Harlekin's grin widened unnaturally as he leaned forward slightly.
Harlekin: "Because technically, this little Ascendant project of yours is under his shadow. Null doesn't trust you. But he thinks you're just playing caretaker of Neoterra's filth."
Then his tone shifted, a little darker.
Harlekin (grinning): "But I know better. You're after something more than just the Grid. So, tell me, King Midas…"
He spun his cane and pointed it lightly toward the golden king.
Harlekin: "…what's your true intention with the Halo?"
Midas set his glass down slowly.
King Midas: "The Grid was never the endgame, clown. It's a tool. A key to open something greater than this hollow city."
He stood, stepping down from his throne-like chair. His movements were smooth and quiet, yet carried weight.
King Midas: "Originally, Elion Vaydrin was meant to be the offering. His pure blood, his Awakening—it was convenient. But now…"
Midas smirked, his golden teeth catching the faint light.
King Midas: "…Henry Dreherg has revealed himself. A boy with the Heavenly Awakening. Far purer than Elion's fire. He is the true key."
Harlekin's grin faltered just slightly.
Harlekin: "… So you're tossing the boy aside? Null's favorite?"
Midas leaned closer, his voice dropping to a near whisper.
King Midas: "Elion was good, but Henry is the true key."
Harlekin tilted his head again, the grin returning as he took a step closer.
Harlekin: "Interesting. So… will you tell the boss? Or should I?"
There was a moment of silence.
Then Midas' smile widened, the golden teeth catching the light as his eyes turned cold.
King Midas: "No."
In one fluid motion, Midas closed the distance between them instantly.
He grabbed Harlekin by the throat, slamming him against the nearest golden pillar with shocking force. The faint hum of Midas' power vibrated through the air.
His voice was low, deadly calm.
King Midas: "You won't tell Null a single word. You'll keep dancing, distracting, and smiling just like you always do."
He leaned closer, the glint of his teeth inches from Harlekin's painted face.
King Midas: "Because if you whisper even a hint of my plan…"
The golden glow in his eyes flared faintly.
King Midas: "…I'll turn your bones into gold and leave you as a statue in this chamber."
Harlekin's grin twisted into a darker smile, even as Midas' grip tightened.
His knife was pressing tightly against Midas's throat.
Harlekin: "…Heh… I knew you were hiding something delicious."
He tapped his cane lightly against the floor, a subtle signal.
Harlekin: "Fine. I won't tell. But I'll watch. Oh, I'll watch you try to play God with that boy."
Midas released him suddenly, stepping back with calm composure, adjusting his cuffs like nothing had happened.
King Midas: "Good. Now leave."
Harlekin straightened his outfit dramatically, giving one last exaggerated bow.
Harlekin: "Oh, I'll leave, golden king. But don't forget…"
His grin widened one last time, sharp and knowing.
Harlekin: "…even gold can crack under the right pressure."
Then he vanished into the shadows, his bells jingling faintly.
Midas watched him go, his smile unfazed.
King Midas (quietly): "Henry Dreherg… You're mine now."
The night outside was quiet, the neon glow of the city reflecting off the slick streets below. From up here, Neoterra looked strangely peaceful—like the chaos underground didn't exist.
Henry sat on the balcony railing, leaning slightly forward, elbows on his knees. His eyes were fixed on the skyline but unfocused, his thoughts still heavy with Veyra's death, Ravenous Halo's power, and the Black Halo.
For a while, there was only silence.
Then soft footsteps.
Henry turned slightly and saw Elara.
She stepped onto the balcony quietly, the faint glow of the city lights outlining her small frame. Her expression was as calm as before—almost blank—but her eyes held that quiet depth, the same unspoken trauma she carried silently.
She leaned lightly against the railing a few steps away from him, staring out at the city.
Elara: "You're not sleeping."
Henry glanced back at the skyline.
Henry: "Didn't feel like it."
There was a pause.
Elara: "…Neither did I."
Henry studied her for a moment. She was his age, but she felt older in a way—not from years, but from weight.
Henry: "Back when we first came here… you were quiet. I asked if you liked it here, and you didn't answer."
Elara stayed still for a moment before speaking softly.
Elara: "…I don't like it. But I don't hate it either. It's… just a place. But it is home."
Henry nodded slightly.
Henry: "And before here? You didn't say much about it."
She turned her head slightly toward him; her face was still calm, but her eyes shifted for just a second.
Elara: "…Before here was worse."
Henry didn't press.
Henry: "Fair."
His face was still cold. Elara tilted her head slightly.
Elara: "Most people would ask anyway."
Henry gave a faint, almost imperceptible smile.
Henry: "I'm not most people."
She blinked once, then looked back at the city.
After a pause, she spoke again, her voice still soft but with a faint edge of curiosity.
Elara: "…You fought him. The Border-baron of Transylvania."
Henry's eyes darkened slightly at the memory.
Henry: "Yeah…Adelin."
Elara was silent for a moment.
Elara: "You're calm about it. But I can tell it changed you."
Henry didn't respond right away.
Henry: "… He wasn't fighting seriously. If he wanted to, none of us would've made it out."
Elara nodded faintly.
Elara: "But you're still here. That means something."
They both went quiet again, just staring out at the glowing city.
After a long pause, Elara finally said something unexpected.
Elara: "…When you came back, Ronnie looked… different. Like he already knew what happened."
Henry's eyes shifted slightly toward her.
Henry: "You noticed?"
She nodded, still not looking at him.
Elara: "He's not telling you everything. But you already know that."
Henry was silent.
Henry: "You became very talkative."
Elara slightly smiled. She then turned to the city.
Finally, Elara glanced at him—just for a second.
Elara: "… I don't know what you're planning to do. But whatever it is… don't lose yourself to it."
Henry met her gaze calmly.
Henry: "I won't."
She studied him for a moment longer, then turned away.
Elara: "…Good. Because once you do… you can't come back."
She walked quietly back inside, leaving Henry alone with the city lights.
Henry stayed on the balcony for a while longer, watching the neon lights flicker in the distance.
His hand tightened slightly against the railing.