Dimensional Descent

Aina sat in silent meditation, her aura in perfect balance. She took deep breaths, controlling her inhale and exhale in cycles that lasted sometimes up to several minutes.

Suddenly, she opened her eyes just as there was a light knock to her and Leonel's room.

"Yes, you can enter."

Savahn came in with a worried expression on her face, one that actually caused Aina to laugh slightly.

"What is it?"

Savahn was speechless. "Why are you laughing, this is serious."

"I don't know, this is just the first time in a while I've seen anything but a smile on your face, I found it interesting."

Savahn blushed, seemingly understanding what Aina was getting at. But then she remembered that she wasn't entirely without ammo in this conversation.

"You're one to talk, I can still smell it in the air."

Aina suddenly panicked. "Smell? What smell?!"

Aina's head snapped around before she froze. This time, it was her turn to blush. There was no smell, clearly Savahn was just making fun of her and had won this round.

of her. After the Metamorphosis, she had thought that maybe all their previous interactions had all been an act, but by now, she knew that it wasn't that the Aina she had known was fake, it was only that

coughed slightly, trying to

for something important? Look

Savahn laughed, "about as innocent as a death

Aina was too flustered to respond, Savahn graciously took her

Hutch has died already by... the hands of his

personally. Even so, it was impossible for her not to feel anything simply for the fact

known that this was a distinct possibility. No parent wanted to end their child's life, and there was definitely no grandparent who wanted their grandchild's life. However, Hutch had been unlucky in two ways, he had not only outlived his children, but he was faced with

choose to die rather than make such a voice. It didn't matter to him that Leonel had warned him, it

this era had passed him by. Despite his talent, he never really felt the same passion

this was his choice or not, Aina knew that Leonel

we do?" Savahn

and exhaled. "Nothing. Now isn't the time

"Even with the capital being burned

head and smiled bitterly. She couldn't repeat what Leonel had said before he left. Her thoughts flashed and she remembered that annoying smirk on

man was really too much. This was an existential crisis, but he could only see

Aina knew the real Leonel. More likely than not, it was something that he was too lazy to explain. If he could stop the unnecessary deaths,

the same thing tying down the four Great Families. It didn't make sense if only one

Emperor Fawkes could wave a hand and deal with everything, he would have.

we'll be on standby," Savahn nodded. She turned to leave but hesitated for a moment. "If you need anything, I'm here