The Second Realme had shifted into a frantic, purposeful motion.
Courtyards once used for training now brimmed with preparation—maps spread across stone tables, enchanted supplies being catalogued, and travel cloaks issued in silence.
The air hummed with urgency, but beneath it lay a heavy, unspoken truth: this journey would change them all.
Kai stood at the edge of the armory balcony, watching the students below move with efficient precision.
His posture was a straight line of iron, hands folded behind his back, his expression as unreadable as the ancient stones of House Nova.
Felix leaned against a nearby pillar, spinning a dagger lazily between his fingers. The steel caught the light with every rotation.
"So," Felix said lightly. "The Mortal World. No open magic. Weird food. Even weirder customs. I give us three days before Ember sets a local landmark on fire."
Kai didn't look at him. "Focus, Felix."
Felix grinned, his eyes dancing. "I am focusing. On morale."
Kai exhaled slowly, his gaze finally shifting toward his friend. "You joke when you're nervous."
Felix stilled. The dagger stopped spinning.
"Well," Felix said after a beat, his voice losing its playful edge, "someone has to keep things light. You already carry enough gravity for the both of us."
Kai finally turned fully to face him. Felix met his gaze easily, his smile softening. The wind tugged at Felix's golden hair, catching the sunlight in a way Kai found himself noticing far more often than he cared to admit.
"You'll be different there," Felix continued quietly. "No titles. No one to fear you."
"That's irrelevant to the mission."
"Is it?" Felix asked, stepping closer—not invading Kai's space, but simply being present in it. "And you," he added gently, "need rest, Kai."
For a brief moment, something flickered in Kai's eyes—a flash of surprise, or perhaps something more dangerous.
"Felix," Kai said, his voice dropping to a low warning. "You should prepare your unit."
Felix's smile didn't falter, but the light in his eyes dimmed just a fraction. "Already done."
He turned to leave, then paused. "You know, mortals say leaders who don't let themselves feel are the ones who break first."
Kai watched him walk away and hated that the words stayed with him, echoing against his ribs.
In the adjoining hall, Ember was fastening her cloak with sharp, frustrated movements. The clasp refused to cooperate until Melissa stepped forward, her touch gentle and certain.
"There," Melissa said, smoothing the fabric.
"Thanks," Ember muttered, her irritation vanishing instantly.
Felix breezed in moments later, hands behind his head. "Good news—we're officially forbidden from starting inter-realme incidents."
Ember smirked. "So… unofficially?"
Melissa shook her head, a smile tugging at her lips. When Kai entered last, the group fell quiet. It wasn't the silence of fear, but a shared recognition of the weight they all carried.
"We leave at dawn," Kai commanded.
"Travel light. Speak less. Observe everything."
Felix saluted dramatically. "Yes, sir. I promise to only cause minor chaos."
Ember rolled her eyes while Melissa let out a small, genuine laugh. Kai turned toward Felix again, hesitating for a fraction of a second before speaking.
"Ronan's scouts take point," Kai said, his voice steady but meaningful. "Stay close."
Felix blinked—then smiled, softer this time.
"Always do."
Their eyes met, and in that silence, everything was understood. As the sun dipped below the towers of the Second Realme, four leaders stood ready to cross into a world that knew nothing of them.
Some truths, long buried, were beginning to stir.