REONE
Reone froze as the cavern opened before them.
The narrow tunnel spilled out into a vast underground world—an immense chamber lit by hundreds of warm amber lamps embedded in the rock like scattered stars. Homes carved directly into the stone spiraled upward along the walls, stacked in layered rings that rose all the way to the ceiling like a colossal hive. Bridges and walkways stretched between platforms, and thousands of people moved across them—children racing between shelters, families working, elders carrying tools or food. Below, crowds gathered to talk, eat, or tend to the young.
The sheer scale of the hidden civilization shocked Reone.
"Surprised?" Primi asked, watching his face.
"Well… yeah," Reone admitted. "When you said 'Nest,' I didn't imagine it being quite so big."
"It's a whole community," Anika said softly, her eyes sweeping over her people with fond warmth. "A loving one. A surviving one."
"Amazing," Reone breathed. He couldn't look away.
But then the movement shifted. Heads turned. Voices rose. People noticed him and Lyrian in his arms—still, pale, unmoving.
"Outsiders!" someone shouted.
A wave of unrest rippled through the crowd. Mothers pulled their children behind them. Older kids pointed, whispering about the strangers with strange clothing and unfamiliar auras.
Before fear could erupt into panic, Primi stepped forward, commanding them with nothing but presence.
"My fellow Diviners, calm yourselves!" he called, his voice echoing through the cavern. "I am Captain Primi, leader of the Guard. And I promise you that these outsiders mean you no harm."
Everyone carried on chattering, still looking at them uneasily.
A small boy stepped out front, staring openly at Reone.
"But… they look so weird," he whispered, tugging self-consciously at his ear, which was far longer than Reone's.
Anika knelt beside him immediately. Her expression softened, and she brushed a gentle hand through his hair.
"Hey, little one."
The boy stared, awestruck.
"Princess Anika…" he breathed.
She smiled and nodded. "You know, just because someone is different doesn't mean they're dangerous."
Primi lifted his voice again. "If you do not believe my words, then trust those of your princess!"
The tension dissolved at once. Backs straightened. Heads bowed. Several murmured their loyalty to the princess. Anika rose gracefully, offering a small reassuring smile.
"Thank you for your cooperation, everyone," she said. Then she leaned closer to Reone and Primi, her voice low. "We need to reach my father's hollow, but not through the public routes. People aren't used to outsiders—it could create chaos."
"Is there a secret path we can use?" Reone asked.
Primi nodded. "There's an entrance to a seldom-used tunnel nearby from here. It will take us straight to the King."
"I know it as well," Anika added. "And my hollow is on the way. We can stop for disguises so Reone and Lyrian won't draw attention, on the off chance that we do run into someone."
"Good idea," Primi said. "Follow me."
Reone's patience thinned with every stop. Lyrian had been dead too long already, and the desperation for her to live again was almost painful in him. But swallowing, he forced himself to nod. After all, the detours were necessary.
Tightening his hold on her, Reone followed them.
Anika's hollow was carved into a curve along the cavern wall—larger than most, but still humble and utilitarian.
"So this is where you live?" Primi asked as she unlocked the simple wooden door.
"Home sweet home," Anika murmured.
Reone stepped inside and blinked. It looked… normal. Warm. Handmade furniture, woven blankets, portraits on the walls. Lamps cast soft light over a space so cozy it made him hesitate at the threshold.
"It's so normal," Primi said, surprised—which Reone totally understood.
"You guys surprised?" she teased.
"I am," Reone admitted. "This place is nice, don't get me wrong, but princesses don't usually live in places like this where I come from. They stay in palaces with their fathers."
"We don't have palaces," she said with a shrug. "Just hollows. Though, admittedly, my father's is a lot bigger than everyone else's. And I moved out as soon as I could."
"Let me guess," Reone said. "He's a terrible dad?"
Anika shook her head with a warm smile. "No. The opposite. He loves me a lot, maybe too much. He worries. If I stayed with him, I'd never be allowed to do anything—including joining the Guard. Ever since I moved out, he's finally learned to let go."
Reone nodded but didn't really relate. He understood wanting distance from a father… but not because he cared too much. Because he didn't care at all, aside from wanting him to take care of his stupid business.
Primi and Reone settled on the couch while Anika slipped into another room.
Reone's gaze drifted to a portrait of a younger Anika with a serious-looking man. "Is that the King?"
"King Arnab, a great man," Primi confirmed. His eyes softened when they slid to Lyrian. "How is she, by the way?"
Reone stared at her fragile face. "The same."
"I'm sorry," Primi murmured.
"It's not your fault," Reone said quietly. "And she's going to be okay. She has to be."
"You must love her," Primi said.
Reone couldn't speak. He only nodded, closing his eyes against the burn of tears.
Anika returned carrying two cloaks, but she paused when she saw Reone, her expression tender.
"We'll do everything we can to save her," she whispered when their gazes met. "I promise."
His throat tightened. "Thank you."
She handed him a cloak. "These should work."
Reone hesitated before laying Lyrian down and letting Anika help dress her. It felt wrong—but Anika's steady hands eased his nerves. Together, they covered Lyrian completely, hiding her face and hands beneath the fabric.
"Does it look okay?" he asked, glancing at himself.
"Perfect," Primi said. "Let's move."
Reone gathered Lyrian again, ignoring the tremble in his arms.
Back in the tunnels, no one spared them a second glance. The disguises worked.
But Reone noticed something: the Diviners lived centuries behind the rest of the world. And their life underground, though manageable, wasn't exactly the best—metal scraps patching the walls, barrels catching water that dripped from cracks in the ceiling, thin air flowing through hand-carved vents. The lifestyle was harsh, Reone thought. Unforgiving.
"How long have you lived like this?" he asked quietly.
"Over a hundred years," Primi said. "Since some of the Nullborn decided they deserved resonance too. They've hunted us ever since."
"I'm… sorry," Reone whispered. "No one deserves that, and… no one should have to live like this."
"We manage," Primi replied.
"And we live in hope," Anika added softly.
"Hope for what?" Reone asked.
"For the Obsidian Core," she said, eyes lighting. "An ancient relic said to have the power to create a new dimension for our people."
Primi snorted. "That's a total myth."
"You don't know that," she argued.
"If it existed, don't you think it would have been found by now, used to create this new home for us?"
"Maybe we're not looking in the right places," she snapped.
"Or maybe it just doesn't exist."
"Pessimist."
Reone smiled slightly. The two reminded him of himself and Lyrian—always bickering, always close. The ache of missing her flared in his chest. He cleared his throat.
"You know, where I'm from, Diviners are myths too," he told them. "Yet here you are. Maybe there is some truth to your Obsidian Core myth too."
Anika beamed. Primi rolled his eyes at her.
They continued—until Reone suddenly stopped, staring up.
"Whoa. What is that?"
The structure before them was enormous: a grand hollow carved into the cavern wall, adorned with glowing moss and intricate pillars. It dwarfed everything they had passed.
"That is my father's hollow," Anika said proudly.
"It's… nice," Reone whispered.
"Yeah. Come on," Primi muttered.
But out of nowhere, four armored men appeared in front of them, blocking the path.
"Halt!" one barked. "No one approaches the King's dwelling without invitation!"
Primi sighed. "Sentries."
"Identify yourselves!" another demanded.
Primi looked at Anika. "Go on."
Anika removed her mask and stepped forward boldly. "Do you not recognize your princess?"
The guards paled. All four dropped to their knees instantly.
"Princess Anika! Please accept our apologies—we didn't know!"
"You are forgiven," she said calmly. "Now stand aside. I must speak with my father, and my friends and I do not have time to waste."
"Yes, Princess!"
The men then scrambled away from the path.
Anika glanced back at Reone. "Come. Let's go."
Reone followed, nervous but hope was also trembling painfully inside him.