Ara stands on the upper deck of the ship, hypnotized by the abyssal seas as if the unseen bottom is calling to her. There's this void feeling lurking inside- The feeling of feeling nothing. Things just don't feel whole.

How do you fix a problem, when you don't know the problem? She asks herself.

That would mean you must create the problem. She responds.

Her time downstairs with the others left her curious about them. Their lives seem so free, and something draws her to that. She knows she's not much of a fighter though, but what if she could be? This thing inside her feels like a connection to something powerful. She feels it…

She also feels like that thing is aware. Aware of their connection. The link feeds both ways and sometimes, the other side's stronger than she is. Part of her feels as though this is a great gift that Luná has blessed her with. The other thinks it's a work of Al'chem. Something coveted, but rightly prohibited. The anger it brings out of her has made it difficult to mask her emotions like before. Fury stems from deep within her soul and seeps out as if a boiling pot has overflowed. It's scary. But inviting.

"They say the sea to Dantas is a treacherous one because the beauty of the ocean creates a misguided trust," Chaung says, making his way over to Ara.

Ara says nothing.

"I'm sorry I couldn't get there in time," He says, as he leans on the railings of the ship to gaze down at the crystal void. "I didn't know the execution was scheduled,"

"It wasn't your fault," Ara sighs. "They arrested and executed us immediately,"

"Why?"

"They said we'd broken many laws, I was too panicked to hear the list. I committed the worst one."

"What do you mean?"

"I used magic. In public," She says, turning away from the ocean but avoiding eye contact too.

"I was walking home late one night and there was this kid. He got roughed up by some jerks, I don't know- I didn't see them, I just arrived afterward… It was bad. I haven't seen anyone lose that much blood before," She crosses her arms, holding them tightly against her chest.

"If I left him there he'd just die… You know? I salvaged enough of his blood and closed up his wounds. A few minutes later he opened his eyes, smiled, and said thanks, surprised that he was still alive. The next morning we got a knock on the door. It was the Imperial guard. They didn't say anything or explain what was going on, they just burst into every room and lined us up outside. It's not how they usually do inspections, I was so confused… Until they brought over the kid, from the night before. At that moment, I knew I'd killed us."

Chaung sighs, looking away from Ara to digest what she said. "It's not your fault." He concludes

"... You weren't listening."

"You fucked up. You did. But, they've been trying to kill us for a very long time. Before you were born, even."

"We bear the consequences of our ancestors" He adds.

"I hate it."

I HATE IT. Her mind echoes.

"Me too. But you know what they would say right?"

"Take a moment, then move." She responds.

"Yeah."

They both fall silent as the falling waves collide with the sounds of a rhythmic nothingness. With each beat of the tide, Ara's body pulses numb.

"Where you going, brother?"

Ara hears a child's voice reverberate from beyond the waves. She spins to look out to the ocean and sees two soft lights dancing behind a now-illuminated wave, amongst the darkness.

"A place faaar away" responds a teenager's voice.

"When will you come back though?" Asks the child.

"I don't know yet,"

"What do you see?" Asks Chaung, snapping Ara's attention as the sound of his voice vacuums to the forefront.

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"I don't-" Ara pauses, looking back out to the sea, but the night encompasses it.

"I don't know."

"It's like a dream?… Or a memory? There were lights… Souls, behind the waves. They were talking to each other."

"About what?" He asks.

"The voice of a child was asking a young boy where he was going and he told her he was going far away. The child asked when he'll come back but the boy didn't know."

"And you could see them?"

"Only as lights in the distance. The same thing happened when I was speaking to Nina."

"Well, I wouldn't know how it works. But I think you just read my mind." He says. "I was thinking about the last time I saw you. You must have been of six at the time."

What? Her mind probes.

"What were you talking to Nina about?

"She was telling me about her life in Valantis. I saw what I felt were souls then too. I think the lights were her and her family."

"Alright," Chaung says as he stands up straight. "What am I thinking?"

Ara focuses on trying to read Chaungs mind, staring into the abyss of night whilst straining in an attempt to see or hear a glow.

Relax. Don't try too hard. Ara's mind suggests.

Ara takes a deep breath, relaxing her body and closing her eyes. She focuses on Chaung's mind again and the sound of his voice.

A gathering of voices overcomes Ara's hearing. Voices of hatred, love, and everything in between. Rushing by like grains in a sandstorm.

"Chaung, we aren't going to talk about this again." Ara hears Nina speaking sternly from behind her.

"Nina," Ara responds.

"Yeah," Chaung says, looking surprised.

"Talk about what again?"

"What?" He asks

"She said- Chaung, we aren't going to talk about this again. Talk about what?"

"Oh, we're still sorting that out. Don't worry about it, I can just be a handful sometimes."

"Sorry-"

"No, it's okay. You should know that wasn't what was at the front of my mind… But it was definitely in there."

"I assume you're guided by thoughts with the strongest emotions." He adds

"I also need to have heard their voice. I don't know how I know that, but I've concentrated on voices every time."

"You're on the verge of discovering a technique," Chaung giggles. "You might be useful after all."

Ara chuckles. "There's a lot of noise. I think I need to learn how to navigate the sea of one's thoughts,"

"With time, you will. We'll practice some more tomorrow. You can try it with the others as well. We'll probably need to teach you how to fight too."

"Why would I need to know how to fight?"

“We’ll be stepping into a war zone.”

"Why would you take me to a warzone?"

"We have a friend that needs some help with his rebellion."

"You're still till not listening."

Chaung's belly erupts in laughter. "How long have you been alive? Of twenty rotations?"

"You don't have to stay with us. You can do whatever you want once we arrive. Take the boat if you'd like. I'll have Yasuke teach you the basics."

"And if I stay?"

"Then you can join us. Become a leopard."

"What rebellion is this?"

"There's a man named Tolith Encaryn. He's trying to stage a coup."

"So, you're attempting to do good?"

"Something like that. The war hasn't started just yet. We'll be there for some operations that will kick it off."

"Then what?"

"Maybe we stay, help them with the war a bit. By then our clients will most likely be making requests too. We'll all vote on it."

"I don't know," Ara says, pondering over her options.

Where would I go? She wonders.

"Also keep in mind that you're a fugitive now. Anywhere occupied by Bada is bad news if you get caught and ID'd."

"I'll decide when the time comes."

"That's fine too. Let me know what you decide."

"Isn't there Bada presence in Dantas?"

Chaung chuckles. "Yeah."

"I'm heading off to bed." he adds as he walks away. "Don't read my mind!"

What should I do? Is staying with them the right move? Is it too dangerous? He said it's a warzone, what the fuck! Where do I go, alone? I'm alone. Nihil? No, I've heard it's worse there. Gelida? Shit, I don't know! Ara's mind races with indecision, pacing her way along the upper deck.

This is pointless. I might as well take my time with this. She takes a deep breath, feeling her body expand as she breathes in. She hasn't taken the time to gather her thoughts. It's been one thing after another lately, it's tough to be present. A lot of change, stress… Anxiety. It's understandable considering what's happened but it's frustrating. The discomfort of not feeling like yourself. She's nervous this discomfort won't fade for quite some time.

Take a moment, then move. She reminds herself.

The feeling in her stomach has gotten more intense, especially after experimenting with Chaung. It felt. Right. There's an urge within her to keep feeding this desire for… Something more.

"All children of Luná are children of magic. Some more than others." - Neillum Morello