"—Morgan… wait, wait!"
(Satana shouted, her voice trembling, pressing a hand against her chest as she tried to catch her breath.)
Morgan stopped for barely a second and turned back. His face, lit by a wide, playful smile, contrasted sharply with Satana and Galahad's obvious exhaustion.
"—If you don't hurry, you'll get left behind!"
(Morgan said between light, almost childish laughter that echoed through the empty corridors.)
Satana breathed heavily, leaning slightly forward.
"But, Morgan… do you actually know where Ahura Mazda's house is?"
(Satana said, gasping and taking deep breaths.)
Morgan froze abruptly. His smile faded for a moment.
"…Oh… that's true."
Satana and Galahad finally caught up to him. Satana placed both hands on her chest, inhaling deeply, while Galahad, completely worn out, collapsed to the ground and sat down to rest.
"How… how is it possible that after everything that happened… you still have so much energy?"
(Satana said, looking at him in disbelief and fatigue.)
Morgan let out a nervous laugh.
"—hahaha…"
(He laughed, a little embarrassed, scratching the back of his neck.)
Satana looked at him with a mix of annoyance and concern.
"So tell me… how exactly were you planning to reach Ahura Mazda's house without even knowing where it is?"
(Satana said, crossing her arms.)
Morgan lowered his gaze, ashamed.
"You're right… I'm sorry. I got carried away."
(Morgan said, bowing slightly in a sincere apology.)
Satana sighed, calmer now.
"All right… it doesn't matter. I'll take you there."
(Satana said firmly.)
Morgan lifted his head and smiled, already ready to run off again… but before he could move, Satana grabbed the edge of his clothes tightly.
"But only if you follow me."
(Satana said with a dangerous smile… far too calm.)
Morgan swallowed hard when he saw her expression.
"…Alright?"
(Satana tugged his clothes slightly.)
Morgan, nervous and a little scared, nodded quickly. Satana let him go, keeping that unsettling smile that made his skin crawl.
"—Good."
She turned around and began walking with determined steps.
"Follow me, please."
The three resumed their journey: Satana in front, Morgan behind her, and Galahad trailing behind… but at some distance, as if she didn't feel worthy of walking beside them.
Morgan turned his head and noticed her falling behind. His smile softened into something kinder and more understanding. He extended his hand toward her, gesturing gently for her to come closer.
Galahad hesitated for a second… but then hurried to walk beside him.
"You don't have to stay behind. We can walk together."
(Morgan said with a warm smile.)
Galahad lowered her head, embarrassed, fidgeting with her hands.
"I… I'm sorry… it's just habit."
(Galahad said timidly.)
Morgan looked at her with deep seriousness and tenderness.
"I don't know what you went through before meeting me… but as I told you, you won't have to go through things like that again. Maybe you're used to it… but I won't force anything on you. Take your time. I'll wait."
(Morgan said, smiling sincerely.)
Galahad felt a lump in her throat. Her eyes glistened, but she smiled. For the first time in a long while… she felt safe.
Trying to lighten the mood, Morgan spoke excitedly:
"So then… what is Lady Luzbel's house like? How many members does it have?"
Satana stopped for a moment. Her expression changed.
"…Do you really want to know?"
(Satana said in an unusually sad tone.)
Morgan immediately noticed the shift.
"…Yes. I want to know."
Satana took a deep breath and began speaking gravely.
"You see… Ahura Mazda didn't exist from the beginning. The house was born when Lady Luzbel arrived at the academy. She saw many students being marginalized, rejected, voiceless, with nowhere to belong… and she decided to create a home for them. A place where they could belong.
Many teachers and students opposed her. They said she was weakening the academy, that she was encouraging mediocrity… but my Lady Zarathoz accepted her request.
That earned her hatred. Contempt. Mockery. They called her naive, weak, idealistic. They said she protected useless people. Her image was stained… even though she only wanted to help.
Over time… she stopped smiling. She became distant. Quiet. Almost… empty."
Morgan felt a painful stab in his chest hearing this. He thought of Luzbel protecting him without even truly knowing him. He thought of his own cold, lonely room with barely enough to survive.
His mood sank… and his smile faded.
"But…"
(Satana suddenly changed her tone.)
"But…?"
(Morgan asked, looking up.)
"Since she met you… she has smiled more."
(Satana said with a small smile.)
Morgan felt a knot in his throat. He smiled, melancholic.
"…I see."
The three continued walking until they reached the back of the academy. Beyond it stretched an immense, dark forest.
Satana entered it without hesitation.
"W-where… where are we going?"
(Galahad said fearfully.)
"Yeah… where are we going? We were supposed to go to Ahura Mazda's house, right?"
(Morgan said, confused.)
Satana didn't stop.
"Yes. That's where we're going."
They walked among tall trees, twisted roots, and a heavy atmosphere.
"Because it is a marginalized house, without official approval… they weren't allowed to share the academy's territory. They were pushed into the forest. They said a house with so few members didn't need more space."
(Satana said sadly.)
Morgan frowned.
"So… how many members are there?"
(He asked, his heart uneasy.)
Satana lowered her gaze.
"…Five."
Morgan stopped dead in his tracks.
"What?"
"Ahura Mazda's house… has only five members."
(Satana said seriously and painfully.)
Morgan opened his mouth to speak, but Satana suddenly stopped.
"We're here."
Morgan took a few steps forward… and what he saw left him frozen.
In the middle of the forest, almost hidden among the trees, stood a small, old, humble, and neglected wooden structure.
It looked more like an abandoned cabin than a house of the academy.
"What… is this?"
(Morgan asked, shocked and confused.)
Satana looked at him without looking away.
"I already told you… this is Ahura Mazda's house."
Silence.
The forest itself seemed to hold its breath.
Morgan stared at the cabin… and simply remained silent, contemplating The modest cabin
End of chapter.
Next chapter: I would like to join this house .