Lux slowly opened his eyes. A sharp pain throbbed through his head as the white ceiling above him came into focus. The faint smell of antiseptic filled the air. Machines beeped quietly beside the bed. He was in a hospital room. Lux groaned softly and pushed himself up, sitting against the pillow while holding his head. The door suddenly opened. Rose, who had been sitting outside the room, saw him awake and rushed inside immediately. "Lux!" Before he could even react, she threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly. Her shoulders trembled as she cried. "I thought we lost you…" she whispered, her voice breaking. Lux blinked in surprise but gently patted her back. "I'm fine," he said softly. "Don't worry." Inside the room, Zack and Emma were sitting near the window. Zack leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms casually. "Fine?" he scoffed. "You were unconscious for an entire day and you're saying you're fine? I thought you were a goner." Emma immediately smacked him on the head. "Shut up!" Zack groaned. "Ow—what was that for?!" Emma ignored him and looked at Lux with concern. "How are you feeling, Lux?" But Lux wasn't really listening. Zack's words echoed in his mind. An entire day… Lux lowered his eyes slightly, lost in thought. For an entire day? His chest tightened. He didn't even hit me… The memory flashed through his mind again. The boy standing calmly. The attack that vanished. The flick of his wrist. Lux clenched his fist. My attacks didn't hurt him at all… His heart beat faster. Who was he…? And why did he tell me to go to Mount Solmora…? Lux suddenly looked up. "Where did that hooded boy go?" Emma shook her head. "I tried to run after him," she said. "But he just… disappeared. Like he vanished into thin air." Rose tightened her grip on Lux's arm, her eyes still wet with tears. "It doesn't matter," she said quietly. "All that matters is that you're safe." But Lux's gaze drifted toward the window. His expression grew distant. Because deep down… He knew something. Something terrifying. The boy wasn't running away from them. He had simply left. And Lux had the uneasy feeling that their paths were far from finished. After Lux was finally discharged from the hospital, the four of them decided to go out and eat. They chose a small restaurant not far from their hotel. The place was lively, filled with warm lights, quiet chatter, and the clinking of plates. Lux sat at the table wearing a black face mask. When Emma asked why, he simply said he wasn't feeling well. But that wasn't the real reason. Lux knew that if he walked around the city openly, someone might recognize him. After Ray's death, rumors about a mysterious technique user trying to enter the mansion had already begun spreading. For now, staying unnoticed was the safest option. Around the table, the atmosphere was surprisingly light. Zack was in the middle of one of his ridiculous stories, waving his hands dramatically as he spoke. "And then the guy slips on the floor like—whoosh!" he said, nearly knocking over a glass. Emma burst out laughing. "You're exaggerating again." "I swear it happened exactly like that!" Rose chuckled softly, shaking her head at their nonsense. They were clearly trying to keep the mood normal. Trying to fill the silence that Lux had left behind. But Lux himself barely touched his food. His eyes were distant, his mind far away from the noise of the restaurant. Mount Solmora… The words kept echoing in his mind. Who was that boy…? How did he know about Ray…? And what exactly is waiting at Solmora? Lux slowly clenched his hand under the table. He had made up his mind. Suddenly, Lux stood up. The movement caught everyone's attention immediately. Zack stopped mid-sentence. Emma lowered her fork. Rose looked up at him with concern. Lux placed both of his hands on the table. His voice was calm, but firm. "I'm going to Mount Solmora." The table fell silent. Zack blinked in confusion. "Mount… what?" Emma frowned slightly, surprised by the sudden declaration. Rose looked at him carefully. All three of them had many questions. About the hooded boy. About the fight. About what had really happened that night. And about the strange powers Lux had used. But Rose had already told Zack and Emma earlier not to ask. Lux was clearly shaken after Ray's death. Pushing him now would only make things worse. So none of them spoke. For a moment, the only sound was the distant chatter of the restaurant. Then Lux turned and quietly walked toward the exit. The bell above the door rang softly as he stepped outside. Rose watched him leave. A second later, she stood up as well. "I'll be back," she told Zack and Emma. Without waiting for a reply, she hurried after him. Lux had already reached the hotel when she caught up. He entered the hallway and walked toward his room, his steps slow and heavy. Just as he reached the door, Rose spoke. "Lux." He stopped. For a moment, neither of them said anything. The hallway was quiet. Rose stood behind him, her eyes filled with worry. Because she could tell something was wrong. Lux wasn't the same cheerful, chaotic person he usually was. Something inside him had changed. And whatever had happened that night… It was still haunting him.
Lux stood in front of the hotel room door, his hand resting on the handle. Behind him, Rose stood quietly in the hallway. The soft yellow lights above cast long shadows along the carpeted floor. For a moment, neither of them spoke. Then Rose took a few slow steps forward. "Lux…," she said gently. He didn't turn around. He simply stood there, staring at the door as if he hadn't even heard her. Rose stopped a few steps behind him. Her voice softened. "You've been different since you woke up." Still no response. The silence stretched between them. Finally, Lux pushed the door open and walked inside the room. Rose followed him in and quietly closed the door behind her. Lux walked toward the window and stood there, looking out at the city lights glowing in the distance. Cars moved like tiny streams of light far below. But his eyes weren't really seeing any of it. Rose watched him carefully. This wasn't the Lux she knew. Lux was always loud, playful, joking about everything. The kind of person who could make people laugh even on their worst day. But now… He looked distant. Heavy. As if something inside him had cracked. Rose slowly walked closer. "Lux…," she said again. This time he spoke, but his voice was quiet. "I couldn't save him." Rose froze. Lux clenched his fists slightly. "I used Halo Rejuvenation," he continued, staring out the window. "It should have worked." His voice trembled slightly. "But it didn't." Rose's heart tightened. Lux lowered his head. "I watched him die right in front of me." His breathing grew heavier. "And I couldn't do anything." For the first time since she had known him… Lux sounded completely helpless. Rose stepped closer until she was standing beside him. "Lux," she said softly. He shook his head. "You don't understand." His voice became rough. "That boy knew." Rose frowned slightly. "What do you mean?" Lux finally turned to face her. His eyes were tired. "When we met at the funeral… he said something." Lux swallowed. "He said even the strongest aren't strong enough to save others." Rose's eyes widened slightly. "He knew I tried to heal Ray," Lux said quietly. "But no one else knew that." The room fell silent again. Rose slowly understood. "That's why you want to go to Mount Solmora," she said. Lux nodded. "He told me to go there," Lux replied. Rose studied his face carefully. "You think he's connected to Ray's death." Lux didn't answer. But the look in his eyes said everything. Rose looked down for a moment. Then she sighed softly. "You're going anyway, aren't you?" Lux didn't hesitate. "Yes." Rose looked back up at him. For a moment she looked frustrated… worried… scared. Then suddenly— She stepped forward and hugged him. Tightly. Lux froze in surprise. Rose buried her face against his shoulder. "You idiot," she muttered softly. Lux blinked. "You always act like you have to carry everything by yourself." Her grip tightened slightly. "You don't." Lux slowly relaxed. For the first time since Ray's death, the tension in his shoulders eased slightly. Rose pulled back just enough to look at him. "If you're going to Mount Solmora," she said firmly, "then you're not going alone." Lux immediately shook his head. "No." "Lux—" "It could be dangerous." Rose crossed her arms. "You got knocked unconscious for an entire day by someone we couldn't even see," she said bluntly. Lux sighed. "That's exactly my point." Rose didn't back down. "I'm still coming." Lux opened his mouth to argue again— Then stopped. Because the determination in Rose's eyes wasn't going anywhere. She wasn't asking. She had already decided. The room fell quiet again. Outside, the city lights shimmered in the night. Somewhere far away… Beyond mountains and forests… A place waited. Mount Solmora. And whatever secrets it held… Lux knew one thing for certain. Their lives were about to change forever. The next morning, Lux and Rose quietly left the hotel before sunrise. The city of Meridicus was still half asleep. A thin morning mist drifted through the streets while the first rays of sunlight slowly crept over the rooftops. Zack and Emma stood near the entrance of the hotel, watching them prepare to leave. "You're really going through with this, huh?" Zack said, scratching the back of his head. Lux adjusted the strap of the small bag hanging from his shoulder. "Yes." Emma frowned slightly. "Mount Solmora isn't exactly a tourist spot, Lux." Rose smiled reassuringly. "Relax. We'll be back before you even miss us." Zack crossed his arms. "Yeah, right. That's exactly what people say before disappearing for months." Emma elbowed him. Lux sighed quietly. "We'll come back," he said. "I promise." Zack studied him for a moment, then shrugged. "Fine. Just don't die up there." Rose laughed softly. "Same to you," she replied. After a few more words, Lux and Rose finally began their journey eastward, leaving the towering city of Meridicus behind.