3233 Revival Era | 5 Years until disaster

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The soft hum of the ship’s engine vibrated through the walls as Sapphire sat by the window. The gray, overcast sky mirrored her mood. The Horizon Ocean’s waves felt more like a lullaby that refused to end, dragging her deeper into her thoughts.

She gently smiled at the letter in her lap, which had already been read more times than she could count. The ink slightly smudged from the moisture in the air, but his words remained clear. She ran her fingers over the paper before rereading it as though it might uncover something new.

Kaiser’s optimism always had a way of pulling her out of the darkness she often found herself in. The mention of a Gaian girl with cyan hair piqued her curiosity and left her unsettled.

What did it mean? Was it something connected to them or just another story in the vast expanse of forgotten history? Sapphire’s eyes drifted to the stormy horizon outside her window. Being away from Kaiser only amplified the emptiness that followed her no matter where she went. She had always been more prone to brood over things—a Secrofantazia trait, her mother would say.

The ship’s horn blared, announcing their impending arrival. As the ship drew closer to the shores of Chuun, Sapphire stood in front of a small mirror in her cabin. She studied her appearance critically, sighing softly at what she saw.

Her bob hair with bangs framed her gloomy face in layers. She had always imagined herself with long, flowing hair. Something soft and elegant. Something that would make her feel more like the women she admired. But no, her father had insisted that short hair was proper for a girl of her rank.

Sapphire ran a hand through the strands, frowning at how they barely brushed her shoulders. It wasn’t just her hair, though. She had grown older—now sixteen—and yet, her body hadn’t changed how she’d hoped. She was still short and smaller than most women her age, her stature making her feel almost childlike in comparison.

Her Enfa markings, the glowing lines that had always been faint on her pale skin, had begun to spread more in the past few years. They curled more intricately and pronouncedly around her arms, legs, and back. Her halo, once simple, had become more elaborate, hovering just above her head with new, delicate details woven into its glowing form.

Her gaze dropped lower as her fingers absently traced the lines of her stomach. She had always tried to stay active, working out when she could, training with her brother, and sparring with the others, but no matter how hard she pushed herself, her body never seemed to change the way she wanted.

Her chest was small, her hips not as curvy as the other women around her, and no matter how much she trained, she never felt as strong or as powerful as the previous Necronfi Ascendants. Her hands dropped to her side as she stared at her reflection.

He probably won’t like me at all when we meet again, she thought bitterly. She imagined his disappointment when he saw her, his eyes looking at her like others did—like she was still too young, fragile, and plain.

A soft knock on the cabin door snapped her from her spiraling thoughts.

Sapphire took a deep breath, straightened her posture, and stepped away from the mirror. Whatever insecurities whispered at her in private, she could never let them show in public. Not here, not anywhere.

She straightened her posture, pushing her insecurities aside as she reached for the handle.

When the door swung open, her brother, Argentum, stood on the other side. His composed expression hadn’t changed much since they boarded the ship—always calm, always collected.

“Get ready,” he said without preamble.

Sapphire nodded silently, slipping the letter into her pocket before leaving her cabin. As they walked side by side down the narrow hall, Argentum spoke again.

“Remember what we’re here for,” he said firmly. “Gather information on the girl, push the Prime Minister for cooperation, and don’t let them manipulate the terms.”

Sapphire just nodded mechanically. She knew the plan. She had gone over it endlessly in her head.

Argentum glanced at her from the corner of his eye but said nothing more.

The biting cold hit Sapphire the moment she stepped off the ship. She shivered, pulling her thin cloak tighter, but it did little to keep the chill at bay. Before she could protest, a heavy fur-lined coat was draped over her shoulders.

“You need to stop leaving things behind,” Argentum muttered.

She mumbled a quiet thanks, grateful for the warmth as they walked down the gangplank. The docks of Chuun stretched before them, dusted in snow and glistening with a subtle blue glow. The entire city felt like it was carved from ice itself—buildings that rose high and lanterns glowing softly as they absorbed the floating Cryonfi wisps in the air.

Sapphire marveled at the ingenuity of it all. Everywhere she looked, Cryonfi powered the daily life of the Cryolites. Lights, street vendors, even sleds that skimmed silently over the ground.

Her eyes darted to the people they passed. Some had dark hair and eyes—clearly from lands far from Chuun. Others carried hints of red or other vibrant tones, signaling mixed Trionfi heritage. The Cryolites were most striking—men and women with shimmering cyan hair, their eyes reflecting their land’s cold, frozen beauty. Many women had long, flowing hair that reached their waists, each making Sapphire more self-conscious about her short locks.

There are so many with cyan hair, she thought, her heart sinking. This won’t be easy.

Before she could dwell on it further, a figure approached. The Prime Minister of Chuun: Kael-Hyun. His robes glittered with Cryonfi crystals as he greeted them with a bow.

“Raven of Death, Guardian,” he said, his voice smooth and formal. “Welcome to the Islands of Chuun.”

Argentum returned the gesture with a nod. “Thank you, Prime Minister Kael. We appreciate your hospitality.”

Sapphire forced a polite smile, her mind already spinning with the task ahead.

“Shall we?” Kael gestured toward the crystalline streets ahead, his eyes lingering on her a moment longer than she liked. “The winds here are unforgiving.”

As they followed him through the city, Sapphire steeled herself. There was no room for doubt.

They stepped onto the main street. The ground beneath their feet was smooth and glass-like. Sapphire had heard stories of Chuun’s cities—how the roads were designed for swift travel, infused with Cryonfi to create an icy surface that allowed for skating instead of walking. It was strange at first, but as they moved, she felt her body adjust to the flow, her feet gliding naturally over the glowing ground.

She noticed that people moved effortlessly. Vendors and townsfolk skated with practiced ease, weaving through the bustling streets as if they were dancing.

Argentum, of course, took to it immediately. Although Sapphire struggled for a moment, she found her rhythm quickly enough. The Cryonfi-infused wind bit at her cheeks, but the sense of movement—of freedom—began to clear her mind.

As they skated through the city, Sapphire imagined a life where none of this mattered. What if she, Kaiser, and other Ascendants like them could escape to a place like this? A life free of responsibilities, far from the heavy weight of duties, just them living in a peaceful city like Chuun. No one to please, no clans to unite, just peace.

She could almost picture it—her and Kaiser skating side by side, laughing in the cold. No weight of a prophecy looming over them, no battles to fight, just simple happiness. Her breath hitched at the thought, a fleeting moment of hope far from reality.

But before she could lose herself in the fantasy, she bumped into someone, the impact knocking her off balance slightly. She blinked, startled, and quickly regained her footing, realizing she had skated right into a boy.

“Sorry!” Sapphire blurted out, her heart skipping a beat as she realized what had happened. She expected him to be angry or scared—especially after recognizing who she was.

The boy, around fourteen years old, had short cyan hair with bangs that framed his face. His eyes were the same icy hue that matched the Cryonfi around them. His cheeks were flushed from the cold, but he only smiled brightly.

“Don’t worry about it,” he said, his voice light and kind. He tilted his head, studying her for a moment with curiosity. “You okay?”

Sapphire nodded, relieved that he wasn’t upset. “Yeah, I’m fine. Thank you.”

He gave her a second look, trying to piece something together. Sapphire tensed, expecting the usual reaction—fear or reverence. She braced herself for him to realize she was the Raven of Death and to run away or worse, but his following words surprised her.

“What’s that floating on your head?” he asked. “I’ve never seen anyone like you before. Oh! I’m Yun-Jin, by the way.”

For a moment, Sapphire was taken aback, unsure how to respond. Her mouth opened slightly, ready to introduce herself, but Argentum’s hand rested firmly on her shoulder before she could speak.

“We need to keep moving,” said Argentum.

Sapphire hesitated, glancing at Yun-Jin, who waved at her with a cheerful smile. “Nice to meet you!” he called after them as they continued on their way.

Argentum gave her a sidelong glance but said nothing. Sapphire’s mind raced, wondering what kind of strange boy could be so blissfully unaware of her.

They reached the outskirts of the port city, where sleek, Cryonfi-powered sleds waited in a neat row. Each sled was enclosed, resembling small rooms on skates, designed to glide across the icy terrain outside the city. Kael gestured towards one, indicating it was theirs.

Argentum stepped forward first, holding the door open for Sapphire. She hesitated, glancing around the busy station, before slipping inside. The air inside the sled was warmer, the interior lined with plush seating and soft lighting. The faint hum of Cryonfi resonated through the sled as it powered up, preparing for their journey to meet the Prime Minister at his residence.

Sapphire sat by the window, gazing at the snow-covered landscape as the sled glided smoothly away from the city.

Argentum sat across from her, pulling out his phone. The screen lit up, and he answered a call almost immediately. “Hey, love,” his voice softened instantly, a tone Sapphire rarely heard from him.

She blinked, turning her attention from the window to her brother. He leaned back in his seat, his eyes half-closed as he spoke quietly into the phone. “Yeah, we’re on our way now… no, it’s not too cold. Don’t worry; I’ve got everything under control.”

His voice was full of warmth—so easy, so effortless. Sapphire’s lips pressed into a hard line. She tried to focus on the landscape outside, but his words were all she could hear. Her fingers twitched, itching to clench into fists, but she pressed them into her coat as her heartbeat quickened.

Kaiser didn’t have a phone. She couldn’t just reach out to him whenever she wanted—couldn’t feel the comfort of his voice like Argentum could with his girlfriend. All she had were letters. Delayed, distant, and never enough.

It isn’t fair. Why did Argentum get this? Why did he get that easy connection while she was left with nothing but waiting?

Argentum laughed softly. “We’ll snuggle up all you want when I get back.”

Sapphire’s eyes narrowed, her throat dry as resentment stirred within her. She swallowed it down, but the envy burned hot in her chest.

Then, a sharp twinge ran up her left arm. Sapphire winced, clutching it instinctively. Her fingers grazed the faint, crimson-veined lines that crept along her forearm. His constant presence, though not nearly enough, soothed the emptiness she felt. The ache deepened as though it mirrored the growing distance between them. She bit her lip and turned away from Argentum, trying to hide the pain behind a sigh. With a slow breath, she wrapped her arms around herself, her left arm pressed close to her chest as if cradling the small piece of Kaiser’s essence that lingered within her.

The pain didn’t stop, but the warmth of his Bionfi, faint as it was, gave her a sense of comfort. It was the closest she could get to feeling his embrace. The closest she could get to being soothed by his presence.

Leaning back, she closed her eyes as the memory of Kaiser’s voice filled her mind—the first time he told her he loved her. It had taken her by surprise, but the way he said it had made her feel truly seen. For the entire month after, she had been so overwhelmingly happy that people around her thought she was sick. That memory brought a brief comfort now, easing the ache in her arm, though it only made her miss him more.

Suddenly, the sled slowed, coming to a halt.

“What’s happening?” Sapphire muttered under her breath as she leaned forward, peering outside.

Through the frosted window, she saw a small group of people gathered by the road, their figures wrapped in heavy winter coats and their faces partially hidden by fur-lined hoods. The Prime Minister, Kael-Hyun, was at the front, speaking to one of the men in charge, his voice too quiet for her to hear.

Still distracted by his phone call, Argentum didn’t seem to notice the stop. But Sapphire pressed her ear to the glass, catching snatches of the conversation outside.

“…No one can pass… Outbreak zone… Khione’s Lament…” Kael’s voice drifted in faintly.

Sapphire’s heart skipped a beat. Outbreak zone? Khione’s Lament? The words sounded ominous and unfamiliar. She glanced at Argentum, wondering if he had heard any of it, but he was still murmuring into his phone.

She turned back to the window as her mind raced. Whatever it was, it seemed serious. The road was clearly blocked for a reason, and from the wary expressions of the Prime Minister and his men, it wasn’t something they were eager to discuss openly.

Kael-Hyun motioned to the driver, and the sled slowly turned around, the route ahead now closed off to them.

Sapphire sat back, her fingers tapping restlessly against her knee. The fact that they had to take the long way around meant something was being hidden from them. Although, why hadn’t she heard about this? Why had Chuun, a nation that prided itself on transparency, not informed their allies about this ‘Khione’s Lament?’

She glanced at Argentum, but the moment to ask passed. Whatever it was, they were about to take the long way around to avoid it.