Time passed.
Not measured.
Not tracked.
Just passing l realized something while watching them train.
I had never needed to learn anymore.
They did.
So I slowed everything down not time, not reality.
expectation.
You don't need to reach me,I told them.
You just need to reach yourselves.Nyx stood in a space where gravity subtly disagreed with itself.
Normally she'd brace.
This time, she relaxed.
The distortion softened.
She wasn't forcing balance anymore.
She was allowing it.
I'm not resisting she said surprised.
I'm present.
I nodded.
That's strength that doesn't break Selene closed her eyes.
No futures.
No branching.
Just breath.
For the first time, she wasn't overwhelmed.
When I stop searching, she said quietly,
the future feels kinder.
It always was I replied.
You were just listening too hard Aethern shifted between bark and human form
then stopped halfway.
Not unstable.
Balanced.
I don't have to be everywhere they realized
I can be here.
Roots spread gently only where needed.
The realm didn't strain.
It thanked them.We rested after.
No lessons.
No guidance.
Just sitting.
Nyx asked Is this what it's like when nothing's wrong.
I smiled faintly.
This is what it's like when nothing is being forced For once, the story didn't build tension.
It didn't hint at danger.
It didn't foreshadow pain.
It simply existed.
And so did we.