Vale paused in the doorway, looking down at the two figures standing in his kitchen. Morning sunlight streamed through the windows, casting warm, bright light across their faces and outlining their features with almost serene clarity.
Korin stood stiffly, shoulders slightly hunched as though trying to look smaller, which was impossible for someone of his size. He wore simple casual clothing that strained slightly against his musculature, hardly managing to conceal the sheer bulk of his frame. His expression, however, contrasted sharply with his imposing appearance: embarrassed, awkward, almost boyish.
Nym, by contrast, radiated confidence. She was wearing a set of white, streetwear-inspired clothing that contrasted sharply with her dark hair and sharp features. The moment she spotted Vale, her lips curved into a wide, mischievous grin that suggested she had been waiting for exactly this moment.
Startled by their unexpected presence, Vale took a second to gather his thoughts before letting out a soft chuckle.
"So," he said, crossing his arms, "do you mind telling me how you got in here?"
Before either of them could answer, Ember launched himself from the floor, flaring his wings before climbing up Vale's back with swift, precise movements. His sharp wing-talons clacked harmlessly against Vale's armor as he perched on his shoulder like a vigilant sentinel.
Nym's expression immediately shifted, her grin fading into wide-eyed awe. She leaned forward slightly, entranced by the small wyvern.
"Well," she began, reaching out carefully toward Ember, "I have access to all rooms, technically. Family status and all that."
She attempted to pet Ember under his jaw.
The reaction was instant.
The wyvern snapped at her fingers with a sudden, fierce motion, so close it nearly clipped one of them. A thin plume of smoke hissed from his nostrils as he glared at her, wings twitching.
Nym only laughed, amused rather than offended.
"You sure are a cute one," she murmured, keeping her hands to herself this time.
Korin stepped closer as well, though far more hesitantly. His massive frame almost brushed the ceiling, and he seemed deeply aware of the fact. He stopped a respectful distance away and raised a hand in a half-wave, half-apology.
"Sorry for… entering without permission," he muttered, averting his eyes. "Evelyn will be taking you soon, and we figured it'd be good to say goodbye before you leave."
A faint smile touched Vale's lips.
"No problem. You didn't break anything, so I don't mind."
His attention shifted to Nym.
"Actually, Nym, I wanted to ask. You can read relics, right? Or something close to that?"
She blinked and tilted her head slightly.
"Yeah. Why?"
Vale's expression brightened, satisfaction flickering across his face.
"Would you mind checking mine? And Ember's, if possible."
He reached up to gently steady the wyvern on his shoulder.
Nym's expression grew complicated, something between curiosity and caution. She thought for several seconds, then finally nodded.
"Sure," she said. A small, pleased smile formed on her lips. "Take a seat. Let me work."
Internally celebrating, Vale moved to the soft couch and sat down. Nym positioned herself beside him, turning toward him and placing a single hand on the plating of his armor.
"Let's start with this one," she murmured, closing her eyes.
Korin observed quietly from the side, arms crossed, watching the process with a mixture of interest and concern.
A moment later, Nym's eyes snapped open, but they were no longer their usual color. They had turned completely black. No iris. No whites. No hint of color whatsoever. Just endless darkness.
Vale stiffened slightly at the sight but forced himself to remain still, not wanting to disrupt the reading.
Nym's pitch-black eyes darted rapidly, as though scanning unseen pages at an inhuman speed. Her brow furrowed. Then her expression twisted sharply.
"What?!"
Her eyes reverted to normal in an instant. A bead of cold sweat slid down her temple.
Vale leaned forward, confused and concerned.
"Is something wrong?"
Nym stared at him as though trying to decide how to phrase the impossible.
"Your relic… its origin is unreadable."
Vale's eyes widened slightly.
"Unreadable?" he echoed, thinking it through. After a moment, he asked, "What does that mean?"
Nym inhaled deeply, trying to settle her nerves.
"It's not catastrophic or anything. But I can't access any information about the plane your relic is tied to. That's usually the clearest part, and the part that would've helped you the most."
She gave him a moment to absorb that before continuing.
"What I did pick up is that the seal on your armor weakened, probably from your fight with Eskar. And I could identify three primary abilities: regeneration, protection, and resistance. But the seal blocks the details."
Vale looked down, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
"I see."
He paused, then met her gaze again.
"So it's not very useful while it's sealed?"
Nym nodded.
"Pretty much. Honestly, it's a miracle the relic held up against Eskar's flames at all. It probably prioritized your survival and sacrificed stability in the seal. Some relics behave like that."
Vale rubbed his chin again, contemplative.
'Interesting. Very interesting.'
But his time was limited, and pressing for more details wouldn't change anything.
"Alright," he said. "Shall we move on to the next relic? Or do you want to check this little guy first?"
He gestured toward Ember.
Nym chuckled.
"Let's do the wyvern first."
She reached out, and Ember bristled, wings flaring. Before he could lash out, Vale gently calmed him with a hand to his neck.
Once the wyvern relaxed, Nym touched him lightly.
Her eyes turned black once more.
And she began to read.
For several long seconds, Nym remained perfectly still, her pupils swallowed in black as Ember's essence flowed into her perception. Then, abruptly, her eyes widened, so sharply it seemed to jolt her entire posture.
She gasped.
"This… this isn't a spectre."
Her voice trembled slightly, the words leaving her mouth before she could temper them.
Korin's head snapped toward her.
"What do you mean? It has to be. It has every classification that marks a spectre."
Even Vale blinked in confusion, tilting his head with a puzzled expression.
But Nym had already turned to Korin, frustration etched across her features.
"How should I know?!" she snapped. "All it says is that it's some kind of beast. Every other detail is unreadable."
Korin took a half-step back, startled, not by Ember, but by Nym's reaction.
"That shouldn't be possible," he muttered. "Your ability removes language barriers. You can read anything."
Vale glanced between them with rising unease, eyebrows knitting together.
"Uh… sorry, but could someone please explain what's happening?"
Both turned toward him.
Both sighed deeply, Nym especially so.
She pinched the bridge of her nose before speaking.
"Honestly? I have no idea anymore." She exhaled, eyes closing briefly. "Whatever your plane is, Vale… it's abnormal. Even if I try reading your relics again, I doubt I'll get anything meaningful."
The disappointment in her voice mirrored the mild frustration settling over Vale. He let out a long breath, shoulders slumping slightly.
'Well… that was useful for a few minutes at least,' he thought.
Nym pushed herself up from the couch and stretched her arms overhead, joints popping quietly. Vale watched her with a mildly bewildered expression as she rolled her shoulders, shook out her wrists, then sighed.
"Alright. That's enough relic reading for today."
She looked directly at Vale. "Wanna go eat?"
Vale blinked.
"Uh… yeah, sure." He rose to his feet. "But where?"
Korin answered before Nym could.
"The cafeteria."
His tone held a hint of confusion, as though the question itself was unusual. He even tilted his head slightly.
Vale stared at him.
"We… have a cafeteria here?"
Korin looked even more confused.
"Yes? Why wouldn't we?"
A beat of silence.
Vale sighed, shaking his head.
"Right. No, that makes sense."
He paused again. "But… didn't you say Evelyn will take me away soon?"
Nym waved a hand dismissively.
"Don't worry about that. As long as you're in the building, big sis can find you whenever she wants."
Her confidence was matter-of-fact, almost casual, yet enough to stir Vale's curiosity again. He considered probing further, but ultimately dismissed the thought. There would be time for answers later.
And, admittedly, he was hungry.
So he nodded.
"Alright. Let's go eat, then."
No more questions. At least not for now.