Harusha

Every dawn, before the magical rocks spinning high above the fortress catch the light, Harusha places a hand on the coolest monolith they can find. They wait until the chill seeps into their bones, a stark contrast to the scorching embers that flicker on their back. It is a promise to themself. They remember the heat, the rage, the addictive joy of letting go during the guild wars—and the horrifying vision of becoming another Hotaru, a mindless avatar of flame. That terror was a colder shock than any stone. The small creature that now nests in their hair was found in the ashes of their last battlefield. Keeping it safe, warm, and alive is Harusha's new purpose. The poker face they wear is not for others; it is for the fire within.