Left alone, Myles begins to think about Earth.
He remembers how he was raised single-handedly by his uncle — a man who never let him feel the absence of his parents, at least not until he turned fifteen. That was when Myles left to study in another state, getting his own place and building a new life. He'd still call home often. His uncle would visit sometimes. Things felt normal. Until that cave.
Now, he realises just how much he misses Earth. He might not have had many friends — always keeping to himself — but he was ready to change that. Maybe he could've had friendships. Maybe even… a relationship.
Myles crouches down, takes a deep breath, and whispers to himself, "I lost two years of my life... just because I took a different route." He chuckles bitterly. "You kidding me?" His voice cracks as pain grips his chest. Tears gather in his eyes and fall silently. He stays that way, folded into himself, letting the ache wash over him.
Somewhere else in the estate — a larger version of her personal room — Lia sits curled on her bed, clearly distressed.
"Why did he ask us to leave?" she asks, her voice trembling. "Is he going to kill him?" Thia starts to think of the worst; she doesn't understand her parents at all. They are way too old.
Across from her, Rai sits calmly, legs crossed. She glances off to the side and smiles, though it only unsettles Lia more. "I'm sure Dad knows what he's doing." Rai, on the other hand, has a better understanding of the two; she has spent more than Millenia with them, but she loves to tease the little one.
Lia shoots her a sharp look, eyes glassy with unshed tears. "I know... but something just doesn't feel right." She wipes a tear from her cheek. "He was practically an animal until a few days ago. Even if he remembers the moments we shared, to him they'll just be dreams."
Rai understood, or at least she thinks she has. The little one is not scared of what the father would do, but rather the boy's reaction to whatever he does. Wouldn't want her father to scare him off.
Her fingers fiddle unconsciously with the black ring on her finger.
"And... I... I was selfish," she says, her voice small and cracked.
Oh, yes, and there was this as well. She may be sheltered, but even she should know how crazy what she is doing is. Rai smiles.
Without hesitation, she opens her arms, and Lia leans into her sister's embrace. "Lia," Rai says softly, kissing the top of her head, "it's crazy to me that you fell in love with a boy who could only act on instinct." She chuckles warmly. "But you really do love him, don't you?"
Cradled in Rai's arms, Lia looks up at her. "Yes. He was still... funny. Protective. A gentleman. Kind. Awkward." She laughs faintly. "Honestly? I always wished I could've known who he was before he changed."
That is fair; it would seem her little sister is not that type of girl. But still, when did they... well, it doesn't matter.
Lia's lips curl into a bittersweet smile. "And now I finally do."
Rai chuckles again, then adds with a teasing glint, "You got all that from him? Guess I wasn't as close to him as you were. But... you do have competition now. I don't know what she saw in him, but Terrene's taken an interest."
Lia groans and pouts. "Ugh. Don't remind meeeeee." Her voice trails off, clearly wounded. Lia had always felt insecure about her intimidating build, worried it might push people away — or worse, push Myles toward someone else, someone like Terrene.
Yes, Terrene, the same girl that has been a mystery only their mother could solve, at least after she turned, was it 8 or 7? Never showing her emotions if there were any on her face, no interests to speak of, just books and more books, and sometimes criole with mother.
Just then, an android maid steps into the room and bows slightly. "My ladies, the King has concluded his audience with the guest. Shall I escort him to his quarters?"
Before Rai can respond, Lia's already halfway off the bed. "No," she says quickly, "I'll do it myself."
The android nods and exits.
As Lia hurries off, Rai calls after her, smirking. "Don't charm him too much, little sis~"
Lia's face flushes crimson as she storms off, trying to hide her flustered smile.
Off she goes...
At the door to the throne room, Lia pauses for a moment. Her hand trembles slightly as she reaches for the panel.
Inside, she finds Myles squatting on the floor, silent. His back is to her.
"Hey?" she says gently.
No response.
She steps closer, kneeling to his level. "Hey... are you okay?"
Still no reply. That's when she sees the dried tear streaks on his face. Her chest tightens.
What could possibly cause him to shed tears, she did not know him well enough to know. There were so many things, and well, what help could she be.
She doesn't know what to say. Words feel useless. Her lips part, but no sound comes out. So she closes her eyes... breathes in deeply... and begins to sing.
The melody is soft, soothing — like birdsong at dawn, like warm wind through trees. Her voice flows gently, touching Myles' weary spirit like a breeze clearing heavy fog. For the first time since he arrived, he feels warm. He feels safe.
He doesn't respond. He just falls asleep.
Carefully, Lia lifts him into her arms and carries him to his prepared room.
Elsewhere, inside a quiet, starlit study, King Julian sits before a dusty old book. Its title barely clings to the worn leather binding: Black Flame. Time has stolen much of its name... but not its power.
Julian chuckles softly to himself. "I suppose... she didn't choose just any boy after all." His smile lingers. "Oh, daughter of mine."
He is not alone.
In the far corner of the study, hidden in the dark, Terrene crouches silently in the shadows. Stealth and subtlety are her strengths — not brute force, not brilliance, but instinct and insight. While her sisters wield power and poise, she walks paths unnoticed.
Her eyes narrow as she watches her father read.
Black Flame.
Something about that book. Something about him.
"So… there's more to that boy than I thought."
She smiles to herself.