The cool night air of the forest had done little to soothe the deep, systemic exhaustion radiating from Fuyu's marrow. Activating five veins in a single session—especially the dense, stagnant essence harvested from Lyra—had been like forcing a river through a narrow straw. His body felt heavy, his muscles humming with a low-frequency vibration that signaled he had pushed his mortal vessel to its current limit.
As he walked the familiar, dirt-packed trail back toward the village, the silence of the woods allowed his mind to drift back to the enigma living within his soul.
"Vasana," Fuyu whispered internally, his thoughts heavy with the weight of the future. "You told me that I wouldn't be able to ascend to the upper realm without your help. Does that mean no matter how strong I become, I will always be tethered to your assistance? That I can never truly stand alone?"
