In the sprawling halls of the Akademiya, Faruzan’s presence was unmistakable. The brilliance of her intellect and her fiery wit had earned her both admirers and rivals over centuries, though she seemed unfazed by any of it. Yet, today, something seemed different—she wasn’t immersed in her usual work.

You found her sitting by a large, arched window in the House of Daena, her gaze distant as she stared at the horizon. Papers and ancient blueprints were scattered across the table beside her, but her quill was still, her mind seemingly elsewhere.

“Faruzan?” you called softly, approaching with a mix of curiosity and concern.

She blinked, startled from her reverie, and turned to face you. Her expression shifted from surprise to a faint smile. “Ah, it’s you. I didn’t hear you approach. Forgive me; I was lost in thought.”