"How is he?" Seong demanded, his voice tight with worry.

  He had been pacing restlessly outside Ryang's room, his patience wearing thin. It had been hours since they returned to Wicheong Palace, and Ryang still hadn't regained consciousness. He hadn't even stirred when they applied medicinal herbs to his wounds, changed his soaked clothes, and laid him on a bed warmed with charcoal. The physicians from the Ministry of Emissaries Divine were still examining him, but Seong couldn't bear the agonizing wait any longer.

  Norahn, seeing the Guardian's distress, answered in place of the busy physicians. "There are no major concerns at the moment. His shoulder wound shows signs of previous treatment. The other injuries are merely scrapes from the rocks and barnacles in the cave. We're treating them to prevent infection."

  But Seong's anxiety wouldn't be quelled. "No major concerns?" he retorted, his voice rising in frustration. "Then why is he still unconscious?!"

  The physicians, sensing the tension, turned to face Seong and bowed their heads. Norahn tried to soothe him.

  "Guardian, we need to observe his progress. The physicians can't say anything definitive right now."

  "Then they shouldn't be speaking as if they can," Seong snapped.

  Norahn, his shoulders slumping, bowed his head to avoid further escalating the situation. "I apologize," he mumbled.

  Ung stepped forward. "Guardian," he said gently, "it hasn't even been half a day since you arrived back. Perhaps he's simply exhausted. Please be patient. He's safe now, with us."

  But Seong's fear was a raging fire, consuming all reason. "He's not safe until I see him awake!" he retorted. "There's no way that bastard would leave Ryang unharmed after capturing him! Why else would he bother treating his wounds? Don't you know Hwan?!"

  As his voice rose in anger, small flames erupted from his fingertips. Startled, Seong stumbled backward, swatting away Norahn's outstretched hand.

  "Don't touch me!"

  A tingling sensation lingered on the edge of his hand. He looked up and met Norahn's eyes, wide with fear. He glanced down at his hands. The red glow had vanished, leaving only scorch marks on his sleeves. Shame washed over him. Yeong, who had been silent throughout the ordeal, remained so, her expression unreadable. Seong couldn't tell if he was being judged or pitied, but either way, he felt a deep sense of shame. Yeong gave a slight shake of her head, a subtle gesture meant only for Seong. Seong took a deep breath, composing himself, and then spoke to Norahn, his voice softer now.

  "I didn't mean to hurt you."

  Though his surprise was evident, Norahn focused on calming Seong. "You need to rest, Guardian. Leave the High Councilor to us, warm yourself, and try to get some sleep."

  Ignoring Norahn's plea, Seong turned to Ung. "Have we sent word to Nahmgyo yet?"

  Ung shook his head. "It would be better to help Ryang recover quickly and take him to Nahmgyo ourselves. If we simply send word, Seon might rush here without thinking. We'll consider the best course of action, but for now, Guardian, please rest, as the High Emissary suggested."

  Despite their repeated advice, Seong couldn't tear his eyes away from Ryang's shallowly rising and falling chest. Norahn tried again.

  "Guardian."

  Seong looked around at the anxious faces surrounding him. He finally relented with a weary nod.

  "Please take care of him."

  With that brief instruction, he turned and left the room. Yeong followed a short distance behind, accompanied by a few soldiers as escorts.

  Seong walked in silence, seemingly unaware of Yeong's presence. He headed towards the hot springs, the air thick with steam. He shed his clothes, stiff with dried saltwater, and sank into the warm water. Yeong followed, and though the soldiers hesitated to allow her entry, they eventually stepped aside, intimidated by her somber expression.

  Seong remained oblivious to his surroundings, his empty gaze fixed on his hands. Yeong sat beside him on the stone ledge.

  "It's been a long day," Yeong remarked.

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  Seong turned, startled. His lips twitched as if to speak, but no words came out. Yeong remained calm.

  "Is there anything to hide from me?"

  Seong looked away, suddenly self-conscious of his nakedness.

  "Are you confused?" Yeong asked.

  "So much," Seong admitted.

  "You'll get used to it," Yeong assured him. "You have to."

  "I'm not used to it at all right now," Seong confessed. "I don't want to hurt anyone by losing control."

  "Then fear won't help you." Yeong reached out, her fingers brushing against Seong's wrist. Seong quickly pulled his hand away, hiding it in the water.

  "Trust me," Yeong said softly. "You won't hurt me."

  She gently took Seong's hand, her touch tracing the lines of his palm, his fingers exploring the delicate bones and muscles. A shiver ran through Seong, but it wasn't fear he felt, but a strange sense of comfort.

  "See?" Yeong said. "Nothing happened."

  A weary smile touched Seong's lips. Exhausted from the day's events, even that small smile felt strained.

  "Anger and desperation create powerful forces," Yeong said. "That's the easy part."

  "What's the difficult part?"

  "Balance."

  "How can I find balance?"

  "You need a center. Without a center, there's no balance."

  "That's..."

  "Something you must find within yourself."

  Seong, his eyes downcast, asked Yeong, "Why me? What have I done to deserve this?"

  "I told you," Yeong reminded him, "the power of the Celestial Scions lies beyond death. It's granted only to those who understand the price of blood. It's the price we pay to Sahngjon."

  Seong's heart ached as he realized that none of the Celestial Scions in Wi had awakened their powers amidst the countless deaths and the brutal massacre. "Haven't we all paid the price in blood?" he asked, his voice heavy.

  "Not all deaths carry the same weight," Yeong replied cryptically.

  Seong wanted to ask if even Myeonghyeon Seung's death, the sacrifice he had to make to protect Ryang and Seon, held no meaning. But he couldn't bear to hear the answer, couldn't bear to resent Yeong any further. He pushed the thought aside and asked,

  "How can we know? How can we know which deaths carry enough weight?"

  "We can't," Yeong admitted. "We can only offer our lives and await Sahngjon's judgement."

  "Do all Scions have to awaken their powers beyond death?"

  "All of them," Yeong confirmed. "There are no exceptions."

  A long silence stretched between them. Yeong finally broke it. "Are you thinking of sending the remaining Celestial Scions to their deaths?"

  "I would never," Seong asserted firmly. "Their lives aren't worth the risk."

  "I was going to tell you it's pointless," Yeong said. "It doesn't work that way."

  Seong took a shaky breath. "I saw the scars on Norahn's body," he confessed. "So many scars, overlapping each other, that I couldn't even count them. I was so angry that I demanded to know what happened, but he just said something strange about pain opening one's eyes and ears. I dismissed it as the Ministry's usual nonsense... But Norahn started seeing strange lights in his eyes, Sahngjon's revelations, ever since the day the star fell. That's how he was able to find you. He was already awakened."

  "What are you trying to say?"

  "Did something like what happened to me today... happen to Norahn as well?"

  Yeong blinked slowly. "Do you want to hear it from me?"

  Seong looked away, his heart sinking. "No. Don't tell me."

  He felt a pang of guilt for lashing out at Norahn earlier. Silence fell between them again, and the memories of the day flooded Seong's mind. The fear and helplessness he felt beneath the cold, dark water, the faint red glow of his fingertips. Sensing his distress, Yeong gently tilted Seong's chin, forcing him to meet her gaze. Seong's eyes shimmered with unshed tears.

  "Why are you grieving?" Yeong asked softly.

  Seong shook his head. "I couldn't save Ryang. If the miracle hadn't happened, that's what would have happened. I didn't want to give up on him, but I knew... I wasn't trying to save him. I went there to die with him."

  "It's a miracle, your ability," Yeong said, her voice gentle but firm. "Don't waste your energy on what might have been. You need your strength for what lies ahead."

  "What am I supposed to do now?" Seong asked.

  "I'll guide you," Yeong assured him. "There's no need to rush. I'll be by your side now."

  A warmth spread through Seong's chest at her words. Yeong made to leave. "Rest for now," she said.

  As she turned to go, Seong reached out and caught her wrist, his eyes filled with uncertainty. Yeong waited patiently.

  "Thank you," Seong finally said. "For everything."

  A faint, hesitant smile touched Yeong's lips. The lingering scent of saltwater hung in the air between them, a reminder of the day's ordeal. Yeong's eyes, usually so cold and distant, seemed to soften in the warm steam. Seong cupped Yeong's face in his hands gently. Yeong met his gaze, her body tense. Seong leaned forward and kissed her, his breath warm against Yeong's lips. The feeling was unfamiliar, yet comforting. As Yeong's lips parted slightly, Seong pulled away, his gaze dropping to the floor.

  "I'm sorry," he mumbled, flustered.

  "Why?" Yeong asked, his voice calm and steady.

  "It's just..." Seong struggled to meet his eyes. "I..."

  Yeong gave him a knowing look and then turned to leave. For a fleeting moment, a hint of a smile played on her lips, a subtle warmth that lingered in the steamy air long after she was gone.