"It has been a long time since we three could be together without interruption. It would be good to spend time now, master. If any of us died during the war, we could never cherish such a moment again. We know you've been busy for a while now. It's why we have never approached you these past few months. Given the circumstances, spending a short while should be okay, right?"
Rina and Ayumi spoke simultaneously and in the exact same tone. Referring to themselves as 'we' without fail was a habit of theirs as well. Both still call Hana their master and view her as such to some extent.
They acted like they were one to feel more connected. It allegedly aided their dual cultivation greatly on top of that.
Hana's mood worsened as she heard their words. The words they spoke were all true, and she felt that Rina and Ayumi's proposition was perfect. She hated the thought of them dying.
"Yes, spending some time together is absolutely perfect now. Please, come inside."
Hana smiled and opened the door for the siblings enthusiastically.
They stepped inside, bowing shortly to show gratitude and respect.
"It's been some time since we've visited. You didn't change your apartment one bit, did you, master?"
Rina and Ayumi walked around and carefully brushed their hands against multiple pieces of furniture. The bored expression they always wore was gone, replaced by a nostalgic and comfortable smile. Unsurprisingly, that beautiful smile didn't last 10 seconds before it vanished again.
Hana closed the door and gazed at them fondly as she sat down on her couch. The couch was perfectly soft and yet also hard enough as not to sink too far down when sitting on it.
"I didn't. I enjoy how I have arranged everything here. Besides, I know that you two have always liked my apartment. I wanted you two to be nostalgic and content when you next visited."
Her expression lit up, knowing that they liked the place the same way they always had, her voice gleeful.
Both of them joined Hana on the couch, their gazes soft yet also bored.
"Thank you, master. It's a very thoughtful thing of you to do for us."
"You deserved it. You've been achieving great feats recently. Not only that, but I'm grateful that you were never a bother when I used to train you. If time was rewound, I would choose to train you two again without hesitation. I would not feel any regret because of it."
"You flatter us. Don't ignore your own achievements either, please. We are stronger, but you are the only strong healer we have. You are far more important to the first stronghold, master."
All three of them smiled at each other radiantly. All of them missed the time they used to spend greatly. They all felt great sadness deep within, knowing that their responsibilities and strength would keep driving them further and further from each other.
The stronger they became, the less time they had for their loved ones. It was the price all truly strong beings had to pay. Cultivating and protecting others was simply too big of a task to handle in little time.
Just then, Rina and Ayumi's smiles disappeared simultaneously, and they leaned closer to Hana, who looked confused by their actions.
"You're close to rank 4, aren't you? We can detect your change in aura. Congratulations, master. We're happy to see you rise in ranks and become stronger."
They flashed a short smile, absent of any jealousy, before gazing into her eyes seriously.
"You are trying to cultivate before any battle can happen, are we correct? Do not. It's far too dangerous. If you succeed, it will be a major achievement. If you fail, it will be your downfall. Neither of us want to see you perish. Please don't perform risky acts. Promise us to wait until after the war. You can perform the breakthrough in safety then."
Hana looked taken aback for a few seconds, remaining quiet as she thought about their words. They were so young, and yet they acted so mature. More mature than most adults ever become.
She heaved a sigh and realized that they were right. Maybe it was too risky after all.
"Yes. I promise you two. I won't break through to rank 4 before the war is over. I will keep my promise."
Hana's voice and expression turned dead serious for a short time. She stared into both Rina and Ayumi's eyes as they smiled a relieved smile.
"That's good. We couldn't handle it if you died. People dying because you were unable to heal them would be such a tragedy too."
Both shared a troubled and anxious expression, worrying about a future that would most likely never happen.
To get them to relax again, Hana pulled them both into a tight hug and smiled at them from ear to ear.
"Stop being worrywarts already. We finally get some time with each other and this is how you spend it? By worrying? Come on! That's not how I remember you two!"
Her voice showed no worry or anxiety and hearing her words calmed the sisters down.
Their anxious expressions faded within seconds, and they copied Hana's smile perfectly.
"You're right, Hana. Let's enjoy our time together some more."
The three of them enjoyed the rest of the day together and caught up on life, their laughter so loud that it echoed throughout the hallway of the central building. It was truly a blissful day for them.
After Rina and Ayumi left in the evening, Hana lay down on her bed once more to cultivate. It wasn't her intention to break her soul yet, but merely to crack it up further.
The production of essence increases by 100% when the soul is broken. However, the production rate doesn't only increase when the soul is broken. Every crack increases it slightly as well.
This is the reason why Enlightened that are closer to the next rank are stronger than those who have just reached that same rank.
Unfortunately, it didn't go as planned for Hana. A few minutes after she started to cultivate, her soul shattered, the individual parts scattering all over inside her body.
She immediately stopped cultivating and broke into a cold sweat as she realized the possible consequences of her actions.
"Shit! Nonononono!"
Cultivating more and praying that she would reach rank 4 in time was the only thing she could do now. Knowing that, she immediately began to cultivate again. This time, in a panicked and desperate state.