The sun was high in the sky, casting a blinding light across it as Shirei rolled off the couch. The son of Cragar approached one of the windows and threw it open, letting the cool breeze drift in from the garden of the Grand Manor. He found the climatic difference forming in the Mortal World rather interesting. In the evenings, they were forced to light a fire to ensure a warm and welcoming atmosphere. But by late morning and early afternoon, they could instead let themselves be cradled by the fresh wind and the warmth delivered by the sun's rays.
Different from the Underworld.
During his time in the realm of the dead, Shirei had never really felt the effects of temperature. Maybe it was due to the adaptability typical of a Blendbreed, or perhaps the nature of his divine parent. Cragar had always explained that the Underworld shaped itself to favor the survival of its descendants.
Marina would know the answer, that's for sure, he thought.
His gaze shifted toward Ada, who was still meditating—a sign that she had likely managed to access her Evanescent Trail. Due to his lack of knowledge on the subject, he chose not to disturb her or make a sound, careful not to risk unknown and potentially dangerous consequences. Sitting on the old, dust-covered rug, the girl was immersed in deep silence, her eyes closed and her hands resting gently on her knees. Her focus was more than intense, yet every muscle in her body was relaxed, as if she had made no effort at all to pierce the invisible barrier separating her from her Evanescent Trail.
Shirei rubbed his face with his left hand, recalling the memory of the sudden impact with the transparent wall. He still questioned the reason behind his failure. He was sure he had followed every step perfectly—this had been proven by the swift appearance of the landscape around him—so he couldn't understand why access had been denied.
Better try again, he said to himself, before moving closer to his companion and taking the meditation posture.
The minutes passed slowly. Shirei could feel the beating of his heart, the blood pulsing through his veins, the mana flowing in and out of his body, but the metaphysical place he yearned for remained out of reach, as though the mysterious passage beyond the invisible barrier was just a mirage.
After two hours of uninterrupted effort, the boy felt his determination begin to waver. Frustration built inside him, even though he tried not to be overwhelmed. At last, with a deep sigh, he decided to give in. He opened his eyes and turned toward the daughter of Rutia, hoping to find comfort in the presence of the Equinox Flower.
To his surprise, however, he noticed that the Blendbreed had not yet ended her meditation. On the contrary, tiny particles of darkness were forming from her body, floating upward only to dissolve into the air.
Shirei watched for a moment, admiring—almost with a tinge of envy—her ability to reach the Evanescent Trail. The sight of the girl in that state of inner peace made him reflect once more on his own failures.
Where am I going wrong? What's stopping me? Why, despite all my efforts, can't I reach the trail?
He felt a pressing need to break through that invisible wall that seemed so insurmountable. It was the only obstacle separating him from his goal—which was nothing more than a new starting point. The thought that he couldn't reach the Evanescent Trail simply wouldn't leave him alone. He had never struggled to complete a task before, whether it had been directed by Cragar or imposed by his own will. He felt as though he had gotten lost in a glass of water right at the moment he could have reached a new checkpoint.
As he stood up, thoughts gathered in his mind like dark clouds before a storm. He decided to take a walk through the garden of the Grand Manor, hoping the fresh air and contact with nature might help him clear his head.
The manor, with its traditional charm, provided an ideal setting for meditation and introspection. Shirei found himself walking along the gravel path. The silence was broken only by the rustling of leaves, creating a natural symphony that seemed to echo his thoughts.
Strange, he thought. This atmosphere feels so familiar.
He stopped next to a marble fountain where the water flowed slowly. He recalled the encounter with his subconscious and thought about the house that had served as their backdrop.
The place was different from this one.
Yet he had never seen such a place in his short life.
So that manor must be part of my memories.
He sat on a stone bench and pulled a piece of paper and a pen from his right pocket. He wanted to take advantage of the moment to write a letter to Marina. He hoped that putting a few thoughts into words might help him, at least a little, to work through his dilemmas.
Black ink began to stain the paper like a brush on a canvas.
"Hi, Marina. It's already been a week since I left, but I'm discovering new things about myself with every passing day. Despite all my efforts, I still can't reach my Evanescent Trail. Apparently, my training isn't enough—I just can't do it. I feel like there's an insurmountable barrier keeping me away. It's a feeling I'm not used to, but I know you'll have some advice to give me."
As he wrote, he felt a kind of relief. Each word seemed to carry away a bit of his frustration, as if simply expressing himself to Marina could ease the weight he felt. Knowing that the letter was meant for her gave him a sense of freedom akin only to the times he was fully focused on battle.
"Havel and Ada are helping me—maybe I've managed to connect with them. It was Ada who explained most of the things about my powers; she's really helped me a lot. Havel, on the other hand, isn't as unpleasant as you thought. I think I can get along with him. He's a good fighter, and we share a common goal."
The pen traced the final curve of the word, then Shirei paused. He was considering whether to mention the dream induced by Salix, or the words his younger self had used.
It would only make her worry needlessly.
In the end, he abandoned the idea and continued:
"We've just closed a rift, but we can't return to the park yet. You'll have to wait a little longer for my return. How is Dahlia? I hope she's come back. Please take care of her until I'm there, and don't do anything dangerous yourself."
However, before he could finish the message, he heard footsteps approaching. He turned and saw the leader of the Equinox Flowerswalking toward him.
"A letter?"
"Yes," Shirei nodded. "It's for Marina."
"Well, that's new. Darryl would've killed you if he were here," Havel said with a mocking smile. "He already wants to do that over Lyceum."
"Why?"
The son of Sidal raised the phone in his hand. "You've got technology—it's the only useful thing from the Mortal World. Use it."
Shirei tucked the letter back into his pocket. "I'm not really the tech type. And it's pointless if the person I want to contact is in the Otherworld, where phones don't work."
"And that's exactly why I'd kick you seven hundred times—if I weren't still weak," he said, rubbing his thigh. "Listen, I don't know how this thing works, but it works. You send the message, and it'll be received. I promise."
So there's a system behind it, he thought. Maybe Ammir handles that too.
He pushed those thoughts aside and asked, "Why are you here if you're not recovered yet?"
"It's a leader's duty to make sure his teammates are doing fine—even if the teammate is you," replied the blond, puffing out his chest.
The son of Cragar nodded silently and returned to his unfinished letter. Havel interrupted him again, this time with an irritated tone. "You know I'm still here, right?"
"Yes."
"Conversation—you know that word?"
"Yes," he repeated.
"Well then, how about—actually, you know what? Just keep writing your letter," he ran a hand through his blond hair. "I came to say that I'm committed to getting along with you for the sake of the mission, but there's no point spelling it out."
"Did Ada ask you to?"
"No, but it's what she'd want too."
Shirei nodded. "I'll make the effort as well."
"Oh yeah? Great!"
"Perfect. See you later," replied the Blendbreed, already back to his letter.
An awkward silence settled in the air. Havel looked away and spoke again, this time more loudly. "Okay, I think I'll go check on our companion. She was meditating earlier, and I didn't want to disturb her."
"She's in her Evanescent Trail."
The son of Sidal tilted his head to the side. "Ah."
"Is something wrong?"
A gust of wind tousled the hair of the Equinox Flowers leader again. "Normally, we don't enter the Evanescent Trail when we're about to fight—it drains you mentally."
"I see."
Havel raised a hand to stop him. "You can do it, Viola, but if you can avoid it, it's better. Most of the time, the Evanescent Trail reveals itself on its own—like a hunch at the right moment."
Shirei made a mental note of that information.
So there are two ways to connect to the Evanescent Trail. Havel is probably closer to the second method.
The son of Cragar swiftly categorized those thoughts for memorization. The Evanescent Trailwas the path to gaining new powers, and it could manifest in two ways: the "voluntary" path and the "sudden" path. Maybe Blendbreeds had an unconscious inclination toward one or the other. That could be the reason behind his failure.
I still don't know what my access path is. Maybe I'm a sudden-path type too, and that's why meditation didn't work.
"Your head's about to catch fire," commented the Equinox Flower to pull him back to reality.
Shirei blinked and returned his gaze to the son of Sidal. "Thanks."
"Thanks?"
The violet-eyed Blendbreed nodded. "For the help."
"I didn't do anything, but sure."
Shirei stared into the void again while uncertainty kept gnawing at him, prompting Havel to sit beside him.
"Just out of curiosity—how do you plan on sending that letter?"
The son of Cragar pulled the sheet from his pocket and turned it over in his hands. He would travel through the Interworld to the park and be back in the blink of an eye. He was just about to answer when he heard a nearly imperceptible sound of footsteps approaching.
"I will, of course," came the teasing voice of the divine Ammir.
The god of travel strode forward confidently, carrying several bags filled with supplies. The two Blendbreeds rose in unison to meet the immortal being. Havel didn't miss the chance to bow in respect—though the resulting motion looked more like a desperate attempt to avoid a fall. Shirei noticed and blamed it on the still-injured leg.
"I've brought a few things you might need," said the god, setting the bags down, "and a couple of messages from Aena. They come with precise instructions for you."
The son of Cragar nodded, taking one of the bags. Havel stepped forward, head bowed. "Divine Ammir, with your permission, shall we head back inside?"
The god scrutinized him, the long nose of his tengu mask just inches from the son of Sidal's eyes.
"Since when do you talk like that?"
"Naturally, I use a more appropriate register with you."
"You're weird."
Havel swallowed his pride with a grimace. "Should I stop?"
"Nah, go on. I like it," the god reassured him with a smile. "Honestly, better this than acting like a certain ungrateful brat…"
The jab was aimed at Shirei, but the Forbidden Heir didn't even seem to notice.
"So, what's the plan?"
The god quickly explained what Aena had told him. He made sure to mention that the strategy had been devised by a child of Ien himself. The Blendbreeds from the academy would hold the rifts at bay until their arrival, and a small platoon would assist them during the battle to minimize damage and the risk of failure.
Shirei listened passively, his thoughts focused elsewhere—on how to reach peak efficiency in mastering his divine powers.
"You will have to wait until the new day," Ammir concluded. "Aena advises you to rest and prepare. Tomorrow, you must reach the hospital in Colorno."
"Where is it?"
"Parma."
Havel nodded, feeling the weight of responsibility grow within him. "How do we get there?"
"The dark prince here should be able to take you. He tried earlier, didn't he?"
Shirei nodded, although in his mind he was thinking the opposite. He had suggested it because he believed it was the only way to reach the destination quickly, but he had left out the risks. Using Spectral Travel didn't pose a problem for him in terms of energy or distance.
The only problem is geography.
Ever since he had awakened, using Spectral Travel to reach places outside his line of sight or unknown areas had seemed impossible.
But Ammir says I can do it.
He wondered if the god knew something more about his powers.
"I don't believe there's anything more to add, my dear aspiring heroes."
Ammir shimmered before them and, a second later, raised his hand—clutching the letter he had just stolen from Shirei's pocket.
"Let me take care of this, in the meantime," he said with a wide smile. "I'll be more than happy to deliver it."
He didn't wait for a response. He soared into the sky and, after a twirl, vanished into the warm orange light of the sweet afternoon. Shirei and Havel found themselves alone once again, left behind with the load of supplies. The son of Sidal scratched the back of his neck in visible annoyance.
"Come on, Purple. Let's get this stuff inside."
They slung the bags over their shoulders and headed toward the Grand Manor. Havel, true to his usual temperament, chose the heaviest load for himself. These things aren't light at all. Divine Ammir made it look like child's play, he thought.
He stifled his discomfort and, trying to hide his effort, quickened his pace—but Shirei passed him again.
Are you messing with me, rookie? he thought, before speeding up and overtaking the son of Cragar.
His breathing was labored, but at least he was in front. "Oh, Violet," he said, eyeing the manor's entrance now close. "Where's all that speed gone?"
He received no response from the Blendbreed.
"Purple… Shirei?"
Annoyed by his companion's silence, Havel dropped the bags and turned around. "You're struggling so much you can't even ta—"
He froze. The boy wasn't there. "That bastard…"
Havel found the Blendbreed in the main hall, rummaging through the duffel bags, while Ada was still seated serenely on the floor, meditating.
"Still nothing… We'll have to wait for her to wake up."
Shirei nodded and quietly made his way toward the stairs.
"Where are you going?"
The boy turned and pointed upward with his index finger. "To rest. I want to try something. If Ada wakes up, come get me."
"Don't fall asleep," warned the son of Sidal, "otherwise you won't rest properly tonight and you'll be tired tomorrow."
"Alright."
Before he disappeared past the door, Havel called him again. "I'm serious. You're the one who has to get us there with your powers."
That's also why I need to go lie down, thought Shirei.
His face betrayed no emotion, but inwardly he wondered whether he would be able to do it. He left the leader of the Blendbreeds and made his way to one of the rooms, then let himself fall onto the bed, which was at least ten years old.
He thought back to his arrival at Lilies Park.
Back then, I managed to cross the Interworld and reach the park, but I think it was thanks to buried memories and Darryl's guidance. This time it's different.
During that moment, he had also needed multiple attempts before sensing the strange feeling that marked the Stirpemista's park. He doubted he'd be able to reach the Otherworld without the peculiar mana of the goddess Aena.
No point in thinking about it now, he decided after closing his eyes. Better to get proper rest, hoping for more messages through dreams.
Unfortunately for the son of Cragar, Fate was not on his side. He awoke after the sun had already set, and the manor was bathed in a soft light from the moon's glow. The red dancing flames cast flickering shadows on the walls of the hall, where Ada had just opened her eyes. The girl seemed illuminated by an inner light of midnight blue, and her eyes sparkled brightly.
"Finally!" said Havel with a smile. "How do you feel?"
The daughter of Rutia looked at him with radiant eyes. "Better than I expected. I've acquired a new power, something I should probably show Shirei."
"You're getting too attached to someone who'll soon be leaving our group."
"He impressed you too—but in the wrong way."
The son of Sidal thought back to their duel at Lilies Park and smiled in annoyance at his companion.
"I'm just telling the truth."
Shirei entered the room at that precise moment, nearly startling the elite's leader. "Speak of the devil…"
The violet-eyed Blendbreed sat with them, trying to grasp their intentions. "I'm glad you're okay, Ada."
"Thanks. I also have something for you. I'll show you tonight."
Havel pointed to the windows. "It's already night, champ."
"Oh…"
The girl noticed the fire burning and the darkness outside. "Then just give me a moment to 'fully wake up.'"
Shirei sat down on the couch. "In the meantime, I'll check the other bags for a map."
Havel slapped his forehead with the palm of his hand. "We have phones if we need a map."
"What bags?" asked the group's only female Blendbreed, completely unaware of the visit from the god of travel.
Shirei got up to inspect the supplies while Havel quickly filled his companion in. "Ammir was here."
"Ammir?"
"Ammir. He gave us supplies for the coming days and told us which of the next Temporal Rifts is our target."
Ada rubbed her eyes. "Okay… where are we supposed to go?"
"Parma," replied the violet-eyed boy from across the room, "Colorno Hospital."
The daughter of Rutia flinched at the word hospital, an involuntary reaction betraying an unpleasant memory. She forced herself to remain composed while recalling her journey through the Trail. After a few minutes—which the Equinox Flowers used for a quick inventory of food and water—she stood up.
"Alright, I'm ready," she concluded. "I still need to understand how to control it, but it'll be a great help in fighting whatever's inside the next rift."
Shirei stepped closer, trying not to let his curiosity show. "What kind of power is it?"
Ada smiled. "It's hard to explain. It's like I can manipulate the aether through my mana and condense it… let's say into a coating. But I need time to master it."
Havel, who had remained silent, approached with a serious expression. "We need to be ready for tomorrow. Whatever your new power is, it must not distract you now. We all need to be at our best for the next Rift."
The Blendbreed nodded. "I'll do my best. But that goes for you too. You're the one with the most injuries."
Still the one with the most wounds, she thought.
"I can take care of myself."
Ada burst out laughing, and Shirei covered his mouth with a hand.
"Ah! Making fun of your leader? What a united team!"
It took the girl a moment to stop. "You're the one saying things like that, it's not our fault," she took a deep breath. "Anyway, I'm ready to try a little demonstration."
Havel nodded, though a flicker of jealousy passed through his eyes. The bond between the two "dark" Blendbreeds made him feel excluded.
"Very well. Let's see what you've learned."
The group moved outside, where the green lawn stretched beneath the dark evening sky. Ada took position a few meters away from her companions, drew her swords, and closed her eyes to concentrate. Shirei and Havel watched intently, curious to see what she had in store.
The swords in the daughter of Rutia's hands began to glow.
"I don't see anything," the son of Sidal whispered impatiently.
He turned to look at Shirei, but found him staring at the blades gripped in Ada's hands. The violet-eyed Blendbreed noticed the aether condensing around the blades—an event imperceptible to ordinary Blendbreeds. It was an extraordinary phenomenon, as if the swords were absorbing and manipulating the aether from the surrounding environment.
Ada said she can't manipulate aether, so she's using her mana control to influence it…
Suddenly, Ada's weapons were coated in a thin layer of ethereal light, immediately covered by a film of darkness. The girl smiled and spun, delivering two swift strikes to an imaginary foe. The blackened blades soon returned to normal, leaving the daughter of Rutia visibly frustrated.
"Okay, that looked… interesting," Havel managed to say.
The daughter of Rutia shook her head, but it was Shirei who spoke first. "That's not what you were trying to do."
"I…" Ada paused. "How do you know?"
"I saw the aether move in the direction of your strike before it faded."
"You can see the aether?"
Shirei nodded—he hadn't realized it himself. Apparently, yes. Just a glimpse of it.
"It actually makes sense. You're the first Blendbreed able to assimilate aether, so it's no surprise you can see it too."
"Can't Blendbreeds see magical particles?"
"Not all of them, but the more experienced ones usually can," Ada replied, tilting her head. "Anyway, you're right. It's hard to explain. I just need to keep practicing."
Havel, who had been following their exchange with visible irritation, stepped closer. "You did a great job, Ada."
"Thanks, but that wasn't the goal. In the Trail, the darkness coating my blades wasn't just a layer. I could condense it in a second and release slashes of dark magic with a single motion."
The son of Sidal blinked. "Ah… a ranged attack?"
"More or less, yes. Like dark cuts traveling through the air."
The boy gave her a few comforting pats on the shoulder. "Don't worry, you'll get there just fine."
"So you can control aether too?" asked Shirei.
"No, like I said. I used my mana and kept compressing it. The aether was pushed by that pressure and settled on the blade's edge."
"Becoming darkness."
"Exactly. If you learn to properly manipulate aether, you might be able to use this technique too."
The Blendbreed nodded. "Thanks for the tip."
Ada gave a shy smile, which quickly disappeared when Havel nudged her toward the entrance. "Now that your little lesson's over, let's wrap up the preparations. We've got a long day ahead of us."
The group returned to the Grand Manor to organize the next day. Once they were ready, they said goodnight at the entrance, and Shirei summoned his Tenebrae to stand guard.
"May the divine Tefine grant you rest," they recited solemnly before parting.
The Forbidden Heir had no trouble falling asleep, despite the lingering thoughts about the daughter of Rutia's demonstration. He woke early, before Havel or Ada, intending to speak with Reno, but got distracted trying to control the aether and condense it into darkness. As he waited for his companions to wake, he couldn't help thinking about the letter he'd written the day before. He hoped Marina would reply soon, bringing news about the Park and Dahlia.
No, that's not my main concern.
For now, he had to focus on the mission. The Rifts were a threat and had to be sealed at all costs.
Havel tried to surprise him with a pat on the back, but at the last second, the son of Cragar stepped aside.
The leader missed and simply greeted him. "Good morning, rookie."
"Good morning, Havel. Ada's not up yet?"
"Almost ready!" the girl called from the upper floor.
"You have your answer. But I lent you my phone for a reason."
"I've saved the checkpoints, so we won't get lost along the way."
Ada descended the stairs and gave a thumbs up. "Great, then let's go."
Havel stood there, staring at the dark night-colored short dress Ada wore. Her legs were covered by black leggings, and in the more vulnerable spots, Ada wore pieces of light armor.
"Havel, do you need a coffee?" the Blendbreed asked.
The son of Sidal swallowed, then scolded Shirei. "Did you hear the vice-captain of the Equinox Flower? Move it, recruit!"
The group left the manor, taking a moment to admire the landscape. The morning sun shone brightly in the sky, a good omen. Shirei looked at the sky, where the clouds moved slowly, as though the world was holding its breath along with him.
"Are you ready?" he asked in a calm tone.
Havel nodded, ready to support his companions. "Let's do this."
Ada grabbed the arms of both the Equinox Flower, then turned to Shirei. "Use the spectral travel."
The son of Cragar took a deep breath. He looked at the two, finding comfort in their determined faces. "Whatever happens, don't let go."
Then shadows enveloped them, and in an instant, they were crossing the Interworld.