Resonant Rewrite

Evelyn spent the next two days in a haze of restless determination. The sterile walls of her hospital room felt like a cage, their blankness reflecting her inner turmoil. Each moment that passed was a reminder that Aria remained unconscious, and Evelyn was powerless to change that.

Her team continued to visit, their concern for her evident in their every word and action. But the camaraderie they usually shared felt strained—an unspoken tension hanging in the air. Evelyn was certain they knew more than they let on about Aria's condition, but she didn't press them. Not yet.

She spent her nights staring at the ceiling, memories of the dungeon flashing through her mind like fragments of a broken mirror. The roar of monsters, the sting of exhaustion, and above all, Aria's scream—haunting, desperate—echoed in her ears. She could still feel the weight of her own failure pressing down on her chest.

On the morning of the third day, Evelyn was allowed out of her bed for the first time. She dressed quickly, donning a simple black uniform provided by the guild. As she adjusted the straps of her boots, a soft knock came at the door.

"Come in," she called, standing up and stretching her arms.

The door creaked open, revealing Mira. She held a small tray with a cup of tea and some light food, though her expression was more cautious than cheerful.

"Good morning, Captain," Mira said, stepping inside. "How are you feeling?"

Evelyn waved a hand dismissively. "Better. Strong enough to walk around, at least."

Mira nodded but didn't meet her gaze directly. She placed the tray on the table and hesitated, as if she wanted to say something but couldn't find the right words.

"What is it, Mira?" Evelyn asked, crossing her arms.

Mira bit her lip. "It's just... I thought you might want to know that Aria's condition hasn't changed. The doctors are still monitoring her."

Evelyn's stomach twisted. "Still no change," she murmured, mostly to herself. Her resolve hardened. "Then I need to see her."

"Captain, I—" Mira began, but Evelyn cut her off with a sharp look.

"Mira, I'm going to see her," Evelyn said firmly. "I've waited long enough."

Mira sighed, her shoulders slumping. "I figured you'd say that. I'll talk to the staff and see if they'll allow it. But please, don't push yourself too hard."

Evelyn gave a curt nod. "Thank you."

Later that afternoon, Mira returned with permission for Evelyn to visit the recovery ward. The walk to Aria's room was short but heavy with anticipation. Each step Evelyn took felt like crossing a battlefield, her emotions a chaotic storm of guilt, fear, and determination.

When they reached the door, Mira paused. "I'll wait out here," she said softly. "Take your time."

Evelyn nodded and pushed the door open.

The room was quiet, save for the rhythmic beeping of the monitoring equipment. Aria lay on the bed, her auburn hair fanned out on the pillow. Her face was pale but peaceful, as if she were merely sleeping. The sight of her—so still, so vulnerable—made Evelyn's throat tighten.

She approached the bed slowly, her boots barely making a sound on the polished floor. Pulling a chair closer, she sat down beside Aria and stared at her for a long moment.

"Aria," Evelyn said, her voice trembling. "I don't know if you can hear me, but I'm so sorry. I should have been stronger. I should have protected you."

Her hand hovered over Aria's for a moment before she gently clasped it. "You've always been the one to look out for me. Even when I didn't deserve it. And now... you're lying here because of me."

Evelyn closed her eyes, fighting back tears. "I promise you; I'll make this right. Whatever it takes."

As Evelyn sat there, the door creaked open, and Vera entered the room. The Guild Master's presence was as commanding as ever, but there was a softness in her gaze as she looked at Evelyn.

"I thought I might find you here," Vera said quietly, closing the door behind her.

Evelyn didn't look up. "I had to see her," she said. "I needed to."

Vera walked to the other side of the bed, her sharp eyes scanning Aria's motionless form. "She's strong," she said. "Stronger than most. If anyone can recover from this, it's her."

Evelyn looked up; her blue eyes filled with uncertainty. "What if she doesn't wake up? What if—"

"She will," Vera interrupted, her tone firm. "But sitting here and drowning in guilt won't help her."

Evelyn's jaw tightened. "Then what will?"

Vera studied her for a moment before speaking. "You've been through a lot, Evelyn. More than anyone should have to endure. But if you want to help Aria, you need to focus on yourself first. You need to be ready for whatever comes next."

Evelyn frowned. "What do you mean?"

Vera's expression grew serious. "There's something I didn't tell you before. Something we discovered during our analysis of your monitoring data from the dungeon."

Evelyn straightened in her chair; her gaze fixed on Vera. "What is it?"

"Your corruption rate," Vera said. "It wasn't just Aria's intervention that brought it down. Something else happened in that dungeon—something we don't fully understand. And whatever it was, it left a mark on you."

"A mark?" Evelyn echoed, her heart racing.

Vera nodded. "A residue of some kind. The researchers are still studying it, but it's unlike anything we've seen before. It's... connected to your corruption, but also to the way it was reversed. And it might be the key to understanding what happened to Aria."

Evelyn's mind raced. A mark? What could it mean? Was it a curse? A blessing? Or something far more dangerous?

"What do I need to do?" Evelyn asked, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her.

Vera placed a hand on her shoulder. "For now, focus on your recovery. When you're ready, we'll delve deeper into this together. But know this, Evelyn—whatever this mark is, it's tied to your bond with Aria. And finding the truth may be the only way to bring her back."

Evelyn looked down at Aria, her resolve hardening. "I'll do whatever it takes," she said quietly. "For her."

Vera gave a small nod. "I know you will."

As Vera left the room, Evelyn sat in silence, her mind filled with questions. But one thing was clear—this was only the beginning. Whatever lay ahead, she would face it head-on. For Aria. For her team. And for herself.

Next Day

The room was quiet, save for the gentle hum of the monitoring equipment. Evelyn sat beside Aria; her gaze fixed on the unconscious figure. She reached out, brushing a stray strand of auburn hair from Aria's peaceful face. The sight was both comforting and heartbreaking; Aria looked as if she could wake at any moment, yet the stillness betrayed a deeper uncertainty.

"Hey, Aria," Evelyn whispered, leaning back in her chair. "It's strange, you know? Being here, waiting for you to wake up. It should be the other way around. You were always the one keeping me grounded."

The sound of the door creaking open behind her snapped her out of her thoughts. She turned sharply, her eyes narrowing as a voice broke the silence.

"Talking to yourself, Captain? How fitting for someone with your reputation."

Evelyn's eyes flickered with irritation as she took in the man standing in the doorway. He was tall, with broad shoulders and a presence that radiated authority. His black hair was neatly styled, and his deep blue eyes held a detached, almost calculating gaze. The strong aura that surrounded him made her instinctively wary.

"Who are you, and what are you doing here?" Evelyn demanded; her tone sharp. "And perhaps you should mind your manners."

The man's lips curved into a faint, almost condescending smile. "Caius Kade," he said, his voice cold and nonchalant. "I'm here to visit the hospitalized hunters, as is customary when such incidents occur."

Evelyn's brow furrowed. "Hospitalized hunters?" she repeated, clearly unimpressed. "And what gives you the right to barge in here unannounced?"

Caius took a step closer, his posture exuding professionalism. "My guild was initially assigned to clear that dungeon," he explained, his tone matter-of-fact. "However, circumstances prevented us from completing the task, and Silver Phoenix was called in as a substitute. Since you were the leader of the team that entered on our behalf, I thought it appropriate to extend an apology and gratitude."

Evelyn's expression softened slightly but remained guarded. "Well, I suppose that's... considerate of you."

Caius's gaze shifted to Aria. His blue eyes lingered on her for a moment before he turned back to Evelyn. "Your guide is... quite the enigma. And from the reports I've read, so are you, Captain Ardane."

Evelyn bristled at the scrutiny. "I don't need compliments or judgments from a stranger," she replied. "If you're done here, you can leave."

Caius inclined his head slightly, his smile fading into an unreadable expression. "Of course. I've said what I came to say. Rest assured; Silver Phoenix's efforts haven't gone unnoticed."

With that, he turned and walked out, the door clicking shut behind him.

"What a weirdo," Evelyn muttered, leaning back in her chair and glancing at Aria. "I don't know what it is, but something about him doesn't sit right. What did he mean by that? And why did he seem so... interested in us?"

Outside the room, Caius replayed the events in his head before coming to see them.

A Few Hours Earlier

The towering glass doors of the guild's headquarters reflected the afternoon sun as Caius entered. His footsteps echoed through the marble-floored lobby; his thoughts occupied with his recent mission.

Caius approached the elevator and pressed the button for the top floor. The doors slid shut, and as the elevator ascended, he replayed the guild master's summons in his mind.

Upon reaching the top floor, he knocked on the large, ornate door of the Guild Master's office. A voice from within called out, "Come in."

Caius pushed the door open and stepped inside. The Guild Master, a middle-aged man with sharp eyes and a commanding presence, sat behind a large mahogany desk. He gestured for Caius to approach and handed him a sleek tablet.

"You've been busy," the Guild Master said. "But while you were out, something... noteworthy happened."

Caius raised an eyebrow, taking the tablet. "Noteworthy?"

The Guild Master leaned back in his chair, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "A new S-class guide has emerged. Aria Felstone. Age twenty-five. During a recent retest, she was found to be an S-class guide—a rarity, as you know. Naturally, several guilds and organizations tried to recruit her, but she declined all offers and joined the Silver Phoenix Guild."

Caius's expression remained stoic as he scrolled through the profile. "Silver Phoenix? An unusual choice."

The Guild Master nodded. "Even more unusual, she joined as the guide for Evelyn Ardane's team. Evelyn, as you may recall, is also an S-class—an Esper. Their team recently took on the dungeon that was initially assigned to us and your team to be exact."

Caius's gaze sharpened. "The dungeon shifted into an orange-grade?"

"Precisely," the Guild Master said. "The Silver Phoenix team entered on our behalf. And while I assumed the outcome would be disastrous, it turns out I was mistaken."

Caius's brows knit together. "What happened?"

The Guild Master slid the tablet screen to a detailed report. "Read it for yourself."

As Caius scanned the report, his expression shifted from mild interest to shock. "They all survived?" he said incredulously. "Even the lower-ranked members?"

"Indeed," the Guild Master said, a hint of amusement in his tone. "And not just survived—they made it to the final floor. Do you understand the implications of that?"

Caius set the tablet down, his mind racing. "The Esper... She must be exceptional."

"You're not wrong," the Guild Master said. "But here's the twist—Evelyn Ardane, the S-class Esper, hadn't been using a guide for a significant amount of time. By all accounts, she was on the brink of losing control during the dungeon expedition."

Caius frowned. "Then how—?"

"The report suggests that Aria Felstone, the guide, played a critical role in stabilizing her," the Guild Master explained. "In fact, when the team collapsed on the final floor, it was Aria who remained conscious and led them all out of the dungeon. She passed out immediately after, and she hasn't regained consciousness since."

Caius leaned back in his chair; his expression thoughtful. "Fascinating," he murmured. "But what do you want me to do about it?"

The Guild Master leaned forward, his gaze piercing. "Pay your respects to the Silver Phoenix team, as I instructed. Make a proper apology for the dungeon assignment. Beyond that, I want you to observe."

"Observe?" Caius echoed.

The Guild Master smirked. "Evelyn Ardane and Aria Felstone are exceptional assets. If we can recruit them to our guild, we'll strengthen our position considerably. If not, maintaining a strong relationship with them is equally vital. You may need Aria's guidance in the future—an S-class guide is invaluable, after all."

Caius stood; his expression unreadable. "Understood."

"Good," the Guild Master said, waving him off. "You're dismissed."

Present

Outside the hospital room, Caius paused in the corridor. The encounter with Evelyn Ardane had been... intriguing, to say the least. She was nothing like the reserved and composed leaders he was used to dealing with.

But it wasn't Evelyn who occupied his thoughts the most—it was Aria.

There was something about her—a peaceful aura that calmed him, yet carried a faint sense of familiarity he couldn't quite place. It wasn't just intrigue. It was as if she stirred something buried deep within him, something he didn't yet understand.

With unanswered questions weighing on his mind, Caius turned and walked away, his steps measured and his thoughts restless.