KAY snapped his fingers, a spark igniting instantly and dancing along his fingertips. Fire flickered with ease, casting a warm glow across his face. He grinned, repeating the process again and again, clearly amused with his newfound mastery.
"Would you quit that already?" Ash muttered, shaking his head in annoyance.
Kay rolled his eyes. "Oh, come on. Like you wouldn't be showing off if you could do this," he said, snapping his fingers again, letting the flames flare up briefly before extinguishing them with a flick of his wrist.
Mute, watching the exchange, simply shook his head and signed something. Kay laughed in response.
"What, you're saying you wouldn't?" Kay chuckled, catching the meaning of Mute's silent response.
Ash didn't even bother asking what Mute had signed. Instead, he leaned back on his pillow, glancing at Glit, who was fast asleep beside him. She'd been given a sedative to help her rest, her body needing time to recover before whatever treatment the doctors had in store for her once they landed.
The flight to their destination was a long one, about four hours in total, and Serenity hadn't told them a single detail about where they were heading. She had simply ordered them into the room, then disappeared without a word or a backward glance.
For the first two hours, they all sat in silence, each lost in their own thoughts, processing the chaos of the past few days. Helios the Narvach, the Óró, and the Wendigo. Ash couldn't believe they were still alive, let alone that they had all made it out in one piece.
"So, what do you think of her?" Kay's voice cut through Ash's reverie.
Ash blinked, pulled from his thoughts. He looked up just as Mute signed something.
"He thinks she's nice," Kay translated with a shrug.
"Yeah," Ash muttered. "But she feels distant. Detached. Probably because she's a soldier. I get that." He hesitated, his voice lowering. "But honestly, I'm more worried about joining the Marines. I'm not sure I can handle the constant cycle of killing and almost dying anymore." he sighed.
"What do you mean, trauma?" Kay chuckled, leaning back with a casual grin. "You do realize this is just the beginning, right? Felis already told us, everything we're doing now? It's happened before. We're just trying to rewrite the story. This isn't some decision we can walk away from. This is destiny."
"Yeah, well, you seem way too comfortable with it," Ash replied, his voice tinged with frustration.
"Comfortable?" Kay's laugh was hollow. "I'm terrified out of my mind, man. I grew up on the streets, pickpocketing just to survive before Ages found me and brought me to the captain. I thought my life was finally going to calm down, that I wouldn't have to steal or fight for scraps anymore. But now, I'm supposed to be some kind of hero?" He shook his head, laughing bitterly. "I just don't let the future freak me out. When it comes, I'll deal with it."
Mute signed in agreement, a gesture so clear even Ash understood it.
"It's not fear," Ash admitted, his voice dropping. "Not the kind you're thinking of. It's the idea that some version of us, somewhere, already messed things up. I just..." He paused, his fists clenched. "I feel this rage inside me, something that's been buried for so long, and I'm scared that when it comes out, it'll change me into something else."
"Anger doesn't change people," a soft voice cut through the tension. Ash and Kay turned to see Glit had woken up. "You are who you are, always. Don't worry about changing, focus on who you are right now."
Ash nodded, her words sinking in. He leaned his head against the wall, trying to quiet his restless thoughts. The door creaked open, and Serenity walked in with her usual calm demeanor.
"We're landing in a few minutes," she said, offering a small smile. "We need to get Glit to a hospital. Are you guys staying with her or…"
"No," Glit interrupted, sitting up despite her exhaustion. "Don't come with me."
Ash shot her a confused look. "What? Why not?"
"I need a break from all your testosterone," Glit muttered, rubbing her temple. "I just need some space to clear my head."
Kay blinked, tilting his head. "What's testosterone?" he asked, his face a mask of innocent confusion.
Everyone, including Serenity, turned to stare at him with raised eyebrows.
"What?" Kay repeated, throwing his hands up defensively. "Is that a bad thing to ask?".
The low hum of the aircraft's machinery shifted, followed by a slight jolt before the sound cut out completely. "Looks like we've landed," Serenity said with a smile. "Alright, you three, come with me. Glit, you'll go with my assistant, Hackshaw." She gestured for them to follow.
One by one, they stepped out of the aircraft, Serenity leading the way. A line of officers in military uniforms flanked the exit, bowing deeply as Serenity and her entourage passed. They descended the connected stairway and found themselves in a massive port, filled with similar sleek, high-tech machines.
Kay couldn't hold back his curiosity. "What are these things called?"
Serenity glanced back at him, her smile widening. "These? They're called Raptors. Air Raptors, to be precise. Mostly used for exfil and transporting small units. They can carry up to twenty-five passengers max," she chuckled softly.
"Wait, there are bigger ones?" Ash asked, his eyes wide. Though he'd seen plenty of aircrafts from a distance, standing this close made him realize how massive they actually were.
"Oh, much bigger," Serenity replied with a knowing grin.
They continued through what Serenity referred to as the Air Fortress, weaving between machines and personnel, until they finally stepped out into the bustling streets of Ashen Reach. The city was alive, vibrant with movement. Ash's heart started to race as he noticed landmarks that were all too familiar.
People on the streets quickly made way as soon as they spotted Serenity and her companions, whispering amongst themselves. Serenity's uniform clearly commanded respect, and anyone wearing similar attire received the same level of deference. They moved through a crowded marketplace, where stalls bustled with activity, until they reached a large intersection.
"Hackshaw," Serenity called, and a man stepped forward. "Take Glit to the hospital. Stay with her at all times. Have them look at her arm—if they can fit her with a prosthetic, or even regrow the limb, authorize it. I'll cover the costs." She handed him a sleek metallic card. "Also, make sure she eats."
Hackshaw nodded, leading Glit down a side road with a group of soldiers trailing behind them, leaving Serenity with Ash, Kay, and Mute.
"Alright," she said, turning to the boys with a warm smile. "Let's get you cleaned up and fed."
As they walked towards a rail motor waiting nearby, Ash couldn't help but ask, "What's the name of this city?"
"Ashen Reach," Serenity replied casually.
Ash felt a heavy dread settle in his chest, a cold, familiar fear creeping over him.