Immortal Mythos: Bound by Void

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As Ren turned and faded into the shadows at the edge of the void space, leaving Yuki to reflect, Himari stepped forward. Her footsteps made no sound on the cracked, darkened ground.

Yuki sat up fully, rubbing the back of his head. "You just… show up out of nowhere, huh?"

Himari tilted her head slightly, a faint smile ghosting her lips. "You attract strange things. I'm just one of them."

He looked at her, really looked this time. The swirling darkness of the training ground cast her in half-shadow, but her aura—calm and gentle—glowed faintly in his vision. It contrasted sharply with the violent energy around them.

"I guess you came to see if I'd survive that?" he said, trying to hide how drained he felt.

"No," she replied softly. "I came because I was curious."

Yuki blinked. "About what?"

"About how far someone will push themselves… for others."

He stared at her for a moment, but then his expression shifted. "Speaking of others… Have you seen Aiko?"

Himari's eyes narrowed just slightly, and for the first time, her voice dipped. "You're worried about her."

"Of course I am. She was dragged into that spiritual distortion back there. I haven't seen her since." He looked down at his hands. "And I haven't been able to feel her either."

"She's… elsewhere," Himari said slowly, as if carefully choosing each word. "Safe, for now. But time moves differently in the void. For her, it may feel longer than it does for you."

Yuki's brows knit together. "So she is in the void?"

"I didn't say that." Her tone was vague again.

Yuki stood, frustration rising. "Then what are you saying?"

Himari stepped closer, close enough that he could feel her energy. Calm. Steady. Anchoring. "I'm saying… that some things aren't meant to be rushed. You need control before you can find her. Otherwise, you'll lose yourself and her."

Yuki met her eyes, and for a moment, he saw something beneath her calm exterior—pain? Memory? He couldn't tell.

He sighed. "You're really cryptic, you know that?"

"I know." A pause. "But I'm still here."

Yuki chuckled weakly. "Yeah. You are."

Silence settled between them again. Not awkward. Just… heavy.

Then Himari said quietly, "You'll see her again. But first, you must become strong enough not to break when you do."

And with that, she turned and walked toward the edge of the void space, vanishing into the black mist.

Yuki stared after her, his thoughts a whirlwind.

I have to get stronger. For Aiko… and for whatever's coming next.

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