Vale looked at Ali with a strange expression, one he didn't fully understand himself.
He didn't know why simply listening to a story was considered sufficient payment. Nor was he entirely comfortable with it. Ali had crafted extraordinary blades, work that deserved real compensation. Vale valued effort and skill, and the idea of leaving without properly rewarding it sat poorly with him.
Ali, however, had made it clear he wouldn't accept anything tangible.
Vale pressed his lips together in quiet frustration before finally asking, "Is there… anything else you want?"
Ali stepped back slightly, his lively demeanor softening into thoughtfulness. He rested a hand against his chin, eyes drifting toward the forge as steam continued to dissipate around them. Seconds passed. Then a minute.
At last, he smiled.
"How about this," Ali said. "The next time we meet, tell me how the story of the leader's son went."
Vale's eyes widened a fraction. "That's all?" he asked, then paused as realization dawned. "But… how would I even be able to figure that out?"
Ali chuckled quietly and stepped closer. As he did, Ember crawled up Vale's back, wings bristling as the small wyvern let out a sharp, hostile hiss.
Ali didn't react.
"That, dear Vale," he said gently, "is for you to discover."
Vale opened his mouth to respond, but before he could speak, Ali placed both hands on his shoulders and began guiding him toward the forge's exit.
"For now," Ali continued lightly, "it's about time you return to Evelyn, isn't it?"
Vale's head snapped up.
He froze for half a second.
Ali was right. Evelyn's conversation with Lucas had likely concluded by now. Lingering any longer would only worry her, or irritate her, which might be worse.
"…Yeah," Vale admitted. "You're probably right."
Ali gave him a final push, and Vale stumbled out through the forge doors.
The bell rang once more.
As Vale descended the stone steps outside the forge, he turned back and bowed his head slightly. "Anyway… thank you. For the blades."
Ali waved him off cheerfully. "Take care, Vale."
Vale stepped down the final stair, and then stopped.
Something clicked.
He frowned.
He had never told Ali Evelyn's name.
He had never said he was with her.
Slowly, Vale turned around, already forming the question. "How did you know I belonged with Evel-"
The words died in his throat.
The forge was gone.
Where the stone building had stood only moments before, there was now nothing but an empty stretch of dark stone floor. No scorch marks. No lingering heat. No bell.
Nothing.
Vale stared, eyes wide, his thoughts racing wildly before settling, somewhat desperately, on a single conclusion.
'It must be his ability… right?'
Even as he thought it, he wasn't fully convinced. But dwelling on it wouldn't help. Slowly, he exhaled and forced himself to accept it as truth, if only to preserve his sanity.
Ember, sensing his tension, finally relaxed. The wyvern's posture eased, confirming what Vale already felt.
Ali, and the forge, were truly gone.
Vale lowered his head and closed his eyes for a moment. Then he looked down at the twin blades in his hands.
Focusing on them, he reached out with his senses.
Their energy was… unusual.
Not powerful, not in the conventional sense, but fluid. Constantly shifting. Their output fluctuated subtly, changing in response to him, as though the blades themselves were listening. Adapting.
"Truly spectacular…" Vale murmured, awe creeping into his voice. "How did he even make these?"
A sudden voice echoed behind him.
"Vale. Are you finished shopping?" Evelyn called sharply. "You better be, we're leaving."
Vale turned quickly, spotting her striding toward him across the market floor.
"I am!" he replied, raising his voice slightly as he moved to meet her, the blades still in hand.
Evelyn slowed, her eyes immediately drawn to the weapons. She reached out, inspecting one with narrowed curiosity.
"…Nice blades," she admitted. Then her expression shifted. "Wait. What the, who made these?"
Vale scratched the back of his head. "Some guy named Ali," he said. "He had a forge right here, but it disappeared."
Evelyn looked up at him flatly. "Then don't say anything," she said curtly, already turning away.
Vale blinked, momentarily caught off guard, but followed her as she headed back toward the teleportation chamber.
They walked in silence for a few minutes before Evelyn spoke again.
"So," she said, "what did you buy?"
Vale considered for a moment. "Clothes. And books, on power systems, spawn, and world structure. Figured those would be the most useful."
She glanced at him sidelong. "I see. Pretty humble for someone who could've bought anything."
Vale reached into his pocket, pulled out the golden medallion she had given him, and tossed it back to her. "Yeah. I guess."
She caught it smoothly and slipped it into her pocket without comment.
Vale hesitated, then asked, "So… what did Lucas want to talk about?"
Evelyn's expression darkened instantly.
"That old geezer wants me to become the next head of the Dark Dynasty," she said, irritation sharp in her voice.
Vale nearly stopped walking. "What?" His eyes widened. "Isn't that… a good thing?"
Evelyn let out a long, tired sigh.
"Listen, kid," she said quietly, her tone losing its edge. "You might not understand this yet, but some people aren't meant to lead others."
She paused.
"I've tried," she added, voice low. "And I failed. Miserably."
The words left a bitter weight in the air.
Vale swallowed and explained nothing further. He remained silent for the rest of the walk, the massive doors to the teleportation chamber looming ahead as they approached.
As they approached the massive doors, Vale noticed an elderly man standing nearby, waving politely. The gesture was unhurried, almost gentle. When Vale looked closer, recognition struck.
It was Lucas.
Vale hesitated for a heartbeat, then returned the wave. Lucas smiled warmly in response, offering a quiet farewell as they passed one another without exchanging a single word.
Once inside the teleportation chamber, the doors sealed shut behind them with a deep metallic hum.
Evelyn immediately reached into her pocket and retrieved a sleek metal pad. Her fingers moved rapidly across its surface, tapping in a complex sequence of symbols and numbers.
Vale watched with open curiosity. "What are you doing?" he asked.
"Entering coordinates," Evelyn replied, her tone distant and indifferent, as if her mind were already elsewhere.
A final input registered.
The white chamber shifted violently. The smooth walls fractured into countless geometric cubes, each glowing brightly with pulsing aqua light. The air vibrated, and Vale felt his body lurch as if reality itself had tilted beneath him.
Instinctively, he closed his eyes and reached up to gently pet Ember, who clung tightly to his shoulder.
Moments later, the light began to fade.
Vale opened his eyes.
At first, everything seemed normal, until he looked at Evelyn.
She hadn't moved. Her posture was rigid, frozen in place. Her gaze was locked onto the small metallic device now strapped to her wrist, eyes wide with disbelief.
Horror.
Pure, unfiltered horror crossed her face.
Vale frowned, a knot forming in his chest. "Evelyn?" he asked cautiously.
She didn't answer.
Several seconds passed before she finally spoke, her voice hurried, tight, and trembling.
"Let's go."
She turned abruptly and began walking, her pace fast and uneven. Vale barely had time to react before following after her.
The chamber doors slid open.
Beyond them stretched a vast metallic complex, a fortified base filled with movement and noise. Researchers rushed between terminals, armed personnel sprinted through corridors, and warning lights flickered overhead. Every face Vale glimpsed carried the same expression.
Shock.
Panic.
Confusion.
Vale slowed instinctively, trying to take it all in, but Evelyn snapped back at him without stopping.
"What are you doing?" she shouted. "Move!"
Startled, Vale hurried after her.
Suddenly, Evelyn broke into a run.
Not a normal sprint, but something far beyond human limits. Her movements were sharp, precise, terrifyingly fast. Vale forced himself to run as well, his enhanced body barely allowing him to keep up.
As they raced through the corridors, voices echoed around them.
"Did you hear?" one warrior muttered as they passed.
"He's returned," another replied. "Unharmed."
Vale's heart skipped.
'Returned?'
Evelyn didn't slow.
Minutes passed, or maybe only seconds. Vale couldn't tell. His breathing grew heavy, his legs burning as they finally stopped before a tall, reinforced metallic door.
Evelyn stood motionless.
She stared at the door as though it were a living thing.
When she finally spoke, her voice was barely above a whisper, trembling with something close to fear.
"Follow me."
She pressed her palm to the door panel. With a low hiss, it slid open.
Vale stepped inside after her.
The room was quiet.
At its center stood a man.
He was tall, roughly Vale's height, perhaps slightly shorter. His hair was a radiant gold, catching the light like polished metal, and his eyes were a calm, vivid blue. His skin was pale and unblemished, and he wore white armor reminiscent of a paladin's, immaculate, dignified, and unmistakably ceremonial.
The man looked at Evelyn.
His expression softened instantly, eyes warming with unmistakable joy.
Evelyn gasped.
She raised both hands to her mouth, her shoulders trembling as tears welled in her eyes, tears of overwhelming relief. For a long moment, no one spoke.
Vale watched in stunned silence.
Then, finally, the golden-haired man broke the quiet.
"Hey, Eve," he said gently, a smile spreading across his face.
"I've missed you."