Hektor never told Selena about how he got the rings, but she could only assume they had something to do with their current condition. She had no choice but to wait until he woke up.

Minutes later, Jason entered the clinic on a stretcher, clutching his wrapped arm and holding back screams behind an agonized expression. Jason spotted Hektor resting in the ward as the stretcher passed by, and his face froze up in fear. He turned his head around, not saying a single word as the nurses took him into a different room.

A single thought ran through her head. What did Hektor do to him?

Soon after, Hektor’s parents, David and Katrina Khion, came by in the afternoon, worried about their child. It was a long time since Selena had seen them, given they died a long time ago in their past life, but she was glad they were just as kind as she remembered. When asked about Hektor, she didn’t know what to say since she didn’t have all the details. She eventually relayed that Hektor defended himself from Jason and managed to get away. David seemed satisfied by the answer, while Katrina worried about what this could mean for the family. Eventually, they had to go.

“Why not stay longer? Hektor could wake up anytime.”

“Well, the miss and I still have a bakery to run,” said David. “We’ll be back later to pick him up if he’s still here.”

Something seemed up with them, but before Selena could think about it further, her mother walked in. Sophie and Hektor’s parents talked outside for a bit, and the things they discussed got Selena’s attention.

“—doesn’t look too bad—”

“What about—plan?”

“Should be fine—we’ll keep—schedule.”

Eventually, Selena returned to Hektor’s side before Sophie walked in.

“Selena.” She stood over Selena with crossed arms. “I know I should tell you off for suddenly running into the forest by yourself.”

Selena turned away, awaiting a lecture. Instead, her mother hugged her and continued speaking.

“But your instincts allowed you to save Hektor.”

“Huh?”

“Am I wrong?”

No, she wasn’t. But at the same time, she didn’t do anything. Just like before, when Justin poisoned Hektor and her, she couldn’t do anything to protect him.

Even though they were sworn partners, she couldn’t do anything regardless of whether or not she was by his side.

“Selena?”

“Huh? Oh. Sorry, mom. Maybe I’m just a little tired.”

“I would assume so after running all morning. Anyways, we should go, dear. Hektor needs to rest.”

Selena nodded. Getting to see Hektor again was more than enough of a blessing. But just before she could leave, Hektor’s arm shot up and yanked her by the sleeve.

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“Don’t go.”

“Hektor?”

She turned to see Hektor slowly rising from the cot.

“Finally, I got you again.”

“Hektor!”

Selena pulled Hektor in for a hug, causing him to let out a startled yelp.

“You idiot!” she said.

“Huh, where did this come from?”

“I heard from Nikolae that you fought Jason and won. I didn’t think you were crazy enough to try something like that.”

“Given the situation, I had to do something crazy.”

“And you complain about my rash decisions.”

The two grinned.

“Looks like everything seems to be fine here,” said a new but familiar voice.

A lanky spectacled man with hair like green seaweed walked into the room. This was Nema Rio, Leios’s doctor.

“Doctor Rio, what took you so long?” said a nurse.

“The house call took much longer than expected. The situation was dire, and I had to call the surgeon to lead the procedure.” Nema raised his blood-soaked gloves and sleeves. “If someone could replace these for me, please?”

Nema stepped into a side room where a nurse followed him with fresh garments. After a few minutes, he ambled out of the room towards Hektor.

“You’re free to go, Hektor.” He held out a paper bag. “Take this with you.”

“Huh?”

“Your injuries aren’t physical, but to your spirit, isn’t it? Consider this a birthday present. Take this tomorrow, and try not to exert yourself for a few days. If you do, your lucky encounter may become your greatest asset.”

“Why not today?”

“Huh? Oh. Um, you’ll be fine for today. This stuff can mess with your sleep or something like that.”

Suspicious. Hektor didn’t seem to find anything wrong with that, though. Maybe she was just on edge from how Hektor’s parents acted earlier.

“Ah. Right. I’ll do just that.”

Something clicked in Selena’s head.

“Wait a moment. Damage to your spirit? Hektor, you didn’t—”

Hektor cut her off with a wink and mouthed the word, “Later.”

“Alright, you two. Enough signaling to each other.” Selena’s mother grabbed the two of them by the shoulders. “Let’s get going.”

𓆉 𓆉 𓆉

After thanking the doctor, the two kids followed Sophie back to their homes. Selena didn’t know what to say to Hektor. At least not when it pertained to the events of the future. Fortunately, no words had to be exchanged between them. Hektor held out his left hand, tapping his ring. Probably trying to say something to the effect of knowing the ring’s connection to their current condition.

Interestingly enough, no one else seemed to comment on their rings. Perhaps it was something only they could see. A shadow of the past, future, or whatever.

“I’m glad to see you two as close as ever. It’s almost as if you two are trying to hide something.”

Selena and Hektor froze up.

“Oh my.” Sophie chuckled. “I didn’t mean anything by it, but it seems I was right on the spot.”

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Argyris,” said Hektor. “We didn’t intend on hiding anything. It’s just a problem we can only deal with ourselves.”

“I see. It must be quite the problem if you can’t tell us.”

Selena and Hektor stared at each other with conflicted expressions.

“Don’t worry too much. Whatever it is, I’m sure you can overcome it with the trust you have in each other. Of course, I hope you can tell us what’s going on later.”

Selena could only nod with a confused expression on her face.

“Anyways, why don’t we go to Hektor’s home first? He does need to rest, after all.”

Hektor stopped for a moment. He had a wide-eyed expression on his face.

“Home?”

“...Hektor?” said Selena.

Hektor shook his head and slapped his cheeks.

“Sorry. I’m ready to go.”