*Back to Present
*Thud!Thud!Thud!
Each step echoed heavily through the vast corridor as Zendrell and Jinn exited the main house, their boots striking the smooth stone path with a weight that carried unspoken tension.
They moved steadily, side by side, heading toward the open courtyard—a place still etched in Jinn's memory.
It was there, in that expansive field of stone and air, that he had last glimpsed Kain, standing beside an enigmatic crimson haired woman who seemed to have held Kain's hand.
As both Zendrell and Jinn walked through the courtyard, Jinn's eyes took in the scenery.
The courtyard itself was nothing short of striking.
Towering pillars, each carved in the shape of mighty swords, lined the perimeter like ancient guardians.
They stretched skyward, casting long shadows beneath the starlit canopy above.
Surrounding buildings, grand and regal in architecture, glowed with soft golden light—likely guard or scout posts, their presence subtle but watchful.
As they crossed the open space, Jinn's eyes drifted to the side.
*Tzzz.
*Hiss!
A cluster of robotic caretakers moved among the garden beds—tall, narrow forms with smooth metallic limbs.
Their arms clicked with mechanical precision, hissing softly as they extended, trimming leaves with surgical accuracy, adjusting soil levels, and misting flowers with faint bursts of vaporized water.
The air was filled with the scent of fresh earth and mechanical oil, an oddly serene blend of the natural and artificial.
The sight tugged at something buried in Jinn's memory.
The soft clicks, the hiss of hydraulics—it reminded him of Amaron.
That same quiet hum of technology at work.
There was something comforting in the familiarity, in the sound of machines functioning with calm and purpose.
A faint smirk tugged at the edge of Jinn's lips, brief and involuntary.
Just a flicker of sentiment amid the coldness.
===
Their boots echoed subtly as they stepped upon the ground, Jinn following just behind Zendrell—his massive sword almost covering his entire back as Jinn stared upon it.
Still, neither of them spoke.
They walked on in silence, their steps synchronized but distant—one born of discipline, the other of contemplation.
As they approached their destination, another building rose before them—its size and elegance rivaling even the main estate.
Crimson pillars flanked its sides, each one etched with swirling patterns that seemed to dance with the wind. The entire structure exuded power and grace.
Without a single word, Zendrell ascended the short flight of stairs, his heavy frame moving with an ease that betrayed his size.
He raised one hand and balled it into a fist—
*Knock! *Knock! *Knock!
He rapped on the large carved door, his knuckles slamming firmly into the wood. Each knock echoed with authority, cutting through the night like distant thunder.
He stepped back immediately afterward, arms crossing over his chest as he began to pace—
a soldier's habit, born of impatience and discipline—or perhaps it was just him.
Seconds passed.
.
.
.
Then minutes.
Still, no response.
"Tch… dammit," Zendrell muttered, scratching his scalp with a grunt.
He pulled out his data pad, checked the time, then let out a slow breath.
"Guess we'll have to wait," he sighed, raising his broad shoulders in a helpless shrug.
*Thud!
With a soft grunt, Zendrell sat heavily on the stone steps, his massive figure settling down like a boulder placed deliberately.
With practiced ease, he removed the enormous sword strapped to his back, laying it gently across his lap.
*shhhhht...
His fingers ran along the blade with idle affection, brushing against the cold steel like one would with an old companion.
It was an unconscious motion, the kind a veteran does without thinking—equal parts habit and reverence.
Jinn's gaze fell on the weapon.
It was monstrous in scale—easily taller than Jinn himself.
The blade had no unnecessary embellishments, no decorative flair.
It was brutal in its simplicity—cold, raw, and designed for carnage.
Every inch of it screamed destruction, as though it were forged not to defend but to annihilate.
If Jinn were to put it into words—
it was a weapon meant to destroy whatever dared to touch it.
Zendrell noticed his glance.
A smug grin slowly spread across his face.
With deliberate flair, he shifted the sword slightly, angling it just enough to catch the faint light so it gleamed against the polished edge.
"A thing of beauty, ain't it?" he said, his voice laced with a thick pride that made no effort to hide itself.
He turned it in his hands again, examining the metal as if admiring a piece of artwork, before setting it down once more with a heavy thud.
Then his gaze returned to Jinn.
"Why don't you sit down, boy?" Zendrell said, his smirk returning.
"Let's get to know each other a little better."
Jinn leaned off the wall he'd been resting against, his posture shifting with casual defiance.
His brows lowered, and his arms crossed.
"Why would I need to get to know you?" he muttered, sarcasm dripping from his tone.
"Last I checked, I was still a slave."
Ha!
Zendrell barked a laugh, deep and mocking.
He leaned forward, eyes narrowing slightly with amusement.
"Because I'll be the one teaching you how to wield a sword."
Jinn's expression faltered.
His eyes widened—just slightly—and a storm of emotion rushed through his mind. His thoughts clashed violently within him.
Confusion.
Anger.
Shock.
A part of him wanted to yell, to reject the offer outright.
How could he ever accept anything from the very people who enslaved him?
From the same empire that had taken Nevi's life?
From the ones who saw him and his friends as tools, nothing more?
But…
Another part—the colder, quieter voice in the back of his mind—
recognized the truth.
This was a chance.
A rare, dangerous chance.
A path that could lead him to power—
real power.
Enough to fight back.
Enough to protect.
Enough to change something.
"Fine..." Jinn muttered, barely above a whisper, but with enough bite to cut through the silence.
His jaw tightened. His eyes narrowed with hard resolve.
"Anything to get stronger."
It wasn't right.
He knew it wasn't right.
But what choice did he have?
If he wanted to protect the ones he still had—Orin, Vox, the others—he would have to become something stronger than what he was.
Even if it meant swallowing his pride.
Even if it meant learning from the enemy.
*Pfft.
Zendrell chuckled again, pleased with the answer.
His massive hand curled into a tight fist as he turned his gaze to the horizon.
"Without strength, child… you can not protect anything you love," he said firmly, his tone now more solemn.
"Remember my words."
"Don't worry." Jinn replied flatly. "I already know that."
"Good." Zendrell replied.
But before another word could be spoken, a third voice rang out—calm, elegant, and commanding.
"Good."
It came just behind them.
Jinn and Zendrell both turned.
There she was.
A woman, tall and composed, with flowing crimson hair and eyes that shimmered like dying embers in moonlight.
Her hand rested lightly in Kain's.
Her presence was unmistakable.
"Without strength… without power," she said, her voice slicing the silence, "you cannot protect anyone. Especially those you love."
Jinn's breath caught.
"Kain!" he called, eyes wide in disbelief.
"J-Jinn!" Kain stammered, his voice cracking slightly.
He looked from Jinn to the woman beside him. "This is… Jinn. The one I told you about."
"I've heard," Merilyn said calmly.
Her gaze shifted to Zendrell, who now stood, his sword sliding smoothly back onto his back with fluid ease.
"And you, brother," she said coolly, "what brings you here?"
Zendrell's expression turned serious.
"I've been sent by Elder Sister," he said. "She wants me to train the boy in swordsmanship."
"And you," he added, looking to Merilyn, "will be teaching him how to control his eidra."
He paused, then added with a hint of gravity, "If you haven't heard—he possesses the same eidra as—"
"Venedix, yes," Merilyn interrupted without hesitation, her eyes now fixed on Jinn.
"Sunder Surge. I've been informed."
Without wasting another word, she turned and moved toward the door, her movements smooth and precise.
At the entrance, she let go of Kain's hand and extended her fingers toward the intricate control panel embedded in the wall.
*Whirrrr...
A gentle hum filled the air as she poured eidra into the mechanism, and the tall doors responded immediately—
*hisssss...
unlocking and gliding open with silent reverence.
"Come," she said, glancing over her shoulder.
"Have any of you had dinner yet?"