As Ellowen gets inside the limousine, he notes how nice the interior is—drinks placed in compartments by the doors, plenty of space. It feels like something made for a guest of top importance. Honestly, he wouldn't be surprised if it was made for someone important, considering Zyphira seems to be highly regarded in this city.
Ellowen sits with Linda in his arms. She's still unconscious, her breathing light, her short blue hair resting against his shoulder.
"Why am I doing all this for a girl I barely met a day ago? We barely know each other," he thinks, glancing down at her.
"Well… I guess it's because she didn't leave me behind back there. And… the state she's in is technically my fault."
He sighs, closes the door to the limousine, and sets the bag on the floor. The vehicle hums to life and starts moving.
Ellowen looks out the window at the passing buildings and the people outside. The citizens are dressed in fine clothing—jewelry glinting on their necks and hands—but for some reason, the garments also seem designed to be practical in case of an invasion or battle. He notices beastfolk living freely among them, going about their lives as if it's the most normal thing in the world.
"So, not trying to overstep any boundaries here, but could you tell me how exactly you're, uh… VIP in this city?" Ellowen asks, turning to Zyphira.
She turns her head toward him. Her eyes look heavy, the kind of heavy that comes from too much crying. They're dry now, but Ellowen can tell—she's been grieving for a long time. Losing her husband and child has left a weight on her that won't lift anytime soon.
"While I was traveling around trying to find that damn golem, I ended up meeting Davalin. That man looked like he had ambitions," she says with a sigh, stretching slightly.
"This city was a backup for the Magicians and Engineering Association. Their main city was taken over overnight, so they rushed here—"
"Not to be rude again," Ellowen interrupts, "but what do you mean by 'taken over' exactly?"
"I mean exactly what it sounds like—it was taken over. But you'll have to learn more about that from Davalin." She waves off the interruption. "Back to what I was saying—they came here so they could figure out how to take it back while continuing their research and construction, even with fewer resources."
Ellowen listens quietly, his tail wagging lazily behind him. Outside, the city lights shimmer like stars. The streets are full of cheerful people dancing and eating, as if trying to push away the fear of monsters. Beneath the laughter, there's a thread of anxiety. Everyone seems determined to make themselves beautiful, as if giving their lives meaning in the face of uncertainty.
"When Davalin and I arrived, the magicians and engineers were already working to enhance the city's defenses—like the giant barrier around it. I just helped out with some magic, fought off monsters alongside Davalin, and, surprisingly, discovered he had a real knack for leadership." Zyphira brushes some hair from her face.
"And that's how he became mayor while you became a permanent VIP?" Ellowen asks. The ice on Linda's body melts a little more, though a significant amount remains.
"Yeah. I'm technically their dragon protector. Plus, since I have no children at the moment and no one to pass my knowledge and memories to, I plan to give it all to the Magicians and Engineering Association." She looks Ellowen and Linda up and down. "I know I told you to keep her close for faster recovery through skin-to-skin contact, but now that we're in a more public area, you should probably put shirts on—both you and Linda."
Ellowen rummages through the bag and pulls out Linda's shirt from earlier—a brown long-sleeved one with buttons at the top, usually hidden under her crow-feather cloak—and dresses her in it. He then puts on his own white undershirt that he had worn beneath his armor.
They arrive at the mayor's office. Ellowen steps out of the limousine, backpack held in his tail, Linda still in his arms, her short blue hair blowing in the wind. Her sparkling dress, long hair, and the white fur coat around her shoulders also sway with the breeze.
A group of men escort them inside, showing the utmost respect, though a few cast curious glances at Ellowen carrying an unconscious girl. Davalin, after all, is also a Knight of Dawn—an angel—so they shouldn't be too shocked to see another. Still, perhaps they're surprised to see this one.
They're taken to a lounge filled with food, drinks, and finely decorated seating. Ellowen sits and looks over at Zyphira, gesturing toward Linda, who is now shivering and appears to be in pain.
Zyphira sighs and calls to a servant.
"Tell Davalin to hurry up and bring someone who knows how to treat injuries caused by magically engineered objects."
The servant nods and leaves. Just as the door closes, it bursts open again.
"Zyphira! Hey, girl, missed me?" a familiar voice calls.
Davalin strides in, then stops short, his expression shifting to shock as he sees Ellowen.
"Long time no see, Davalin," Ellowen says with a smile.
Davalin bursts out laughing and walks up to clasp Ellowen's hand in a firm shake. "Ellowen! Good to see you ain't dead yet. I honestly thought you were gone—few angels left now, what with the facilities blown up."
Ellowen smiles faintly. "Yeah, well, I'm not dead yet. Still surviving." His expression turns serious as he gestures to Linda, who's curled up and breathing slower now, the ice clinging to her body even more stubbornly than before.
"Can you help her? Do you have someone who knows how to treat magical injuries like this—if it even is an injury?"
"Of course. After I heard Zyphira was coming with two others—one injured, and the other an angel—I thought, 'Maybe I should have a medic ready.'" Davalin strokes the dark beard growing along his jaw and chin. He's older than when Ellowen last saw him in training, but that's no surprise—it's been years.
Linda groans and stands shakily. "Then let's go. Stop wasting time. We have things to discuss."
They follow Davalin through the hallways. The mayor's building clearly serves multiple purposes—not just politics. Its infrastructure seems tied into reinforcing the massive walls and powering the shield dome over the city. Ellowen isn't sure how it works, but magical engineering is the likely reason. Magicians and engineers bustle through the corridors, entering and exiting countless rooms, working without pause.
Finally, they reach a medical ward—something like a hospital, but specialized for magical injuries.
In the corner, Ellowen notices someone… or something. A beastman—a wolf, but not quite the usual kind. His tail is slimmer than a normal wolf's, its dark fur tipped with faint spikes.
The man shifts into a larger, half-wolf form—not the monstrous transformation some beastfolk undergo, but something in-between. His brown fur is streaked with glowing blue lines. When he turns, Ellowen sees the unmistakable traits of an angel: the glowing blue eyes, the subtle otherworldly aura. Even his tail, though wolf-like, carries the demonic edge all angels share.
"Ellowen," Davalin says, "meet our medical expert—and the only other angel here until you showed up. Ruel Estarosa, the wolf angel."
The words feel surreal. Ellowen sees him, hears Davalin's introduction, but part of him still can't believe it.
"You look surprised. You didn't think those damned facility people only had humans give birth to angels, did you?" Davalin chuckles, his voice gruff.
Ellowen laughs softly, shaking his head. "I suppose not."
It's been a long time since he's met another angel—longer still since he's seen someone he once knew. And now, not only has he encountered a new angel, but one unlike any he's met before.
It's a reminder that there's far more to the world, its past, and the creation of angels than he ever knew.