A few hours later, it was time for Kai to head to the transport station with his parents. The three of them walked together with excitement and a hint of nervousness. When they arrived, they noticed a few people waving at them.
It was Petra's parents and Sumi's parents.
Kai and his family walked toward them, and once they reached them, both families exchanged warm greetings. Kai locked eyes with his two friends. Petra and Sumi immediately bowed and said together, "We are really, really sorry, Kai. It was all our fault, and we are very happy you are okay."
Their sudden apology caught Kai off guard, but it also made him happy.
Both Petra's and Sumi's parents bowed deeply as well. "We apologise," they said. "We truly are sorry for what happened."
Kai's parents quickly reassured them. "There is no need," Kai's mother said gently. "Kai is fine, and kids always make mistakes. We are just happy everyone is safe."
Petra's father bent down and asked, "Kai, are you alright now?"
Kai nodded politely. "Yes, I am fine. Thank you." He gave them a small bow of his own. "We all have learnt from our mistakes."
Hearing that, Petra and Sumi's eyes brightened. They rushed forward and hugged Kai tightly. Their parents smiled with relief at the sight of the children reconciling.
Kai's father nodded proudly. "I'm glad you three are friends again. You will need each other at the academy. Support each other through everything, and always remember we love you. We wish we could do more to help, but the kingdom's laws are strict. One day, you will all understand."
The three kids exchanged confused looks. They didn't understand the parents' words fully, but they could sense something heavy behind them.
Sumi puffed up her chest and said confidently, "Don't worry! If things get rough, I will protect Kai and Petra."
Petra stepped forward. "And I will protect both of you too."
Kai crossed his arms and tried to look serious. "No way. I will be the one doing all the protecting."
Both families burst into laughter at that.
Sumi's father smiled. "Make sure you trust each other the most. You grew up together, and you come from the same hometown. Remember that."
All three kids stood straight and said at the same time, "Yes, sir!"
Everyone laughed again, although some of the parents had tears forming in their eyes.
Sumi turned to her father, tears welling up in his eyes, and said softly, "Daddy, pick me up."
Her father lifted her immediately. Sumi wiped his tears with her small hands. That simple act made both her parents even more emotional, and they hugged her tightly.
"You are squeezing too hard," Sumi giggled.
They relaxed and smiled at her. "Make sure you eat well at the academy, and come back to us," her mother said.
Sumi nodded proudly. "Don't worry. We will come back big and strong."
Petra quickly hugged her parents too. "I love you," she whispered.
Her parents hugged her tighter, struggling to keep their emotions together.
As all the families were sharing their heartfelt moments, something enormous appeared in the distance.
A shadow fell across the station.
Kai's father looked up and said, "The carriage has arrived."
All three kids turned slowly… and froze.
A gigantic creature approached the station, its long body stretching far beyond anything they had ever seen. It moved with a disturbing ripple, hundreds of legs shifting together. Multiple eyes blinked across its body.
It was a creature they had never seen before.
This was the Blood Coil.
It resembled a millipede but stretched unnaturally long, as if reality tried to reject its existence but failed. Its body wasn't protected by hard plates. Instead, a slick layer of slimy, translucent flesh wrapped around every segment. The slime shimmered sickly, almost as though it were alive.
Each movement made its skin shift and squelch, revealing glimpses of the chitin beneath, as if something inside was struggling to break out of a wet cocoon.
Hundreds of swollen eyes covered its shell. Every eye was crimson and weeping. They didn't leak tears. They bled. Thick streaks of dark blood slid down its body, dripping onto the ground and leaving a trail like a brush dipped in gore.
The eyes blinked out of sync, twitching and darting in different directions like they were fighting each other to decide where to look.
The children trembled in fear.
Kai's father said calmly, "You will all be riding in that."
The three kids whipped their heads toward him as if he had lost his mind.
Kai's mother crouched down and said, "Do not let its appearance scare you. It is different on the inside."
Sumi's mom stepped in. "Aren't you three brave boys and girls? Didn't you say you will grow strong and come back to us? This is your first challenge. You must enter the mouth of that creature."
All three children swallowed hard.
But they clenched their fists, looked forward, and said together, "We are ready."
Their parents smiled proudly and gave them one last hug before they left.
The Blood Coil would depart in ten minutes, so the kids carried their bags and began walking toward the grotesque beast.
As they approached its giant mouth, they nearly gagged. The entrance was dark, wet, and pulsing slightly like it was breathing.
Kai took the first step inside.Then Sumi followed.Then Petra.
Their parents sighed with relief, happy that their kids had enough courage to go in without breaking down.
Just after them, another child at the station began screaming in fear, refusing to enter.
Sumi, Petra, and Kai's parents exchanged looks of quiet relief that their own children had not reacted that way.
They turned around and walked back home, holding onto each other. The thought of leaving their children behind for months, maybe even years, or possibly forever, was terrifying… but they pushed those thoughts deep inside.
Kai's father gently took his wife's hand as they walked away.
Meanwhile, inside the Blood Coil, Kai, Petra, and Sumi found themselves somewhere completely unexpected.
Their jaws dropped.
The interior looked nothing like the outside. It was beautiful. Luxurious. Almost royal.
Golden lights, polished surfaces, comfortable seats, and glowing crystal lanterns filled the space.
For a moment, the three kids wondered if they had somehow entered the wrong place.
Then a voice echoed out. "Please take a seat, ladies and gentlemen."
A man in luxurious attire stood nearby, guiding them politely.
Kai and the two girls looked around and spotted a seating area. One boy was already sitting there. He looked lost in thought, with his chin resting on his fist, staring at nothing.
The boy's clothes were fancy, much nicer than theirs.
The three approached slowly, unsure if they should say anything. They felt slightly out of place next to him.
The boy did not even look up when they sat down. He seemed completely unaware of their presence.
They sat in silence.
Finally, Kai broke it. "How long do you think it will take us to get to the academy?"
Petra shrugged. "I have no idea."
Sumi shook her head. "Me neither."
The boy spoke without even turning to them. "Three days."
All three of them jumped.
"Three whole days?" they said in unison.
The boy nodded slightly. "Yes. We have to visit different places to collect other students first, then head to the academy." His voice was calm and emotionless as he stared into the distance with his chin still resting on his fist.
The three children exchanged shocked looks. Their journey had only just begun.