Two months had passed since the war between Mekira and Kul-Elna.
Two months… and yet, the scars of that conflict still lingered.
The world hadn't forgotten.
The news about the discovery of a Jewel had spread like wildfire. Now, every organization, every criminal, every shadow lurking in the dark was after it.
And our heroes…
…had become targets.
After that incident during a mission—when Ikku and the others were suddenly ambushed—King Ryu made a clear decision:
Ikku was to remain in Kul-Elna.
For his safety… but also to prepare.
Because this was only the beginning.
Inside their quarters, however, the atmosphere was much lighter.
Carla and Kenny were locked in an intense game of chess, the sound of pieces clicking against the board breaking the silence.
Nearby, Ikku sat cross-legged, eyes closed.
His breathing was slow. Controlled.
He was focusing… trying to feel… to understand… to master his spiritual energy.
Meanwhile—
Yumé was getting ready.
Carefully.
Too carefully.
Carla raised an eyebrow.
— It's weird seeing you getting ready like that, Yumé…
— Yeah, he replied calmly. I've got a date today.
Silence.
Then—
— WHAT?!
Kenny slammed the table, sending chess pieces flying everywhere.
Even Ikku lost his concentration instantly.
— Yumé…? You? On a date?
— Yeah… he shrugged. Is that really so shocking?
— A little, Carla said with a grin. Where did you meet her?
— Online. I'm going to see her this afternoon.
Ikku frowned slightly.
— Wait… she lives near Kul-Elna?
— She's in Redou. It's right next to Isru. With a jet, I'll be there in under two hours.
He grabbed his things.
— I'll stay there for two or three days.
— Hey! Hold it right there!
Kenny jumped to his feet.
— No way you're going alone!
Ikku smirked.
— Don't you think you're overreacting?
— Not at all, Kenny replied seriously.
A brief silence fell.
Then he stared at them.
— Do you know how long it took him to reach the Port of Bova?
No one answered.
— Four months.
— So? Ikku replied. It took me a year to reach Port Ares.
Kenny leaned forward, dead serious.
— Yumé lived twenty minutes away from Bova.
Silence.
— This guy has the worst sense of direction I've ever seen.
Carla burst out laughing.
Ikku rubbed his face.
— …Okay, that's bad.
— Now imagine him alone… in another country.
Ikku crossed his arms.
— I'm not allowed to leave Kul-Elna.
— I've got a meeting with Hypsen.
— And I have training with Master Zeno, Carla added. Guess I'll have to cancel and go with you.
— No.
Yumé lifted his head.
His eyes were serious.
— I'll be fine on my own.
— That's exactly the problem.
Knock. Knock.
The door swung open.
— Hey everyone!
Tenma walked in, full of energy as usual.
— Nina and Fenrir are on a special mission. They needed someone discreet… and apparently, that's not me! Haha!
He laughed.
— Ikku! Want to train?
— Sure… but I need a favor first.
Tenma tilted his head.
— Oh? What kind?
— Yumé has a date in Redou… and his sense of direction is terrible. Can you go with him?
— Go with him? Tenma repeated. What am I supposed to do while he's with his girlfriend?
Ikku hesitated.
— …Good point.
— Maybe we should just trust him after all.
— You said… Redou?
Tenma froze for a split second.
— Yeah. Why?
— …Nothing.
A brief pause.
Then he looked up.
— I'll go.
Carla let out a relieved sigh.
— Good.
But Kenny kept staring at Yumé.
— This is weird… why are you suddenly so into this?
Yumé lowered his gaze.
The atmosphere shifted.
He spoke quietly.
— This girl… she knows some Sonka.
Everyone froze.
— And among them…
His voice trembled slightly.
— …there's someone who looks like me. From the same place I came from.
Ikku's eyes widened.
— You mean…
— Yeah.
Yumé slowly looked up.
— Maybe… he's my father.
Silence.
Heavy. Crushing.
Even time seemed to stop.
Tenma gently placed a hand on his shoulder.
— You should've started with that.
His expression turned serious.
— Don't worry. I'll watch over him.
— You better tell us everything when you get back! Carla said.
— I promise!
A few hours later…
The jet sliced through the sky.
Yumé stared out the window, excitement shining in his eyes.
Tenma, on the other hand…
…was quiet.
Too quiet.
— Something wrong, Tenma?
— No… I'm fine.
— Where is she again?
— We're landing in Bekou. She's in the next city, Bora. About fifteen minutes away.
Tenma raised an eyebrow.
— You've done your homework.
— I memorized the map.
A small, embarrassed smile.
— So I wouldn't get lost.
Tenma smirked slightly.
— Smart move.
Then—
— Do you know where Anger is?
— Yeah. Near Bekou… but by the coast. Opposite side from Bora.
— Perfect.
He looked away.
— I've got something to take care of there.
Yumé nodded.
— No problem.
A short silence.
Then—
— Did you know your parents…?
Tenma froze.
— …Yeah.
His voice turned colder.
— They died protecting me.
Yumé's chest tightened.
— I'm sorry… I shouldn't have—
— It's fine.
The jet began its descent.
— We're here.
Bekou.
A hot, dry city, almost suffocated by the sun.
— It's insanely hot here, Tenma said.
— This place used to be a desert, Yumé replied, looking around. They built over it.
— So… how are you finding her?
— She's supposed to be waiting outside.
The moment they stepped out—
They saw her.
A beautiful young woman.
Smiling.
Holding a sign.
"YUMÉ"
— Yumé!
She ran toward him and threw her arms around him.
— I'm so happy you came!
Her smile was radiant.
— You're even more handsome than I imagined.
Then she turned to Tenma.
— You must be Tenma, right?
— Y-Yeah… how do you know?
— Yumé told me about you!
She grabbed Yumé's hand.
— Come on, let's go to my place!
Tenma stepped back slightly.
— I'll catch up later. I've got something to take care of in Anger.
— Anger? she repeated. The fishermen's city?
— Yeah.
— Alright. It's not far anyway.
Tenma nodded.
— See you soon.
Their paths split.
Yumé followed Chloé.
His heart was racing.
With every step…
He was getting closer to the truth.
Maybe…
…to his origins.