A thin mist drifted down from the cracks between the northern mountain rocks.
A narrow path—known only to a few—was now walked in silence by three shadows.
Jainal's steps were steady, but slow.
Behind him, July held tightly to Omega's hand—her legs not yet strong enough for the full climb.
Omega didn't resist her grip, though he glanced at his own hand now and then, as if unsure of what he was feeling.
The road to the White Monastery was never meant to be easy.
There were no magitek transports.
Only hidden trails once used by fugitives and survivors.
"Just one more hour," Jainal said without turning back.
His voice was calm, but there was a quiet weariness beneath it.
July simply nodded.
Omega asked softly, "What is the White Monastery like?"
"A place that doesn't chase your body. A place that doesn't care where you came from," Jainal replied, his tone clipped but clear.
After several moments of silence, July whispered,
"I... want Ruu to know I'm still alive."
Her voice trembled—not from the cold, but from hope long buried.
"He will be happy." said Jainal.
"Ruu talked a lot about a silver-eyed girl who always stood up for him whenever the village guards took extra food."
July smiled faintly. Her grip on Omega's hand grew firmer.
"You'll like it there too," she said to Omega.
Omega was quiet for a moment, then spoke in his usual flat tone,
"A place without experiments... will feel strange."
Jainal simply looked up at the sky.
---
They arrived at the hidden gate—a stone arch half-covered in vines and mountain roots.
There were no guards.
Jainal pressed a small token, made of monster leather, against the weathered rune carved into the stone.
A soft glow appeared—
and the gate opened.
Through the lingering mist, the White Monastery looked like a dream:
A quiet stone structure atop the cliffs, surrounded by the scent of herbs and the songs of birds.
In the distance, the laughter of children could be heard.
No machine sounds.
No active magic.
Only life.
---
They were greeted by a middle-aged nun—her face stern, yet gentle.
"Jainal," she said. "I didn't expect you back so soon."
"I couldn't go far until I knew they were safe."
Jainal motioned toward July and Omega.
July bowed her head low.
Omega stood still—calm, though his eyes betrayed the unfamiliarity of this place.
"This girl—her name is July. She's from the same village as Ruu."
"And the boy?" the nun asked, eyes narrowing as she looked at Omega.
"Omega," Jainal answered.
"Not a name he chose, but... a name that marks the one who survived a system that tried to destroy him."
The nun nodded.
"We'll take them in. But you know our rules: once they're here, they won't be forced to speak about the past. We only teach them how to live."
"That's why I brought them," Jainal said, handing her a small scroll—brief notes on their physical and magical conditions.
---
When everything was done, Jainal knelt before July.
He gently touched a finger to her forehead.
"You don't have to be strong every day. But never stop living."
he said softly.
July began to cry—this time without holding back.
She hugged Jainal tightly, her small frame trembling as if trying to draw strength from his warmth.
Then Jainal turned to Omega.
"I know you want to follow. But this place... it's something you need to see before you decide who you want to become."
Omega stared at him, sharp-eyed. "Will you come back?"
"Notnow."
"Then... should I wait for you?"
Jainal smiled.
"No. You just need to live. If your life leads you to find me again… I'll still be walking the same path."
Omega nodded.
Then, with steady clarity, he said, "Alright."
---
As the sun rose, pushing away the morning mist from the ruins of Karsinium,
Jainal stepped out through the stone gate.
He didn't look back.
Behind him, two children stood side by side—one still crying,the other staring at the blue sky slowly opening above them.
The quiet path toward the light had come to an end.
Now, the dark field awaited once more.