The sound of soft footsteps echoed faintly against the polished marble floor as High Priestess Jenna entered the chamber, her long robes trailing behind her.

Kana glanced up, expecting the usual poised elegance she had grown used to, but the sight before her made her freeze.

The High Priestess looked drained.

Her pale face was framed by slightly disheveled strands of hair, and faint shadows clung beneath her half-lidded eyes.

Her steps lacked their usual grace, and the exhaustion written across her features made her seem far too human for someone Kana had always seen as untouchable.

Kana's chest tightened with guilt. She knew Jenna must have stayed up most of the night preparing barriers and spells to keep her safe, and now she was still coming here to check on her.

She opened her mouth, intending to tell Jenna that there was no need for her to worry so much… but the steady presences of Lysera and Irielle at her sides stopped her.

Both of them were watching closely, standing like silent sentinels. Kana hesitated, then lowered her gaze and obediently sat down as Jenna approached.

The High Priestess knelt gracefully despite her exhaustion, reaching out to take Kana's hand in hers. The contact was soft, warm — almost comforting.

And then, in an instant, everything changed.

Jenna's dull, tired gaze sharpened violently, her half-asleep expression vanishing as her eyes flew open wide. Her breath caught audibly, and her grip on Kana's hand tightened ever so slightly.

Kana stiffened under the sudden weight of her stare.

"…What is it?"

She asked softly, unease threading her voice.

Jenna did not answer immediately. Her expression had shifted into something grim and focused, her voice lowering into a grave tone when she finally spoke.

"Kana… your condition has changed since last night."

Kana blinked, startled. "Changed? How?"

Jenna hesitated, searching Kana's face as though weighing how much she should reveal, before continuing quietly.

"…Your humanity is fading. And at a much faster rate than I anticipated."

The words struck like a bell, loud and dissonant. The room went silent, the faint chanting of distant prayers the only sound.

Kana felt her stomach twist, her throat suddenly dry.

"F… fading?"

She whispered, the word almost foreign on her tongue.

The High Priestess nodded solemnly, her thumb brushing lightly over Kana's knuckles as if to ground her.

"If this continues unchecked, you… may end up becoming something other than human."

Lysera's sharp inhale cut through the heavy quiet, her hands balling into fists at her sides. Irielle's normally calm demeanor faltered, her brows knitting together in uncharacteristic unease.

Kana, meanwhile, struggled to process the words. Her thoughts scattered like loose petals in the wind, panic simmering beneath the surface even as she forced herself to breathe steadily.

Jenna gave her hand a reassuring squeeze before asking gently.

"Do you remember anything unusual that might have caused this? Anything at all?"

Kana froze, sifting through her memories desperately, but nothing surfaced. No strange rituals, no bargains, no strange objects she had touched.

"…No. Nothing happened when I was awake."

She whispered, shaking her head.

She hesitated, then glanced up hesitantly.

"…Do dreams count?"

For the first time, a flicker of hesitation crossed Jenna's composed face. The High Priestess was silent for a moment before speaking carefully.

"Not usually. For the most part, dreams are harmless reflections of the mind. But…

She admitted softly. Her gaze sharpened slightly.

"…only a goddess — or someone with power on par with one — could enact such a change through a dream."

Kana swallowed hard, glancing away, trying to ignore the chill creeping up her spine. She forced a faint smile, as if attempting to brush it off lightly.

"I… I guess that rules me out, then."

But the smile didn't quite reach her eyes.

Irielle, however, seemed far less patient with the weighty tension filling the room. Crossing her arms, she leaned forward slightly, her voice sharp and direct.

"Then what's the cure? There has to be something we can do to reverse this, right?"

Jenna shook her head slowly, her expression unmoving.

"This isn't an illness, Irielle. It's not something that can be cured with medicine or purification. At this point, I don't yet know what the solution might be."

Irielle's frown deepened, and even Lysera's knuckles tightened as frustration rippled subtly between them.

Sensing the rising tension, Jenna continued gently.

"That being said, Kana's life is not in danger — not at this stage."

Kana exhaled quietly, some of the tightness in her chest loosening at those words. But before relief could fully settle, Jenna's voice lowered again, her tone measured and cautious.

"Still… we must be careful. The changes are accelerating, and I need to observe her closely to understand what's happening."

Lysera stepped forward then, her voice firm but strained.

"Then what do you suggest?"

Jenna released Kana's hand carefully and straightened, her robes shifting softly around her.

"I recommend that Kana stays here at the temple for a few more days, under protective wards. I'll monitor her condition personally."

Kana hesitated, glancing between Jenna, Lysera, and Irielle.

"…If that's what's best, then I'll stay."

She said softly, her voice steady despite the unease in her chest.

Neither Lysera nor Irielle looked particularly happy with the decision. Lysera's jaw tightened, her expression unreadable, while Irielle's lips pressed into a thin line.

But after a moment, they exchanged a glance and reluctantly nodded in agreement.

"…Fine. If it means someone can keep a proper watch on her, then this is the safest choice."

Lysera said at last.

Irielle sighed, finally lowering her arms.

"I still don't like it, but… better here than anywhere else."

She muttered under her breath,

Jenna inclined her head slightly, her composure settling back into place despite the lingering exhaustion in her eyes.

"Good. I'll arrange for Kana to remain in one of the inner wings, where the wards are strongest. No one will disturb her there."

Kana nodded faintly, her fingers curling around the fabric of her robes.

She wanted to believe the High Priestess's words — to trust that the temple's protection would be enough.

But deep down, she couldn't shake the memory of last night's whispers, the voice calling to her, and the way her body had moved with strength that didn't belong to her.

As Jenna turned to make the arrangements, Kana lowered her gaze, her thoughts a tangled storm of fear and unanswered questions.

For now, she would stay.

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