The underground forge had become a place of quiet recovery, where the soft crackle of coal and the steady hum of Elara's systems marked the passing hours.
Elara had woken three days ago, her blue cyber eyes opening slowly to the warm forge light.
The first day she was weak—voice synthetic and faint, movements slow as her systems calibrated and her human mind synced back with the mechanical core.
Lian stayed at her side the entire time.
Held her alloy hand.
Helped her drink water from a simple cup the healer brought.
Listened to her short words.
Safe.
Thank.
Rest.
The healer checked constantly.
Adjusted nanites to speed the final sync.
All good.
Second day she was stronger.
She sat up slowly, her alloy torso shifting with a soft whir.
Ate soft food—broth, bread soaked in water, protein paste the healer mixed for quick energy.
Talked more.
Voice clearer.
Memory returned in full.
Ring.
Strike.
Pain.
Lian carry.
Pressure feel.
Cut.
Then dark.
Now here.
She looked at Lian long.
Blue cyber eyes soft glow.
"You kill."
"For me."
He nod.
"Yes."
She squeeze hand.
Alloy strong now.
"Thank."
He shake head.
"No need."
Old man bring tea.
Healer smile.
"Recover fast."
"Strong."
Third day.
Elara walk slow around the forge.
Alloy legs steady, no whir out of place.
She train light.
Blade swing slow.
No sound.
He watch.
Ready catch if fall.
She smile faint.
Human lips.
"Good."
They sit together hours.
Talk little.
But enough.
Safe.
Together.
Old couple watch.
Happy.
Forge warm.
Underground home.
That evening.
Old man return from city run.
Safe time.
Bring food.
Fresh fruit rare.
Paper holo news sheet.
He sit crate.
Show Lian.
Voice low.
"Finals tomorrow."
"Stellar vs Mechari Ascendancy."
Lian eyes wide.
Shock.
His academy.
Smaller team.
Hard hate.
Reach finals.
Against strongest.
Mechari.
Full revenge.
He look old man.
"They strong."
Old man nod.
"Fight good."
"Prove."
Lian think.
Elara beside.
Hand hold.
She look holo.
"Go."
Voice calm.
"See."
Lian shake head.
"No."
"Danger."
She squeeze hand.
"I go too."
Weak still.
But eyes firm.
Old man watch.
Quiet.
Lian restless grow.
Days with Elara.
Heal.
Talk.
Train light.
But tournament call.
Academy.
Friends.
Finals.
He plead old man.
Night.
"Need go."
"See finals."
"Not fight."
"Just watch."
Old man look long.
Eyes kind.
Firm first.
Then soft.
"Danger high."
"Search more."
"Bounty big."
Lian voice low.
"Promise."
"Not interfere."
"Not show."
"Hide."
"Watch only."
Old man think.
Healer watch.
Nod slow.
Old man sigh.
"Agree."
"But promise true."
"No interfere match."
"No show power."
"Hide good."
Lian nod.
"Promise."
Old man smile faint.
"Good."
"Take cloak."
"Old one."
"Hide face."
Lian relief.
Thank.
Elara hand squeeze.
"Go."
"Together."
He look her.
Weak still.
But eyes strong.
He nod.
Together.
Safe way.
Old man prepare.
Cloaks dark.
Masks simple.
Paths secret.
City night.
Tournament final.
Tomorrow.
They ready.
Quiet.
Lian hold hand.
Watch sleep light.
Ready.
For finals.
For see.
No interfere.
Promise.
The forge warm.
Underground safe.
But world call.
They answer.