"I told you, this was our chance," Kael said with a wide grin, his excitement contagious.
"Yeah," Reno added, his smile breaking through. "I've been stuck at my peak for a while now. As I get older, I've felt myself growing weaker. I never thought I'd have the chance to improve again."
"When I couldn't foresee Lord Kassadin in any of my visions," The Seer spoke up, a note of reverence in her voice, "I knew that his power was beyond comprehension. It seems my foresight was too limited. A being this great... it's no wonder I couldn't see him."
"Endless evolution," Lacey murmured, balling her fists as if trying to grasp the reality of it all. "The power to transcend, to change one's destiny."
"Forget just the power. Lord Kassadin's form alone—his mere body is said to rival galaxies. There's no way his words could be anything but the truth," Kael declared, turning to Lacey with a proud smile. "Congratulations, Lacey. You've received his blessing too. Now that you're one of us, we'll all be walking this path together. Looking forward to working with you!"
Lacey, the most ordinary of the group, had long yearned for change. Her eyes sparkled with gratitude as she accepted Kael's offered hand. "Thank you, Kael. And thank you all."
Just then, Darm and the others arrived, fresh off their shift. Hearing the conversation, they didn't bother hiding their grins anymore.
"Ah, Darm! I knew it was you guys," Reno said, clapping his hand on Darm's shoulder. "Since you're the first ones to join, how about sharing some of your tips with us? In exchange, dinner's on me."
Darm's eyes lit up at the mention of food. He quickly glanced at the others before flashing Reno a wide grin. "You said it, not me! Don't even think about backing out now!"
Reno chuckled, waving away Darm's eagerness. "You're underestimating a second-tier bounty hunter, Darm. It's just a meal, after all."
"Oh, I'm well aware of your reputation, Reno," Darm replied, playing along. "But when it comes to food... well, you'll see."
The group walked toward the island's dining hall, laughing and joking as they went. Over the past few days, they'd learned that several chefs had been hired to work on the island, but none had dared visit them without permission—opting instead to catch fish from the sea for their meals.
But now, with Sonya's blessing, there was no holding back. They were going to feast.
Along the way, Darm shared tips on evolving and the sensations they might experience. By the time they arrived, the group had already bonded even further.
Two hours later, Reno found himself staring at the bill in stunned silence.
Eighteen thousand units... for one meal. His heart raced as he gripped the table for support, barely managing to stay seated.
The food was reasonably priced—just the cost of the ingredients plus a small preparation fee—but what had taken him by surprise was the sheer quantity they'd consumed. Every one of them had eaten enough to feed dozens, if not hundreds of people. No wonder Darm had been so concerned about him backing out of his offer.
Still, as the meal settled, Reno couldn't help but feel his body absorbing the energy, revitalizing him in a way he hadn't expected. The transformation in Lacey was even more obvious. Her youthful glow had returned, and her confidence was palpable. Her once tentative demeanor had been replaced by a quiet strength, and there was a brightness in her eyes that hinted at a future she now fully believed in.
"Darm, you've been with the Void Church for over a month now. Does that make you the first to join?" Reno asked as they relaxed under a large tree after the meal.
"I was one of the first, but not the very first," Darm corrected. "Miss Sonya probably joined before me."
"Miss Sonya, huh? She's quite something," Kael added with a sly grin, admiration clear in his voice.
"Kael, I know you've got a thing for pretty women, but be careful who you're eyeing," The Seer warned, keeping her voice low.
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing," Kael replied with a chuckle. "I'm just admiring, nothing more. Besides, someone like Miss Sonya... she must've been exceptional long before she became Lord Kassadin's steward. You can't develop that kind of grace overnight."
"Just as long as you keep it in check. You don't want to end up on the wrong side of Lord Kassadin," The Seer cautioned with a knowing look.
Darm, who had been quietly listening, chimed in. "Before she joined the Void Church, Miss Sonya worked at the Elite Hotel."
"Elite Hotel?" Kael blinked in surprise. "No wonder. The women who work there are all stunning. Lord Kassadin's got great taste if he's recruiting from places like that."
Anyone who had spent time on Xandar had heard of the Elite Hotel, and Kael, with his deep pockets and second-tier bounty hunter status, had experienced it firsthand. He'd always admired the women who worked there, but the cost of living at the Elite Hotel made it an indulgence even he couldn't afford too often.
"Let's not dwell too much on Miss Sonya's past," The Seer interjected, steering the conversation away. "We've got new powers to master, and soon enough, others will join us. When they do, we'll be the ones they look up to. It's up to us to set the example."
Taking the hint, the others nodded in agreement. With that, they set off across the island, practicing their newfound abilities, each step bringing them closer to understanding the vast potential that lay within them.