Vera’s POV

The next morning, I woke before the sun. Sleep had come in pieces — shallow, restless, filled with flashes of Lisa’s face and the weight of a wooden sword in my hands.

Still, I got up without hesitation.

After bathing quickly, I slipped into a fresh outfit, simple and comfortable — something I could move in. I tied my hair into a tight braid and stood quietly in front of the mirror.

My fingers trembled as I adjusted the sleeves. My reflection stared back at me — eyes ...