The sun dipped low over the scarred lands of Eriland, casting an amber glow across the horizon. A hush blanketed the aftermath of the battle, save for the rustling of leaves and the faint, melancholic humming of the Pixies rebuilding below.
Perched high on the thick branch of an ancient tree, Sushie sat motionless, legs dangling in silence. Her long hair shimmered under the fading light, swaying with the wind. Her eyes, however, reflected only stillness… and sorrow.
Shiya hovered quietly, wings folding as she ascended the tree. She landed softly beside Sushie, taking care not to disturb the fragile silence between them.
"Hey," Shiya greeted gently.
Sushie blinked, glancing sideways. "Hi."
They both gazed out into the distance. Beyond the trees, the remains of Havirs Village lay in fragments. But from up here, it still looked beautiful—like a world untouched by war.
"It's beautiful up here," Shiya said.
Sushie nodded faintly. "Mm…"
Shiya studied her expression. "You're deep in thought. Something bothering you?"
"Don't mind me." Sushie looked down at the chaos below, watching Pixies working tirelessly to rebuild. "Anyway, how did you escape Havirs Village?"
Shiya leaned back against the trunk. "Ah… that." She smiled sheepishly. "Let's just say… a voice woke me while I was enjoying the view."
Sushie raised an eyebrow. "You don't want to say, huh."
Shiya laughed softly, but the humor quickly faded.
A heavy silence settled over them, pierced only by the faint voices below—Pixies chattering, hammering, weaving. Life continued, even in the aftermath of destruction.
"That time…" Shiya began, her voice quieter now, trembling slightly. "I was watching the sunset. It felt peaceful… like nothing could touch me there. But then everything shifted. The air turned thick. I felt something—or someone—watching me."
Sushie's eyes narrowed.
"I heard whispers. Saw shadows. The whole place turned… hollow. As if the world had been drained of its soul. I tried to return to the room where I first entered… but the path twisted. Narrowed. I felt… rage behind the door. Hands trying to pull me back. I didn't look. I couldn't. If I did—" Shiya paused, shaking her head. "I would've lost myself."
Sushie looked at her solemnly, then cracked a small smile. "But an annoying voice called you back, huh?"
Shiya blinked. "What?"
"Yon Zue," Sushie said without hesitation. "He's the only crazy person who'd shout your name like that."
Shiya turned red, her cheeks glowing.
"I didn't think voices could reach Havirs Village," Sushie mused. "But I guess when someone is… persistent…"
Shiya looked down at her hands. "Forbidden love," she murmured. "That's what this is, right?"
Sushie said nothing, waiting.
Shiya continued. "Being here… it's like standing between mirrors. Seeing yourself from another angle… but it's never real. I don't belong in Eriland. I don't belong with him. We're from different worlds. The more I stay, the harder it is to walk away."
"And yet…" Sushie whispered.
"I want to stay," Shiya admitted. "But I know I can't. The longer we remain, the more danger we bring."
Sushie nodded. "You're not wrong."
"Is there a way back?" Shiya asked. "A true way?"
"Shin Fairy might know," Sushie replied. "But returning won't erase the damage done. Vryles still has Trixie… inside Xiao's body."
Shiya's eyes darkened. "And in the Mortal World, Xiao is being blamed for a crime she didn't commit."
"I know," Sushie said. "We have to clear her name. Even if it means war."
Shiya stood abruptly. "Will you come with me?"
Sushie hesitated. "Yes. I owe someone there a debt I haven't repaid."
Just then, two voices broke the tension.
"What's with the long face, Milky?" came the sharp, teasing tone of Venus.
"Not now, Venus!" Milky snarled, fangs glinting. "Don't start or I'll sip all your blood."
Venus smirked, twirling a strand of her hair. "Seems like you failed again."
Milky clenched her fists as Venus burst into laughter.
"Okay, okay. I'll shut up," Venus said with a grin. "Oh, and don't forget—you'll die before you ever get a taste of my blood."
Eri Kingdom – Throne Hall
The grand doors creaked open as Sushie and Shiya entered. The room hushed. Eyes turned to them—noble, anxious, curious.
Shin Fairy stepped forward. "Is there anything I can do, Princess?"
"Don't call me that," Sushie said. "I need a way to get back to the Mortal World."
Prince Liu stepped beside Shin Fairy, concern etched into his face. "You intend to go with them?"
"I must," Sushie replied. "Too much has been left unresolved."
Queen Krystle leaned forward on her throne. "Are you sure?"
"Please," Sushie bowed. "Grant it."
Shin Fairy nodded. "There is a way. But only the Princess of Blue Scales—Devita—can open the correct portal."
"Then we'll go to her," Shiya said firmly.
Yon Zue stepped forward. Shin Fairy turned to him.
"Go with them," she ordered.
He bowed. "As you wish."
He glanced at Shiya, but she didn't meet his gaze. Her smile was polite… distant. It pierced him more than any sword.
She's changed, he thought. Is she… shutting me out?
Mortal World
"Any word from my brother?" May-Ann asked, pacing anxiously.
Harold shook his head. "He vanished. No traces. Not even from the border."
Alexandra, arms crossed, muttered darkly. "He probably ran off with Xiao's money."
"Mom!" Aimee protested. "Stop it. We don't know anything for sure."
"He's not like that," May-Ann argued.
"Xyon is Shiya's fiancé," Aimee said, voice trembling. "Xiao was just his secretary."
The room fell deathly silent.
Alexandra blinked. "What? You never told me this."
"I'm sorry…" Aimee said softly.
Realization dawned in Alexandra's eyes. Her legs gave out. "Shiya… Xyon… it all makes sense…"
"Mom!" Aimee rushed to catch her as she collapsed.
Blue Scales – Near the Crystal Cliffs
"Have you been to Blue Scales before?" Jericho asked, walking beside Xyon through the fog-drenched path.
Xyon frowned. "Last time I came here… someone stabbed me to send me back."
Jericho laughed dryly. "So what are we supposed to do? Get stabbed again? That's our magical ticket home?"
Xyon stopped, gazing out into the unknown. "Maybe. Or maybe dying is just the beginning."
Suddenly, a roar echoed from the cliffs. A great serpentine shadow slithered across the sky.
Jericho drew his blade. "What the hell was that?"