(Nova POV)
The morning after we hid Elias felt heavier than any before.
Sunlight filtered weak and watery through the canopy, turning the clearing near the cabin into a patchwork of pale gold and deep shadow. Elias was stable—barely—breathing shallow but steady in the cave. Damien had barely slept; dark circles carved hollows under his eyes, and every movement carried the weight of guilt. He hadn't spoken much since we'd left the scout. Just quiet nods, quiet agreements.
I couldn't let us sit in that silence any longer.
"We train," I said as soon as he emerged from the cabin, voice firm enough to cut through the morning mist. "Right now. We can't wait for the next blackout or the next surge. My light grew with Elias. It can grow more. We push until it does."
Damien looked at me—long, tired, like he wanted to argue but didn't have the strength left. Finally he nodded once. "Okay."
