A soft but firm voice broke the silence. "Hello, my name is Doctor El."
Miles jolted upright on the bed, his head snapping toward the door. Standing there was a man in a pristine white coat, his buzz-cut hair and confident smile giving him an air of quiet authority.
"You're finally awake," El said, stepping into the room. "I honestly didn't think you'd make it."
"Err… thanks, Doctor," Miles replied hesitantly, still trying to shake off his grogginess.
"No need to be so formal," El said with a chuckle. "Just call me El. And let me say this—you're incredibly lucky to be alive. If my team and I hadn't found you during our return expedition, you wouldn't be here now."
Miles swung his legs over the edge of the bed, his feet touching the cool floor. "Well, thanks again," he said, glancing toward the door. "But I need to get going. Can I have my stuff back?"
El's smile faded slightly. "I can't let you leave."
Miles froze mid-step, his eyes narrowing. "What did you just say?"
"I can't let you leave," El repeated, his voice calm but firm. "Because you're already where you need to be."
Miles turned fully toward him, suspicion flickering in his eyes. "What's that supposed to mean?"
El crossed his arms, leaning casually against the doorframe. "I found your scroll—the one Gale gave you, right?"
Miles stiffened, gripping the edge of the bed. "Yeah, he did. I need your help locating someone—"
El raised a hand, cutting him off mid-sentence. "And I'd love to help you, but first, we need your help—and your trust."
Miles frowned, his tension easing just slightly.
"You'll find your belongings under the bed," El said, nodding toward the cot. "I also left you a little something since you're a friend of Gale. Once you're ready, report to my office. We'll talk then."
Without another word, El turned and left the room, the door sliding shut behind him.
Miles knelt and peered under the bed, finding his sword neatly tucked away alongside a white suitcase. Pulling them out, he placed the suitcase on the bed and opened it. Inside lay a sleek white trench coat with a hood, matching boots, and a folded letter resting on top.
He picked up the letter, unfolding it carefully.
Your clothes were in tatters, so I took the liberty of getting you some new ones. Consider it a welcome gift.
Miles stared at the note, his brow furrowing in thought. Who exactly is this Doctor El? he wondered. But he quickly shook his head, dismissing the thought. "Doesn't matter," he muttered to himself. "As long as he can help me find Laurel, that's all I care about."
He dressed in the new attire, the trench coat fitting snugly as he secured the hood. The boots felt sturdy yet light, built for speed and durability. Sliding his sword into its saya and fastening it to his side, Miles took a deep breath.
"Alright, let's see where this office is," he murmured.
A sudden knock at the door startled him. He rushed to open it, finding the nurse from before standing there with a bright smile.
"Doctor El requires your presence," she said politely, stepping aside.
Miles adjusted his coat, his resolve hardening. "Looks like I'm ready."
As Miles followed the nurse down the pristine, brightly lit hallway, his thoughts drifted to Laurel. Don't worry, Laurel. Wherever you are, I'll find you. Just hang on.
The nurse stopped in front of a sleek white door and scanned her fingerprint on a glowing panel. With a soft hiss, the door slid open, revealing a sprawling office. She stepped aside, gesturing for Miles to enter.
Stepping inside, Miles froze as the sheer scale of the room unfolded before him. The floor beneath him was entirely transparent glass, offering a breathtaking view of the city below. His eyes widened as he took in the sight: cars zipping through the air on invisible paths, trains floating midair without any tracks, defying all logic as they moved seamlessly between towering skyscrapers.
"Wow…" Miles muttered under his breath, his amazement slipping out.
"First time in Alpha Dawn, huh?" a familiar voice called out.
Miles turned his gaze to the far end of the room, where Doctor El stood with his back to him. The doctor's hands were clasped behind him as he stared out through massive glass walls that revealed the cityscape. Miles' eyes followed El's line of sight to a towering structure at the heart of the city. A glowing blue orb of energy spun at its peak, radiating a hypnotic, sky-blue light.
"This… this is incredible," Miles said, unable to hide his awe.
El turned to face him with a knowing smile. "Alpha Dawn is unlike any place in Amethyst. While most of the world clings to magic, we've embraced a union of magic and technology—creating something extraordinary," he said, his voice filled with pride. "But success breeds jealousy, Miles. There will always be those who want to take what isn't theirs."
El's sharp tone broke Miles' trance. He turned his attention back to the doctor, who was now studying him intently.
"You want to find someone, don't you?" El asked, his voice steady.
Miles nodded without hesitation.
"What's your name, kid?" El asked.
"Miles," he replied, his voice firm but cautious.
El raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Miles, huh? That's quite an unusual name for someone from Amethyst." He waved the thought away before Miles could reply. "No matter. We're moving forward here—embracing the future."
Miles suppressed a frown, forcing a polite smile as his thoughts churned. What the hell is this guy talking about?
El's expression turned serious as he stepped closer. "Now, let's get to why you're here," he said, his voice dropping slightly. "I need you to retrieve something that was stolen from me."
Miles blinked, caught off guard. "Stolen?"
El nodded, his sharp eyes never leaving Miles'. "I created a machine—a breakthrough invention. It can locate anyone as long as you know what they look like. But it was taken from me by those who would use it for their own gain. You…" He gestured at Miles. "You seem capable of getting it back."
Miles hesitated, doubt creeping into his voice. "I don't know if I'm—"
"You want to find someone, don't you?" El interrupted, his voice cutting through Miles' uncertainty like a blade.
"Yes," Miles admitted, swallowing hard.
"Then that's why Gale sent you to me," El said, his tone turning confident. "He knows how good I am with my inventions."
Miles furrowed his brow. "But Gale doesn't—"
"Shh," El interrupted again, raising a hand. "Let's keep it simple. Will you help me get back what's mine? We both stand to benefit, don't we?"
"Miles clenched his fists, unease twisting in his gut. Something about El didn't sit right." But Gale trusted him. And if Crimson and Lilith trusted Gale, then maybe this was his best shot.
He let out a heavy sigh. "Alright," Miles said, his voice laced with resolve. "What do you need me to do?"
A satisfied smile spread across El's face as he leaned back slightly. "That's the spirit."