The tension in the atmosphere seemed to have completely lifted. Only the burnt smell of the flames and the distant wailing of the firefighters' sirens remained as a reminder of what had happened.
Ryan sat a bit away from the trio, who were resting on short railings and discussing something inaudible to him. The sun kissed his skin gently, almost as though showing him her grace. He sat there with his gaze fixed on the white bandage wrapped around his right wrist—the effect of the battle he had fought minutes ago.
He was good at dealing with things like this, concealing his feelings.
A voice brought him back from the stillness.
Iriel: Hey.
He lifted his face. The hair that fell across his right eye made him look more Asian. She was here to try her luck with him. He needed someone now.
Iriel: Mind if I join you?
He paused for a moment, his expression unreadable.
Ryan: It's made for two.
He glanced at the seat beside him. Iriel crouched gently beside him, leaving a moderate distance between them.
Iriel: Feeling better?
Ryan: Yeah.
He nodded.
Iriel smirked inwardly. She knew exactly what he would say. How could he be any different in this weird situation? That was practically who he was. He spoke gently and created borders to avoid questions.
Unfortunately for him, she wasn't ready to stop, his tricks are not working.
Iriel: You know, in this kind of situation, I tend to squeeze.
Ryan: Squeeze?
Something resembling a ghost of a smile appeared on his face.
Ryan: There's nothing to squeeze if I want to be like you.
Iriel: Try my hand.
She almost bit her tongue the moment the words left her mouth. To make matters worse, she had already stretched out her hand toward him.
Silence took over.
Ryan gazed at her outstretched hand for a while. He was making it weird now. What was she even thinking? She wasn't expecting him to actually hold her hand.
Iriel: I'm sorry.
She began drawing her hand back, but it was too late.
Ryan held it.
She froze for a millisecond, her heartbeat suddenly quickening. But Ryan simply squeezed her hand, his expression remaining unreadable beneath the bandage around his wrist.
Somehow, it was working.
Even Iriel noticed it.
With every squeeze, a little of what he was feeling seemed to leave him. For the first time, he was allowing himself to share someone else's warmth.
Ryan stopped abruptly but continued holding her hand.
Ryan: It worked. It really did. Even though I wasn't expecting it to.
Iriel: Really?
Ryan: Thanks, Iriel. For being there today.
His voice was soft but slightly stern.
A sudden red flush crept across her cheeks. Fortunately, Ryan didn't notice.
Iriel: No problem. We'll find him, together.
She placed a little emphasis on the last word.
Iriel: We're in this together, you know. Saving the world.
Ryan chuckled.
Ryan: You know what's so crazy? I saved his life.
He was finally releasing some of what he had concealed.
Iriel: You know he wouldn't have died even if you hadn't. And saving someone is something you should be happy about. At least he owes you a favor.
Ryan: And you think he'll pay it back?
Iriel: Nope. You make sure you collect it from him. He's in your debt now, Ryan. We'll make sure he pays you back. I promise.
A smile crept across Ryan's face.
Ryan: Thanks. I'll make sure I do.
An awkward silence settled between them. Ryan simply stared into the distance, still holding her hand tightly.
Then he broke the peaceful moment.
Ely: So, are you ready to collect what he owes you,
Iriel immediately loosened her grip, realizing she'd become lost in the moment.
Iriel: you've been here the whole time (Ely made a yes sound, the Red flush were getting worse now,
Ryan composed himself.
Ryan: Is that a no answer?
Alicia: It's not.
Ryan: Okay.
He smiled.
Alicia: Seems like you're ready for phase two.
Ely: Let's go visit our parasitic friend.
Their Krycks made a sound, and a projected screen appeared. Hazel's face came into view.
Hazel: Are you okay, Ryan?
Alicia: He will be.
Ely patted Ryan on the back.
Hazel: You guys really wanna see this?
Ryan's face lit up.
Hazel: Meet us in the fortress.
The transmission stopped.
Ryan: Come on, guys.
Iriel: You are really hard to break.
Ryan: Thanks.
He grinned.
For the first time, he had relieved a little of his burden by allowing others to share it.
---
They appeared in the fortress.
Kylock stood in front of the screen, wearing a worried expression. His gaze swept over them as if searching for bruises or injuries.
They sat on projected chairs around the table-like device.
Kylock: Are you okay?
Ryan: Okay, that's enough worry. Don't make it weird.
He sounded slightly irritated.
Hazel emerged from somewhere at the far end of the room.
Hazel: We're all here.
She walked toward the center.
Kylock seemed a little better now, but the black bandages were still wrapped around him. He tapped the screen.
Kylock: Now we know our main objectives: Alvarox and your uncle.
Hazel: Uhm, Cap, it's not two main objectives.
They gave her a questioning gaze, waiting for her to elaborate.
Hazel: I think I've found out why Alvarox wants your energy.
Ely: He talked about a grand plan when we were in the dungeon.
Hazel: It is. He's creating an energy cannon.
Something resembling a gigantic space vessel appeared on the screen.
Iriel: An energy cannon? What is that?
The look on Kylock's face suggested it was nothing good.
Hazel: Thousands of years ago—you can call it Marthadon's Ice Age—the cannon appeared and began draining every source of organic energy in Marthadon. It killed every living thing in the dimension for years. Almost half of the dimension was lost to the catastrophe.
She paused.
Hazel: Until, a thousand years ago, the thing vanished.
Ryan: You mean it was destroyed?
Kylock seemed to find his voice again.
Kylock: More like it ran out of energy and vanished. But we definitely knew it wasn't destroyed.
Hazel's expression hardened.
Hazel: And that thing is what Alvarox is trying to power.(her tone filled with hatred)
Alicia: Can our energies power something like that?
Kylock: Plus your bonded energy? It can.
Ely: Shrap.
Hazel stared at them, frustration visible in her expression.
Hazel: He was one step ahead of us, and we played right into his hands.
---
Ryan's POV
Now we have to choose between my uncle and Marthadon.
Fate really is cruel.
Am really sorry guys for the late post 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏