The two of them had eventually curled up together in bed, Alex's head nestled beneath Daman's chin, her hand resting lightly over his heart. The air was still, the only sound the steady rhythm of their breathing.
Alex was sound asleep. But Daman remained awake, staring up at the ceiling. He looked at her body. The scars were not visible anymore but that didn't mean it completely disappeared. And the emotional scars would be the most painful. Those would never heal... He knew it well.
'What horrors did you go through... for those scars to remain not just on your body, but your soul as well?'
---
The next morning, Daman woke early, the sun just peeking through the curtains. He glanced at the sleeping figure beside him—Alex looked peaceful, but he knew time was short. He tried waking her up but to no avail. Then an idea popped up on his head.
He gently scooped her up in his arms, careful not to wake her, and carried her straight to the bathroom.
Setting her into the bathtub without warning, he grabbed the hand shower, aimed it directly at her face, and pulled the trigger.
Cold water blasted across her cheeks.
"GAAAAH—DAMAN!" Alex shot up, flailing wildly. "You jerk!!"
He was already laughing, sidestepping her swinging arms with ease.
"You weren't waking up, and I didn't want you to miss breakfast." he grinned.
"You could've called my name!"
"Where's the fun in that? Besides, you didn't even wake up, even when I carried you. I didn't think you were such a heavy sleeper." He laughed.
She cursed him again under her breath, but the smile tugging at the corners of her lips betrayed her.
---
After freshening up and changing back into her usual clothes, Alex walked out to find a modest breakfast already prepared—toast, eggs, and warm tea.
They sat together at the table, the moment almost too perfect to ruin. But Daman knew he had to say it.
"I have to leave right after this." he said, voice quiet.
Alex paused, her fork halfway to her mouth.
"To Sybellia?" she asked.
He nodded. "It might take a while before we can see each other again."
Alex stared down at her plate. She wanted to say something. Stay. Don't go. Take me with you. But instead, she simply smiled and said, "I understand. Do your best."
Daman looked at her for a long moment. Then, he smiled too. "I'll take you home before I go."
---
The morning was still bright when his motorcycle pulled up just outside the Rosenberg gate. Alex sat behind him, arms wrapped tightly around his waist the whole way. As they came to a stop, she hesitated to get off.
He turned his head. "You'll be okay?"
"I'll manage," she replied, a small smile on her lips.
He leaned in and they shared a lingering kiss, neither wanting to part. But at last, Daman pulled away, brushing his thumb against her cheek.
"I'll message you when I reach."
"Okay."
And with that, he revved the engine and rode off, disappearing into the city streets.
---
Alex stood by the gate for a moment, watching him go, before turning to enter. As soon as she stepped into the manor, Laura was already there, arms crossed, grinning ear to ear.
"So," Laura said with a teasing tone. "I saw you outside."
Alex froze. "Y-You were watching?"
Laura raised an eyebrow. "You bet I was. Looked like your boyfriend was having a hard time letting you go."
Alex flushed beet red. "It wasn't like that!"
"Oh?" Laura leaned in. "So you two didn't do the deed?"
Alex's jaw dropped. "What?! N-No!! We didn't!"
Laura pretended to wipe away a tear. "My little Alex… all grown up…"
"L-Lauraaa!" Alex whined, burying her face in her hands.
Laura chuckled and ruffled her hair affectionately. "Don't worry. I haven't told your dad. Let's keep this between us girls."
Alex looked up and hugged her. "Thanks."
------
Daman rode through the early morning haze, his motorcycle cutting clean through the empty roads that stretched out beyond the city's edge. The sun had barely begun its climb, its orange rays casting long shadows behind him. The further he drove, the more the modern city gave way to forested hills and winding dirt paths few would dare tread alone.
After nearly an hour, he reached a secluded grove nestled deep in the woods. Towering trees surrounded the area, their dense foliage swallowing the sunlight, creating an ethereal calm.
He parked his bike and walked toward two ancient trees that leaned toward each other—gnarled, twisted, and intertwined at the top as if sharing secrets. At the base where their trunks met, there was a small hollow, easily missed by anyone who didn't know it was there.
Daman knelt and reached into his jacket, retrieving a silver token engraved with arcane patterns. He slid it into the hollow.
Click.
A soft hum resonated through the trees, and then—without warning—a transparent screen flickered into existence between the trunks. Blue glyphs danced across its surface.
>Greetings. Please enter your Destination:
He typed in:
Lindel. Portal no: 2.
The screen blinked twice before confirming:
> Coordinates recognized. Portal initializing.
Daman returned to his motorcycle just as the air between the two trees shimmered, warping into a swirling vortex of light and shadow. Without hesitation, he revved the engine and surged forward—straight into the portal.
---
The light engulfed him.
A second later, he emerged on a quiet stone road paved with white marble, the skyline of Lindel—capital of the Sybellian Empire—rising ahead. Towering spires, crystal domes, and floating platforms decorated the majestic city. The air felt different here—charged with magic, history, and secrets.
His ride had barely come to a stop when his phone buzzed.
Incoming Call: [Brother]
Daman's eyes narrowed. He stared at the name for a few seconds, his thumb hovering over the screen.
"…Tch." He finally accepted the call and brought the phone to his ear.
"I'm here," he said curtly. The voice on the other side then spoke something to him.
"…Yes," Daman answered after a pause. "I'll take care of it. You don't need to worry. I haven't lost sight of what I need to do."
There was a longer pause this time. Whatever was said next made his gaze darken, shadows clouding his features. The calm before had vanished.
"…I'll handle it." he muttered, before ending the call.
Daman stood still for a moment, his phone still in hand. A gust of wind blew past him, carrying the faint chime of city bells.
He slipped the phone into his pocket and exhaled.
"First things first," he muttered to himself. "Solve the problem at hand."
His eyes turned toward the towering gates of Lindel.
And without another word, he accelerated forward, disappearing into the heart of the Empire.