Valmer leaned forward on his creaking chair, his eyes sparkling with intrigue. "So, Ariel, does that mean there's no limit to how many skills you can copy or whom you copy them from?" he asked.
Kenshi, leaning against the cracked wall, fixed his gaze on Ariel in anticipation of her answer.
Ariel sat back on the broken crate, "You don't need to worry, I can only copy skills from people of lower ranks," she answered. "As for how many skills… I don't know yet." She shrugged, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her face.
Valmer and Kenshi exchanged a glance, a wave of relief softening their tense postures. The idea of Ariel copying limitless skills had painted her as a potential monster in their minds, but her limits made her seem less daunting—yet still formidable. If she could copy without a cap, she could become a terrifying foe or a luminous ally.
Celine, huddled on the floor beside Ariel, hesitated before speaking. "Then, those magic attacks you used earlier… were they?" she asked, her voice barely rising above the wind's wail.
Ariel nodded, cutting her off gently. "Yes, I copied them from your classmates earlier," she said with a faint smile. She hadn't revealed her second life yet, a secret that would surely stun them, but she held it back.
Ariel's expression shifted, growing serious as she leaned forward, her hands gripping the crate's edge. "There's something I need to ask," she said, locking eyes with Valmer, then Kenshi. Both men straightened, giving her their full attention.
"The Whisperkin, one of the seven Elite-ranked Geminis, is holding my brother, Zane, captive in Ravenloch's heart," she spoke with desperation. She clasped her hands and continued. "I beg you to help me rescue him."
Kenshi's brow furrowed, speaking in a probing tone. "How do you know that? Have you confirmed his location—or if he's still alive?" His amber eyes bored into hers, searching for answers.
Ariel squeezed her clasped hands, her gaze unwavering. "The Whisperkin told me," she said briefly. She described how the creature emerged from a swirling portal, hissing her brother's fate, taunting her to come to his school. Her hands trembled slightly, betraying the fear she suppressed.
Valmer rubbed his chin, his chair creaking as he leaned back, deep in thought. "So, they can talk? Interesting, but still, this sounds like a trap," he said, his tone cautious, his eyes narrowing as if picturing the Whisperkin's ominous presence.
Ariel shook her head, her hair flicking droplets. "It's not a trap," she insisted.
Kenshi crossed his arms. "Listen, kid, I understand you want to save your brother, but we can't just rush in. We need a plan, we can't just act on your assumptions." he said in a flat tone, leaving no room for debate.
Ariel leaned closer, her eyes blazing with conviction. "The Whisperkin is stronger than you think. It could've killed me right there, but it didn't. It doesn't need a trap to take me down," she said, her words simple but calculated. "I felt its power—and I know it's hiding something, something dangerous."
Valmer raised a brow, his grin faint but curious. "You've seen what we can do, and you still think we don't stand a chance?" he asked, tilting his head.
Ariel's lips pressed into a thin line, her hands clenching. "It's not that. It's… strange. I hit its weak spot with all my strength, but it didn't even flinch. There's more to it than it lets on," she said, her voice tinged with unease, her eyes distant as she recalled the Whisperkin's eerie stillness.
Kenshi nodded with grim expression. "That's why we need to think this through. We're heading toward Ravenloch anyway, but we should wait for the other two Primordials to join us before we make any decision. They should be arriving soon," he said, his gaze flicking to the storm outside, as if expecting their allies to emerge from the tempest any second.
"When the others arrive, you can head to Ravenloch with whatever decision you agree on , I'll join you there shortly." Valmer said as he stood, walking towards the entrance of the building.
"Oi, priest. What game are you trying to play here? You didn't call us from our countries to have us fight the monsters alone, did you? What's so important you can't wait after the battle? You're not chickening out of this, are you?" Kenshi bombarded him with questions.
"Geez, you bald old bastards sure don't know when to quit." He sighed then continued.
"When I was coming, I heared roars from two different locations. I headed here since this was the closest location. Now that we don't know when the others are arriving, I figured I'll check the other location real quick and help if there are any survivors. You can hear the roars from the distance, can you not?"
"Isn't that why we're gathering to take out the Elites? Everything will naturally end smoothly if we're able to take down the strongest Geminis, or am I wrong?" Kenshi asked with a frown.
"That is indeed true, but you can't deny the fact that some people won't survive that long. Sure we can't save them all, but we should try to save those we can. All the Elites are at Ravenloch, that means whatever Gemini is at the location I'm going won't be a challenge to me. Don't worry, I won't take long." Valmer explained.
Kenshi was about to say something but gave in, if only there was someone like that to save his family when he was away.
"Then I'm coming with you, it'll be faster with the two of us together." Kenshi said leaving no room for argument.
"I think you should stay, Mr. Kenshi." Ariel said not sparing the man a single glance.
"If the other Primordials arrive in your absence, I don't think they'll be willing to listen to two young girls or go to Ravenloch with them." Ariel added.
Kenshi leaned back on the wall, defeated.
Valmer stooped on the doorway and glanced back.
Celine sat quietly, her knees drawn up, her shivering hands clutching her damp clothes. Valmer's eyes softened as he glanced at her, "What about you, Celine? Will you go with them?" he asked, his voice gentle, a contrast to the storm's fury.
Celine's eyes widened, her body trembling not just from the cold but from the weight of the question. She swallowed hard, then nodded. "Yes, I will," she said, determination flashing in her eyes, though her chattering teeth betrayed her fear.
Ariel reached out, touching Celine's arm. "You don't have to come, Celine. It'll be dangerous," she said, her eyes searching her face.
Celine managed a small smile, her hands tightening on her knees. "It's dangerous everywhere," she said. "I don't have rich relatives to get me into one of those Safe Zones, so I might as well stick with you." Her words carried a quiet resolve, her gaze meeting theirs.
"Very well," Valmer said with a smile.
"Kenshi, don't do anything to the vulnerable young ladies, you hear?" Valmer said with a wave as he disappeared from sight. Kenshi was about to charge towards him with blade in hand but Valmer was already gone.
******
Meanwhile, on planet Zoic, Zane finished preparing in his sparse room. Outside, a howling wind whipped through the craggy mountains, carrying the sharp tang of mineral dust and alien flora, a scent both strange and familiar after years of training.
Zane slung his pack over his shoulder, his boots echoing on the cold stone floor as he descended the stairs. His sharp features, hardened by training, were set with determination, his eyes glinting with resolve. He adjusted the bracer on his wrist, ready for the trials ahead.
In the hall below, Onilia stood lost in thought, her slender frame silhouetted against a massive arched window. The sky beyond cast an eerie glow on her blue skin, her silver hair shimmering like liquid starlight. Her eyes, usually sharp, were distant, clouded with unspoken worry. The hall's polished stone floor gleamed under the rune-light, its walls adorned with ancient tapestries depicting Zoic's history.
Zane approached in steady steps, breaking her reverie. "I'm heading back now, Onilia," he said, his voice calm but firm, carrying over the wind's distant moan.
Onilia turned, her gaze meeting his, her lips parting but no words coming.
"Take care," she said, her voice short, almost clipped.
Zane stepped closer, his calloused hand gently taking her right wrist. From his pocket, he drew a bracelet—simple, woven from dark cords and adorned with a single, polished stone that shimmered like a captured star. It was a treasure he'd cherished for years. With care, he wrapped it around her arm, the stone glinting under the rune-light.
Onilia's eyes widened as her fingers brushed the bracelet. "What's this?" she asked, her tone sharp, demanding an explanation, though her gaze softened.
Zane's lips curved into a rare, faint smile. "It's a gift," he said. "You've always given me so much—knowledge, support. I don't forget those who wrong me, and neither do I forget those who help me. This bracelet is my promise: I'll repay your kindness someday." He met her gaze, his eyes earnest, then glanced at the bracelet.
Onilia stared at it, her fingers tracing the cords, a mix of surprise and warmth flickering across her face. "And how are you going to do that? By getting crushed with a single punch like with Nenis?," she said.
"Thank you," she added.
She straightened, her expression hardening with concern. "Be careful, Zane. Some Rankers like to meddle in tutorials, stirring trouble for sport," she warned, her silver hair swaying as she tilted her head.
Zane nodded. "Don't worry. With everything you've taught me about the system—I'll be fine," he said, his voice brimming with quiet confidence.
A deep voice boomed from the doorway, cutting through the hall's hum. "Zane, come out! The Master's waiting," Instructor Marius called.
Zane turned, giving Onilia a final glance. "See you, Onilia," he said, his voice light but carrying a promise of return. He strode toward the door, his boots echoing, his pack bouncing slightly against his back.
Onilia's hand shot out, as if to grab him, her fingers trembling in the air before falling back to her side. She stood frozen, her eyes locked on the heavy stone door as it swung shut behind him, the sound reverberating like a somber bell.
Outside, Zane descended the mountain with Instructor Marius, the wind tearing at their clothes, mineral dust stinging their faces. Lightning cracked, illuminating the distant valleys where alien flora glowed faintly, their bioluminescent fronds swaying in the gale.
Marius glanced at Zane, his weathered face cracking into a rare grin. "You know, your bold moves remind me of the First Son, the strongest of the five who completed training here," he said, his voice rumbling over the storm. "He bore the Zodiac sign of Cancer."