The sky had never felt so wide.
Elian walked in silence, his steps steady but his thoughts far from calm. The plains stretched endlessly before them, fading into distant hills that touched the horizon like a boundary between worlds.
Behind him—
Everything he knew was gone.
"You're thinking too much," Kael said without looking back.
Elian sighed. "Can you not read my mind too?"
"No," Kael replied. "You're just loud."
Elian rolled his eyes but said nothing.
The wind brushed softly against him.
"…you've changed…"
Elian glanced slightly to the side.
"…I had to."
A brief silence followed.
"…you're stronger," the wind whispered.
Elian clenched his hand slightly.
"…not enough."
Ahead, the land began to shift.
The flat plains slowly gave way to a narrow path carved between rising stone formations. The air grew warmer, and for the first time—
There were signs of life.
Footprints.
Old, but visible.
Elian slowed down.
"People have been here."
Kael nodded slightly.
"…Good," he said.
Elian frowned. "Good? Didn't you say being seen is dangerous?"
"It is," Kael replied.
A pause.
"But hiding forever is worse."
They continued forward.
As they passed through the stone path, the world beyond finally revealed itself.
A city.
Elian stopped walking.
It wasn't like Aerith.
Not even close.
Tall structures made of stone and metal stood in uneven rows, connected by narrow pathways and bridges. Smoke rose into the sky, not from destruction—but from life. Voices echoed faintly in the distance, carried by the wind.
"…what is this place?" Elian asked quietly.
Kael didn't hesitate.
"Vireon."
The wind shifted slightly.
"…be careful…"
Elian took a step forward.
His eyes filled with curiosity—and caution.
"What kind of place is it?"
Kael's expression remained calm.
"A place where people like you…"
A pause.
"…don't stay hidden."
Elian's chest tightened.
"…you mean—"
"Yes," Kael said.
"There are others."
The world suddenly felt bigger.
And more dangerous.
They entered the city slowly.
Eyes turned.
People stopped what they were doing—just for a moment.
Not in fear.
Not in shock.
But in awareness.
Elian noticed it immediately.
"They're… watching."
"Of course they are," Kael said.
A man passed by them—his hand briefly igniting with a small flicker of flame before fading again.
Elian froze.
"…Did you see that?"
Kael kept walking.
"Yes."
Another figure walked past—water swirling gently around her fingers like it was alive.
Elian's eyes widened.
"…So it's true…"
Kael stopped.
"For the first time," he said,
"you are not the only one."
Elian looked around.
Fire.
Water.
Movement.
Power.
Everywhere.
The wind whispered softly.
"…this is where your journey truly begins…"
Elian took a deep breath.
Fear was still there.
But something else had joined it.
Excitement.
"…then let's see what I can become."
Kael glanced at him briefly.
"…we will."
Above the city—
The sky remained quiet.
But far beyond sight—
Something had already begun to move.