[Location: Maranagara City – Night – 1 Days before Night of Sarjavah Festival - Year: 1092 Ad Felicitas]
The night before the Sarjavah Festival, Luna, Alma, and Dheandita walked along the empty pedestrian walkway of Maranagara City''s West District. Only a few alcheriders passed by on the nearby street, while fireworks bloomed in the distance, scattering colors across the dark sky.
"Well... tomorrow''s the day. Finally," Alma murmured, her gaze fixed on the brilliant display above. She turned to Luna with a grin. "Turns out Devita actually invited us to Yuvaka, huh?"
"Yeah..." Luna''s face remained unreadable.
Alma glanced at her Lumina Core, checking the time. "You know, I kinda miss home already. Around this time..." Her voice trailed off before she continued in a mock robotic tone, "Now it''s nighttime. For your safety, please remain indoors at your designated residence. Thank you."
A small smile crossed Dheandita''s face as she shook her head. "An actual citywide announcement? That''s nice… the government really looks out for its people."
"It''s not exactly like that, Dhea," Luna scoffed, crossing her arms. "Unlike the Neutral Zones, where monsters run rampant, the surface areas under the Union are... relatively safe."
"I see..." Dheandita fell silent before adding softly, "I wonder if Dad''s back yet..."
"I''m sure he is," Luna reassured her.
When they returned to Vanderlane Grand Hotel via skyrail, they found Friedrich had indeed returned, though Drifter was nowhere in sight. Alma''s eyes lit up with relief before softening with concern. "Dad, you''re back..."
Friedrich gave a small nod. "Are you all alright, Alma?"
She stepped forward, arms reaching out instinctively, but Friedrich merely looked at her with tired eyes. The familiar warmth of his embrace never came, and Alma''s hands fell limply to her sides.
"I''m fine, Dad. Are you?" she asked carefully.
Luna spoke up, her tone measured. "Professor, it turns out Devita''s promise was true. Her father was a chancellor. But it''s just the three of us, along with Dheandita. It wouldn''t have been wise to bring Jaxon or Drifter—they might raise suspicion."
Friedrich nodded in understanding. "Ah, I see. Good job... Rest well for now. Let''s continue in the morning."
Alma hesitated before nodding. "Alright. Goodnight, Dad."
Friedrich waved her off as she and Luna made their way to their room. Though Alma''s thoughts lingered, visible in the subtle shift of her expression, Luna remained silent. Eventually, they all retreated to their separate suites as fireworks continued to paint the sky in vibrant bursts. As the final display faded into darkness, the city''s lights dimmed one by one, and dawn began to creep over the horizon.
<hr>
In Drifter''s suite, the quiet hum of the air conditioner was the only sound breaking the stillness. He blinked, his gaze falling to the Lumina Core on his wrist. 05:21, Ventras, 12th Monala, 1092. As he exhaled slowly, Drifter felt the weight of the past days gradually lifting. Today was the day. He shifted, pushing himself upright, wondering if the others had met with Devita yet.
His mind flashed to the previous night—meeting the professor, confirming his safety, then returning to his room to sleep. Tapping his Lumina Core, he brought up the holographic screen. Under Applications - Evocaier Order Reports, he found the latest entry from 11th Monala, 1092: "Meeting at 06:30. Jaxon met with the Resistance; they plan to attack the yuvaka cruise ship. Devita has extended invitations to Luna, Alma, and Dheandita."
After his morning routine, Drifter checked the time again—06:30. With a measured breath, he made his way to Friedrich''s room, where Alma, Luna, Dheandita, and Jaxon were already seated. He slipped into the empty seat at the edge of the group, letting the quiet hum of conversation wash over him.
Friedrich''s voice cut through the murmur, steady and authoritative. "Alright, everyone, here we are. I''ve gone through your reports," his gaze swept over the group. "Virendra and I will be heading in together. Alma, Dheandita, Luna—keep your disguises intact. With Devita''s invitation, your identities are now forged as her college friends, so stick to that cover. Drifter, Jaxon—you''ll be with the Resistance. Adapt as needed. For now, enjoy the festival. Rest up. We move when night falls. Thanks, everyone."
"Enjoy the festival? now?" Drifter murmured under his breath, eyes widening.
Jaxon frowned. "Professor, what about Hunter? How will he fit in?"
Friedrich paused. "Ah, yes... Hunter." After a moment''s thought, he continued, "He''ll be on standby. He''ll extract us if things go wrong. I''ll tell him shortly." His eyes scanned the room. "That''s all. Any questions?"
Only the distant festival music filtered through the silence that followed.
"Well then, if you''ll excuse me, I''ll get ready for tonight. Enjoy your day, everyone."
"Wait, Dad..." Alma''s hesitant voice cut through the quiet. "What happened yesterday?"
Friedrich waved dismissively, his tone light. "Ah, nothing serious. Just a meeting with some Order members and Virendra," he said as he headed for the door.
After Friedrich''s departure, Drifter turned to Jaxon, raising an eyebrow. "Did you meet with Lance yesterday? What did he say?"
"Yeah, I met him at his home..." Jaxon replied. "Lance didn''t seem to know much. He only messaged him about the ambush. Then, Friedrich just told him to help you guys, but he hasn''t seen him since."
Drifter nodded thoughtfully. "I see. I''m curious, though... did he meet with Virendra again? Does he have some kind of secret plan?"
Luna remained silent, her gaze distant as the questions hung in the air.
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"Well, lying to allies to deceive the enemy might be the right move..." Jaxon broke the silence. "Or maybe the Grandmaster sent him something we don''t know about. Let''s head to the beach now... while we still have time."
As they made their way out of the hotel and boarded the skyrail toward the East District, Drifter noticed how different the city felt today. Music filled the air, blending with the constant hum of traffic and the occasional honking of alcheriders. The streets pulsed with life, a steady stream of movement in every direction.
From his position, Drifter observed the diverse crowd around him—short figures with mustaches, beings with fin-like ears, others with pointed ears, some with exoskeletal skins or tough hides, small plant-like creatures, and those adorned with horns. They moved in various configurations—some in pairs, others alone, while families of men, women, and children wove through the bustling streets together.
When they arrived at Maranagara Beach, Drifter''s eyes were drawn to the expanse of white sand stretching before them. Despite the crowds bustling around him, he felt a sense of peace as the cool breeze brushed his face and the waves danced their endless blue and white ballet beneath the sky.
Maranagara Beach... as beautiful as they said, he thought, allowing himself a moment of quiet appreciation.
"Over here," Jaxon called out.
Following Jaxon''s voice, Drifter made his way to an empty spot they''d claimed. The group set up their beach gear—umbrellas and mats—before changing into their beachwear. Drifter removed his black shirt and blue jeans, leaving only his black shorts. Beside him, Jaxon stood in his signature aviators and plaid shorts, arms crossed as he flashed Drifter a grin.
"Hey, pal, let''s take a picture together... don''t get the wrong idea, I just want to send it to my little sister," Jaxon said.
"Ah... okay," Drifter replied, unable to suppress his slight amusement.
They posed together amid the crowd—Jaxon throwing up a peace sign while Drifter maintained a relaxed expression, the vast sea stretching behind them. As Jaxon sat beneath their mat, sheltered by the umbrella, quickly sending the photo with a playful emoji, Drifter couldn''t help but think of Jaxon''s sister—mute and paralyzed. Watching Jaxon''s effortless smile, Drifter felt a genuine one tugging at his own lips.
His gaze swept across the beach, taking in the scene before him. In the ocean, people swam and played while Luna, Dheandita, and Alma enjoyed themselves in their swimsuits—Luna in black, Alma in pink, and Dheandita in blue. Alma''s laughter carried over the sound of waves as she playfully splashed water at the others. Near them, some beachgoers rode the waves on boards, using their ice powers to glide smoothly across the water.
A nearby ice cream vendor caught Drifter''s attention—an elderly man managing his small stall. Something about the sight drew him closer.
"How much for five?" Drifter asked.
The elderly man offered a warm smile. "Thank you... 1,000 vessite each."
Drifter pulled out 50,000 vessite from his pocket and handed it over.
"Sorry, I don''t have change," the vendor apologized.
"It''s fine, keep the rest," Drifter replied with a slight smile.
"Thank you, sir. Have a good day," the old man''s voice was filled with genuine gratitude.
"Yeah, have a good day too..." Drifter murmured, watching him. Though a small smile played at his lips, a heaviness settled in his chest. Even in the Union, elderly people still had to work selling ice cream just to survive.
He returned to find Jaxon lying back under the umbrella, hands folded behind his head.
"Here..." Drifter offered him one of the ice creams.
"Well, thank you... You''re too kind," Jaxon said, accepting it with a grin.
"Just spreading a little good luck before I''ll meet the creator," Drifter replied with a half-smile.
"Haha, you''re funny," Jaxon chuckled, unwrapping his ice cream.
After placing his ice cream on the nearby fold-out table, Drifter made his way toward the others relaxing by the shore. He noticed Alma seemed more energetic than she had been that morning, her earlier melancholy apparently forgotten.
"Hey… I got ice cream for all of you," he called out.
They quickly gathered around him.
"Wow, thanks, Drifter! You''re the best," Alma beamed.
"Thank you," Dheandita added in her soft, hoarse voice.
"Thanks, Drifter," Luna said.
He acknowledged their thanks with a simple nod and smile.
The sound of approaching footsteps drew their attention. Devita walked toward them, dressed casually in a yellow-black blouse and black jeans.
"Hey… I didn''t expect to see you all here today," she said with a smile.
Drifter noticed Dheandita immediately averting her gaze.
"Sorry, I didn''t buy ice cream for you… didn''t know you''d be coming," he said.
"Oh? Still holding a grudge over that kick?" Devita teased with a playful grin.
Drifter managed a slight smile. "Maybe..."
Devita shrugged off the exchange and joined the group, changing into a yellow swimsuit.
After finishing his ice cream, Drifter found a quiet spot to sit alone, watching the others play in the water.
Devita and Alma splashed around like children, while Dheandita observed with a faint smile.
"Sorry… do you sense something?" Luna''s gentle voice broke through his thoughts as she approached.
Drifter exhaled slowly, trying to center himself. "It''s fine… I haven''t seen him again, Luna… or heard the whispers since."
"I see…" Luna''s voice was barely above a whisper.
The moment shattered as Alma appeared before him, her hand waving through his field of vision. "Hellooo, Earth to Drifter? You in there?"
"Yeah, loud and clear," he managed, forcing his lips into what he hoped resembled a smile.
Her fingers found his, warm against his cool skin. "Come on, let''s go together, everyone..." Alma''s voice carried a forced cheerfulness that didn''t quite reach her eyes. "It''s not like we''ll be at Maranagara Beach again. Don''t waste the chance."
Luna drifted toward them like a shadow, her expression guarded. Jaxon’s hand settled on Drifter’s shoulder with a reassuring weight. Despite Alma’s invitation, Drifter couldn’t ignore the subtle tension in her stance—the worry beneath her manufactured smile as clear to him as the afternoon sun.
As they joined the others, Drifter''s mind wandered through a labyrinth of possibilities. The cube''s potential return loomed like a storm cloud on the horizon, threatening to bring back the alien whispers and death-visions that had once clung to him like a second skin. His chest constricted at the thought of facing something even more sinister, something that might make the cube''s previous torments seem mild in comparison.
His hand unconsciously drifted to his pocket where Mina''s device lay hidden, its weight a constant reminder of secrets yet unrevealed. The thought of opening it sent a chill down his spine despite the warm beach air. What dangers lurked within its digital confines? The implications of its contents could shatter the fragile peace their group had managed to maintain. Each time his fingers brushed against its metallic surface, he pulled back as if burned by an invisible flame.
But then another thought crept in, slithering through the cracks of his consciousness like a serpent through stone. Those unknown forces, the mysterious masterminds who had shown such ruthless determination to claim the cube from the academy – their true motives remained an enigma that haunted his waking moments. What drove them to such desperate measures? Who in their right mind would seek an artifact of such terrible power with such single-minded purpose?
He looked up at the scene before him—the carefree laughter of beachgoers, sunlight dancing on the waves. For a moment, this peaceful tableau seemed to exist in an entirely different world from the chaos that haunted his thoughts.
The memory of the past crashed over him without warning—the blackened sky, the ocean drawing back like a beast preparing to strike, the earth itself revolting against its natural order. His fist clenched involuntarily, muscles coiling with remembered terror, but he forced the fear down into the depths of his being where he kept all his other dark thoughts.
No matter what… I must bring the cube back…
The resolve settled in his chest like an anchor, solid and unwavering amidst the storm of his thoughts. The sounds of laughter and crashing waves continued around him, but Drifter remained still, his mind fixed on the night to come and the weight of the task that lay before them all.