Chains rattled softly in the dim chamber.
Raiten lifted his head, lightning faintly crackling along his skin as he smirked despite his restraints."So," he said calmly, "when will you finally send me out? I want to meet this wife you keep telling me about."
Across the room, Ransei stood with his hands behind his back, shadows twisting around him like living things.
"Soon," Ransei replied, his lips curling into a slow, knowing smile."You'll accompany me… to the Heavens."
Raiten's eyes gleamed. "Then I suppose I'll be seeing her again."
Ransei chuckled quietly as the darkness swallowed the room.
The scene shifted.
Snow crunched beneath their feet as Kaosu, Kori, Kaji, and Toko walked through the frozen halls of the Castle of Ice. The cold no longer felt hostile—just quiet.
Suddenly, Kori stopped.
He turned and bowed his head deeply."I'm sorry," he said, his voice shaking slightly. "For lashing out earlier. I should've realized how you felt too… I hope you can forgive me."
Toko froze.
Then she smiled.
She reached out, gently holding Kori's hand as they continued walking toward the exit."I forgive you," she said softly. "Completely."
Kori let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding.
Nearby, Kaji kept glancing around in awe, his eyes scanning the frozen walls and glowing ice pillars."This place is insane…" he muttered. "Every inch of it is packed with energy."
Soon, they reached the massive doors. Toko stopped and turned to them.
"Take care of yourselves," she said.
Kaosu nodded. "We will."
They waved goodbye as the doors opened—revealing Supira waiting outside.
Supira raised an eyebrow. "So… what happened?"
Kori hesitated, then spoke quietly. "You heard my backstory."
Supira paused. "Oh."Then he shrugged. "Alright."
He gently handed Kumo back to Kori. The small dragon chirped happily and curled up on his shoulder.
Kaji stretched his arms. "Alright then. Let's head back to the Academy of Light."
Everyone agreed, and they began the journey back.
As they walked, Kaji glanced between them."So… what were your lives like before you came to the Heavens?"
Kori smiled faintly. "I still have friends down there. I miss them a lot."
He then smirked and looked at Kaosu."But not as much as Kaosu misses Shimo."
Kaosu stopped dead.
"HEY!" he shouted, pointing at Kori. "I do NOT like Shimo like that!"
Supira burst out laughing. "Sure you don't."
Kaosu groaned as they reached the towering gates of the Academy of Light.
Standing there was Kudo the Gray.
"You're late," Kudo said calmly.
Kaosu scratched his head. "Sorry about that."
Kudo turned and gestured forward. "The Prince is waiting for you. In his chamber."
As they followed him through the halls, Kaosu glanced up."Hey, Kudo… how long have you been in the Heavens?"
Kudo answered without hesitation."A thousand years."
Kaosu's eyes widened. "A—A THOUSAND?!"
Supira frowned. "Does that mean if we stay here too long… we'll live for hundreds of years?"
Kudo paused."Interesting theory," he said. "But you're different."
He stopped in front of a large door and pushed it open.
"He awaits you."
Kaosu, Supira, Kori, and Kaji stepped inside.
Prince Seiro stood near the window, arms crossed behind his back. He turned and smiled calmly.
"Tell me," he said, his blue aura faintly shimmering…"Do you want to awaken your Nexus?"
The room fell silent.
End of Chapter