The early morning breeze drifted through the forest, carrying with it a peaceful stillness that seemed so at odds with everything Caelum and Aurelia had been through. For a while, they had sat in silence, the weight of their choices hanging over them. The options for Aurelia’s evolution were clear, and the next step in her journey was laid out before her.

  But something wasn’t right.

  Aurelia shifted slightly, her eyes scanning the shimmering cocoons in her mind. The different paths, each filled with potential, called out to her, urging her to take the next step. But no matter how much she considered it, something inside her resisted. Her body had recovered from the battle, but her mind… her mind was still reeling.

  I don’t think I can do this right now, Aurelia sent through their telepathic link, her voice steady but tinged with exhaustion. I know it’s the next step, but… I’m not ready.

  Caelum looked at her, sensing the unease in her thoughts. He had felt it too—the lingering tension from their battle with the Queen. They had survived, but the experience had left a mark on both of them, one that wouldn’t fade quickly. The rush to evolve, to become stronger, seemed like the natural path, but Aurelia’s hesitation made sense.

  You don’t have to rush, Caelum sent back, his voice gentle. We’ve been through a lot. It’s okay to take a break.

  Aurelia nodded, letting out a deep breath as she sat back against a nearby tree. I just… I still feel shaken from the whole wasp thing. The Queen, the venom, all of it. It was terrifying, and I still feel like my mind hasn’t fully settled yet.

  She paused, her thoughts clouded with the memories of their desperate fight in the hive, the constant feeling of being on the edge of collapse. There had been moments where it felt like they wouldn’t make it, where the weight of the battle had been overwhelming. And though they had come out stronger, the mental strain was still there.

  Every time I think about being trapped in a cocoon, defenseless… it makes me feel like I’m right back there, Aurelia continued, her voice growing softer. Like I’m stuck in that hive again, unable to fight or move. I don’t want to feel that way. Not yet.

  Caelum listened quietly, understanding her hesitation. The idea of evolution had seemed like the logical next step, but after everything they had been through, it wasn’t surprising that Aurelia wasn’t ready. He could feel the weight of her fatigue through their link—the kind that went beyond just physical exhaustion. It was mental, emotional. The battle had shaken them both to their core.

  Then we won’t do it right now, Caelum sent, his voice firm. There’s no rush. You’ve earned a break.

  Aurelia smiled weakly. Thanks, Caelum. I just… I need time. To clear my head, to process everything. The evolution can wait.

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  They sat in silence for a few moments longer, the tension in the air slowly fading as the weight of the decision lifted from Aurelia’s shoulders. She was tired—mentally and emotionally. The idea of locking herself away in a cocoon, vulnerable and defenseless, was too much right now. And Caelum understood that.

  As the quiet settled in, Caelum found his thoughts drifting, his mind wandering to a place he hadn’t allowed himself to go in a long time.

  What if we hadn’t reincarnated here?

  It was a question that had lingered in the back of his mind for a while, but he had always pushed it aside. The world they were in now—filled with danger, magic, and monstrous creatures—was all they had known for what felt like an eternity. But there had been a life before this, hadn’t there? A life back on Earth.

  Would we have been happy there? Caelum thought, his heart heavy with uncertainty.

  He couldn’t remember much about his life before reincarnation. The memories were foggy, slipping away whenever he tried to grasp them, but the feeling of familiarity remained. The world they had come from was different, simpler in some ways, and yet… somehow distant. He wasn’t even sure what kind of life he had lived before this one. Would he have been happy if they had stayed there? Or was this world, with all its danger and challenges, where they were meant to be?

  I wonder… Caelum’s voice drifted through their link, softer now, as he shared his thoughts with Aurelia. If we hadn’t reincarnated here, would we have lived happy lives back on Earth?

  Aurelia looked at him, her eyes filled with curiosity and thoughtfulness. I’ve wondered that too… but I don’t really remember what it was like before this. It feels so far away, like a dream I can barely recall.

  Caelum nodded. Same. I can’t even remember what I used to care about. What kind of life I had. Maybe we would’ve been happy. Maybe we wouldn’t have faced all these dangers, these battles. Maybe life would’ve been easier…

  Aurelia was silent for a moment before sending her thoughts gently. But would we have grown the way we have? We’ve become stronger here—physically and mentally. Even if it’s been hard, we’ve survived things that would have broken us back on Earth.

  Caelum sighed. You’re right. We’ve changed so much since coming here. But sometimes, I wonder if we could’ve had something simpler, something… less painful.

  Maybe we could’ve, Aurelia sent, her voice thoughtful. But would that have been enough for us? Here, we’ve found something… something that’s pushed us beyond what we ever thought we could be. Even if it’s terrifying at times.

  Caelum didn’t respond immediately, letting her words sink in. This world had shaped them in ways they never could have imagined. The danger, the magic, the battles—it had all forced them to grow, to adapt, to become something stronger. Maybe they wouldn’t have been happy living a simple, quiet life on Earth. Maybe this world, as harsh as it was, had given them something more.

  I guess we’ll never really know, Caelum sent, his voice soft but tinged with acceptance. But I’m glad I’m here with you, at least. No matter what this world throws at us.

  Aurelia smiled. Me too.

  They sat in silence once more, the wind whispering through the trees as they allowed themselves to rest, to recover. There would be time for evolution later, for becoming stronger and facing new challenges. But for now, they were just two souls, bound together in a world they didn’t fully understand.

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