Meanwhile…
The moon hung high as Buddy thundered down the worn dirt road, talons pounding the earth in relentless rhythm.
"Buddy! Faster!!!" Javier shouted, leaning low, eyes locked forward.
"Don't stop! Don't rest until we find them!"
Buddy squawked, legs moving in a blur—mana still surging from the earlier buffs, wings flaring to balance each tight turn.
Inside Javier's mind—chaos.
Why…?
What was with that smile, Liana...?
That wasn't her.
That wasn't the girl who scolded me for skipping training… who pulled my ear when I stole cookies…
What happened?
Why didn't they tell me anything...?
He gritted his teeth.
Were they mad at me…?
Was it because I flirted too much again?
His grip tightened on the reins.
"Damn it!"
This is all because of me. I know it. It's my fault.
I should've talked to them sooner… I should've noticed.
Liana… Gloria…
"Where are you...?"
