Aeris strode through the eastern ward of Priscilla Academy, her boots echoing softly against the cold stone tiles. 

The House of Healing loomed ahead, a sanctuary for those battered and bruised by the academy’s trials. 

It was quite the exuberant spectacle but she didn't have time to gawk at the radiant architecture.

Her mind was still racing, replaying the moment she had intervened in Talia's fight with Vali. She had killed before efficiently, and without remorse. 

So why had seeing Talia's bloodied and broken body stoked such a fervent rage inside of her.

 That vexing girl had stolen far more of her attention than anyone else and Aeris found it disturbing.

She’s a mere pawn.

 Aeris thought, slowing her breath.

She didn't have time to concern herself with the weak and helpless.

She had too much on her plate with Vali and his elusive master and preventing her own execution.

Then why couldn’t she shake these wretched feelings, She shouldn't even be here, She could be training, She needed to refocus.

The cool air in the ward did little to quell the heat rising in her chest.

 Aeris shook her head, refocusing as she entered the House of Healing lobby.

Lady Morgana, the chief healer, was waiting behind a reception desk, dressed in her pristine white laced uniform. 

Her flowing blonde hair framed her tanned skin like golden silk. She glanced up, her sharp eyes assessing.

“Who are we visiting?” Morgana asked, her voice taciturn and succinct.

“Talia Valcrest,” 

Aeris replied calmly, her monotone speech concealing the torrent of emotions swirling beneath the surface.

Morgana gave a curt nod. 

“She’s just woken up, but I must warn you keep it brief. She still needs plenty of rest.”

Aeris inclined her head slightly in acknowledgment. 

Her feet carried her forward, but her mind lingered. 

Why had she intervened? She’d seen suffering countless times. 

She’d caused it without so much as blinking. 

Yet, watching Talia beaten like that had ignited something deep and visceral. 

It gnawed at her, twisted her insides in ways she didn't care for.

The hallway stretched out, feeling longer with each step.

 When she reached Talia’s room, she knocked lightly, then opened the door with a slow creak.

Her breath hitched at the sight of who was inside.

Mary Ashford, of all people, was Her least favourite person in the academy, no the entire world of Lustrous Hearts.

Of course, she’d be here. 

The two girls were talking softly, Talia was bruised, her face still slightly swollen but she was smiling.

That smile seemed to grow wider when she spotted standing awkwardly in the doorway.

“Aeris, Hi” Talia greeted, her voice light despite her exhaustion .

Mary stood quickly, smoothing her skirt as she turned toward Aeris.

 “I didn’t mean to intrude. I came to apologize on behalf of the White Swans.”

Aeris stared her down,her gaze icy and butter.

“Get out of my site, now.” she snapped. 

“Mary blinked, clearly taken aback by Aeris’s cold tone. 

“I’m sorry,” she stammered before bowing slightly and rushing past, her footsteps fading into the hallway.

The room fell into an awkward silence. 

Aeris stood still, her usual confidence faltering as she struggled to find the right words. 

She wasn’t used to this feeling. 

But Talia’s smile remained, soft and unwavering.

“Well, look who’s here,” Talia said, her voice teasing but warm. 

“My hero.”

Aeris’s throat tightened, and she swallowed hard.

 She wasn’t anyone’s hero. That word didn’t fit her, not after all she’d done. 

She moved toward the bed, sitting down at the edge as she tried to find her voice.

“Kind of you to say,” Aeris murmured, her voice quieter than usual. “But I’m not anyone’s hero.”

Talia’s laughter was soft but genuine.

 “You don’t get to decide that, Aeri. You stepped in when no one else lifted a finger, that beast would’ve killed me if it weren’t for you.”

Aeris felt the tension rise. “Aeri?” she repeated, turning to meet Talia’s gaze.

Talia smirked. “Yeah, my new nickname for you. Cute, isn’t it?”

“I… I guess so,” 

Aeris mumbled, heat flushing her cheeks.

She hated the way her body betrayed her in the moment, turning her head to hide the blush spreading across her pale cheeks.

The silence stretched again, but it wasn’t awkward anymore.

 It was thick, charged with something deeper that neither girl dared acknowledge.

 Aeris took a breath and decided to break it.

“Vali,” she began, voice hardening.

 “He was sent here on orders. He told me as much.” 

She explained everything the missing student, Sorithra’s unusual behavior, and the message Vali had delivered before vanishing.

Talia listened intently, her brows furrowing as Aeris spoke. 

When Aeris finished, Talia groaned, tilting her head back.

 “Sounds like some twisted fairy tale,” Talia sighed. 

“But it makes sense. Sorithra’s strict, but she wouldn’t allow a student to get beaten like that unless something was controlling her.”

Aeris could hardly argue with her assessment.

Talia reached out, placing a hand on Aeris’s shoulder, her touch gentle.

 “We should talk to Miss Sorithra. The school needs to know about Vali and whoever this ‘Master’ is, they're bad news’

“We?” Aeris repeated, her voice  soft, her heart pounding at Talia’s touch.

Talia’s eyes softened, a teasing glint in them.

"Naturally! You’re stuck with me now, whether you like it or not.”

Aeris felt her face flush again, and she cursed herself for it.

Her usual composure was crumbling under Talia’s gentle gaze, and the warmth in her chest was growing. 

She wasn’t used to this… affection. She wasn’t used to any of this, now or as Nagisa.

“Let’s go tomorrow,” Aeris said, quickly regaining her composure. 

“For now, you need to rest.”

Talia rolled her eyes, giving a cheeky grin. 

“Yes, Mother.”

Aeris sighed while ruffling Talia’s fiery hair with her hand, earning a playful swat in return.

She rose from the bed, heading toward the door, but before leaving, she turned back. 

“Hey, Talia.”

Talia’s eyes met hers, still filled with that stubborn spark of life. 

“Yeah?”

“They’re going to pay for what they did to you,” Aeris said, her voice low and deadly. 

“I swear.”

Talia’s lips curled into a small smile. 

“I’ll hold you to that.”

With that, Talia let her head fall back against the pillow, her eyes fluttering shut as exhaustion overtook her.

Aeris lingered for a moment longer, watching her. 

“Sweet dreams, Lia,” she whispered before stepping out, closing the door gently behind her.

As she walked down the hallway, the feeling that had stirred in her refused to fade.

 It was foreign and uncomfortable. But she couldn’t shake it despite her best efforts

And she wasn’t entirely sure she wanted too.