Ossban got the news that Kael had disappeared. He rushed toward Lem. Beatrice, Serene, and others were also present with Lem, asking about Kael—but Lem was waiting for Ossban.
Beatrice's hands trembled, her voice barely steady.
"Where could he go… He never goes anywhere without informing me," she whispered, eyes filled with worry.
Serene stood still, her face pale. Her usually calm demeanor had cracked.
"He was just a boy out in the market… Who would want to harm him?" she muttered to herself, eyes fixed on the floor.
Ossban entered the meeting room. Everyone fell silent. He was clearly not in a good mood.
"Lem! What happened—How did it happen?" Ossban demanded in a strict and angry tone.
"I—I was with him in the market. It was too crowded," Lem said, his voice trembling with guilt.
"Kael got separated from me. I started following his energy… but then it suddenly disappeared. He vanished from the entrance of a shop. I went inside that shop. I felt something strange about that place. I think Kael's disappearance is somehow connected to it…"
Beatrice gasped.
"A shop? What kind of shop? Could it be some sort of hideout?!" She stepped forward but was gently held back by Serene.
Serene's eyes narrowed.
"That place… we need to act immediately."
"Lem, it was your responsibility…" Ossban's voice cracked slightly.
"I—I…" He couldn't finish. Ossban turned and walked out of the room.
[Soul World]
"Yui, what should we do about them…" Kael asked.
"Leave them—hehe, I don't think they'll be able to do anything," said Yui.
"Why… (nostalgia) why do I feel like I've seen this play out before? Yes! In most movies, the hero saves the girl, defeats the villains, and then leaves… but they always come back in the end. No no no—why am I thinking so much…" Kael thought.
"Ok but…" Kael said hesitantly.
"Yui, ok, let's go…"
Yui and Kael set their way toward Yui's village…
The soul world looked beautiful. It was evening, and the light from the stars made the place shimmer.
Yui walked alongside Kael, her mind full of questions about him. But the biggest question was…
(Yui, thinking with embarrassment) Do we have to spend the night together alone in this jungle?
Kael was thinking:
"How do I get out of this place? Beatrice, Grandpa, Mia, Ossban, Lem, Selene… Erena—wait, would Erena be worried about me? Well, whatever. I have to go back."
Then the blood beast spoke to Kael in his mind:
"Boy—they are here too. Stronger than before. It seems this place has made them more powerful… and you too. You seem somewhat stronger than before. There is something special about this place…"
Kael didn't say anything. He didn't want Yui to know about the blood beast.
"Kael, my village is still a little far from here," Yui said.
"It'll take at least two hours, and it's almost night. We shouldn't spend the night here—and (nervously) alone… no no! Don't misunderstand! I mean, there are monsters around—dangerous ones. If I remember correctly, they're called soul eaters…"
"Soul eaters… huh?" Kael said, surprised. "Okay then."
Kael looked around and noticed the trees were pretty tall.
"Why don't we use the trees? That would be safer than staying on the ground…"
"Yui, let's spend the night in the trees."
Yui looked shocked.
"W-Well, I don't know how to react to this…"
"Kael, how are we going to climb?" Yui asked.
"Leave it to me," Kael replied confidently.
"Yui, would you mind if I lift you…?"
"W-What?" Yui stammered, confused and blushing. "Lift… me? K-Kael—what do you mean by that?"
(Kael realized what he had just said and flinched.)
"No, no! I didn't mean it like that! Believe me—I'll just carry you to the top of the tree," he said quickly.
"You—you will what? You'll climb the tree while carrying me?!" Yui asked, still confused.
"Yes," Kael said firmly.
"Ok…" (trying to trust him) "Okay—I agree."
"Just believe me, Yui!"
Kael closed his eyes and focused. He channeled his energy into his feet and arms. After gathering his strength, he opened his eyes, gently lifted Yui, and turned toward the tree.
"Focus… focus and believe in yourself, Kael…" he thought.
Yui was nervous but decided to trust him. She closed her eyes.
Kael ran up the tree.
"Here we go, boy…" he thought with a smile.
Yui slowly opened her eyes and saw Kael running upward, straight on the tree.
Kael reached the top. Carefully, he lowered Yui onto a sturdy branch, his arms steady as he made sure she landed safely. As her feet touched the bark, she looked up at him—slightly flustered, but quietly grateful.