The burial of Xavier was a heavy one. The kind of silence that lingered long after the priest's last words. His younger brother, Xedon, stood at the grave, stone-faced. He was just two months older than me, but in that moment, he looked years older.
Later, when we were alone, I told Stormblade what had been eating at me since the battle.
"I still think it was Xavier… or maybe even you," I said quietly, "one of you could've been the man in the hood."
Stormblade didn't flinch. "If you're right, then we'll find him together. You have my word."
That promise stuck with me, but my trip back to Earth was postponed. I ended up missing Christmas, New Year's, and two whole weeks of school. Not that the school part bothered me much.
"I still can't believe you convinced the rulers to let Xedon come with us," I told Stormblade as we packed.
"The kid needs a change of scenery. Some distance from all… this." He gestured vaguely at the endless weight of politics and grief.
"Yeah, we're gonna be in the same class, right?" Xedon asked.
"Second years," I nodded. "So, yeah."
Xedon smirked. "Still can't believe Julie tried to sneak along."
Stormblade groaned. "Her father's never letting her leave Jupiter. You don't even know the hoops I jumped through just to get you here."
A week later, back on Earth, I'd scoured everywhere I could think of no clues, no leads. Just frustration.
"Man, this is why I hate authority," I muttered, face buried into the couch.
"Well, I'm not exactly used to this either," Xedon said, slumping beside me.
I glanced at Mom. "I thought everyone was supposed to be home for New Year?"
She sighed. "Naomi and Vanessa went back to their workplaces. Darius and Marcus too. Lena's abroad sorting some land disputes. And Jordan went to Kai's place."
"Cool." I turned back to the TV, letting the silence swallow the room.
The next morning, Mom woke us early, insisting first impressions mattered we couldn't afford to be late. Naturally, we still ended up late.
Walking into class felt… wrong. The faces were different. Even my seat was occupied. The teacher didn't say a word, just pointed me to an empty spot at the back.
Then the principal walked in, Xedon at her side.
"Hello everyone, this is Xedon. He'll be joining us from now on."
"My name's Xedon. Pleasure to meet you all," he said casually, then slid into the seat right beside me.
He leaned over with a smirk. "Wow. You were right. What a bunch of SOBs."
At break, the room emptied fast.
"Man, Aunt Sophia really knows how to make the best lunch," Xedon said, unpacking his meal.
"Yeah, I told Mom I couldn't eat this much," I said, shaking my head.
"I thought you said you had friends here?"
Right on cue...
"Ty! What's up, man?" The boys arrived, Sage, Eria, and Alice in tow.
"When did you all become friends?" I asked.
"Well, you disappeared for a month," Sage shot back.
"Guys, meet Xedon," I said.
"Yeah, we were there during the intro," Bruce replied flatly.
"So what'd I miss?" I asked.
"Oh, nothing much. Just the prettiest newcomer since Eria," Phil said.
"There she is," James added.
I turned and saw her standing a few meters away, eyes locked on mine. Nyra Vale.
I quickly looked away, pretending I hadn't noticed.
The boys shifted the conversation. Mike mentioned the taskforce, Robert explained the details, and I called them all crazy for it.
Then Eria leaned in. "Ty… you kinda ghosted us. We didn't hear from you for weeks."
"Yeah, where were you?" Sage asked.
I scratched the back of my head. "Uh, I was busy at—"
"My place," Xedon interrupted smoothly.
"Right…" Sage muttered, before the three of them left.
That night, after everything, Xedon and I lay in our room. The lights were off, the silence stretching.
"You know," he said suddenly, "this is the first time I've slept in a bed without Xavier nearby."
I turned, but his face was hidden in shadow.
"He used to snore," Xedon said with a small laugh, but it cracked halfway. "I used to get annoyed at it. Now I'd… I'd give anything to hear it again."
I didn't know what to say. For once, my usual sarcasm wouldn't cut it. So I just muttered, "He'd want you to keep moving forward. You know that, right?"
Xedon sniffed, nodding slightly. "Yeah. But it still feels like I left him behind."
"You didn't," I said firmly. "You brought him with you. You carry him in every choice you make now."
He didn't answer, but after a long moment, I heard his breathing steady. He'd fallen asleep.
I stayed awake, staring at the ceiling. If grief could hollow someone out like that… what would it do to me, if I lost someone close?
The next morning, I avoided Nyra's gaze completely.
"Good morning, students!" the principal bellowed as she entered.
She explained the school needed help pasting posters for the upcoming festival. Of course, everyone backed out. Until she added stakes:
"You'll be paired in groups of two, given one hundred copies each. The first team to finish and return gets ten marks in all subjects for extracurriculars."
Excitement buzzed. Then she sweetened the deal. "Everyone who participates also gets free cafeteria access for a day, free school bus for two weeks, and winners get double."
Now the whole class was in.
Meanwhile, far away…
"I'm sorry," the hooded figure said, bowing before six shadowy faces on a glowing screen.
"You've failed twice to get the boy," one voice growled.
"You'll listen to your new partner now," another commanded.
From the darkness, a man stepped forward, silver visor glinting under the light.
"Don't worry," he said coldly. "I won't disappoint you."