The city is recovering.

Three days have passed since the attack. The fires are out. The dead have been buried. The living have begun the slow work of rebuilding—patching roofs, clearing rubble, pretending that the world hasn’t fundamentally changed.

But you know it has.

You spend the days preparing. Gathering supplies. Training with your power—the light that comes from the gem, that responds to your will. It’s unpredictable still, flaring when you’re emotional, fading when you’re tired. But it’s real. And it might be the only weapon that can hurt Varek.

Your ally helps where they can.

The other gem-born have scattered since the ceremony. Tommin joined the city guard, channeling his energy into something concrete. Sera disappeared into the temple’s archives, searching for answers of her own. Lira… no one knows where Lira went.

Neve finds you on the third day.

“I want to come,” she says. Her copper hair is tied back, her ceremonial robes replaced with practical traveling clothes. “I know I’m not… whatever you are. But I felt something during the ceremony. The gem spoke to me too. I think I’m supposed to help.”

You study her face. She’s sincere. Afraid, but sincere.

“It’s going to be dangerous.”

“I know.”

“People might die.”

“I know that too.”

You consider. Another ally. Another person to protect. Another person who might not come back.

But also another friend. Another pair of eyes. Another connection to what you’re fighting for.

“All right,” you say. “You’re in.”