The walk to the Transit Gate stretched long, each step weighed against unspoken thoughts. The halls of the Transit Building vibrated lightly with its eternal hum, walls alive with shifting, hidden gears. Yet, in all its brilliance, a quiet heaviness clung to the Team. Words felt unnecessary. This was the final step.
Sabbath led the way, his boots scuffing against the polished floor. The sound was almost soothing, steady as a heartbeat. Behind him, Hayz adjusted the colossal hammer on his back, the weight familiar but never truly comfortable. Angie walked slightly ahead of Emaila and Jon, her sharp eyes flitting from shadow to shadow like a hawk scanning for prey.
"Luminalis." Emaila said, breaking the silence. Her voice was soft, contemplative. "That's where we'll start."
Jon shifted, glancing her way. "Sounds like trouble…. cool."
Hayz smirked. "Trouble? Please. This is Arthuria. We'll find something far worse than trouble. I know you're hoping for intrigue, Jon — maybe a cursed artifact or two. Something with flair."
Angie rolled her eyes but said nothing, her focus elsewhere.
"Luminalis is a good choice." Sabbath said after a moment. "Knights, craftsmen, and traders. A fitting place to start over. Besides, that's where he said to meet up."
"And you?" Hayz asked abruptly.
Sabbath turned to face him, an eyebrow raised. "What about me?"
"Arthuria's not exactly an Esper's paradise. You sure you're not running away from something?"
The question hung in the air, heavier than Hayz had likely intended.
"There's nothing for me in Severa." Sabbath replied simply. "Everything I care about is here — or in Arthuria. That aside, we've made it this far together. Why stop now?"
The others exchanged glances, silent agreements passing unspoken.
"And after Arthuria?" Angie's voice cut through the lull, sharp and precise.
Sabbath glanced at her, his expression softening. "One play at a time."
The hallway widened as they approached the gate's staging area. The usual hum of the building felt different here — subtler, almost muted. A figure in a maintenance uniform hurried past them, arms cradling a metallic case that pulsed faintly with a silver glow.
Jon, never letting his curiosity wane for any reason — when interesting looking artifacts were involved "What's in the box?" he quipped.
"Gate stabilizer." the technician replied without stopping. "Routine delivery."
"Seems like his first day. Let him be." Emaila said, nudging Jon before he could press further.
The Team came to a halt before a wide — crescent-shaped desk — arced beneath the imposing shadow of the Transit Gate. The air here felt denser, filled with metallic precision. Behind the desk, an attendant in a crisp uniform glanced up from her slate-like console. Her eyes flicked over them, quick and mechanical, as though cataloging each face into some unseen ledger.
"Tags." she said, her tone clipped, efficient. She barely waited for them to respond before motioning to a glowing panel embedded in the desk.
One by one, they stepped forward, producing tags: small, rectangular cards with crystalline slits — for holographic display. Each pressed their tag against the panel, slit down.
The attendant's fingers danced across her console. A low chime signaled each verification. "Sabbath Elysian." she muttered, scanning his information. "Origin: Severa. Status: Active. Clearance: B-tier. Proceed."
Sabbath gave a faint bow, stepping aside.
"Hayz Volkran. Origin: Arthuria. Status: Active. Clearance: A-tier." She gave a curt nod before signaling him past.
Hayz adjusted the hammer on his back but said nothing.
When Angie approached, the attendant paused. Her brow furrowed as she reviewed the flickering screen. "Angelie __. Origin: Hinomoto. Status:...Incomplete. Clearance:...Inconclusive- designated: B-tier."
Angie's lips tightened, but she said nothing. The attendant's gaze lingered a moment longer before clearing her with a slight shrug.
Jon Arkwright and Emaila Solvere followed, their verifications uneventful, save for Jon's exaggerated bow as his name was read. Both B-tiers.
As the last chime faded, the attendant gestured toward the gate. "You're cleared for entry. Follow the marked path. And don't linger."
The words felt cold, impersonal — just another transaction to her.
But to the team, it felt like a threshold. The moment stretched, heavy and uncertain, before they moved on.
The Transit Gate loomed ahead, a massive construct of interlocking rings spinning in opposite directions. Faint runes glowed along its surface, each one humming with power and purpose. A group of operators worked quietly nearby, calibrating its energy flow.
Angie hesitated, her gaze fixed on the gate. "I'll find her." she said softly. "My step-sister. That comes first. The rest — my memories — can wait."
"You will." Sabbath said firmly.
"And you?" Emaila asked, looking at Hayz. "No thoughts of going back to your clan?"
Hayz shrugged, his face impassive. But his grip tightened. "They'll manage without me."
Emaila said nothing, her eyes lingered on him for a moment longer than necessary.
"What about you, Emaila?" Angie asked.
"I wouldn't want to explore Severa alone. It'll take some time finding my mom again. Also…." she said quickly, a faint blush creeping into her cheeks. "Jon and I…. we're taking the next step."
"Well, guys…." Jon said with dramatic flourish.
Emaila nodded, a shy smile tugging at her lips. "....we're getting married."
The group froze, their silence breaking into a cacophony of laughter, cheers, and congratulations. Now that, Sabby didn't expect.
"About time." Angie said, clapping Jon on the back.
Jon straightened his cloak, feigning indignation. "What can I say? I'm a man of impeccable timing."
Finally arriving at the staging area, the air grew colder. Sabbath paused, glancing back at the others. "Ready?"
They nodded as one.
The operators activated the Gate, its rings spinning faster until they blurred into a cascade of light. The space beyond rippled, a portal forming in its center, the visual taking shape….
Sabbath took a deep breath, stepping forward.
Behind them, the technician with the glowing case whispered something under his breath, his hand brushing a rune on its surface. The faintest flicker of power pulsed outward. A hum of motion rang through the Gate and the view ahead became clear.
And then, they were gone.