Kai’s consciousness drifted somewhere between awake and asleep.


    A faint voice echoed in the distance—muffled, almost melodic.


    “…Kai… Kaaaiii…”


    His ears slowly adjusted, the voice growing clearer—


    “KAI—!”


    THUD.


    Kai jolted awake just in time for Bram to crash onto the couch next to him.


    “Dinner’s ready, sleepyhead!” Bram announced, already yanking at Kai’s sleeve.


    Kai groaned, rubbing his eyes. “Huh…? I slept through all that?”


    The sun was already setting, casting a warm orange glow through the windows. The scent of roasted meat and spices filled the air, making his stomach growl.


    Usually, he just ate on the couch—a comfortable, lazy routine he had fallen into.


    But today… he felt like joining the table.


    The dining table was already set. The food looked simple but rich, the kind of hearty meal that filled both the stomach and the soul.


    Durgan sat at the head of the table, eating in calm silence, unfazed by the chaos unfolding between the twins.


    Bram, ever the mad scientist, was trying to test their prototype crossbow on the dining table—winding it up while balancing it on the edge.


    Thara, eyes twitching, reached over to stop him. “Put. That. Down.”


    Bram grinned. “Relax, it’s safe! See—”


    CLUNK.


    The bowstring snapped back suddenly.


    A spoon went flying.


    It hit the wall with a loud thunk and stayed embedded there.


    Kro, perched beside Thara, barely glanced up from his meal before continuing to eat, completely unfazed.


    Thara sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. “This is why Grandpa tells you not to bring inventions to the table.”


    Bram crossed his arms. “Tch. He just doesn’t appreciate science.”


    Kai, watching this unfold, suddenly laughed.


    It was warm. Chaotic. Lively.


    It felt like home.


    Not just a house—but a home.


    The way his own family used to be.


    For a brief moment, he could almost see it—his father teasing his mother, his grandfather shaking his head in amusement.


    The warmth of shared meals, the bickering, the laughter, the love.


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    He hadn’t realized how much he missed it.


    A bright, genuine smile spread across his face.


    And for a second—just a second—


    The room fell silent.


    Bram and Thara froze.


    Even Durgan, ever the quiet observer, looked up from his meal.


    Kai blinked. “…What?”


    Bram tilted his head. “Nothing. Just… haven’t seen you smile like that before.”


    Thara nodded slightly.


    Kai hesitated, then scratched the back of his head, feeling a little self-conscious. “Well… it’s nice, y’know? Being here.”


    Bram grinned. “Of course it is! You’re in the presence of the great Bram Ironhart!”


    Thara rolled her eyes. “Shut up and eat.”


    Durgan gave a quiet chuckle before taking another bite.


    The moment passed. The warmth remained.


    And together, they enjoyed their meal.


    ______________________


    Kai lay awake on the couch, staring at the wooden ceiling.


    Sleep wouldn’t come.


    Maybe it was the gravity. He had slept a lot since coming here—maybe his body was just adjusting.


    Or maybe… it was something else.


    He sighed, rolling onto his side. The house was quiet now. The warmth of dinner had faded into the cool hush of night.


    Something small stirred against his chest.


    Kai glanced down.


    Stardust had curled up beside him at some point, the little axolotl-like creature floating lazily in the air. Tiny, bioluminescent specks drifted around him like scattered stardust—an ethereal glow in the darkness.


    Kai smiled faintly, reaching up to gently rub the soft frills on his head. Stardust let out a sleepy trill, nuzzling closer.


    “…You’re really not from my world either, huh?” Kai murmured.


    Stardust blinked up at him, round eyes reflecting the dim light.


    Kai exhaled, shifting carefully so he wouldn’t disturb him.


    His thoughts wouldn’t settle. He needed air.


    Carefully, he slipped out of the couch, making sure Stardust stayed nestled in place. The little creature let out a small, questioning chirp but didn’t follow.


    Kai stepped outside.


    The Ironhart home sat on the outskirts of the forest, the edge of the mountains stretching far beyond the tree line. The night sky above was vast—dotted with thousands of stars, far clearer than anything he had ever seen on Earth.


    Kai took a deep breath, letting the crisp mountain air fill his lungs. It helped.


    Then—


    "What bothers you, kid?"


    A low, steady voice came from behind him.


    Kai turned.


    Durgan sat on a sturdy wooden chair, positioned just outside the house. A steaming cup of herbal tea rested in his hands, and his gaze was fixed on the distant horizon.


    Even at night, even in stillness, the old dwarf carried an air of strength.


    Kai hesitated, then walked over and sat beside him.


    For a moment, neither of them spoke. The wind carried the faint rustle of leaves.


    Then Kai said quietly, “You really care about them, don’t you?”


    Durgan took a slow sip of tea. “More than anything.”


    Kai glanced at him. “Their parents…”


    Durgan’s fingers tightened around the cup.


    “…Died,” he said simply.


    The weight of the word settled in the air between them.


    Durgan took a slow breath, as if pulling up old memories from the depths of his mind. “It was an unfortunate night. The Colossus left its territory.”


    Kai stayed silent, letting him speak.


    "That night, the Ironhart family was up in the mountains.” A faint smile flickered at the edges of his lips. “Looking for a good spot to see the Southern Lights.”


    Kai’s heart ached at the image—a family outing, full of excitement, cut short by tragedy.


    “They were only seven,” Durgan continued, voice steady but heavy. “Too young to understand. Too young to lose everything.”


    Kai looked down at his hands. “I know the feeling.”


    Durgan turned his gaze to him.


    Kai swallowed. “I lost both of my parents too. No one knows why… or how. One day they were there, the next…” He exhaled. “Gone.”


    Durgan watched him, his sharp eyes softer than usual.


    “My grandfather took me in.” Kai managed a small, bitter chuckle. “He was strict. Always made me study, always dragged me outside. At the time, I thought he was just tough on me… but now, looking back, I think he just didn’t want me to feel alone.”


    Durgan didn’t respond immediately. He let the silence sit—not uncomfortable, not empty, but understanding.


    Then, his voice came low and steady. “And yet, something still weighs on you.”


    Kai’s hands clenched slightly.


    “…I want to go home.”


    His voice was barely above a whisper.


    Durgan said nothing, letting Kai speak.


    “I have friends. I have people waiting for me.”


    A familiar face flashed through his mind—James, cracking a joke as they walked home from school, always teasing but always there.


    His grandfather. His only remaining family.


    “I… I’m scared,” Kai admitted. “I don’t know where I am. I don’t know how I got here.”


    His breath hitched slightly. His eyes stung.


    “…Tell me,” he murmured, “where am I, exactly?”


    Durgan took a slow sip of his tea before answering.


    “Ironveil Peaks.”


    The name carried weight, ancient and immovable.


    Kai let it settle in his mind. Then, finally, he breathed out:


    “…Another world, huh.”


    Durgan gave a slight nod.


    For a while, they just sat in silence.


    Then—


    A small, soft glow floated from the doorway.


    Kai turned to see Stardust hovering in the air, his bioluminescent specks flickering softly in the night. He let out a quiet chirp, then drifted toward Kai’s shoulder, curling against his neck.


    Kai chuckled, reaching up to stroke his head. “Guess you couldn’t sleep either, huh?”


    Stardust let out a quiet trill in response, his warmth settling against Kai’s skin.


    Durgan eyed the little creature thoughtfully. “That thing hasn’t left your side since you woke up.”


    Kai exhaled, glancing at the small axolotl nestled against him. “Yeah… he’s been with me since I got here.”


    Durgan hummed. “A companion, then.”


    Kai looked at Stardust, watching the way his faint glow pulsed like a slow heartbeat.


    “…Yeah,” he murmured, softer this time. “Something like that.”


    Durgan took another sip of tea before giving a small nod. “A good sign.”


    Kai tilted his head. “What do you mean?”


    Durgan didn’t answer immediately. He simply gazed out at the distant peaks, the glow of the moons casting silver light over the mountains.


    Then, finally, he murmured, “You’re not as lost as you think.”


    Kai blinked.


    The words settled into his chest, deep and steady.


    For the first time in days, the weight in his heart felt just a little lighter.


    Kai stood. “…I’m leaving tomorrow.”


    Durgan raised an eyebrow.


    Kai turned to face him, determination settling in his expression. “I’ve healed. And I’m keeping my promise to Thara.”


    Durgan studied him for a long moment.


    Then, with a small, approving nod, he took another sip of tea.


    Kai turned toward the house, stepping back inside.


    As the door quietly closed behind him, Durgan exhaled softly, staring into the stars.


    “…You’ll find your way, kid.”


    From above, the sky stretched endlessly.


    And nestled against Kai’s shoulder, Stardust glowed gently—like a tiny piece of the cosmos itself, quietly lighting the way.