The two massive birds soared through the clouds, their wings slicing through the misty air with ease. Crimson guided his bird steadily, his eyes scanning the horizon. Suddenly, a shadow loomed in the distance—a sleek, silver ship cutting through the sky with alarming speed.
Crimson leaned forward, his voice sharp. "Lilith, there's a ship approaching. Get ready."
Lilith nodded, tightening her grip on the reins. Nox clung to her waist, her trembling hands betraying her unease.
The ship closed the distance rapidly, its polished exterior gleaming ominously in the sunlight. Without warning, it veered toward them, forcing the birds to split in opposite directions. Crimson's bird banked sharply to the left, dodging the ship's path by mere inches.
As he regained control, a piercing scream echoed from the ship, painful
and agonizing. Crimson's chest tightened, but he forced himself to ignore it, focusing on keeping the bird steady.
When the ship had passed, Crimson circled back and met Lilith in the open air. Her face was pale, her eyes wide with alarm. "You heard that scream, didn't you?" she called over the rush of wind.
"I did," Crimson replied, his tone grim, "but we can't waste time figuring out what it was. Whatever it is, it's not our priority right now."
Lilith hesitated, glancing back at Nox, who clung to her like a lifeline. Her pink eyes were wide with fear, but she didn't say a word.
"You're right," Lilith said finally, her voice firm. "Let's keep moving."
With a final glance at the ship disappearing into the clouds, Crimson urged his bird forward, determination hardening his resolve. Whatever lay ahead, they would face it together.
--------
The towering doors slammed shut behind them with a resounding thud, echoing through the dimly lit hallway. Grey walked ahead, his steps confident and unbothered. "Let's get moving," he said with a smirk. "I've got the perfect ship for the job."
Gale trailed behind, his expression dark. He abruptly stopped, his voice cutting through the silence. "Grey, what aren't you telling me? What happened to me?"
Grey turned, raising an eyebrow. "What are you even talking about?"
"Stop messing with me!" Gale snapped, his voice rising. "Where's Sebastian? What about the others? And how the hell did we get here?"
Grey let out a theatrical sigh, tapping his forehead as though remembering something. "Oh, right. You killed Sebastian, the others escaped, and Master Cain killed you... then brought you back."
Gale's face twisted in disbelief. "I killed Sebastian? And the others escaped? And Cain killed me?" He stumbled, clutching his head as his breaths grew ragged.
"Don't get so worked up," Grey said, his tone almost mocking. "Cain helped you. And punished you. All at the same time. He's... something else, isn't he?"
"What do you mean 'helped me'?" Gale demanded, his voice trembling with a mix of fear and fury.
Grey chuckled darkly. "Sebastian really did a number on your face. Cain didn't heal it, though. He just... rewound it."
"Rewound it?" Gale's hands dropped, his wide eyes locking onto Grey.
"Cain returned your body to the state it was in when we were neutralizing Sebastian," Grey explained, his smirk widening. "It's like time travel, but for he touches. All the injuries, the damage and memories—you're back to square one. But, of course..."
"Of course what?" Gale asked, his voice shaking.
Grey's grin turned sharp. "You don't remember anything about us coming here because those memories died with your old body. Cain rewound you, reset you. Whatever happened in between—gone."
Gale staggered back, his hands trembling. "How... How much Mana does someone need to pull something like that off?"
Grey crossed his arms, his eyes gleaming. "More than you and I could ever imagine. More mana equals strength, and Cain's got more of it than the both of us combined. By a long shot."
Gale's mind raced, his fear now palpable. He clenched his fists, trying to steady himself. "This... This isn't normal."
Grey shrugged nonchalantly and turned to walk ahead. "Normal doesn't apply when it comes to Cain. Now come on. We've got a mission to prepare for, and we don't have time for your existential crisis."
Gale followed, his heart pounding and his mind swirling with unease. Cain wasn't just powerful—he was terrifyingly so. And Gale couldn't shake the feeling that they were all just pawns on a board only Cain could use.
-------
Alpha Dawn loomed in the distance, its gleaming towers reflecting the fiery hues of the setting sun. At its heart, the massive blue orb floated serenely, its glow pulsating in rhythm with the city's hum. The orb's radiance bathed the horizon in an ethereal light, a beacon of the city's advanced technology.
"We're almost there, guys," Crimson called out over the rushing wind, his voice resolute. His hands gripped the bird's reins tightly as he thought, This is my chance. I've failed them before, but no more. No more running, no more abandoning the people who count on me.
Within moments, the two massive birds dipped below the clouds, their shadowy forms casting ominous silhouettes over the sprawling metropolis of Alpha Dawn. The city stretched out in every direction, a labyrinth of sleek silver buildings, glowing pathways, and intricate networks of hovering vehicles. The faint hum of machinery blended with the distant murmur of life below.
As the birds circled overhead, Lilith leaned forward, her voice tense. "Now what? How are we supposed to find Miles in a place this big?"
Nox, seated behind her, released her grip and sat up. "I've got an idea," she said, her pink eyes gleaming with determination. "Alpha Dawn is teeming with technology, which means it lacks living creatures I can control. So, we'll need to infiltrate the Alpha Dawn Terrance Hospital."
Crimson glanced back, his brow furrowed. "Wait, isn't that the place we—"
"Yes," Nox interrupted sharply. "That's where we planned to go before you abandoned us." Her words struck like a blade, the bitterness in her tone unmistakable.
"Nox, please," Lilith pleaded, her voice soft but firm.
"No, Lilith, he needs to hear this," Nox retorted, her gaze fixed on Crimson. "The truth doesn't disappear just because it's inconvenient."
Crimson remained silent, her words cutting deep. He clenched his fists, his guilt nearly consuming him. I'll prove myself, he vowed silently. I'll show her I've changed.
Taking a steadying breath, Nox continued. "The hospital is the brain of this entire city. It houses something called footage from devices they call cameras—tiny machines scattered across Alpha Dawn that capture everything. If we can access that footage, finding Miles will be easy."
"That's a brilliant plan, Nox," Lilith said, her tone encouraging. "But maybe it's time to start forgiving Crimson. One day or another, you'll have to let this go."
Nox shot her a cold glance. "Not today," she muttered.
The tension hung heavy between them, but Crimson refused to let it deter him. Instead, he nodded, his voice steady. "Alright, then. Let's get down there and see if we can break into that hospital. Whatever it takes to finish this."
The birds descended, their wings slicing through the air as they approached the glittering city below. Above the bustling streets of Alpha Dawn, Crimson's resolve hardened. This is it, he thought. No more mistakes. No more running away from those that matter. I'll protect them—even if it costs me everything.