That was a truth she didn't want to face. For months she'd tried to convince herself otherwise, and she'd almost succeeded. But there it was, still lurking at the back of her mind, refusing to leave.

"The entire world has united," she said, painfully aware of the doubt in her voice that betrayed her. "It might last. Even if it doesn't, there could be years before I fight again. What do you think a warrior is supposed to do during peacetime?"