Elias was in the middle of a story, gesturing with both hands as he recounted how one of the assistant professors had covered himself up head to toe and slipped into his booth at the betting tables with all the subtlety of a rhinoceros. His words tumbled out with laughter, animated as ever. But Kain didn’t hear the end of the anecdote.
The world narrowed to a single flash of color—a lock of deep purple hair gliding through the crowd.
Elias blinked as Kain suddenly cut him off, muttering a rushed apology before bolting into the mass of people. "Hey—what—?" Elias’ words chased after him, but Kain was already gone.
His pulse pounded in his ears as he pushed through the Dark Moon students, staff and fans lingering near the teleportation array until the designated time came. He barely noticed the grumbled protests or the swish of rolled up support banners brushing against him. His eyes were locked on that one figure, weaving farther ahead.
Airalai. It had to be her.
He remembered the disappointment of the Royal Auction weeks ago. Based on the information fed to him by Darius’ group of individuals awakened by Kain using Pangea, he believed that his long lost ’sister’ would be present, that she had been granted permission to attend perhaps to fulfill some important plan of that secret organization that she is now a part of.
He had gone there determined, certain he would see her at last. But the auction had come and gone without a trace of her. He had buried the sting of that failure under his victories in the bidding hall—securing the items Vauleth and Serena’s Prismarin needed to evolve further—but the absence of Airalai had left a hollow space untouched.
Now, seeing that familiar color in the crowd, all the buried frustration and anticipation bubbled to the surface.
"Airalai!" he shouted once, voice drowned beneath the hum of the plaza and the rising charge of the teleportation array. The figure didn’t turn. He pushed harder, slipping past a pair of startled guards, but when he reached the spot where he’d seen her—
He spun, scanning desperately. Purple vanished into black, blue, and gold, swallowed by the moving crowd. His chest heaved, his hands clenching uselessly at his sides. The taste of disappointment was sharp on his tongue, heavier even than before.
A sudden cheer broke his daze. The teleportation array, enormous runes carved into the marble platform, had completed its charge. Brilliant light surged upward, spilling across the plaza like a tide. The officials were calling for all passengers to board.
His heart screamed at him to keep searching. But the reality was plain: if he missed this departure, there would be no convenient way back. The College had spent a fortune arranging this transmission. It would not be repeated for him alone unless it was for an important mission...which is naturally not the case.
Grinding his teeth, he forced himself back to the group, the cheers of the crowd cutting like a mockery. He stepped onto the platform, surrounded by Dark Moon students, supporters, and professors. Elias gave him a quizzical look but said nothing as the energy swelled.
The wrenching pull of teleportation tore through his stomach, a sickening twist that made him grit his teeth until the sensation passed. Then, as suddenly as it began, it ended.
They arrived in Dark Moon City.
The familiar gothic architecture skyline stretched before him, jagged towers and sprawling courtyards draped in banners for the victorious team. Likely the whole city had been watching the tournament and waiting to welcome them back warmly.
The teleportation center buzzed with activity, students and staff ushering the group out, congratulating them as they funneled toward the exits.
The air in the hall felt warmer and more festive than the Capital, banners were still shedding glitter from a victory parade that must have occurred before they’d even come back. Shuttle buses hurried past calling routes to the College and different regions of the city. Clearly, the school had thought of everything...
Strangers clapped Kain on the shoulder, and more than one pointed, whispering his name like a spell. He managed a nod, nothing more, his thoughts still distracted by the figure he could have sworn he’d seen in the crowd earlier.
Kain trailed behind, shoulders heavy. His earlier exhilaration from the tournament’s end had already been fading, but now it felt crushed entirely. He had seen her. He was certain. And yet she was gone again, snatched away before he could reach her.
His feet dragged, eyes lowered as he followed the others out. The noise of celebration rang hollow in his ears.
By the exit of the teleportation center, a lone figure stood waiting. Unmoving, as though she had been there the entire time.
Deep purple hair, gleaming under the light of the runes. A familiar posture. Eyes that locked onto his the instant he looked up.
His heart stuttered in his chest.
She hadn’t vanished. She was here.
And this time, she was staring directly at him—smiling with the same kind, almost motherly expression she used to wear when watching over him and Bridge as children. A welcoming smile that stirred old warmth in his chest.
Yet beneath his shock and excitement, complex emotions churned. Unlike the others at the orphanage, he knew the truth of where she had been all these years: entangled in that vile organization that experimented on innocents in the name of ’strength.’ She had known where her family was and let them go on believing she was dead. And now she dared to stand there smiling, as if nothing had happened.
How was he supposed to explain this to his family? To the orphanage director (her own uncle) or to Bridge—who had been closest to her?
Was it even his job explain? Surely she’s showing up here now for a reason...right?
Their eyes met, and for a heartbeat, the world fell away, leaving Kain torn between happiness and suspicion.