A Gut Feeling

Lyra picked a quiet little cabin for herself, one with a small bathroom that even had its own shower—a rare chance to steal some solitude.

Stripping off her clothes, she revealed the damage from earlier: her skin was scorched, blackened from the electric shock she'd endured.

Slowly, she let her superpower flow through her, healing the wounds as the burnt patches peeled off, replaced by fresh, pink skin underneath.

Suddenly, her Crystal Core throbbed, sending a wave of power surging through her body. It made her shake, her limbs trembling from the sheer force of it.

Quickly, she forced the energy back down, keeping her power in check.

'Not yet,' she reminded herself. 'I can't risk losing control until the Soul Spike is gone.'

After slipping into a robe, she stepped out of the bathroom just as her opticomputer chimed.

The screen blinked on, revealing Cohen's face—handsome as always, though his expression was hard to read.