-

Silence stretched between them, thick with tension. The golden glow of the lanterns flickered against Wanderer's face, casting shadows that made his unreadable expression all the more unsettling. Furina, arms crossed, was barely holding back her impatience, but Yoshika remained still, her dark pink eyes fixed on Wanderer.

Finally, he spoke.

"Celestia doesn't let go of what it creates."

Yoshika's fingers twitched slightly, but she showed no other reaction. Furina, however, furrowed her brows. "Creates?"

Wanderer's gaze didn't waver. "You already suspect the truth, don't you?" His voice was directed at Yoshika now. "That's why you came here."

Yoshika didn't answer, but her silence spoke volumes.

Wanderer sighed. "Fine. I'll lay it out clearly. You are not just from Celestia. You are theirs-something they shaped, something they intended to control. But somehow, you slipped through their grasp. And if you think they've forgotten about you, you're dead wrong."

Furina inhaled sharply, her confident façade cracking. "That... That can't be right."

Yoshika, however, simply lowered her gaze. "I already knew."

Furina whipped her head toward her. "What?!"

"I didn't have proof," Yoshika admitted, her voice calm, detached. "But I knew."

Wanderer tilted his head, watching her reaction-or rather, the lack of it. "You're taking this well."

"What would you have me do?" Yoshika asked, her voice devoid of emotion. "Panic? Cry? I've never had the luxury."

Furina clenched her fists. "Then why didn't you tell me?!"

Yoshika finally turned to her. "Because you would panic."

Furina opened her mouth to argue but stopped. She hated how right Yoshika was.

Wanderer let out a humorless chuckle. "Well, this has been touching. But if you two are done with the dramatics, let me give you a warning." His gaze hardened. "If Celestia truly wants you back, they will come for you. And trust me-when they do, they won't bother asking nicely."

A heavy silence settled in the room.

Furina exhaled shakily, gripping her own arms. "So, what do we do?"

Yoshika met Wanderer's gaze, her voice steady. "We fight."

Wanderer smirked. "That's what I thought you'd say."

-
𝖠𝖭 𝗇𝗈𝗍𝖾: 𝖬𝗈𝗋𝖾 𝖮𝖼 𝗅𝗈𝗋𝖾 𝗁𝖾𝗁𝖾𝗁😈