Koya stared out the window, watching Meriosa reach the entrance of the Flow Star. Someone answered the door — Koya couldn't see who from her angle. Meriosa stood there for about two minutes, then stepped back. A moment later, a figure emerged wearing a carer's uniform with her head covered. She and Meriosa walked away together toward a small forest not far from the sanctuary.
Koya's confusion deepened when she recognized the carer's walk.
Lasara…?
Lasara and Meriosa walked side by side in awkward silence. Meriosa faced forward, jaw tight. Lasara glanced sideways at her, trying to find words but failing.
They moved deeper into the trees before Lasara finally spoke.
"So… how are you?"
"Why did you regret ever giving birth to me?" Meriosa cut in, voice shaky and raw with emotion.
Lasara froze, stunned. She closed her mouth, closed her eyes, and exhaled slowly.
"That was a total misunderstanding," she said, head slightly bowed.
"Explain how," Meriosa pressed, tears already gathering. "I heard you loud and clear… you wished I were never born."
Lasara raised her head and reached out to touch Meriosa's face. Meriosa turned away.
"You didn't hear the full sentence that day," Lasara said gently. "All I was saying is… I wish you weren't born into this world. A world of ill treatment, abuse, and people hurting you just because you look different. I wish you were happy and free like the others."
Tears rolled down Meriosa's cheeks. "You're lying… you're making this up."
"No, I'm not." Lasara grabbed both of Meriosa's hands. "Look at me."
Meriosa kept looking away.
"You're my pride and joy," Lasara continued, tears streaming down her own face. "It's impossible for me not to want the best for you."
Meriosa finally met her eyes. She saw the truth there.
"I'm really sorry for not finding you sooner," Lasara whispered. "For letting you be alone all this time. Please forgive me."
Meriosa bowed her head slightly, exhaling shakily.
"Please… tell me everything. Who is my father? Why do I look like this? Everything."
Lasara let go of her hands and stared into the distance for a long moment.
"It all started when a foolish girl found love…"
Years ago...
The Uremi village lived in constant misery under Ekekiri's iron rule. Men, women, and even children were treated worse than animals. Every day they were forced into back-breaking labor — mining rare ores, forging weapons for Ekekiri's armies, cleaning blood-stained blades until their hands bled, hauling heavy loads until their backs broke. Food was scarce and rotten. Homes were little more than crumbling huts with leaking roofs. Beatings were common for the slightest mistake. Guards laughed as they whipped elders or kicked children for sport. No one was spared — not the pregnant, not the elderly. Freedom was a forgotten word, even among the village elders.
One day, while the women washed weapons for the shadow wolf handlers, General Korga — a brutal werewolf feared for his savagery — saw a young maiden named Lasara. Her quiet beauty captivated him. He began visiting her in secret under the pretense of feeding the wolves or patrolling. At first Lasara only played along out of terror. But over time, fear turned to genuine love. They met in hidden moments, stealing kisses and promises. Eventually they became intimate, and she conceived a child.
One of the other generals sensed something unnatural about the pregnancy. Men were only allowed relations after winning brutal gladiator matches. Suspicion grew. The Old Witch was consulted. Through dark incantations she revealed the truth: Korga was the father.
Ekekiri's rage was apocalyptic. He ordered the complete destruction of Uremi village and the execution of his own general for betrayal.
The village was burned to the ground that very night. Men, women, and children were slaughtered without mercy. Korga fought desperately to buy Lasara time to escape. He died protecting her. Lasara barely made it out alive and was rescued by Golden Globe troopers.
Back to the present...
Tears streamed down Meriosa's face as the story ended. A cold, uneasy feeling gripped her chest.
"I'm sorry… all of this because of me… I'm sorry…"
Lasara pulled her into a tight hug, both of them crying.
"It's not your fault, my child."
They stood in the forest, pouring out years of pain and love in each other's arms.
Back at the Flow Star, Koya still sat by the window, questions swirling in her head.
Immira walked over. "Koya, is everything okay?"
"Meriosa came earlier and left with Lasara… Do you know why?"
"Oh… that. Well, Meriosa right?… she's Lasara's daughter."
Koya's jaw dropped.
"I wasn't expecting that answer in a million years… Who would've thought? Lasara is so calm and warm, and Meriosa is… Meriosa."
Immira laughed softly.
Later that day, Lasara and Meriosa returned to the Flow Star, walking side by side through a hallway, talking and laughing joyously for the first time in years.
Meriosa raised her head and suddenly froze.
"Koya…?" she whispered.
Koya noticed Meriosa and Lasara walking straight toward her through the hallway. She froze mid-step.
Oh no… what should I do? It was obvious they would enter together. Why didn't I think about this?
As the two drew closer, Koya forced a nervous smile.
"Oh… hey, Meriosa," she said with an awkward laugh.
Meriosa stopped, staring at her with piercing intensity, as if she could see straight through her.
Lasara glanced between them and offered a calm smile. "I'll leave you two alone. I have some work to do."
She gave Meriosa one last gentle look, then walked away.
Koya felt like she wanted to vanish into the floor. The only thought racing through her mind was how to escape this situation.
"So this is where you've been hiding," Meriosa said, her voice fierce and sharp.
Koya nodded nervously.
"I thought the council said you're with them, training and all that"
"Yeah… it's a very long story." Koya said, laughing nervously.
Meriosa stared at her for a long second, then simply walked past without another word, never looking back.
Koya stood there, stunned. Meriosa's cold reaction felt strange. They hadn't seen each other since the Flow Bound accident, yet she acted like it had never happened. The indifference bothered Koya more than she wanted to admit.
She walked back to her room in silence, the question echoing in her head: What could Meriosa possibly be thinking?
Later that afternoon, when the Flow Star had quieted down for its midday rest, Koya left her room and began searching the grounds for Meriosa. She passed a window and heard the distant sound of a tree crashing down outside.
Curious, she went back and peered out.
Meriosa was there, leaning against one of the trees, breathing heavily, sweat glistening on her skin.
Koya stepped outside, Ikua's arm tied securely to her back.
"Oh… hi, Meriosa."
"What?" Meriosa snapped, her tone enraged.
"Calm down… I'm only here to ask if you'd care to spar with me a little."
Meriosa turned away and started walking. "I'm not interested."
Koya laughed calmly. "So what Melly did to you still gives you nightmares about facing strong opponents?"
Meriosa stopped dead in her tracks. Rage burned in her eyes.
In a blink, she appeared directly in front of Koya, claws fully extended.
To be continued…