Morning came softly over Olympus — a pale golden light spilling over the mansion's marble terraces and the endless sea of clouds below. For the first time in weeks, there was no tension in the air. No lingering scent of battle. Just quiet preparation.
Inside the mansion, footsteps echoed faintly as the group readied themselves.
Skuld was the first to appear in the main hall, already dressed in her travel gear. She double-checked her pouches and magic focus charm. Her expression was composed, but there was a spark of excitement behind her eyes — the kind of anticipation of seeing Merlin again.
Aqua joined her shortly after, calm as ever. She sat cross-legged at the edge of the grand staircase, eyes closed in meditation, breathing evenly as a faint shimmer of blue light flickered around her hands. Her connection to her magic — once dulled by exhaustion — was now steady again. Every breath was focus. Every silence, intention.
Across the courtyard, Helga stood alone, running through her usual routine with soldierly precision. Her movements were sharp, efficient, economical — stretches, weapon checks, stance alignment. Even without words, her focus spoke volumes: she was built for discipline.
Circe, of course, was the opposite.
The sorceress lounged against the balustrade, her long black hair tumbling over one shoulder, her blue eyes glittering with amusement as she watched Thalen tinker with his weapon. "Tell me, darling," she said in a silken tone, "are you always so serious and quite, or is it just when I'm around?"
Thalen didn't look up. "Always."
Circe pouted theatrically. "Pity. I was hoping you'd at least pretend to be flustered."
"Not happening," Helga muttered from a few meters away, not even glancing up from her gear.
Circe's smile widened. "Oh, so you are listening, my dear mercenary."
Helga exhaled through her nose — the smallest sound, but one laced with annoyance.
Kurai's voice cut in before Circe could continue. "If you don't stop talking," she said coldly from where she stood near the stairs, "I'll throw you into the dark corridor first. And I won't aim for the exit."
Circe blinked, mock-offended. "How violent. You should work on your temper, darling."
Kurai's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Try me."
Before Circe could push it further, Helios's voice carried through the hall — quiet, but unmistakable.
"Enough."
He stepped out from the upper level, his coat shifting slightly as the morning light caught the faint embroidery along its edge. "Save the theatrics for later. We're leaving."
Circe gave a playful sigh. "You're no fun, either."
"Good," Helios said, brushing past her. "Someone has to balance you guys out."
Outside, the morning air was crisp and cool. The group gathered at the mansion's edge, overlooking the endless horizon of cloud and sunlight. The sky itself seemed infinite — vast, bright, unknowable.
Helios stopped before the marble platform that served as their departure point. He raised his hand, and the air before him rippled — folding inward like glass being turned inside out. The Lane Between Realms bloomed open, its swirling energy threaded with veins of faint light. A deep hum filled the air as the rift stabilized, a gateway between worlds.
Circe's smirk faded, replaced by something like wonder. "Oh…" Her voice dropped to a near whisper. "It's… beautiful."
The Lanes Between opened before them — a vast cosmic current, rivers of light and darkness intertwining across an endless void. Streams of color pulsed like the veins of the universe, flowing through the nothingness beyond comprehension. It was both awe-inspiring and terrifying — the raw fabric of creation, infinite and alive.
Helga's gaze narrowed, taking in the expanse with analytical focus. "So this… is what lies between worlds."
Helios nodded. "Light and shadow. The current that connects everything. Cross it without protection, and it will erase you — body and heart alike."
Circe turned her head slightly, still captivated. "So much beauty born from danger," she said softly. "Fitting."
Helios gave a faint smile. "For some of us, maybe."
Kurai drifted closer to Helios, her cloak rippling like smoke. "You opened this one for show," she said. "You wanted them to see it."
"Every journey begins between worlds," Helios replied. "They should understand what that means."
For a while, no one spoke. The current carried them forward, the silence filled only by the faint hum of energy and the whisper of starlight.
He gestured toward the lane. The Lane closed, and he then opened a dark corridor to his destination, "Since many in this group can't travel the Lane Between Realm, we'll just use a corridor."
Sephiroth glanced toward the swirling horizon, his expression calm and unreadable.
Aqua stepped forward first, Skuld followed closely behind her, and Thalen adjusted the metallic bracer on his arm as he followed after them.
Helga and Circe were next. Circe glided in gracefully, her long crimson dress swirling as if the corridor itself bent to her presence. Helga entered last among them, calm and alert, one hand resting instinctively near her holster.
Finally, Kurai appeared beside Helios. "You've been quiet," she said softly, eyes half-lidded. "Planning something again?"
"Always," he replied with a small smirk.
Her gaze flicked toward the portal, then back to him. "You still haven't told me what the evil little fairy said."
"I will," Helios said. "When it's time."
Kurai's eyes lingered on him for a moment longer before she stepped through. "You'd better."
He followed last, the corridor folding shut behind him.
Circe floated slightly above the path, her voice awed. "My was a serene space," she murmured. "All that darkness makes a wonderful place to sleep."
Helga shot her a sidelong glance. "Don't get distracted. This isn't a place for sightseeing."
Circe smirked. "Oh, relax, dear. I'm perfectly fine. I won't ever leave you."
A corridor of shadow manifested in Traverse Town, and they emerged once more into the open air.
The first thing they felt was rain.
Soft, steady, and cold — falling from a sky shrouded in twilight. Neon lights glimmered through the drizzle, reflecting off cobblestone streets slick with water. A bell chimed faintly somewhere in the distance.
Helios stepped forward, his boots clicking against the stone. The air smelled of smoke, rain, and faint traces of magic. Buildings rose around them — tall, Victorian, their windows glowing warmly against the gloom. Signs swung gently in the wind, and the sound of murmured voices drifted faintly from the nearby square.
Circe's eyes widened, lips curling into a delighted smile. "Oh, it's gloriously dreary," she said, spinning once beneath the falling rain. "I adore it already."
Helga crossed her arms, unimpressed but not unaffected. "You would."
Skuld tilted her head, gazing at the softly glowing lanterns. "It's… peaceful. As always."
Aqua nodded, recognizing the feeling immediately. "This place gathers what's been lost," she said softly. "Every light here once belonged to another world. Maybe that's the peace we sense here."
Thalen looked up at the dark, eternal sky — where no sun rose and no moon shone. Only the quiet, endless night.
Helios smiled faintly, stepping ahead of them, his voice calm and even.
"Welcome to Traverse Town."