Two weeks.
That was what Voss gave them.
Arin stood in the corridor outside Lina's room, his arms crossed, his back against the wall. Voss faced him, her expression unreadable. The others were nearby—Ren by the window, Hana on the bench, Maya and Dmitri at the end of the hall.
"The Crucible is holding its mid‑term evaluations," Voss said. "Combat trials between all first‑year classes. They start in two weeks."
"I'm not going."
"You don't have a choice."
Arin's jaw tightened.
"Lina is here. She's not awake yet. I can't leave her."
"Adanna is here. Hana can stay. The facility is secure." Voss's voice was calm, but firm. "You've already been given more freedom than any first‑year in Crucible history. You've traveled across continents. You've led an unsanctioned mission. The Council has looked the other way because you brought back results."
She stepped closer.
"But that grace has limits. If you don't attend the trials, you will be disqualified from the academy. Permanently."
Silence.
Ren spoke from the window. "And the squad?"
"The same applies to all of you." Voss looked at each of them. "You've been operating as a unit outside the academy's oversight. That ends now. Either you return and participate, or you forfeit your standing as Crucible candidates."
Maya's voice was quiet. "What about Lina?"
"She will remain here. Adanna will continue her treatment. Hana can stay behind if she chooses."
Hana shook her head. "I'm not leaving Arin."
"Then you go with him." Voss turned back to Arin. "You have two weeks. Use them wisely."
She walked away.
Arin stood in the corridor, his hands in his pockets, his eyes on the floor.
Hana moved to his side.
"She's right," she said quietly. "We've been pushing the rules for months. The Council isn't going to let that slide forever."
"I know."
"Then why are you standing here like you're going to refuse?"
He looked at Lina's door.
"Because she's still in there. And I promised her I'd stay."
"You promised you'd come back," Hana said. "You didn't promise you'd never leave her side."
He didn't answer.
Ren approached him later that evening.
The lights in the corridor were low. Most of the facility was asleep.
"You're worried about leaving her."
"Yes."
"Adanna knows what she's doing. The facility is secure. And the trials are only a few days."
"A few days is a long time when someone you love is unconscious."
Ren was quiet for a moment.
"Then win quickly."
Arin looked at him.
"The trials are team battles," Ren said. "We fight together. We win together. We come back together." He paused. "And then we finish what we started."
Arin nodded slowly.
"Together."
That night, Arin sat beside Lina's bed.
Her hand was warm in his. Her breathing was steady. The monitors beeped their quiet rhythm.
"I have to go," he said quietly. "Just for a few days. There's a test at the academy. If I don't go, they'll throw me out."
Her fingers didn't move.
"I don't want to leave you. But I don't have a choice." He held her hand tighter. "I'll come back. I always come back."
He stayed until the first light of dawn crept through the window.
Then he stood.
"Watch over her," he said to Adanna, who was standing in the doorway.
"I will."
He walked out.