Arthur walked like he had nowhere to be and all the time in the world.
Hands in his pockets. Whistling. Completely relaxed.
Lucan felt calm near him for some reason.
They moved through the streets toward the restaurant, morning crowds already forming. Merchants shouted, kids ran past, and somewhere someone was arguing loudly about the price of bread.
Lucan glanced sideways.
Arthur noticed immediately.
"What," Arthur said, not looking at him, "you're staring like I owe you money."
Lucan hesitated. Then he asked the question that's been on his mind for some time.
"What's your Essence?"
Arthur stopped walking.
Just for a second.
Then he shrugged and kept moving. "Weak one."
Lucan blinked. "That's it?"
"That's it."
"No name? No explanation?"
Arthur tilted his head. "You asking because you're curious… or because you're comparing?"
Lucan scowled. "I'm just asking."
Arthur smirked. "Then I'm just answering."
Lucan didn't press further, but his thoughts drifted back to the flower.
The rot.
The flames.
The cold.
He almost spoke about it to Arthur.
Almost.
Then he remembered the purple tint on his hands and decided today was not the day to overshare.
The restaurant came into view, the same as yesterday.
And just like yesterday, Jack and Selene were already there.
Same table. Same seats.
Jack waved dramatically. "Morning! You guys sleep well?"
Arthur walked straight past him and sat down in his old chair.
Lucan noticed it immediately.
The space around Arthur's seat was… empty.
Not suspiciously empty. Just… naturally empty. Like people avoided it without realizing they were doing so.
Lucan leaned closer. "Do you… live here or something?"
Arthur picked up a menu, like this was the most normal question ever.
"I've been sitting here a long time."
"That doesn't answer the question."
"Nice ambience. Good food." Arthur glanced up. "And the owner stopped asking questions a long time ago."
Lucan did not like how casually that was said.
They ordered. Food came fast.
Jack dug in immediately. Selene ate slower, eyes occasionally drifting toward Lucan, studying him when she thought he wasn't looking.
Lucan pretended not to notice.
Between bites, Arthur finally spoke again.
"So. The ruins."
Jack perked up instantly. Selene leaned in.
Arthur rested his chin on his hand. "Ancient structure. Older than the Choosing. Full of traps, half-broken halls, and things that really don't like being disturbed."
Jack grinned. "Sounds fun."
Arthur smiled back. "That's what everyone says before they die."
Lucan swallowed. "What are we looking for?"
Arthur's eyes flicked to him. Just briefly.
"Treasure or maybe answers," he said. "Answers to questions that have troubled the people of Solara since the beginning."
No one spoke after that.
They paid, stood, and left.
The path to the ruins wound upward along the mountain's side. The air grew thinner. Colder.
The chatter of the city faded behind them.
Stone jutted out unnaturally ahead.
A massive structure carved straight into the mountain.
Cracked. Silent.
Watching.
Lucan felt the charm at his neck grow heavier.
Arthur stopped at the entrance.
"Last chance," he said lightly. "Anyone wants to turn back and pretend today never happened?"
Jack laughed. Selene stepped forward.
Lucan followed.
The darkness swallowed them whole.