A cool breeze whispered through the open windows of Antheia's office at the Academy.
Inside, Antheia busied herself with preparing new herbs, her hands deftly mixing ingredients and sticky goo with practiced precision. She was running late...

Antheia and her twin-brother always had their nightly ritual ever since they were given their freedom again. Their evening walk through the city and alongside the beach, under the watchful eye of the moon, where they would face less judgement....

...
...
...

Thanatos wandered into her office, his movements restless and his mind preoccupied.
He leaned against the doorframe, watching her work.

Thanatos
You’re running late, Theia. I thought we’d miss our walk tonight.

Antheia looked up, she could already read from her brother's body language that he was on edge... She already knew why, and that it was best to give him some more space...

Antheia
Apologies, Than. I lost track of time.
Just needed to finish this batch.

Thanatos walked further into the room, his eyes scanning the various herbs, potions and 'that stuff' in a little bowl across her desk.

Thanatos
A busy day, I see.

Antheia nodded, her hands continuing their work.

Antheia
Indeed, but I'm almost done...
And you? You seem like the desert wind before a storm.

Thanatos shifted his weight, avoiding her gaze.

Thanatos
My request to join the Concordi Sentinels was declined.

Antheia paused, her eyes softening with understanding, although she knew already that this was going to happen, but her brother held out hope. It has been a little over 10 years since the end of their rehabilitation, but...

Antheia
I am sorry to hear that, Than. I know how much it meant to you.

Thanatos shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant.

Thanatos
It’s fine. Our past... it follows us, like shadows in the sun.

Antheia
You know, we don’t have to go out tonight if you don’t feel like it.

Thanatos shook his head.

Thanatos
Tonight is the full moon, I want to go. Clear my head a bit...

Antheia
...

Thanatos
But first, what are you working on?

Antheia
I'm preparing some more Mirage's Balm.

Thanatos frowned, recalling the strange purple marks covering the king’s arm...

Thanatos
Why? You have taught the royal healers how to prepare that stuff, right?

Antheia
Oh Than... Two reasons.
One, I... am much better at making it than the royal healers wink! ;-)
And two, I never said that this dose was for King Anwar...

Thanatos
So... who is it for then?

Antheia
Than... You know I have patient-confidentiality.

Thanatos
Right...
...
...
Ah... The king's condition hasn't changed, has it?

Antheia
Sigh... No... And as he becomes older, it becomes more difficult.
We still know so little about it, even research supported by The Stewards has yielded nothing, not even in the oldest records. I’ve only seen his condition a few times up close myself, and ONLY on the king. Each time, it looks different, like something is slithering through the wounds. It's unnerving.

Thanatos
...
...
...

Antheia
You really want to know who I'm making it for, don't you?

Thanatos nodded, although he already knew that Theia wasn't going to tell him.

Antheia
It's not my place to tell. So I'm sorry. I'd prefer to keep their trust in me.

Thanatos
Well... You’re doing good work,
Theia. Even if it’s just a little relief, it matters.

Antheia
Thank you, Than. We’re doing what we can, with what we have.

...
...
...

Antheia's last response, "We do what we can, with what we have..." caused Thanatos' thoughts to drift back to their time in The Expanse. The memories were sharp, filled with the adrenaline of combat and the constant danger. There was a time when the thrill of the fight was all he lived for, but now...

Thanatos
Do you ever miss it? The gang, I mean.

Antheia stopped her work, meeting his gaze. She knew why he asked, it's why he wanted to join the Sentinels, he misses the thrill of the desert, the drive of survival... The fighting against whatever you could face in the desert...

Antheia
Not really. There’s a certain thrill when I’m saving someone’s life at the temple.
The stakes are so high, it makes you feel alive.

Thanatos nodded, understanding.

Thanatos
It's different now. We have a purpose here, even if it's not always clear. But...

Antheia
But what?

Thanatos
I miss the desert...

Antheia
I understand, brother... But as you just said. We have a place here.
We've left the desert behind us.

Thanatos
...

An awkward silence falls between the brother and sister...
As Antheia finishes up her work, she feels that perhaps she should change the subject...

Antheia
What about your classes? Have you planned anything special for this year?

Thanatos
I’ve been thinking about incorporating more practical combat scenarios.
Not just the usual drills, but real-world situations. They need to be prepared for anything.

Antheia
That sounds like a good idea. They need to understand the reality of combat, not just the theory.

Thanatos
And you? Any new plans for your classes?

Antheia
I want to focus more on rare herbs and their properties. But as you said, more real-world situations. How to improvise in the field, they need to know how to deal with the unexpected.

Thanatos
Seem we are same of mind. I think this year will be quite interesting.

Antheia smiled, a sense of determination lighting up her face.

Antheia
Yes, it will. And who knows? Maybe we’ll learn something new ourselves.

Thanatos
...

Antheia
There we are, all done! Shall we head out, brother?

As they stepped out into the warm night, the city of Costa Del Rugido spread out before them, alive with possibilities. They wandered towards the beach bazaar, the vibrant stalls still bustling under the soft glow of lanterns. The scent of exotic spices and the sound of distant laughter filled the air, creating a ever familiar symphony.

Arm in arm, they walked along the shore, the moonlight casting a silver path on the gentle waves. The cool sand beneath their feet and the rhythmic sound of the ocean brought a sense of peace and closure to their day. A view that they could never get enough of... Antheia leaned her head on Thanatos' shoulder, the twin bond between them stronger than ever.

Antheia
You know, despite everything, I’m glad we’re here.

Thanatos
So am I, Theia. So am I.

As they continued their walk under the moonlight...