In a moment of final anticipation, Raym left the room, ready to depart at the Commander's side.
It was the first time he'd gone anywhere with him — in fact, the first time he'd gone out on a simple mission of this kind at all. And he was certain he wouldn't have to do a thing, because simply being near Supreme Commander Seroh — the strongest person Raym had ever seen, even by the testimony of people like Leo — was enough to keep every danger at bay.
Raym walked until he reached the door, then stopped for a moment, as though he'd forgotten something. He glanced back, scanned the room for a few extra seconds, and left, puzzled at himself.
Vail felt a pang of sorrow, as though he'd been ignored. But he convinced himself that Raym was still recovering, and had simply forgotten him, nothing more. Yet inside, he was truly shattered.
He felt as though Raym — the one he'd trained, the one he'd lived and fought beside for so long — no longer saw him. Or no longer had the room for him, at least.
Raym... I used to see you as him...
And a memory took shape in Vail's mind of someone around Raym's age, with soft, simple features, brown hair, fair skin, blue eyes, and a slightly slender frame...
Then Leo's shout cut suddenly through his thoughts:
"Hey, you — mopey one!!! Are you even conscious???"
Vail was still stunned by Leo's interruption, so he hadn't yet gathered a single word. Leo smiled quietly, then said in his usual voice:
"Don't worry, Vail. That boy will be fine. Don't forget who he's with. Even if the entire city attacked them, not one of them would lay a scratch on him!!!"
Vail smiled back at him with a false smile, and said in a shaky voice:
"Oh — right, you're right. I'm just worrying over nothing. The Commander won't let any harm come to him..."
Leo turned to Sephar, and addressed everyone present:
"Alright — our turn comes next. We'll be heading to your village, Vail. And since the situation's been a bit critical lately, as you know — Aldous is injured and recovering, I've sent Daniel out on reconnaissance with Arvela and a few men — that leaves just you and Irene as the only ones remaining here. So..."
That was when Leo hurled a small dagger aimed at Sephar's head, but Sephar tilted his head aside, and the dagger struck the wall a hair's breadth from him...
Leo carried on as though nothing had happened:
"And this pretentious fool, so fond of his own composure, will be securing the place... alone."
Sephar narrowed his eyes at Leo, and said in an irritated voice:
"It seems you don't hold much regard for your own life, Leo..."
And in an instant, sharp claws extended from Sephar's arms, and he lunged at Leo with a force and speed no one had ever witnessed before. The clash of metal rang out loudly through the entire place — Leo had already caught the strike on his spear, smiling at him mockingly...
Then he said, for all to hear: "Yes — I think he'll do nicely for this..."
Sephar turned and went back to his place, glaring hard at Leo, who then continued:
"Alright, then. Sorry for the interruption — let's continue. This fool will stay here, and since it's been mentioned there's a large presence out there, I'll be coming with you. Besides, I've got a strange feeling about it. And on top of that, I'm tired of sitting around while you lot take all the excitement. So it'll be me, you, and Irene, along with whichever people you think are suitable, Vail. Take as many as you can, so this idiot's left here on his own!!!"
Sephar looked at Leo with contempt, but said nothing...
Then Leo spoke his final words:
"Alright, we set out this evening, so pull yourselves together before then..."
Everyone left after that tension-filled meeting, and Vail and Irene began preparing themselves...
Vail walked with heavy steps, his head full of endless thoughts, until by chance he heard a familiar voice — Lyra's...
Lyra was standing in her room, looking into her gleaming mirror, saying aloud:
"Yes, I'm the most important one. I'm the heart of this story. I'm the one people always wish would show up. I am..."
And suddenly, an image of Raym cut across her words in her mind.
Then Vail knocked gently on her door, and the moment she gave him leave to enter, he said with light mockery:
"Don't worry — I didn't hear a thing."
Her expression changed at once, her face turning red, and she said not a single word.
Vail's expression shifted to seriousness at once, and he said quietly:
"Lyra, I need you to come with me to a very important place. This place... means a great deal to me. It's something I've never dared to face. And there's no one better suited than you to come along — you're strong, and you can be relied on."
With every word Vail spoke, her expression shifted, but that final phrase made her confident to a great degree, and she said with pride:
"And who else could possibly be suited for it!!!"
Vail smiled at her, a small smile, and said in a quiet voice:
"Yes... who else but you..."
But in his mind, he said something different:
Raym... I wanted you to be with me in that very moment...