The first rays of dawn peeked through the high windows, washing the room in soft silver light.
Aria opened her eyes slowly.
Her body felt sore, but not painful. Weak, but not broken.
She turned her head and blinked at the sight of Liora sitting in a nearby chair, her knees pulled up, head resting against the window glass. She looked peaceful.
"You've been here all night?" Aria asked, voice soft and scratchy.
Liora smiled and sat up straighter. "Not long. Maybe a few hours."
Aria pushed herself into a sitting position. "You didn't have to stay."
Liora shrugged. "You would've done the same."
They sat in silence, watching the Blood Moon fade slowly into the gray early morning sky. The color of it was eerie, red blending into silver, like a dying ember.
"I don't know if I changed," Aria whispered, "or if this… was always inside me."
Liora turned to her gently. "It's always been there. You were born with it. The world just took a long time to see it."
