so be ready!”

  Scorin snaps up immediately. “I’ll be there. Don’t worry.”

  Before I can crack a joke, Syrin beats me to it.

  She raises her microphone like it’s a weapon and points it right at him.

  “Dragon boy with the air seat—WE SEE YOU.”

  Scorin freezes.

  Syrin leans in like she’s about to sing his crimes.

  “We don’t say nothing because you’re a Neutral noble—BUT TO ME YOU ARE ROBBING ME! Those concerts are hard you know!”

  Scorin coughs.

  “Oh right—lol—yeah yeah, I got you. Don’t worry.”

  “Mmhm,” Syrin says like she doesn’t believe him at all.

  Riku coughs loudly.

  “Ahem. Hello. Patient.”

  I remember I’m at work and shouldn’t be watching a comedy act but work drama is the best food.

  “Alright alright,” I say. “Prince Drama, let’s get this over with.”

  I glance at Scorin.

  “Let’s finish this, I wanna sit down.”

  Scorin looks at me like something clicked—like he finally realized I’m not a weapon, I’m a person who’s been working all day and is running on coffee and hate.

  Syrin is still ranting about the free air seats.

  I laugh.

  Then I add, looking dead at Scorin:

  “Until now. Fork up those air-seat money, you leech.”

  Scorin takes emotional damage.

  Riku looks like he just realized he’s not the protagonist in this room and waits his turn.

  I stop laughing and focus up.

  I pour Umbral Grace out of my hands like a waterfall.

  Riku visibly relaxes into it like it’s the best thing he’s ever felt.

  I pretend I didn’t notice.

  Syrin watches like she’s jealous and I do not comment on it because I’m trying to survive my job.

  Syrin moves fast.

  Too fast.

  Before I can stop her—before Scorin can stop her—she slips her hand into my Umbral Grace.

  And she just says, dreamy:

  “…It feels like midnight.”

  I blink.

  “…What?”

  Riku mutters from the bed, like he’s used to this.

  “…She does that.”

  The Ledger hums smugly.

  20/20 WoundedComment: Finally.

  I glare at it.

  “Don’t start.”

  I finish the last of Riku’s treatment, then step back and exhale like I’ve been holding my breath all day.

  “Alright,” I tell Riku. “No being dramatic. Rest.”

  Syrin folds her arms, then smiles at me like we’re already family.

  “Thank you,” she says. “For being here.”

  Then she adds, soft, like she almost forgets where she is:

  “We’re happy you’re in this life cycle with us—”

  I turn around, confused and interested.

  “…What do you mean by that?”

  Syrin’s mouth opens.

  “Oh, we are rein—”

  Riku coughs like his lungs tried to escape his body.

  “Syrin.”

  It’s a warning.

  Syrin blinks like she forgot herself.

  Riku pulls her closer.

  “Let the doctor work.”

  Syrin nods quickly, quieter now.

  “I know… I’m sorry.”

  I don’t press it.

  Because my Ledger is still floating and my day is still not over.

  “Okay,” I say, clearing my throat. “You two relax and catch up. Me and Scorin gotta finish paperwork and refill the umbral potions for tomorrow.”

  Scorin follows me like a loyal knight.

  He waves at Riku. “Feel better. We’ll talk soon.”

  Then he looks at Syrin, smiling like he can’t help himself.

  “And Syrin… can’t wait to watch you in the sky again.”

  Syrin points the mic at him again instantly.

  “WAIT—YOU NEED TO PAY BACK FOR THOSE FREE AIR SEATS!”

  Scorin laughs like he’s guilty.

  Riku squeezes Syrin’s hand and says, calm:

  “Let them go for now.”

  Syrin looks at him like she’s known him forever.

  Even in this new life.

  Riku looks out the window, eyes following something far away—like he can feel Noxx even through walls.

  “…Yeah,” he murmurs. “Always.”

  After leaving Riku’s room, me and Scorin head toward the nurse station where the files are.

  When I step in, the first thing I notice is the wall.

  Pictures.

  Nurses with their families. Pets. Baby demons. Old demon couples. Somebody’s ugly lizard with a bowtie.

  Cute.

  I don’t know why it hits me.

  Maybe because the ward is usually blood and screaming.

  Maybe because for a second it feels… normal.

  I sit down hard like my legs remember I’m ten but my soul remembers overtime.

  Scorin stands next to the chair like he doesn’t know whether to sit or guard.

  “You alright?” he asks. “You seem worried.”

  I try to play it off.

  “…Could it be Noxx?” he adds, like he already knows.

  I swallow.

  “Yeah. I miss my little boy.”

  Scorin’s eyes soften a fraction.

  “I bet he will be fine,” he says. “He seems smart. Honestly… I expected him to be more like a dog.”

  He pauses.

  “But when I see you working—he’s more like a guard.”

  “Yeah,” I say quietly. “He makes me happy.”

  The Ledger hums at the edge of my sight like it’s listening.

  Then—

  The hospital doors open.

  Not normal.

  Not nurse normal.

  Not “patient arrived” normal.

  It’s like somebody pushed them with two small hands and didn’t care about the ward rules.

  I lean forward, annoyed.

  “We closed for the night—”

  Then I see it.

  Noxx.

  Standing there.

  And on top of his head—

  A shiny, tiny person.

  Small. Bright. Black-snow light.

  Like a star that fell into shadow and decided it liked it.

  Scorin tilts his head.

  “…Uh. I guess she didn’t have an appointment.”

  I stare.

  “…Yeah,” I say. “I don’t treat fairies.”

  Noxx’s lantern is blinking.

  Slow.

  Then faster.

  Blink… blink… blinkblinkblink—

  Like he ran so far the lantern couldn’t even breathe right.

  The tiny person laughs and flies off Noxx’s head toward me.

  Her voice is smooth and smug like she’s been alive longer than my bloodline.

  “She chose a sassy one.”

  I blink.

  “…She?”

  And for half a second my brain flashes that evil goddess again.

  That smug look.

  Like she’s always watching.

  The fairy hovers in front of my face like she owns the air.

  I cross my arms.

  “Ahem. How can I help you, little miss… who is standing on my dog’s head acting high and mighty?”

  She grins.

  “You didn’t read the comments on the Ledger?”

  I freeze.

  “…Come again?”

  She flicks her fingers.

  The Ledger pops up instantly—right in front of my face—like it’s excited to snitch on itself.

  And there’s a list of comments.

  All those little “hurry up” notes.

  All those “get it done” notes.

  All those “lol good work” notes.

  The fairy waves like she’s presenting evidence.

  “You see all these comments? That’s me. I was telling you to hurry up and fulfill the prerequisite.”

  My spine goes cold.

  “What prerequisite?”

  She points at Noxx like she’s pointing at an old friend.

  “I was waiting for my ride.”

  My eyes flick to Noxx.

  Then back to her.

  “…You know him?”

  She looks Noxx over like she’s pleased.

  “So you named him Noxx? I guess I’ll call you that too from now on.”

  I stare at Noxx like I don’t know him anymore.

  “Hey,” I whisper. “Don’t joke with me like that.”

  My face goes pale.

  Scorin steps forward so fast I hear his boots.

  His wings flare slightly.

  His hand goes to nothing—

  and his Dragonic Greatsword forms like it’s being pulled out of thin air.

  Gold particles.

  Instant certainty.

  The fairy looks at him, unimpressed.

  Scorin’s voice is plain.

  “Cut to the chase. Why are you here.”

  I can’t breathe for a second because my brain is screaming set up set up set up.

  Noxx moves to me and curls up against my legs like he’s telling me: Don’t worry.

  The fairy raises both hands like, alright alright.

  “Okay okay. No more games.”

  I clutch Noxx anyway. Hard.

  Then I gather my courage.

  “Who are you,” I say, voice shaking, “and what do you want.”

  The fairy glances at Scorin and smirks.

  “Oh, he’s protective.”

  Then she looks at me and says it casually like it won’t ruin my life:

  “Tell your boyfriend to cool it.”

  My face turns into a red stop sign.

  “BOYFRI—”

  Scorin looks genuinely confused like the word is a foreign language.

  But the feeling—whatever that is—washes through him anyway and his blade flickers.

  He disperses it like gold dust and forces calm into his posture.

  The fairy finally gives a tiny bow.

  “My name is Nira.”

  The air shifts just from her saying it.

  Not holy.

  Not angel.

  Something older.

  Demon-tier.

  Umbral-tier.

  She lifts her chin, proud.

  “I am the sole surviving Umbral fairy.”

  My mouth opens.

  “Wait—sole surviving?”

  Nira sighs like she’s tired of explaining.

  “The big evil lady and I had a conversation about your recent adventure in the battlefield.” She smiles. “She thought it was necessary to help you out a bit.”

  Then she adds, deadpan:

  “Also she wanted me to be useful and stop talking to her about you.”

  I blink.

  “…So she’s annoyed?”

  Nira shrugs. “She’s everything.”

  Scorin’s eyes slide to me.

  “You are full of surprises,” he says quietly.

  And that red glint flashes again—like he’s thinking treasure vault thoughts.

  Nira looks at me like she’s examining a bruise.

  “So,” she says. “How’s your back doing?”

  My spine remembers pain.

  I wince before I can stop myself.

  Scorin’s expression changes. Slight anger.

  “You told me you were fine.”

  I stutter.

  “Well I uhh—”

  Nira waves a hand like she’s swatting the topic.

  “It’s fine. With me around, that won’t ever happen again.”

  I stare at her.

  “…That’s a big promise.”

  Nira smiles like she enjoys big promises.

  Then she tilts her head slightly—not dramatic—just enough to show she’s amused.

  “And I’m happy you have a backbone,” she says. “I heard a lot from you from the evil lady.”

  My throat tightens.

  “You—heard?”

  Nira laughs.

  “Yeah. You come from NYC. No wonder you got a slick mouth.”

  Scorin’s eyes narrow.

  Nira’s smile sharpens.

  “Easy, Dragon boy.”

  Then she looks back at me and says it—too casually—like she’s dropping a cup, not a bomb.

  “Choosing you to be her last reincarnation? Watching you do all this was funny as hell.”

  The room goes quiet.

  Like even the ward stopped breathing.

  My face does the thing where it wants to reveal a dark secret.

  I glance at Scorin.

  Then back at Nira.

  Then I lean in and whisper like I’m trying to save my own life:

  “Easy on the reincarnation subject, woulda?”

  Nira’s eyes glitter like she’s entertained.

  Scorin’s face stays still.

  But I can feel it.

  His brain heard it.

  His dragon heart heard it.

  His possessive red-glint definitely heard it.

  Nira yawns like she didn’t just set my world on fire.

  “Anyway,” she says, stretching like she’s been traveling forever. “I’m going to rest now. Me and Noxx had one hell of a field trip.”

  “W-wait,” I say fast. “I got questions—”

  Nira becomes a small black shiny light mid-word.

  She shoots straight into the middle lantern around Noxx’s neck.

  The lantern starts flickering like it’s breathing.

  Noxx looks… happy.

  Like his best friend finally came home.

  I stare at the lantern.

  My mouth hangs open.

  Scorin leans in toward me while I’m still processing.

  His hand touches my chin—gentle, like he didn’t think about it.

  He tilts my face up like I’m the only thing that matters.

  That red flare in his eyes is loud.

  Like the treasure he had just got more amazing.

  His voice is low.

  “Your father was right,” he says.

  I can’t speak.

  He moves closer.

  “You’re growing into something I want.”

  My brain bluescreens.

  Then—

  CLACK. CLACK.

  Heels.

  Syrin storms into the nurse station like it’s her stage.

  She shoves five tickets right into my face.

  “The next concert is in three demon suns,” she says, excited like a child. “We will be there right, Sophia?!”

  I blink like I just got saved by a pop idol.

  “Ye—yeah.”

  Scorin’s eyes flare bright.

  He snatches his ticket like it’s sacred.

  “WE’RE GOING,” he says instantly.

  Syrin points her mic at him again.

  “And you’re PAYING THIS TIME.”

  Riku’s voice comes from the hallway like he’s tired.

  “Syrin. Leave them alone.”

  Syrin pauses.

  Then grins.

  “…Fine.”

  She grabs Riku’s hand and drags him back like he’s luggage.

  I’m still standing there with my cheeks burning.

  Noxx’s lantern flickers like it’s laughing at me.

  Later, when I’m finally trying to breathe, a black crow finds me again.

  It lands like it owns my shoulder.

  It speaks before I can swat it this time.

  My father’s voice comes out like a verdict:

  “For a little girl… you have a foul mouth.”

  My soul leaves my body.

  I stare at the crow.

  It continues.

  “I don’t know where you get it from. I know it’s not from me. I suppose it’s from your mother.”

  I whisper, “Oh my god…”

  The crow keeps going like it’s enjoying itself.

  “But with that being said—come back home tomorrow first thing in the morning.”

  My stomach drops.

  “We have something urgent to discuss,” Father says. “Bring Scorin with you.”

  The crow looks at me like it won.

  Then it dissolves into black particles and vanishes.

  I stare at my bed like it’s going to save me.

  Sleep?

  Yeah right.

  The Ledger pops up one last time.

  A new comment.

  And it’s not the Ledger’s voice.

  It’s Nira’s:

  Comment: HA ha… seeing all this go down is priceless. Good luck with your father.

  I remember the evil lady said he made her hesitate during the revelation.

  I freeze.

  Reading it twice.

  “…Wait,” I whisper to myself. “The evil goddess is a GOD… and she feared my father?”

  I look out the window at the night like it might answer me.

  Then I look back at my fluffy bed.

  Then I sigh.

  “…I hate it here.”

  Noxx’s lantern flickers like it’s laughing.

  And somewhere far away—

  the world is already moving its next piece.

  Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this chapter, please leave a like/follow (and a comment if you have thoughts—feedback helps a lot). As mentioned above, AI is used as a writing assistant, but the creative work and decisions are my own, and I keep draft snapshots for transparency. See you next chapter!