“So,” Rachel began. “What will we talk about now that we're just chillin’ and all?”

Sapphira gazed down at the floor, her eyes calculated with thought before she spoke first. “I'm…sorry for what I had to do to your friend back there. I had to protect the World Core no matter what, and I couldn't let her thirst for vengeance jeopardize that.”

Sapphira spoke with remorse in her voice, her eyes full of a mixture of guilt and determination. The others listened intently, understanding the weight of her words.

"It's all right," Alice said gently, her warm gaze meeting Sapphira's. "We understand the pressure you were under. It must have been difficult having to defend the World Core, knowing that it was a matter of life and death.”

"Especially after being trapped alone for such a long time," Camilla chimed in, nodding in agreement. "You did what you felt was right.”

"Exactly," Noelle added, her voice filled with empathy. "We're not here to judge your past actions, but we’re a team now. You're safe with us, all right?”

Sapphira felt a wave of comfort sweep over her at the reassurance of the group. Her shoulders relaxed, and a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "Thank you," she murmured, her voice soft and sincere. "I appreciate your understanding.”

"No problem," Zalgo said, her hands resting behind her head. "We're in this together now."

"Yeah," Rachel nodded, an encouraging grin on her face. "You're one of us now, and we look after our own.”

Camilla then chuckled, a mischievous smile on her lips. "So, now that you’re staying with us, I want to ask you something else.”

Sapphira raised a brow, curious to hear what Camilla had to say. "What is it?”

Camilla leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Since you've been isolated down there for centuries, you probably haven’t seen too many people, right?”

Sapphira nodded, a hint of sadness in her expression. "You have no idea. I've been alone for so long, I've lost count of the years. Seeing all of you was a shock to my system.”

"And since you probably didn't have any mirrors down there," Camilla added, tilting her head. “You haven't seen what you look like in a while, have you?”

Sapphira’s eyes widened at the question, and she looked away, her expression turning sheepish. “No…I haven’t. I haven’t seen my reflection in ages.”

"Well, don’t you want to know how you look now? You’ve probably changed over the centuries," Camilla asked with a hint of excitement in her voice. "I mean, you look incredible now, but I can’t even imagine what you looked like years ago.”

This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

Sapphira hesitated, fidgeting with her hands as she avoided eye contact. "I...I suppose I am curious," she admitted. "But it’s also a bit frightening. I’m not sure I’m ready to see how much time has changed me.”

Camilla rolled her eyes teasingly, a cheeky grin on her face. "You’ll be fine. You can trust me. Come here, and I’ll show you what you look like now, alright?”

Sapphira let out a small breath, gathering her courage. "Okay," she agreed, floating closer to Camilla.

Camilla led Sapphira over to the bathroom, the sound of their footsteps echoing in the small space. The bathroom was clean and well-furnished, with a large mirror on one wall, flanked by twin sinks.

"Here we go," Camilla said, gesturing to the mirror. "You’re about to see yourself for the first time in centuries. Ready?”

Sapphira’s breath hitched, her heart pounding in her chest. She was both excited and terrified, but she knew she had to face it. She nodded, bracing herself as she turned to look in the mirror.

As Sapphira’s eyes met her reflection, she gasped aloud. Staring back at her was a face that was both familiar and foreign at the same time. Her long, flowing black hair with blue tips was all too familiar to her. The shape of her face was similar to what she remembered, but time had carved new lines and contours into her skin, giving her a more mature, defined look. Her eyes were the same captivating shade of cyan, though now framed by a few laugh lines. Her dark skin glowed with an ageless beauty, a testament to her resilience throughout the centuries.

Sapphira simply stood there, awestruck.

Tears welled up in Sapphira's eyes as she took in her reflection. She reached out a trembling hand, gently touching the mirror, as if expecting the image to shatter or vanish. But it was real. This was her, here and now, a beautiful testament to her survival through the years.

"Oh...oh my goddess," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.

Camilla observed Sapphira, her gaze filled with a mix of affection and joy. She could see the range of emotions playing across Sapphira's face—the disbelief, the shock, the wonder.

"See, I told you," Camilla murmured gently. "You're stunning.”

Camilla observed Sapphira, her gaze filled with a mix of affection and joy. She could see the range of emotions playing across Sapphira's face—the disbelief, the shock, the wonder.

"See, I told you," Camilla murmured gently. "You're stunning.”

Sapphira laughed, a mixture of relief and disbelief. "I look...so different. And yet, so familiar. It's overwhelming," she admitted, her hands now steadying on the sides of the sink.

"Change is a part of life," Camilla said, leaning against the counter. "And honestly, I think you look amazing." She paused, a smirk playing on her lips. "Plus, you’ve got these ridiculously high cheekbones that people would kill for.”

Sapphira couldn’t help but chuckle at Camilla’s remark. It was true though. Her cheekbones were more prominent now, framing her face in a striking way.

“You flatter me so,” she said, a hint of playfulness in her tone. "But thank you. For making me do this. I think... I think I needed it.”

"Hey, that's what friends are for," Camilla replied with a shrug. "To push you, to nudge you out of your comfort zone. And in your case, out of your underground cave."

She smirked, a teasing glow in her eyes. “But yeah, let's go back. I'm sure the others would love spending more time with you!”

Sapphira nodded, her gaze lingering on the reflection for one final moment before she turned away.

"Lead the way," she said, her voice more cheerful than before. She followed Camilla out of the bathroom, a new sense of assurance filling her body.

They returned to the living room where the others were still waiting. They all turned their gazes towards Sapphira as she entered, sensing a change in her demeanor.

Alice was the first to speak, a warm smile on her lips. "Everything okay?"

Sapphira smiled back, a newfound comfort in her expression. "More than okay," she replied. "I just...needed a moment." She looked around the room, meeting the gazes of each girl.

"Camilla showed me what I look like. It was a lot to process.”

The other girls exchanged glances, understanding the weight of the moment. Camilla quickly perked back up, however, beginning the long overdue introductions.

“Welp, let's lighten the mood a bit by introducing you to our gang! You have…”

Camilla gestured to each of the girls with her hand, listing their names from right to left.

“Noelle, Alice, Rachel, Zalgo, and me, Camilla!”

Sapphira took mental note of the names, letting out a confirmatory hum once she repeated their names in her head several times.

“Understood. It is such a pleasure to meet you, everyone.”

The girls gave a nod in response, their faces decked with smiles.

"So, um…it must’ve been quite a shock after so long, seeing your reflection," said Noelle, leaning against the wall. "How did it feel?”

"It must’ve been quite a shock after so long," said Sapphira, looking at Alice and Noelle intently. "So, enough about me—where will you be going? What is your next destination after this world?"

Noelle took a moment to ponder, the uncertainty in her eyes clearing up as she focused back on Sapphira. "Well, there is another World Core in need of our aid..."

"Ah? Do tell, I may know which world you are referring to.”

“It's a world rather far from this one…but I assume you'll be familiar with it.”