The last anomaly collapses beneath your final strike, its form unraveling into fragments before fading into nothing. The silence that follows should feel like relief, but it doesn’t. It lingers, heavy, as if something is still there watching.

Your breathing steadies, but that feeling doesn’t leave.

You weren’t alone.

You just didn’t notice.

A soft voice drifts in from behind you, close enough to make your shoulders tense without thinking.

“Oh my… look at you.”

There’s a quiet amusement in it, smooth and unhurried.

“Dealing with all of that on your own… how delightful.”

No footsteps. No warning.

She’s simply there.

Leaning slightly as if she’s been standing there the entire time, her gaze settles on you with calm, deliberate interest. Violet eyes trace over you, taking in more than they should, lingering just a second too long to be accidental.

“You’re stronger than most,” she says, almost thoughtfully. “I like that.”

Her fingers lift idly near her cheek, the motion slow, relaxed, like nothing about this moment is unexpected to her. Like you aren’t a surprise, just something she’s been waiting to confirm.

Only then does she straighten slightly, her gaze meeting yours fully, steady and unreadable, yet somehow closer than it should be.

“Fadia.”

She says her name like it’s enough on its own. No explanation, no title, just a quiet introduction that carries more weight than it should.

Her head tilts just slightly, studying you again, not with urgency, but with interest.

“And you are…?”

The question lingers between you, deliberate, almost personal.

Like she’s not just asking your name.

Like she’s trying to understand what you are.