The bright sunlight coaxed me to open my eyes. As I took in my surroundings, it was clear that I wasn't in heaven, hell, or any other ethereal realm. I was very much alive and, surprisingly, feeling rather well instead of wounded or broken; my left palm was the only thing that ached slightly.

My awakening location was far from resembling a hospital room. Instead of concrete, brick, or wooden walls, there were towering hedge bushes, roughly one and a half times the height of a human. Instead of a ceiling, a wide striped awning shielded me from the blazing sun, which was almost at its zenith. My resting place was not a bed or a bunk, but a sun lounger typically used for beachside sunbathing. To my left, a small fountain bubbled within arm's reach. To my right, a table held a steaming teapot and a pair of mugs. Directly in front of me, a mere ten meters from my sun lounger, small waves lapped consistently against the rocky shoreline. Across the table, lounging on a similar sunbed, Zanh Kiem was leisurely sipping hot tea. Despite his recent severe heart attack, the Maker appeared cheerful and healthy.

"No, you haven't been lying out here the whole time," my friend said, a slight grin playing on his lips. "I sensed that you were about to wake up, so I moved you out here to the fresh air five minutes ago."

"Beautiful," I managed to croak out, my throat parched.

I wasn't playing with words or searching for conversational topics. I simply voiced the first thought that came to mind. Indeed, the place I found myself in was genuinely enchanting. When you think of a mountain lake in the subtropics, you probably envision something out of a glossy travel brochure. Yet, usually, reality falls short of such expectations. Here, the view was precisely the kind advertisers strive to capture in their promotional materials.

Accepting a cup of tea from Zanh Kiem, I took a sip, and instantly my throat felt much better. The Maker observed me intently as I drank, scrutinizing my every move. Judging by the slight worry on his face that was replaced by a faint yet relieved smile, my condition was not as dire as it could have been.

"Beautiful," the sensum concurred. "I wouldn't have relocated here for my recovery and remained at the Abode if the local scenery hadn't drawn me in."

"Here?" I inquired, thoroughly enjoying the delightful, expertly brewed tea.

"This is a country villa, purchased by the previous abbot for recreation. Most of the monks at the Abode are sensums, and sometimes a retreat to such picturesque places is beneficial for them. Beauty attracts people for a reason, and it also has a positive effect on the Spark."

"Is this Bougainville Lake?" I asked, having downed my tea in one gulp.

"You've got it," Zanh Kiem's lips twitched, holding back a smirk. "I keep forgetting that you've recently become a sensum."

"And how does your comment lessen my surprise at such weird coincidences? I was nearly killed just ten kilometers from this lake. And I was pretty sure you were in the Abode of Knowledge, getting medical treatment."

"I was in the Abode," The Maker confirmed, nodding. "But as soon as I could stand and walk, I moved here, first thing yesterday morning. The air here is beneficial. And it's not because of what you're thinking, that something Enlightened me, and I rushed here."

"So, it's just a coincidence?" I added a hint of sarcasm to my response.

"There are quite a few people who believe there are no coincidences, just patterns that we can't comprehend."

"Are you one of those people?"

"No." The sensum shook his head. "I don't believe in a predestined fate, which maps out our path from birth to death. But I do think that there are segments of our life path that steer us in certain directions."

"So, is it a coincidence or not?" I persisted.

"Maybe it is a coincidence, or perhaps it's a connection of subtle energies between us... I'm afraid even the Creators couldn't answer that correctly. We, sensums, tend to take coincidences and accidents more in stride than ordinary people. If you live long enough, you'll likely develop a similar perspective."

"That's a comforting thought," I replied, not bothering to hide my sarcasm.

"Are you sure you want to discuss this right now?" Zanh Kiem asked before refilling my cup.

He was right: we could talk about coincidences, prophecies, and other matters under different circumstances. I was just buying time, hesitating because I was slightly nervous to ask the question that needed to be asked. After taking a long sip of tea, I looked up at my friend and asked:

"How are the others doing?"

Zanh Kiem tilted his head, paused for a moment, then smiled and replied:

"The girls are doing fine. Maya has already bounced back, and she won't even need further recovery time. Kael is also okay; she's still dealing with some side effects from the alchemy potions but is almost back to normal. She even left the monastery without finishing the entire treatment course."

"Kael?" I asked again, just to confirm.

"Yes, the girls told me everything, without leaving out many details," Zanh Kiem said, winking at me.

"Many, but not all?"

"Not all, yes. Maya didn't tell anyone that she discovered your secret, that Izao is Maestro."

"But she told you since you know about it," I corrected him.

"No!" The smile on the Maker's face now looked genuinely warm. "You know, she didn't even tell me."

"But you're aware that she knows," I noted, my understanding of the situation somewhat muddled.

"There are times when words are superfluous; everything can be discerned from a person's actions and behavior. Particularly when it's a love-struck young girl. She didn't need to say a word for me to comprehend. Yet, I, being the gentleman that I am..." With a flourish, the sensum refilled his teacup as if to emphasize his point. "...chose to feign ignorance of her feelings."

"Where is she now?"

"She sat by your bedside all of last evening, through the night, and into this morning, but..." Zanh Kiem's pause was so artfully rendered that I fell for it, prompting him to continue.

"But what?!"

"When I assured her that you would awaken soon, she immediately fled."

I let out an involuntary sigh of relief. Not because I wouldn't have been delighted to see her but because I was utterly unprepared for any form of conversation with her right now. If she were here, I might blurt out something inappropriate and ruin everything.

"You see!" The Maker, of course, noted my sigh and accurately interpreted it. "If you're feeling awkward, imagine her discomfort. She is still grappling with understanding herself, her emotions, and her reactions." He paused for a moment. "Would you appreciate some advice?"

"From you? Absolutely."

"Do not seek her out or attempt to converse with her. She will likely avoid you at all costs for a while. Allow her that freedom. Let her figure things out. Don't try to rush her. When the time is right, she will either approach you or orchestrate a 'chance' encounter."

"Likely the latter."

"You would know better." The sensum didn't contest my assertion with a nonchalant shrug.

"Thank you for the advice. I'll likely heed it."

"You're welcome. Care for more tea?"

I nodded in agreement, waiting for him to refill my mug before posing my next question:

"How are the others faring?"

"Rex is recuperating. He's being cared for at the monastery."

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

"What's his condition?"

"Fundamentally, he's fine, as is Kael. They both received the same dosage of potions. The complication arises from the wounds inflicted by the witch's knife. It's no ordinary blade but an ancient artifact, and as we've discovered, even the Break doesn't entirely shield one from its damage. Your palm is a case in point."

I lifted my hand, the scar on my left palm conspicuously visible. It resembled an old wound rather than an injury sustained merely a day ago, yet it still throbbed, albeit mildly. Considering the witch had inflicted multiple slashes on Christian, it was likely he was having a far more difficult time.

"Don't worry. The Abode has qualified specialists; they can manage. The treatment just needs time and a rehabilitation course. If Rex follows all the instructions, he'll be completely pain-free within a month. He's scheduled for discharge the day after tomorrow. However, the scars will remain with him forever, much like yours will with you."

"So, everyone gets treated at the Abode, and somehow, I'm the only one here?"

"Firstly, you're not the only one brought here. Secondly, healing from dark energy damage calls for special techniques. And I'm the best in Novilter when it comes to that. A relic of my past occupation, if you will." He winked at his own words, though it was unnecessary. I had a clear memory of his recent "occupation." Although, I wasn't sure an inquisitor could ever be considered "former."

"Not the only one?" I picked out the key point from his statement.

"You didn't forget how to count, did you?" Zanh Kiem rose from his seat with theatrical concern and placed the back of his hand on my forehead. "You don't seem feverish."

"So, you're saying Ketsu Sugawara is here?"

"Didn't I just say that?" The sensum responded, returning to his lawn chair.

Pouring himself some tea at a leisurely pace, the Maker studied me intently. After a deep exhale, he said:

"Shall I play detective for you, or will you spill the beans yourself?"

"It appears Izao's biological father was a shapeshifter from the Sugawara clan. Recognizing me as a half-brother, Ketsu developed a real hatred towards me, for some reason."

I candidly shared all my encounters with Ketsu, along with my thoughts and deductions with my friend.

"You're right - there's definitely a family connection," Zanh Kiem agreed after listening to me. "As a Maker, it was obvious to me when both of you were lying next to me. However, you'll have to unravel the cause of his anger and hatred on your own." He paused before adding, "Family matters are personal after all, and no one has the right to intervene. Unless you directly ask for my help, of course."

Unlike the society I was used to in my previous life, the local one retained many traditional foundations. They didn't air their family problems publicly. This probably stemmed from the clan-tribal structure of the shapeshifters and their morals, which inevitably influenced regular folks too. For instance, Claire's confession to Maya about her adoption and sister was probably due to extreme stress rather than a desire to share her family life's details.

"I'll attempt to sort it out on my own. It's really my business after all. How is he faring though?" I asked.

"He caught a lesser dose than you, but considering that nobody moved him to the Break, his current state is worse than yours," the Maker rubbed the bridge of his nose and resumed, "In addition, the exposure to dark energy has exacerbated the overall deterioration of his condition."

"Overall deterioration?" I questioned further.

"The lad is very young, yet he has reached the fourth stage on the Path of Unity with his inner Beast. Normally, at his age, reaching the second stage would be the norm, while the fourth stage is usually an accomplishment not everyone achieves in their entire life. After examining him, I began to understand his method. To attain power here and now, Ketsu has chosen a path of self-destruction. He's literally feeding himself to his inner Beast, which multiplies his strength manifold. This practice wasn't unusual in the Middle Ages, but now these techniques are deemed 'forgotten.' Evidently, the Sugawara clan retained these ancient practices. The issue with this method is that those who employ it scarcely live past twenty-five, for by that time, the Beast absorbs a person's mind, fully subjecting them to its will. Essentially, a person becomes the beast. That's the nature of this Unity... The witch's blows considerably weakened the mental defenses that Ketsu had constructed and maintained."

"How serious is it?" I inquired.

"I delved into ancient texts, consulted the experts..." Zanh Kiem hesitated before completing, "We don't know how to treat it. The degradation Ketsu is experiencing stems from his Inner Beast Pact, and I'm afraid we can't alter that Pact in any way. For instance, did it not seem odd to you that Ketsu, the top student in sabotage and special operations training, a 'hereditary ninja' as you've mentioned, suddenly attacked you in a fit of rage? Such impulsive behavior doesn't align with his upbringing and clan training."

"Yes, it seemed strange... But I didn't pay much heed to it, attributing his breakdown to his youthful impulsivity," I confessed.

"Such atypical outbursts are signs of his degradation," the Maker relayed the grim news with obvious discomfort, "Over time, these episodes will escalate until Ketsu's mind eventually succumbs."

"How much time does he have left?"

"If he spends the rest of his days here in the Abode, under our supervision, then... Half a year. But I don't believe he would consent to that."

"How much?" I echoed.

"A month, perhaps two."

"And there's no way to remedy this?"

"I don't know how," Zanh Kiem confessed honestly, "We also have our limitations."

"May I speak with him?" I attempted to rise from the sunbed, and to my surprise, I managed quite easily.

"Of course. He's currently on the veranda, reading," the sensum pointed past me, "Just beyond the hedge. But don't you think that this conversation could be delayed? Firstly, it'd be prudent for us to discuss everything that transpired with you yesterday."

I was aware that he was correct, and I recognized it, but learning about Ketsu's state made it impossible for me to stay seated and calmly engage in discussions, even on vital matters, with Zanh Kiem.

"You've been well-informed already." I replied.

Rising to my feet, I was momentarily unsteady, caught off guard by a wave of dizziness. Yet, this fleeting frailty quickly passed within a moment.

"Details... Details are always crucial," Zanh Kiem sighed in response to my movement. "However, our conversation can be postponed... but not for long."

"Are there many others around?" I asked for clarification.

"Besides us, there's only the gatekeeper, a monk from the Abode who's a novice sensum. He's at the entrance, about fifty meters from the villa and even further from the beach," Zanh Kiem explained, pausing before adding, "This place was practically Tu Chong's private property. The former abbot enjoyed the tranquility of nature and owned several country houses throughout Novilter." Zanh Kiem smiled. "I also have a fondness for nature, and I've grown to like it here. Perhaps, if we manage to resolve the End of the World predicament, I'll visit a few times a year." He gazed towards the lake. "It's quite beautiful here."

"It is," I agreed. "I'd like to speak with Ketsu now, if that's alright with you."

"I personally think it's not the right time, but I suspect you'll disregard my opinion," Zanh Kiem remarked.

I simply shrugged in response. He'd hit the nail on the head, and I had nothing more to add.

"Alright, you may proceed," the sensum conceded. "But first, lay back down. Let me examine you once more."

No matter how much I longed to speak with Ketsu, when a Maker offers health care, it's best not to decline. I returned to the sunbed and reclined.

"Close your eyes," Zanh Kiem instructed, sitting beside me and rubbing his hands together.

Following his directive, I shut my eyes and tried to relax as much as possible. As soon as the sensum began his examination, I felt it. An odd warmth radiated from his palms, and my Spark was unusually sensitive. This heightened sensitivity wasn't as extreme as before, but it was still stronger than usual, allowing me to "see" a bit more.

Observing the Maker's actions through the lens of the Spark was quite intriguing. Engulfed in a state of meditation, I "saw" a soft, dim light flowing from Zanh Kiem's hands.

"About your psychic hypersensitivity," my friend began without breaking his examination. "While you were unconscious, I took some blood samples. Not only were you drugged with an unknown substance, but a familiar compound was also mixed into that cocktail. This compound is akin to a stimulant or performance-enhancing drug for sensums. It temporarily heightens the abilities of the Gifted. This drug is illegal due to its highly addictive nature. Moreover, frequent usage quickly leads to Spark degradation. But don't worry; the first dose of the stimulant almost never has negative effects. However, if you continue to take it, that's a different story... But I'm confident you won't." With that, Zanh Kiem finished his speech, removed his hands, and sat back.

"What's the verdict?" I asked, rising from the bed.

"You got off much better than you could have," the sensum replied with a chuckle. "You'll feel nauseous and a general sense of intoxication for a few days. I've cleansed your body, so that's not a problem. Also, the Break has healed you from the effects of dark energy."

"And if it weren't for the Break..." I left my sentence hanging.

"Then...you wouldn't have woken up today, and I wouldn't have been able to help you," the Maker replied bluntly, explaining what my fate would have been without Maya's aid. "As for your new scar..." He gestured to my left palm. "That's permanent. It'll ache occasionally, especially when the weather changes."

"I can handle that," I said.

Zanh Kiem was right: I had gotten off relatively easily. The aftermath of my country excursion could have been far more disastrous.

"Is the veranda that way?" I asked the sensum, pointing over the hedge, just to confirm.

After receiving a nod of affirmation from the Maker, I downed the rest of my tea and headed towards the house. I navigated around the fence, ascended the steep, winding stairs carved into the rock, and skirted around a couple of large, human-sized flower bushes before reaching the villa. I was expecting something grand and Victorian, but what I found was entirely different.

The house that Tu Chong had once bought was built in an ultra-modern style. At first glance, it looked as though it was entirely made of glass, giving it an airy and weightless appearance. The sloping roof, shaped like a bird's wing, only enhanced this effect. The veranda, jutting out slightly, reminded me of a swallow's tail, hanging over the abyss with a stunning view of the mountain lake below.

Near the entrance were two wicker rocking chairs and a small coffee table, adorned with a box of juice and several empty glasses. Ketsu Sugawara, Izao's stepbrother, was seated in the chair closest to the house wall, gently swaying as he read a book, occasionally sipping apple juice from a tall glass.

Of course, the young shapeshifter must have noticed my approach, but he didn't show it, continuing to read his book without even a nod in my direction. I mirrored his demeanor, walking over to the table, pouring myself a glass of juice, and settling into the nearby chair without a word. I took a sip and let the chair rock me gently.

Ketsu's silence was almost welcoming, allowing me some precious moments to gather my thoughts and plan out our conversation. So, we sat there, rocking silently in our chairs. Sugawara appeared absorbed in his book, and I feigned a meditative rest.

Realizing that Ketsu hadn't turned a page for several minutes, it became clear to me that he was unsure of how to interact in my presence. Moreover, his fidgeting in his chair had become noticeably more pronounced since my arrival, indicating his apparent unease. After allowing a few more minutes to pass, I broke the silence with a softly spoken inquiry:

"Why?"