Damned Healer

In front of Darian wasn’t just a stunning woman — her presence dragged up some really old memories, bubbling up from the depths of his mind.

Amara Rorik had that kind of striking beauty that was hard to ignore, with an air of nobility that clung to her. Her long dark hair fell like a waterfall, perfectly framing her delicate, expressive face. Her pale skin made her eyes pop — a hypnotic mix of gray and violet.

She was wearing full-body armor from the neck down. Mostly black, with gorgeous red and gold details, the suit hugged her body like a second skin, accentuating every curve of her feminine figure. A golden crown studded with red gems rested on her head — a clear sign of her status.

That armor was part of the Living-Tech Technique — the unique power of the Polar Circle Empire. It allowed the creation of insanely versatile tech-armors and weapons, and they were a pain to fight against.

These suits weren’t just strong or fast — they were often both — and their users were deadly from a distance with projectile weapons or up close with energy blades. The real kicker was that this tech had secrets only the locals of the empire knew. It couldn’t be stolen or sold off.

But more than the armor or the tech, the most shocking thing about Amara... was how eerily similar she looked to Darian’s mother. Aside from the eye color, even a pair of twins would’ve done a double take.

A subtle pain stabbed through Darian’s chest.

"Hmm? Why do you look so sad to see me?" Amara caught the shift in his eyes.

Darian took a deep breath; even Niara looked puzzled by his reaction. "Sorry... just remembered something bad, that’s all."

She stared at him calmly, as if she understood something hidden. But this wasn’t the time for personal talks. Still, sensing the honesty in his emotions, she seemed much more at ease.