The snow had finally stopped.
Not completely—
But enough.
For the first time in what felt like forever—
The sky wasn't falling.
It stretched wide above them.
Pale.
Still cold—
But open.
Haruki noticed it immediately.
"…It's different."
Karin glanced up briefly.
"…Yeah."
"…Feels… lighter."
"…Don't get used to it."
Her tone was casual.
But not dismissive.
They had been walking for hours.
The forest was long behind them now.
Replaced by open land.
Rolling snowfields.
Scattered rock formations.
And silence—
But not the same silence as before.
This one felt…
Free.
Raizen walked ahead as always.
Distant.
Not physically—
But in presence.
He hadn't said much since they left.
And somehow—
That said enough.
"…We're stopping soon," Karin said.
Haruki blinked.
"…We are?"
"…We've been moving nonstop."
"…You don't look tired."
She smirked slightly.
"…That's because I'm not you."
Haruki exhaled.
"…Fair."
They slowed.
Then stopped near a cluster of stone formations.
Natural cover.
Not comfortable—
But safe enough.
Raizen didn't say anything.
He simply sat.
That was the signal.
Karin dropped her bag lightly.
"…Finally."
Haruki sat down more carefully.
His body didn't hurt as much anymore.
But the exhaustion—
It lingered.
"…You're thinking again," Karin said.
He didn't deny it.
"…It's quieter now."
"…Your head?"
"…Yeah."
A pause.
"…But not empty."
Karin leaned back against the rock.
"…Good."
Haruki glanced at her.
"…Good?"
"…Yeah."
She closed her eyes briefly.
"…Means you're getting used to it."
Haruki looked down at his hands.
"…I don't think I'll ever get used to it."
"…You will."
"…How do you know?"
Karin opened one eye.
"…Because I did."
Silence settled between them.
Not awkward.
Not forced.
Just…
There.
"…What was it like?"
Karin tilted her head slightly.
"…What?"
"…When your Eyes awakened."
She didn't answer immediately.
For a moment—
It seemed like she wouldn't.
Then—
She exhaled.
"…Hot."
Haruki blinked.
"…That's it?"
She smirked faintly.
"…Not just hot."
Her gaze drifted slightly.
"…Burning."
The word carried weight.
Not dramatic—
Real.
"…It felt like everything inside me was trying to break out at once."
A pause.
"…Like I couldn't hold it."
Haruki listened carefully.
"…Did you try to stop it?"
She let out a quiet laugh.
"…Of course I did."
"…And?"
"…Made it worse."
Haruki exhaled softly.
"…That sounds familiar."
"…Yeah."
She looked at him.
"…That's the thing about power."
A pause.
"…It doesn't care if you're ready."
The wind picked up slightly.
Not harsh—
But enough to remind them where they were.
"…So how did you deal with it?" Haruki asked.
Karin was quiet again.
Then—
"…I stopped trying to control it."
Haruki frowned slightly.
"…That's what Raizen said."
"…Then maybe he knows what he's talking about."
Haruki almost smiled.
Almost.
"…It's not that simple."
"…It never is."
Karin sat up slightly.
"…You think too much."
"…I don't try to."
"…That's the problem."
She leaned forward slightly.
"…You're always looking ahead."
"…That's literally my ability."
"…Yeah."
A pause.
"…But you forget to be here."
Haruki didn't respond.
Because—
She wasn't wrong.
"…Close your eyes."
He blinked.
"…What?"
"…Just do it."
He hesitated—
Then complied.
Darkness.
But not empty.
Never empty.
"…What do you hear?" Karin asked.
Haruki focused.
"…Wind."
"…What else?"
"…Snow shifting."
"…What else?"
A pause.
"…Your breathing."
Karin smiled faintly.
"…Good."
Haruki frowned slightly.
"…What's the point of this?"
"…You're here."
A pause.
"…Not in the future."
"…Not in your visions."
"…Here."
Haruki slowly opened his eyes.
The world looked the same.
But—
It felt different.
"…You need something to hold onto," Karin said.
"…Otherwise you'll get lost in it."
Haruki looked at her.
"…What do you hold onto?"
She didn't hesitate this time.
"…Myself."
A pause.
"…And the people I fight with."
Their eyes met briefly.
And for a moment—
Nothing needed to be said.
"…You're not alone, you know," she added.
Haruki looked away slightly.
"…I know."
But his voice—
Was quieter than it should've been.
Karin noticed.
But didn't push.
Instead—
She stood.
"…Come on."
Haruki blinked.
"…What?"
"…We're not done yet."
She stepped back.
Taking a stance.
"…You're serious?"
"…Always."
Haruki exhaled.
"…Fine."
He stood as well.
"…No visions," Karin said.
"…Just move."
He frowned.
"…That's not how I fight."
"…It is now."
She moved first.
Fast.
Direct.
Haruki reacted—
Instinctively.
No flash.
No foresight.
Just movement.
He blocked.
Barely.
Karin smiled.
"…See?"
They moved again.
Back and forth.
Simple.
But real.
Haruki stumbled once—
Recovered.
Adjusted.
And slowly—
He stopped thinking.
Not completely.
But enough.
The fight slowed.
Then stopped.
Both of them breathing lightly.
"…You're getting there," Karin said.
Haruki exhaled.
"…Feels weird."
"…It should."
She turned away slightly.
"…But you'll need it."
Haruki nodded.
"…Yeah."
Raizen's voice cut through the moment.
"…We move."
Karin rolled her shoulders.
"…Break's over."
Haruki picked up his things.
But before he turned—
He looked at the open sky again.
The stillness.
The space.
"…I'm here," he said quietly.
Not to anyone else.
Just—
To himself.
And this time—
It felt true.
As they began moving again—
The world stretched endlessly ahead.
Unknown.
Unforgiving.
But no longer—
Empty.