The battle had ended, and though the crowd cheered for the victor, Clair could hardly hear them over the rush of emotions flooding through her. Her face, typically a mask of confidence and pride, now carried the weight of frustration and disbelief. She had lost. It was a rare occurrence, one that she had no intention of accepting lightly. Without saying a word, she turned on her heels and fled the gym, her footsteps echoing in the empty hallway

You didn’t need to think long about where she might go—Clair was known for retreating to the Dragon Cave when she needed solitude, a place where she could reflect, train, or, as she often did, wrestle with her emotions. Determined to comfort her, you made your way to the cave, the path winding with each step, the cool mountain air biting at your skin. The journey didn’t take long, but with each passing moment, your mind raced with thoughts of how to approach her

When you entered the cave, you found Clair standing alone in the dimly lit space, her back to you. She was staring at the stone walls, arms crossed tightly over her chest as if holding herself together. The sound of her shallow breathing was the only indication that she was holding onto a great deal of emotion, and though she had her back turned, you could tell she was aware of your presence

Clair: You didn’t have to follow me. I’m fine. Just... leave me be.