After they came down from the tower, Dark, Laiver, and Mirai jogged through the city, winding between streets until they stopped in one of the alleys. They stood silently for a few moments, just looking at each other.
Then Laiver finally spoke, "Well… it seems he's no longer interested. That's strange. Everything that happened with that knight was strange. He was alone, and he wasn't wearing a commander's uniform — even though he had six points. He should have had a high rank. But he lost interest in us so quickly… I swear, for a moment, I thought he was about to do something insane — and then suddenly, he just changed his mind."
Dark said, "Maybe he realized something… or maybe he realized I'm stronger than him."
Laiver smacked Dark on the head. "Don't let it get to your head."
Dark laughed, then they both turned to Mirai. Laiver asked, "Are you okay?"
Mirai replied, "Don't worry about me. For the first time… I feel normal."
There was something strange in her expression. Dark asked, "What's your element?"
"Oh right," she said. "My element is called Moonlight. A rare element — and a rare eye."
Dark said, "Wow. What can it do?"
Mirai looked at Dark and said softly, "A lot."
Laiver asked, "So… what do we do now?"
Dark replied, "Nothing's changed. I've achieved what I've been working toward for years. Now I'll keep my promise to Jason, Lord of the First Dimension. I'll join the Dream Chasers. The meeting is in six days. I'm heading home now — to learn more about my new element. What about you, Mirai?"
She answered, "I think I'll join the Dream Chasers too. There's a place I need to go — and the fastest way to get there is by taking the same path they take. Besides… there's something I want to keep watching."
As she said that, her gaze landed on Dark.
Laiver said, "Hmm… alright. I still haven't found the person I'm looking for. So I'll keep searching."
Dark nodded, "Then I guess this is goodbye, Laiver."
"I think so. Since you're going back to the Eternal City, Dark."
Dark turned to Mirai. "Let's meet again — at the Selection Ceremony."
She looked at him but didn't say a word.
Laiver asked, "Where will you go now?"
Mirai replied, "Don't worry. I have a place in mind."
And she walked off toward her destination, leaving the two boys behind.
Dark turned to Laiver. "Don't you think she's acting a little… strange?"
Laiver shrugged. "Maybe that new element gave her a bit of an ego."
Dark chuckled. "I don't think it's that. I think she's just tired. Or… something."
He looked at Laiver again and said, "Come on, let's go to the station. I want to get home early. Wow… I never thought I'd say that."
Laiver laughed. "Absolutely. We both need some rest."
They headed toward the train station. The City of Light was glowing, beautiful — and Dark felt something he hadn't felt in a long time: peace. For once, people weren't looking at him like he was broken. Now, he had four points. He and Laiver talked about all kinds of things along the way — laughing, debating — until they finally arrived.
Dark said, "So… until we meet again."
"Until then, Dark. And don't die," Laiver said, smiling.
They boarded different trains. Dark sat by a window, surrounded by empty seats — but slowly, people came and sat near him. For the first time… people weren't avoiding him.
He looked down. A single tear slipped from his eye.
He wiped it away quickly.
"Not now," he thought. "I won't cry — not until I become the greatest element wielder in all the dimensions."
—
At the same time, Mirai was climbing the stairs into the temple built atop the Shining Falls. She paused, looking up at the sky for a few seconds before entering.
"Let's see what happens next…" she whispered.
And then she stepped into the darkness of the temple — and vanished inside.
—
Dark arrived at his station: the Eternal City. He stepped off the train and walked through the glowing streets, across open fields, until he reached the edge of the forest — where his small storage cabin was.
He went inside and turned on the light. The walls were plastered with pictures — of him crying, fighting, hugging his cat. Memories. Pain. Hope.
He sat on his old, worn-out bed.
And silence fell.
Then suddenly — the door opened.
An old man walked in, tall and heavily built, covered in scars, wearing a black eyepatch over his right eye. His left eye held four golden points. It was Dark's grandfather.
The man shut the door behind him.
"I see you're back. You've been gone for three days. I was honestly hoping you were dead."
Dark snorted. "Too bad. I'm back — and I'm stronger than ever. Look at my eyes."
The old man looked. "Hmm… well, well. From a useless brat to a slightly upgraded one. Congratulations."
He reached into his pocket and pulled something out — a pendant — and tossed it to Dark.
"I hear you're trying to join the Dream Chasers. Show them that — they'll let you in. Not that I care. I just want them to accept you so you can die somewhere far away."
Dark glared at him, clearly annoyed, but said nothing.
The old man continued, "I'm leaving. Make sure you never come back to this filthy place after you're gone. You've got four days."
He left and slammed the door behind him.
Dark sat there, frustrated — then stood up and walked outside. He found a large rock near the cabin and sat on it, needing air, needing space.
Then, a man approached — dressed in gray, his face hidden in a hazy aura. His clothing was thick and long, his presence overwhelming.
He sat next to Dark — and they talked for a long time.
But as the man walked away, Dark suddenly blinked.
"Wait… was I talking to someone? I felt like… there was someone here. But I can't remember. I can't…"
He looked around, searching — but saw no one.
"I must be tired. Imagining things…"
He checked his phone — it was late. He stood up and jogged back home.
—
Four days passed.
The awaited day came.
The day of the Dream Chaser Selection.
Dark locked up his cabin. He packed a few belongings in a bag on his back and headed to the train station. He boarded the train bound for Spirit Capital — the place where the Selection would be held.