Sienna lifted the spear with her once broken arm. She felt her strength waver. She looked at Titus, who was watching her carefully. If she could just lift it above her shoulder like she used to. Her arm fell to her side, and she released the spear. It took all of her willpower to not just kick the spear into the lake and watch it sink to the bottom.

“You were closer that time,” Eren piped up.

Sienna nodded. She didn’t know how to feel about Eren, who’s been watching her just as closely as Titus. Ever since she healed her arm, Eren was by her side. Sienna would have thought that Eren would have spent more time with Naomi and Archer after she was fully healed, but it only led to more eyes on her. It seemed a little foolish to watch her so closely, but Sienna wouldn’t complain. She saw how Eren moved with the spear, and she was masterful. What she lacked in technique, she made up with in brute force, something Sienna admired. She aspired to have such prowess with the spear but mostly in technique. And she doubted that she would ever get back to where she used to be again. If only she was stronger earlier.

“It’s not enough though. I should be stronger. It’s been a week since I healed my arm,” Sienna said. She sat down by the lake in defeat.

“Like you said, it has only been a week.” Eren sat beside Sienna. “Start with something smaller than a spear. Lift up a rock or a satchel. Do that until you can lift it above your shoulder. Keep drawing too. It builds up muscle. It strengthens the bone again. You might have healed it, but you didn’t bring back the strength.”

Sienna’s brows furrowed. “I know you’re right. It just frustrates me that I’m not better than this.”

“Hey, I get that. I wish I was better too. I have no control over my anger, so sometimes I’ll wake up and my blanket is on fire, or even worse, Isla’s tail is on fire.” Eren smiled.

Sienna chuckled softly. “I can imagine how hard that is.” She looked at Titus. “At least, I’m able to ride him a lot sooner than I thought I would be able to.”

Titus swam in a big circle, brushing against Sienna’s feet.

“I think I’ll go for a ride right now. Clear my mind and reset.” Sienna slid into the lake and swam towards Titus.

“See you later,” Eren waved.

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It felt right to be sitting on the fish’s back, more than anything. Though it hadn’t been that long since Sienna rode him last, it felt like a lifetime. She pulled the ribbon out of her hair and let the wind go through it. This was freedom. This was all she ever wanted in the world. Sienna smiled as Titus jumped through the air and dove into the lake. She held onto him with all her strength. When they reached the top, she laughed. She was free and safe again.

Sienna slid off of him and laid on her back in the water, enjoying the presence of the warming sun on her face. She floated around and was content for the first time in a while. Though she had much work to do, like help repair the houses and bridges of the Fisherman Tribe, she could rest easy. Naomi and Archer took it upon themselves to do that chore. She was grateful for them doing such a thing for her.

“They have been nothing but helpful this entire time.” Sienna whispered. “Maybe it wouldn’t be too bad to try and train with them? How would that even work? Water and fire don’t mix. It just creates steam.” Her eyes widened. “That’s it. That’s how we defeat Sha’al.”

Sienna positioned herself upright and swam back to Titus. “Let’s head back to Eren. I have an idea.”

===

“Thank you for gathering them here, Eren. It means a lot that you trust me enough to listen to this idea,” Sienna said with a smile. She paced back and forth in front of the oak tree that overshadowed the lake, but at least it outputted her anxious energy in some way. A branch snapped, drawing Sienna’s attention to it. Fear filled her. It hadn’t been a month. Sha’al shouldn’t be here yet. He promised a month.

“It’s just us!” Naomi’s voice called out.

Relief washed over Sienna immediately. She exhaled slowly, recollecting herself. “I thought you were someone else,” she said as Naomi and Archer came out from behind the bushes.

“I get that.” Naomi smiled. They sat on the ground beside Eren. “I was told you wanted to talk to us.”

Sienna nodded. “I might have found a way to defeat Sha’al.” She turned her attention to Eren. “Could you summon a flame please?”

Eren cocked her head to the side. She rose to her feet and extended her hand outwards. A bright orange flame formed immediately and danced along Eren’s hand.

Sienna summoned a droplet of water. “On three, shoot your flame towards the oak.”

“Understood.” Eren readied herself.

“One… two… three!” Sienna shot her water droplet in a straight line towards the tree. Eren’s flame intercepted the water. A burst of steam filled the air. “This is how we’ll defeat him. With the power of steam.”

Naomi’s and Archer’s eyes lit up with excitement.

“I knew you could figure something out!” Archer jumped to his feet and hugged Sienna.

“Now just to perfect it.” She embraced Archer back. For once, she didn’t feel like a failure. She felt like she was the strongest she has ever been in her life. Everything would be smooth sailing from here. She knew it would be.