Blackfeather Woods & i've been sitting at the bottom of a swimming pool for a while now

She must be hearing things—right?

The call rose up and Maegi froze, ears high and alert atop her head. She moved slowly at first, and then quicker, her ungainly steps taking her down the familiar forest paths. She burst from the underbrush, the bone-dry branches clawing at her sides, and drew to a dead halt, staring at Tundra as if seeing a ghost.

You're alive, she said in wonder, jaw slightly agape. Joy rose up within her, an overwhelming relief. Her friend was alive. She was in one piece. Tundra had returned. And yet—

You're alive, Maegi repeated, in a slightly different manner. Death, or betrayal. The awful thought had reared its ugly head. But you left, her conscience countered, and she frowned, unsure of what to think. Or do. Or feel. She had prepared herself to accept Tundra for dead.

The Nona swallowed, silent for a few beats longer. Then: What happened?

The former Decima could explain herself from here.