As Zyphira's crimson wings flap in the sky, the wind rushes over them. Ellowen holds Linda close. The ice encasing her is beginning to melt, but she'll still need proper care.
The strong wind lashes against their bodies, their hair flowing wildly.
Zyphira's back is rough—her body covered in scars. Ellowen wonders how long she's been chasing that golem.
He sighs, reaches into his pouch, and pulls out a small box. Inside are two marbles—one blue, one red—and a green key with a heart-shaped emerald embedded in the handle. Ellowen doesn't know which one to choose.
He thinks carefully, then sighs again and grabs the blue marble, hoping it's the right one.
He stares at it, unsure of what to do. Should he crush it? Swallow it? Or something else entirely?
He ponders.
"This isn't going to be good for my stomach,"
he thinks, then swallows the blue marble.
For a few seconds—nothing. He wonders if he did it wrong. Then, pain punches him in the stomach and everything goes black.
He finds himself walking through a hallway—as his younger self.
It's dimly lit, small lights glowing faintly along the walls.
"What did you learn in class today, my little moon?"
asks a woman walking beside him. She looks just like Ellowen—older, feminine, warm. Her eyes glow softly, one shaped like a star. Scars line her face, but her expression is full of motherly love.
"I learned about !#%@* today, and we got a special visitor in our classroom. He looked kinda scary, though. Also, my teacher was being mean to me."
Ellowen pouts.
"And she stopped us from punching that girl in class. She seemed to like her! It's not like she was her daughter or anything…"
He sounds annoyed. His mother sighs sadly.
"You should apologize to that girl," she says gently. "It's not right to do things like that, no matter what the professors and scientists say here."
Her tone is kind but firm. Ellowen nods, understanding.
"Did you learn about the other races in the world?"
Her voice is soft.
Ellowen brightens.
"Yes! Fairykind, giantkind, humankind, beastmankind, and dragonkind!"
He giggles.
"Each kind has its strengths and weaknesses. Humans can only use one element, unless it's a sub-element like ice—which is frozen water. They also have the highest birth rate. Fairies look like humans but with long ears and green eyes that let them see things most can't."
He takes a deep breath, talking quickly now.
"They can summon bows and arrows out of thin air—made of something like magalite. When they break, they vanish and reappear fixed. Like humans, they can only use one element—wind—but they use it better than anyone."
He breathes again.
"Giants are big. Like, really big. They can shrink without runes, but their real height is like 20–22 feet as adults. They only use the earth element and are super strong and tough. They can create weapons from the ground anywhere, and they live about 98 years—like humans, fairies, and beastmen."
His mother chuckles softly, her glowing eyes full of fondness.
"Dragons are rare. Their birth rate is the lowest of all races. They keep to themselves, have sharper eyes than fairies, and can use two elements—fire and lightning. They can shift between dragon and humanoid form, and pass their memories down to their children. They can only have one child… maybe two, if lucky. If not, they pass their knowledge to other dragons—or write it down for the Mage's Tower or Associations. They live about 110 years and can grow to 36–40 feet in dragon form."
Her smile fades.
A man stands in the distance. Disheveled blond hair and beard, red eyes blazing—he looks insane. Behind him, a room filled with capsules, each holding monsters.
"And let's not forget beastmen," the man says, stepping forward with a mad grin. "They're born looking human, except for blue-colored sharp ears. They can use one element too and like humans, it can be any element."
He claps his hands and cackles.
"They can also transform into monstrous beasts—10 to 12 feet tall—depending on their animal origin."
Ellowen flinches at the man's voice. The scientist's eyes are fixed on him like prey.
"Bravo," he sneers. "As expected of the facility's top student. You've truly given birth to the best angel here, Miranda."
Miranda—Ellowen's mother—glares at him.
"What are you doing here, Einsworth?"
She tightens her grip on Ellowen's hand, pulling him behind her.
"No need for the disgust," he grins. "I just moved my lab here. Couldn't stay away from you."
His eyes scan her body. Miranda seethes.
"I recommend controlling that temper," he adds. "I'm sharing very confidential things with you."
Miranda fights back her fury and looks at Ellowen.
"Go back to your room, sweetheart. I'll be there soon to get you ready for the surprise party, okay?"
Ellowen nods and walks off. The hallway feels cold and empty. He looks back one last time at his mother.
The memory skips forward.
An older Ellowen runs through the facility, blood splattered across him. Dead researchers lie scattered. Red lights flash. He bursts into a room—his mother is at a keyboard. She looks back at him… and smiles—
Then it all goes black.
Ellowen jolts awake, gasping. He's lying on Zyphira's back. Her orange body glows in the light. Linda is still unconscious, but the ice covering her has nearly melted.
He blinks—eyes wide.
A shining city lies ahead. Towering skyscrapers gleam under a shimmering magic barrier inscribed with glowing runes. Lights flicker across every corner. Zyphira lands at a landing site where airships rest.
Everything—from the clothes to the vehicles—has a 1940s-inspired aesthetic.
Zyphira transforms into her humanoid form: red-hot hair, yellow eyes, small horns, and a dragon tail. Her long fur-lined dress and small hat match the old-fashioned style, yet her beauty is radiant.
Ellowen, carrying Linda, follows her to a guarded gate. A long line of people waits to enter. Zyphira takes out a pocket watch. The gatekeeper looks at it once and returns it with deep respect.
"Welcome back, Lady Laywhite. It's an honor to have you in our city. And these two with you…?"
He eyes the disheveled, shirtless Ellowen and the frozen, unconscious Linda.
"The one in his arms is Linda Starlight, and the one holding her is…"
Zyphira pauses. She doesn't know his full name.
"Ellowen Bellbell," he says. "I am… an angel. A Knight of Dawn. And she is my traveling companion."
The gatekeeper's eyes widen. He stares at Ellowen's glowing blue eyes and brown tail, then quickly clears his throat.
"My apologies, sir. I didn't realize you were a Knight of Dawn."
He turns back to Zyphira.
"You seem tired, madam. Shall I inform Mayor Davalin of your arrival and have a limousine arranged for the four of you?"
Zyphira nods. The gate opens. The man rushes to a telephone and begins dialing.
"So this is where Davalin was hiding all this time, huh?"
Ellowen thinks bitterly. "Cheeky bastard. I'm going to skin him alive."
He looks around as they approach the limo.
The city is stunning. People live peacefully, enjoying their days. There's laughter, music, light.
"Maybe this world isn't so bleak after all,"
Ellowen thinks, eyes on the skyline.
He finally has a moment to breathe…
And soon, he'll see a familiar face.