Siya needed energy.
And now, Jate was going to be the one to provide it.
Was there truly no path left for her—no way forward that didn't somehow pass through Jate?
Yet, strangely, Trikala seemed even more troubled than Siya herself.
He was right there.
He could have helped her.
He could have offered his own energy.
Perhaps that was exactly what made his regret grow heavier with every passing moment.
It wasn't as though Siya was unaware of what was happening.
She understood.
She could see it in the silence between his words, in the way his eyes followed her, in the guilt he tried desperately to hide.
There was an unwanted regret buried deep inside Trikala.
And there was pain with it.
Pain he refused to acknowledge.
Pain Siya could still recognize.
---
Trikala stood alone beneath a neem tree, away from the others.
A cool breeze passed through the branches, carrying the faint rustle of leaves into the quiet surroundings.
He stood motionless, allowing the cold air to brush against his face.
For once, there was no arrogance in his expression.
No sharpness.
No trace of the powerful being everyone knew.
Only silence.
The sunlight filtering through the branches fell across his face, creating an unusual radiance against his otherwise calm and composed features.
Then—
A voice came from behind him.
"There has been quite a change in you, Trikalyajna…"
Trikala turned.
Siya stood several steps away.
She looked pale.
Her face had lost much of its usual strength, and even standing seemed to require an effort.
For a moment, Trikala simply stared at her.
Then he immediately moved toward her.
"You shouldn't be outside."
He carefully helped her sit beneath the tree and placed a blanket around her shoulders.
His movements were gentle—almost instinctive.
He looked at her with concern.
"Why are you wandering around in this condition? You're clearly unwell. You should be resting."
Siya gave him a faint smile.
"I'm not weak."
She paused, catching her breath.
"I'm just injured. Sitting inside that room for so long started to feel suffocating, so I came outside."
Trikala said nothing.
Siya studied his face.
Then, with the faintest hint of sarcasm in her voice, she asked,
"How did feelings like concern and compassion suddenly appear inside that arrogant heart of yours?"
Trikala understood the meaning behind her words.
He looked away for a moment.
Then he answered quietly,
"When you truly love someone, Siya…"
His voice softened.
"…losing becomes inevitable."
He looked back at her.
"And so does the destruction of your pride."
Siya fell silent.
For several seconds, neither of them spoke.
The wind moved gently through the neem leaves above them.
Then Siya finally said,
"Don't carry regret inside yourself, Trikala."
His expression changed.
"You haven't done anything that deserves regret."
Trikala lowered his eyes.
Siya watched him carefully.
Then she added,
"You didn't do anything…"
Her voice carried a quiet challenge.
"…did you?"
Trikala looked at her.
For a moment, their eyes met.
He had no answer.
Instead, he turned his gaze away.
Siya noticed.
Of course she did.
She always noticed the things people tried hardest to hide.
But she didn't press him.
Not now.
Her body was already beginning to fail her.
The weakness had returned.
Her breathing became heavier, and the world around her seemed to lose its sharpness.
Trikala immediately noticed the change.
"Siya…"
She tried to straighten herself.
But her strength was fading again.
And this time, even Siya could no longer pretend that everything was under control.