Juluis' disappearance left behind more than silence.
It left a decision.
Not spoken.
Not agreed upon with certainty.
But understood.
They would keep moving forward.
The road stretched endlessly ahead.
No guide.
No destination clearly marked.
Just direction.
"…So we're really doing this, huh," Sora muttered—though there was a hint of excitement in his voice.
Johan walked ahead, steady as always.
"…We don't have anything to go back to."
"…Yeah… but we've got somewhere to go, right?"
Johan didn't answer immediately.
"…We'll find one."
Sora grinned slightly.
"…Good enough for me."
The path shifted gradually.
From forest trails—
To worn roads—
To something more… structured.
Stone.
Metal.
Signs of civilization.
And then—
They saw it.
Walls.
Massive.
Towering high into the sky.
"…Whoa…" Sora's eyes lit up.
"…That's huge."
He stepped forward faster now—almost like a child seeing something new for the first time.
"…Is this a kingdom? It's a kingdom, right?!"
Johan exhaled quietly.
"…Yes."
"…This is amazing."
Sora moved ahead, looking left and right—taking everything in.
Johan followed behind—slower—watching him more than the walls.
"…Don't wander off."
"…I'm not a kid."
"…You act like one."
"…Hey—!"
But Sora was already smiling again—attention pulled back to the towering gate ahead.
(KINGDOM OF VARKHAST)
At the entrance—
A long line of people waited.
Guards stood in full armor—
Strict.
Unmoving.
Disciplined.
"…Looks serious," Sora muttered.
"…It is," Johan replied.
They stepped into line.
Ahead—one by one—people were being questioned.
"Next."
A guard signaled forward.
A traveler stepped up.
"State your origin and purpose."
"…Merchant. Trade entry."
"Duration?"
"…Three days."
A faint glow circled the man's arm.
Then—
"…Approved. Temporary entry."
The guard marked something on a metal tag and handed it over.
Sora leaned slightly toward Johan.
"…Temporary entry?"
"…This kingdom tracks who comes in," Johan explained quietly.
"…Citizens, visitors, merchants—everyone is categorized."
"…And if you're not?"
"…You don't stay long."
Sora blinked.
"…Strict…"
"…Very."
Their turn came.
"State your origin and purpose."
Sora stepped forward first—straightforward as ever.
"…Travelers. Passing through."
The guard's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Duration?"
Sora paused.
"…Uh…"
Johan stepped in calmly.
"…Undetermined. Short-term stay."
A brief pause.
Then—
"…Step forward."
The glow surrounded Sora.
"…Output within acceptable range."
A metal tag was handed to him.
"Visitor. Three days. Renewal required."
"…Oh, we get tags?" Sora muttered, looking at it with curiosity.
"Next."
Johan stepped forward.
The same glow surrounded him.
He remained still.
Calm.
Controlled.
"…Within acceptable range."
Another tag.
"Visitor. Three days."
The guard stepped aside.
"…Follow regulations. Curfew at night. Unauthorized aether use is prohibited."
They passed through the gate.
Just like that—
They entered the kingdom.
Inside—
Sora stopped.
"…Whoa…"
Buildings rose high—lined perfectly—streets wide and organized.
People moved with purpose.
Shops, metalwork, structured roads—everything felt precise.
"…This place is incredible."
He turned around—walking backward for a moment just to look at everything.
"…We're definitely staying longer than three days."
"…We'll see," Johan replied.
"…Come on, don't ruin this."
Johan walked past him.
"…Stay focused."
Sora grinned—falling into step beside him.
"…Yeah, yeah… but you've gotta admit—"
He looked around again.
"…This is pretty amazing."
Johan didn't respond.
But for a brief moment—
His gaze softened.
Just slightly.
Together—
They walked deeper into the kingdom.
Unaware—
That this place would change everything.