The New Dawn Festival, like every one before it, had been lively and unforgettable. Its joy lingered in the air long after the lanterns had burned away and the music had faded.
At the Flow Star, Koya returned with Immira and went straight to her room. The depression that had weighed on her for days had eased slightly during the festival — no one had recognized her, and for a few hours she had simply existed among the lights and laughter. Exhausted, she fell into bed and drifted off almost instantly.
The dream came again.
It was no longer just a dream. It had become a memory she had seen too many times to count. The same blood-soaked battlefield. The same slow walk past countless corpses — human and beast alike. The same eerie silence. She moved through someone else's body, step by step, until she reached the levitating Ikua's arm glowing softly in the carnage.
This time it was different.
As the hand reached out to take the artifact, a figure appeared directly in front of her — a man stabbed through the heart, blood pouring from the wound, yet smiling through the pain. With his last strength, he lifted Ikua's arm and pressed it into her hands.
An overwhelming wave of sadness crashed over her. Tears streamed down the face she wore. The dying man tried to speak, his words blurry at first, then slowly becoming clearer… until a blinding white light swallowed everything.
Koya jolted awake with a gasp.
Immira stood by the window, pulling the curtains open to let in morning light.
"Get up, sleepy head," she said cheerfully. "You don't plan on spending all day sleeping, do you?"
Koya groaned tiredly and pulled the blanket over her head.
Immira yanked it back down with a laugh. "Go take a shower. We've got lots to do today."
The Flow Star was busy as always. Carers and older students moved through the grounds with purpose. Some used gentle gusts of wind to sweep fallen leaves and festival debris into neat piles. Others channeled water Flows to wash down pathways and walls, leaving them sparkling. A group of children giggled as they used tiny earth Flows to reshape flowerbeds and repair damaged decorations. Laughter and light chatter filled the air — the sanctuary felt alive and purposeful after the celebration.
Koya stepped out of her room wearing her usual white shirt and black baggy trousers, her expression calm but distant.
"Over here, Koya," Immira called from a few steps away.
Koya walked over. Immira handed a basket of supplies to a passing carer, then placed a gentle hand on Koya's shoulder.
"As you already know, no classes today — just cleaning up after the festival," Immira said as they walked.
Koya nodded quietly.
"Before anything else," Immira continued, "I'd like you to meet someone."
They entered a sunlit classroom. An eleven-year-old girl in a bright yellow dress looked up. Her dark brown skin and warm eyes glowed with instant excitement the moment she saw Koya.
"You're Koya!" Sarah said, voice bursting with pure joy.
"Yes…" Koya replied, caught off guard.
"Koya, this is Sarah," Immira said warmly. "She's one of our students here."
"And I'm a huge fan of you!" Sarah added, practically bouncing on her toes. "You're my hero!"
Koya blinked, confused. "But… why?"
A carer stepped into the room. "Immira, excuse me — sorry, but I need to borrow Sarah for a minute."
Immira nodded. The carer led Sarah away, the girl waving excitedly over her shoulder.
Koya stared after her, still stunned. "How… why am I her hero?"
Immira walked to the window and motioned for Koya to join her. They stood side by side, looking out at the bustling courtyard.
Outside, Sarah activated her Flow — a simple but lively bounce. She sprang high into the air, easily reaching a decoration stuck on a tall beam that no one else could touch, and pulled it down with a triumphant grin.
"That's her Flow," Immira said softly. "The ability to bounce. The other kids laughed at her for it. They called it useless. They told her she'd never accomplish anything with a power like that."
Immira's voice grew quieter. "But she kept pushing anyway. You know why?"
Koya shook her head.
Immira smiled gently. "Because of you."
Koya froze.
"Me?"
"Yes. Your hard work and dedication inspired her. She told me she wants to become just like you — strong, dedicated, unstoppable."
Koya stared at Sarah, who was now waving at her again with that same bright, hopeful smile. Koya waved back, almost mechanically.
"She doesn't know what she's talking about," Koya whispered. "She doesn't want to become someone as pathetic as me."
"Why do you say such things about yourself?" Immira asked, concern clear in her voice.
Koya lowered her head. "I thought it was impossible… but I found friends. People who had my back. People who loved me. And still… it wasn't enough. I got emotional and almost hurt everyone I care about — including you, Immira."
Immira stayed quiet for a moment, then asked gently, "Koya… do you know what the Golden Guardian's Flow actually is?"
Koya looked up, surprised by the sudden change in topic.
"I don't know all of it… but I've experienced her telepathy."
Immira gazed out the window. "People say she can bring opponents to their knees with a single thought. That she can control armies with her mind. All of that is false." She let out a soft laugh. "Her Flow is simply communication. She can speak to someone with her mind. That's it."
Koya stared at her, utterly confused. "That doesn't make sense. How did she become the Golden Guardian with a Flow like that?"
"Through hard work," Immira answered simply. "Just like you. Just like Sarah. Everyone made fun of her too. She listened to none of them. By the time she graduated, she was the third strongest in her generation — surpassing even those who had been ranked in the Top Ten."
Koya was speechless.
Immira turned to face her fully. "I can't say I know exactly how you feel, Koya, because I don't. But you can't let fear end your journey. You're gifted. Time and time again you've proven it. I don't want your mother to wake up one day and meet the person you are right now."
Koya lowered her head, body cold.
"But Immira… I'm confused. I don't know how to overcome my weakness."
"Work on your senses," Immira said calmly.
Koya's eyes widened. She remembered her teacher once saying the exact same words.
Outside, Sarah bounced up to another high decoration, pulled it down, then looked straight at Koya and waved with that bright, unbreakable smile.
Koya waved back — this time with a tiny, genuine spark in her eyes.
For the first time in a long while, she saw a dim but present light in someone else's smile.
A glimpse of hope she thought she had lost.
To be continued…