The pn had worked—somehow. Now, finally still, Macaria sat on a smooth, weather-worn boulder overlooking the dark, glittering ke. Her damp clothes clung to her skin, her hair heavy with ke water and likely littered with gss, but she hardly noticed. On her p, curled in a tight crescent, Mochi slept soundly, her tiny frame rising and falling in rhythm with Macaria’s steadying breath.

  Further down the shore, Natsuki muttered curses as she pulled bits of gss from her sleeves and emptied sand from her shoes, while Renley stood near the water’s edge, shaking out her sweater like it had personally offended her.

  "You're awfully quiet," Hoshiko said gently inside her mind. "That little underwater escape too intense for you? I'm sorry if it brought up anything."

  Macaria shook her head slowly. “No, it’s alright. Honestly, I’m surprised it worked.” She looked up at the stars reflecting off the water. “I didn’t think an air bubble spell would hold that long, let alone move us through the kebed.”

  “Hehe, yeah… not to brag, but I’ve escaped worse situations using that trick.”

  Her smile tugged faintly at the corners of her mouth. But the weight quickly returned.

  “Simon was right. They’re after Renley. And she said something about you escaping from them… Could that be why your memory’s fractured? Did you lose it trying to get away?”

  "That's… pusible," Hoshiko admitted. "But if I did, I don’t remember. Maybe now that we’re safe, we can finally get answers."

  Behind her, Macaria could hear Renley’s faint humming as she fluffed up her fox tail and—without warning—made it vanish in a shimmer of magic. Even her ears faded, leaving her looking human again.

  "She’s still hiding what she is,” Hoshiko murmured.

  “Let’s talk,” Macaria said aloud, standing and brushing herself off. She tapped Mochi gently. The cat stretched, gave a tiny yawn, and hopped off her p.

  Then—“Give.”

  Macaria blinked. “What?”

  “The phone,” Mochi demanded ftly, her little paw extended.

  The shock on Macaria’s face was almost comical. “You… can talk?!”

  “I’m a familiar, not a house pet.” Mochi huffed, sitting back and flicking her tail.

  Wordlessly, Macaria pulled Simon’s phone from her pocket and unwrapped the bungee cords she’d tucked around her wrist. Mochi expertly strapped the device back onto her back using her tail like a makeshift third hand. “Thanks for the rescue, by the way. I’d rather not get abducted again. Catch you ter!” she chirped, then bounded up the rocks, disappearing into the night like a tiny, magical outw.

  From the steps nearby, Natsuki blinked. “Was that… a talking cat?”

  “That’s Mochi,” Macaria said with a shrug. “Simon’s familiar.”

  “He has a familiar?!” Natsuki groaned. “I thought those were super rare!”

  “They are here,” Renley chimed in. “Back where I’m from, they’re less unusual. Still a pain to summon, though.”

  Her voice turned serious again. “But we shouldn’t linger. They’ll keep looking. We should go somewhere safe.”

  “I live close by,” Natsuki offered. “Come on.”

  The apartment complex was one of the newer ones on the east side of Ancaster—sleek, well-lit, and nestled between a night market and the river. At this te hour, the street was quiet. Macaria hadn’t seen this side of the city so deserted before.

  Natsuki spun a ring of keys on her finger, the jingle catching Renley’s attention. Her gaze followed the keys a bit too long.

  “Renley?” Macaria asked.

  Renley startled, then gave a sheepish smile. “Sorry.”

  Inside, Natsuki’s apartment was cozy and modern: minimalist décor, a plush recliner, a compact kitchen off to the left, and a short hallway leading to a single bedroom and bathroom.

  “You live alone?” Renley asked.

  “Yeah.”

  “Good.” She exhaled—and her gmour dropped in a spray of shimmering particles. A bushy fox tail flicked into view behind her, and a pair of tawny ears twitched atop her head.

  Macaria blinked. Natsuki gawked.

  “How do you—do you hide them with magic?” Natsuki asked.

  “Yeah. I wish I didn’t have to,” Renley muttered. “But around here? People see tails, they assume you’re dangerous—or expensive. I’ve had more than one close call.”

  The weight of her words sank in. Macaria exchanged a gnce with Natsuki, neither of them quite sure what to say.

  Renley caught the tension and waved it off. “Anyway. Let’s talk about why you tracked me down.”

  They settled into the living room. Macaria recounted everything: the night she awakened her powers, her dreamlike visit to Hoshiko’s realm, and the mysterious mention of a bell.

  Renley didn’t interrupt—just listened, her face unreadable.

  When Macaria finished, Renley gave a rueful ugh. “That bell? Yeah… Shadow Dawn probably has it.”

  She pulled her sweater colr aside, revealing a small tear. “I used to wear it on a ribbon here. That bell stored part of my power. After a run-in with Fira’s leader… well, let’s just say I lost more than a keepsake.”

  “Wait—Fira?” Natsuki asked.

  Macaria turned to her. “Isn’t that the group Simon mentioned?”

  Natsuki nodded. “The ones trying to eliminate unknowns.”

  Renley leaned forward. “That’s part of it. But it’s bigger. There are five main divisions within Shadow Dawn: Luxtra, Mystica, Celestia, Eona, and Fira. Each with their own goals and leadership. The ones chasing me? Mystica and Luxtra. And one of them—Vincent—is Mystica’s head.”

  Hoshiko stirred. "A leader was chasing her? Maybe she’s more important than she’s letting on…"

  “Why are they after you?” Macaria asked. “And what do you know about Hoshiko?”

  Renley paused, her ears twitching slightly. “I’m not a spirit. But Shadow Dawn believes I’m connected to one of the original Eight. Their end goal is total control over the spirits—and the eradication of unknowns.”

  She met Macaria’s eyes. “Hoshiko was captured once. I thought he was gone. Maybe he escaped using his power. That might be how he ended up… inside you.”

  Hoshiko fell silent. Then: "That sounds… right. But I need to leave Ga. I wasn’t meant to stay in this state."

  Renley tapped her chin. “There might be someone who can help… A nature spirit named Sage. He’s a fox spirit too, but a bit more down-to-earth. Literally. He helps people take care of pnts. Sometimes poses as a florist.”

  “Great! What does he look like?” Macaria asked.

  “Hard to say,” Renley sighed. “He changes shape. But if you find Ivie, you’ll find him. She’s a nature spirit too—looks young, dark brown hair, usually wears a flower in her hair.”

  “She might be attending school to blend in,” Renley added. “She’s subtle like that.”

  “And how do we find her?” Natsuki asked.

  “Easy.” Renley reached into her pocket and pulled out two pale purple crystal shards, faintly glowing. “These are fragments from the divine crystals the gods used to send us here. Ivie will feel them.”

  She tossed one to each of them. Macaria nearly fumbled hers; Natsuki caught hers with a flick of her wrist.

  “Feel that?” Renley said.

  A soft pulse traveled up Macaria’s fingers—warm, gentle, alive.

  “That’s not just mana,” Renley said. “That’s a god’s signature. It’ll lead her to you—if you’re open to it.”

  The room fell quiet as the reality of their next steps settled in. Outside, the night deepened.

  And somewhere far away, something ancient stirred.