**Thumm—Kshhh—Clank…**
The access doors to 'Floor 95' closed with mechanical precision, the metallic sound resonating in the vastness of the nocturnal sanctuary. After the echo of the gate, only the dim artificial lighting remained, floating high above the enormous hall. It was not an invasive light; its brightness was barely enough to mark the paths without disturbing the peace of the surroundings, allowing darkness to continue enveloping the place with its imposing character.
'Floor 95' was not just a simple sector within the Cathedral. 'It was an artificial paradise,' a carefully designed extension to provide a comfortable and organic habitat for the dragons. Every detail, from the texture of the earth beneath their paws to the arrangement of the colossal trees, had been meticulously constructed to ensure 'the place felt authentic, not artificial.'
The stars twinkled in the distance, visible through the monumental entrance where the dragons entered and exited freely. They patrolled the airspace, fulfilling their surveillance responsibilities, while others headed towards 'some distant point in the city.' 'The movement was subtle yet constant,' as if the sanctuary had its own pulse within the structure of the Cathedral.
The night light continued filtering through the tops of the giant trees, casting soft shadows on the paths. 'It was a distinct glow, warmer and more natural than the artificial lighting,' giving a sense of depth to the landscape. The view was beautiful, a perfect blend of the real and the created.
**sshhhhh**
The night breeze flowed gently, delicately moving the treetops that bordered the 'paradise,' while the floating lights illuminated the path to the lake, without disturbing the balance of the environment.
*Tup... Tup... Tup...*
*Tup... Tup... Tup...*
Two female figures advanced steadily, wearing the 'Integrity Pilots' uniforms designed for ground use when not in flight. Their colors contrasted, one blue and the other red, both with white lines running through the fabric with precision.
—"Aaah… To the lake, as always."
Vaelinne stretched with exaggerated calm as she walked alongside Lyrielle, naturally expressing a carefree attitude that only she could convey, enveloped in her red uniform.
—"As always..."
Lyrielle, dressed in her blue uniform, said it with complete naturalness. 'Both knew perfectly well where they were heading.'
—"It's still not that late..."
She continued, observing the starry sky.
—"It's at most ten o'clock."
—"Early enough not to wake a rebellion in the dragon."
Lyrielle glanced sideways at Vaelinne with slight irony at such an absurdity but decided to go along with it.
—"Rebellion?"
Vaelinne nodded and, with a false facade of seriousness, continued:
—"If we ever arrive past midnight, maybe Tsukigaki would get tired of waiting for us and decide to find new guardians."
—"He wouldn't do that."
Lyrielle immediately shook her head, not even blinking at such an idea.
—"How can you be so sure?"
Vaelinne feigned exaggerated surprise, bringing a hand to her mouth as if the comment had deeply impacted her.
—"Because he knows we will come."
Lyrielle didn't flinch at her companion's false reaction.
Vaelinne puffed in amusement, unable to maintain her act any longer. Still, she made an effort to continue the conversation.
"And what if we didn't come?"
—"Then he would keep waiting."
Lyrielle answered as quickly as she was asked, with absolute certainty.
Vaelinne crossed her arms in feigned reflection as they continued walking.
—"Hmm… That absolute confidence makes me think you consider yourself something more than his guardian… something like a priestess of the old world."
Lyrielle did not divert her gaze from her path, but her tone had a slight ironic inflection when she replied:
—"Then you would be my disciple."
Vaelinne fell silent for a moment before bursting into laughter.
—"Ha, ha, ha... I'd rather be excommunicated than accept that role."
—"You already are."
Vaelinne rolled her eyes at Lyrielle's short response, which didn't let her escape so easily.
—"I regret starting this conversation."
—"..."
Lyrielle didn't respond, but her slight smile was enough for Vaelinne to know that she was enjoying every second of this, one of the rare occasions when she allowed herself to relax, as they were in private and away from official matters.
*Tup... Tup... Tup...*
*Tup... Tup... Tup...*
They kept advancing, but the chat began to slide into a more serious tone when, unexpectedly, Vaelinne broke the silence with a different nuance than usual.
—"You know, Lyrielle? There was a time I thought about how unfair all this is."
—"Unfair?"
Lyrielle raised an eyebrow, curious about the direction of that idea.
—"Haaah..."
Vaelinne exhaled slowly before starting to explain properly.
—"They trusted that their descendants would take care of Tsukigaki. They left us this duty, passed down from mothers to daughters, from granddaughters to great-granddaughters… until it reached us."
Lyrielle kept her gaze calm, saying nothing yet.
Vaelinne looked down for a moment before murmuring:
—"We know so much about them."
Lyrielle barely turned her head towards her while still listening.
—"About Ronye Arabel and Tiese Schtrinen, our ancestors."
Lyrielle maintained her serene expression and responded:
—"We have seen them."
Vaelinne nodded.
—"Yes… we saw them in their cryogenic state. We read their names in history books. We know their feats. We know what our mothers told us. What their mothers told them."
The artificial lights reflected their silhouettes on the paths, casting elongated shadows on the ground.
—"We know so much about them."
Vaelinne paused before continuing:
—"But they have never seen our faces. They have never known anything about us."
**Swish... Swish...**
The sound of water became more perceptible from where they were.
—"They don't even know we exist... They don't know our names."
Lyrielle felt the weight of those words, but did not react immediately. She just kept walking.
Vaelinne exhaled slowly before continuing.
—"They don't know how many generations have passed that performed the freezing ritual in the year 441… nor that now we are in the 552 of the galactic calendar."
Vaelinne gazed into the distance of the stars, as if she could see that scene, and said:
—"They wait. For 111 years… Ronye, Tiese… along with Alice's sister, Selka."
Lyrielle kept her calm gaze.
—"Frozen in stone and ice. In a perfect triangle, as if their very formation were part of the world's balance."
Vaelinne crossed her arms before continuing:
—"They wait for Alice, yes. But also for Kirito. For Asuna. And if they never return… what remains of that wait?"
She let out a bitter smile.
—"And the worst part is that they didn't just trust in recovery… but in preparation."
—"They were not mere guardians. They were Integrity Knights, masters of techniques that have now weakened."
Lyrielle, with a calm voice and serene expression, nodded as she said:
—"Yes, they had a sword mastery that has not been seen again."
Vaelinne understood that her friend had not stopped listening to her, so she continued:
—"And we are still taking care of someone they left behind, without knowing who we are."
Vaelinne let out a faint, joyless laugh.
—"When my mother entrusted me with the responsibility of taking care of Tsukigaki, at first, I only took it because I had to."
—"I even resented it a bit."
**SWOOSH... SWOOSH...**
Vaelinne looked at the sky, watching the dragons passing and heading out to fulfill their patrol schedule.
Her tone had a hint of old resentment, something she had never expressed before.
—"And the worst part is that at first, I really did it out of obligation... Because there was no other option."
—"I followed it because it was what I was supposed to do. But if they woke up today, they wouldn't even be able to thank me completely for it."
Finally, Lyrielle spoke to understand her true current feelings.
—"Does that still matter to you?"
Vaelinne glanced at her from the corner of her eye, her expression tense at the question.
—"How could it not matter?"
Lyrielle didn't divert her gaze from her path and added, trusting in her understanding of her:
—"Because you no longer see it as an obligation."
—"..."
Vaelinne stayed silent for a moment.
—"No… but it still doesn't change the fact that they might never know who I am."
Lyrielle finally turned her face towards her. Her expression was not harsh or accusatory. It was serene but firm.
—"You didn't start taking care of Tsukigaki by your own choice. But now you do it because you really want to."
—"..."
Vaelinne looked at her without answering.
—"You no longer see it as a duty. You see it as something that is part of you."
—"Because taking care of him makes you happy... And it became something you really wanted to do."
**Hwoooh... Hsss...**
Vaelinne felt the cold air slide over her skin as the truth of those words settled in her mind.
—"You don't need them to recognize you to know that what you're doing is valuable."
There was a moment of silence that Lyrielle deliberately let fall, waiting to hear Vaelinne's conclusion.
—"Yes... I grew fond of him. Without realizing it, it made me happy to take care of him."
Lyrielle maintained her calm expression and nodded.
—"It's no longer an obligation."
Vaelinne smiled slightly.
—"No. It's part of me."
The lake was in sight. And with it, Tsukigaki waiting in the shadows, his golden silhouette reflecting the moonlight.
Vaelinne continued sincerely.
—"Maybe that's enough."
Lyrielle looked at her companion and, with a slight smile, murmured softly:
—"I believe it is."
Vaelinne watched the dragon with a gaze that no longer held doubts, only certainty.
—"It's true... It's enough for me."
Vaelinne exhaled softly, as if releasing the last thread of uncertainty that had once troubled her.
**Ssshhh... Hwooooh...**
The echoes of the water grew clearer, enveloping the surroundings with its serene murmur.
Lyrielle held her companion's gaze, and with shared certainty, they continued toward Tsukigaki.
The lake, wide yet bounded by the Cathedral's structure, 'spread like a liquid mirror' under the night light. Dragons came there to drink, and some rested near its shores, dipping their claws into the water with tranquility.
Under the night, the surface of the lake resembled a 'mantle of liquid obsidian,' interrupted only by the vibrant reflections of the stars. Silver, golden, and bluish flashes glided across the water, creating a hypnotic spectacle, as if the sky itself descended upon its surface.
**Ssshhh... Hwooooh...**
On its eastern side, a nearly silent current arrived from afar, bringing fresh water that fed the lake with a constant flow. The hidden filtration system ensured its purity, where grids integrated into the rock maintained the natural balance of the ecosystem, preventing fish from escaping while the current continued its cycle.
**Shhhwoooosh… Ksshhhh…**
Further ahead, in the distance, a waterfall cascaded from above with a harmonious flow, its fall forming a veil of crystal-clear water that captured the starry glow. Golden and silver lights danced among its droplets, casting reflections on the lake before merging with the current that kept it alive.
**Plip... Plip... Swishhhh...**
Beneath its surface, fish navigated the currents, their scales glinting to the rhythm of the water's movement. Although they were not the main source of food for the dragons, they occasionally caught one with precision, a gesture more instinctive than necessary. However, their true sustenance came from the caregivers, who diligently fed them, ensuring their strength remained intact.
**Hwooooh… Ssplash… Glup…**
Beyond, Tsukigaki drank calmly, submerging his snout in the water as the slow rhythm of his breathing synchronized with the current. With each sip, **gentle golden waves expanded around him**, reflecting the same starlit flashes that danced upon the surface.
**Tup... Tup... Tup...**
**Tup... Tup... Tup...**
The footsteps of Lyrielle and Vaelinne resonated in the distance.
Tsukigaki quickly lifted his head.
**Drip... Drip... Plink...**
Water slipped between his jaws, falling in droplets onto the lake's surface. His eyes sparkled with the light of the stars, as if the entire sky were fused in his gaze.
His wings trembled subtly, revealing a contained reflection of emotion, as his tail traced waves across the water upon seeing those he awaited.
—"You missed us, huh?"
Vaelinne said, smiling playfully as she approached him.
"Kururu... Kururu...**
But the dragon responded not only with his excited voice but also did not wait for them to come closer; he began to move toward them himself.
**Thud… Splosh… Rumble…**
A deep, firm thump resonated with each step. The water surged with a heavy splash, sending waves that expanded their echo across the surface.
Upon getting closer, he lowered his head slightly, a deep gesture of acknowledgment, a welcoming greeting, while waiting for them to reciprocate.
—"I think that answers your question more than enough."
Lyrielle smiled faintly as she extended her hand toward Tsukigaki's head first.
—"Hahaha, of course it does..."
His way of acting always brought a laugh from Vaelinne, who also reached out to touch his head.
"Kururrr... Kururrr...**
The sound that emerged from the dragon's throat conveyed his joy at feeling the caresses on his head. It was a familiar gesture, a shared routine among the three, a silent display of their deep bond.
—"How have the caregivers treated you today? Have they given you enough meat, or do you want to switch your diet to something sweeter?"
Vaelinne asked, joking in her typical manner about Tsukigaki's well-being while continuing to stroke him.
—"Please, Vaelinne, don't put weird things into Tsukigaki. His diet can't change because of your whims."
Lyrielle couldn't help but scold her from her side, although she already knew that was her way of showing care for the dragon.
—"Oh, come on, don't be a party pooper. What harm can it do to give a few sweets to such a strong and big dragon like Tsukigaki?"
Vaelinne ignored her companion when she responded.
"Kururu-Kururu"**
The dragon was not bothered by their conversation. He was more than used to their interaction.
—"Aaah... You really are hopeless, Vaelinne. But seriously, Tsukigaki, are you well today?"
Lyrielle sighed, realizing that continuing the discussion with Vaelinne would lead nowhere, and focused on Tsukigaki.
"Kururu-Kururu-Kururu"**
The dragon raised his head slightly, enough to maintain close contact with them. Then he nodded, indicating that he was fine.
—"I'm glad to hear that."
—"Yes..."
Both girls responded in their own way, but conveyed the same feeling of joy for him.
This was one of the many routines that had repeated over the years. But today, that was going to change.
The other dragons resting on the shores of the lake observed the scene with a noticeable difference from usual.
Lyrielle and Vaelinne had not yet noticed it, but in their gazes, there was something more than the usual tranquility. "They shared a seldom-seen emotion, a genuine joy."
Tsukigaki did perceive that difference. He felt it too. "An emotion that did not come from habit but from the presence of someone unexpected, yet dear to them."
He had not forgotten the small request he had made of her that morning. His eyes reflected a glimmer of expectation, his body ready to act.
"Kururu-Kururu"**
With his voice, he caught the attention of the girls in front of him.
—"What's up, buddy? Do you want to play with us as always? Do you want us to fly with you on your back like last time?"
Vaelinne asked, assuming it was a usual routine.
—"Vaelinne, you know there's not much time before he goes on patrol."
Lyrielle reminded her of the hour, as they had arrived a bit later than usual that day.
—"Just for a little while, right, Tsukigaki?"
Vaelinne insisted on her flight plan, as she too loved flying on his back.
"Kururu"**
But Tsukigaki shook his head while emitting his voice.
—"No?... Are you upset about the delay?"
Vaelinne considered the possibility, surprised that he didn't want to.
—"I don't think that's it. Look closely."
Lyrielle was the first to notice a change.
Tsukigaki knew they wouldn't understand it as quickly, so he raised his head and pointed to a place with his gaze.
"Kururu."**
With his call, he began to move forward, taking one step at a time in that direction.
"Kururu."**
But he didn't stop looking at them while he did.
—"Do you want us to follow you?"
—"That's correct..."
Lyrielle replied immediately.
—"But, where to?"
Vaelinne had more questions, as it was a behavior she had never seen in him.
—"We just have to follow him, and we'll find out."
Lyrielle spoke calmly, although it didn't mean she didn't have her own doubts about it.
—"Well... Okay."
—"Go ahead, Tsukigaki. We'll follow you."
Both gave their consent to the dragon, allowing him to lead them wherever he wished.
"Kururu-Kururu."**
Tsukigaki made his voice resonate with a different tone, reflecting his joy at the trust placed in him.
**Thoom... Thoom...**
Without further doubts, he began to lead the way.
—"It seems this is very important to him..."
—"Yes..."
Accustomed to Tsukigaki's behavior, the two did not miss the sound or the expression in his eyes, which reflected a genuine emotion.
**Tup... Tup... Tup...**
**Tup... Tup... Tup...**
Though their minds were filled with thoughts and questions, they began to walk behind Tsukigaki, just as he had told them.
(*****)
Close to their destination, Lyrielle and Vaelinne came to certain conclusions, which they began to share in low voices.
—"No, he has deviated from the watercourse that leads to the lake."
Vaelinne spoke seriously, that expression she often adopted when analyzing things that truly mattered to her.
—"Yes... It seems we're heading straight for the waterfall."
Lyrielle added beside her, her neutral face observing Tsukigaki's direction and how his head pointed directly towards her conclusion.
Many gazes were set on the trio, but especially on the two of them, who were following Tsukigaki.
—"Lyrielle, haven't you also noticed that all the dragons around haven't stopped looking at us? It's as if..."
—"They are watching us?"
—"Yes."
Lyrielle finished her companion's question, who nodded in response.
—"Of course... Since we set off in this direction, I started to notice."
She didn't say it with fear, as she did not see in them a warning or threatening look.
—"That's exactly it. But they look at us with the same expression Tsukigaki showed a little while ago."
Vaelinne crossed her arms over her chest, acknowledging the feeling.
—"Emotion... Expectation."
Lyrielle added the nuance of what that glance truly meant.
—"Correct. They are like guardians, but the question I can't shake from my mind is..."
—"Why...? Why do all the dragons we've seen tonight show such strong emotions in their gaze?"
Lyrielle also expressed it, as the doubt was troubling her as well.
**Swishhh... Murmur... Luuuush...**
The murmur of the water flowing through the course resonated in their ears.
**Shhhwoooosh… Ksshhhh… Roaaaar…**
Mixed with the roar of the waterfall, which was now only a few meters away.
**Hwooooh... Ssshhhh... Whisper…**
Vaelinne ran her hands over her arms, feeling the cold breeze brush against her skin.
—"All of this is making me nervous..."
She murmured softly.
—"I'm sure when we get there, we'll have the answer to all our questions."
Lyrielle kept her concentration unwavering, staying alert to the surroundings, to the sound of the water, to the weight of all those dragon gazes that remained fixed on them.
**Thoom... Shhhh... Halt...**
Tsukigaki took one last step before stopping at the edge of the artificial waterfall.
**Shhhwoooosh… Ksshhhh… Roaaaar…**
The constant roar of the water echoed like an eternal sound, forming an imposing liquid curtain that fell from above, wide enough to completely cover a dragon's body.
—"Alright, Tsukigaki, is this the place you want us to see? Where is it you want to show us?"
Vaelinne raised her voice to overcome the sound of the waterfall, while lifting a hand above her head, as if trying to find something with her gaze.
**"Kururu..."**
Tsukigaki shook his head, his voice sounding in response. Then, he directed his gaze right at the center of the waterfall, watching the water plunge down.
—"Oh, no. We can't go swimming and get wet again; we just did that not long ago..."
Vaelinne crossed her arms in an "X" shape, rejecting the idea of ruining her uniform.
—"I think Tsukigaki... wants us to enter the cave behind the waterfall."
Lyrielle looked beyond appearances, remembering what lay behind the curtain of water.
Hidden behind the waterfall, the cavern extended into the shadows, its entrance veiled by the humid glow of the torrent. It was a natural refuge, where some dragons found peace in the gloom, enjoying the sensation of water filtering through the walls.
**"Kururu-Kururu."**
Tsukigaki was excited to see that Lyrielle had understood his true intention.
—"How is it possible that you understood it faster than I did?"
Vaelinne frowned, frustrated by the difference in their analyses.
—"Because I know him a little better, that's all."
Lyrielle replied without taking her gaze away from the hidden entrance behind the waterfall.
—"So, what you want to show us is back there, Tsukigaki?"
**"Kururu-Kururu."**
The dragon responded with a new nod.
"Then we're definitely getting our uniforms wet..."
—"No... It's not necessary. Follow me, Vaelinne."
Lyrielle, seeing her companion's dilemma, took the initiative.
Tsukigaki watched them head toward a specific point on the wall next to the waterfall.
On the profile of the wall, right at the edge of the fall, there was a narrow path, a strip of rock where not a single drop could touch anyone daring enough to cross it.
The stones, worn by time but sturdy, offered a safe pathway, protected by the natural shape of the rock. The waterfall fell so close that the air vibrated with its intensity, but the path remained intact, as if it were beyond the reach of its liquid fury.
**Roaaar... Shhhhwoooosh... Thuuuum...**
The sound of water was deafening, but in this protected strip, the calm created a bubble where moisture did not dominate, and skin remained dry.
Further ahead, the darkness of the cave emerged in contrast to the humid glow of the waterfall, revealing the hidden refuge beyond the veil of water.
—"Oh, how nice! Well thought out, Lyrielle."
Vaelinne "couldn't help but touch her friend's shoulder in a gesture of praise."
—"If you studied the structure of the cathedral in the books I gave you more, you would have discovered this too."
Lyrielle shook her head, maintaining her calm expression. She knew Vaelinne too well to know that she didn't like studying.
—"You know I prefer action over spending all day buried in a book. Besides, I have you, right?"
—"Haaah... Really..."
Lyrielle sighed at her companion's blatant excuse, but without lingering on the topic, she cut the conversation.
—"Never mind, let's keep going."
—"Okay, I'll go first."
Vaelinne was the first to cross, followed by Lyrielle, as the dry space between the waterfall only allowed one person to pass at a time. With steady and careful movements, both managed to reach the other side, at the entrance of the cave.
The interior was dark and enveloping, with barely a few threads of light filtering through the gaps in the rocks, tinting the space with a bluish shadow. On the ground, the water descending from the waterfall formed small scattered mirrors, reflecting fleeting glimmers in the dimness.
—"It's too dark in here... Let's fix this once and for all."
Vaelinne spoke decisively, her firm voice resonating in the space. Neither could see clearly inside the cave, trapped between the depth of the night and the density of the shadow.
Both nodded to what little they could distinguish in the dimness, trusting in each other's presence. Their breaths synchronized, a moment of harmony before they simultaneously extended their left hands forward.
The humidity of the air brushed against their skin, the echo of the waterfall vibrating around them, but they focused on the chant.
("System Call... Generate Light.")
("System Call... Generate Light.")
Their voices resonated, firm and clear. A soft glow began to form in their palms, quickly growing into a luminous sphere. The darkness receded, gradually revealing the contours of the cave, the shadows sliding before the new brightness.
**Plop... Plish... Ksshh...**
The water dripping from the ceiling sparkled with golden and silver reflections, the damp stones returning spectral glimmers, as if the cave's interior were wrapped in a soft, ghostly light.
The walls were not entirely natural but a mix of geological formation and artificial adjustments. Large rocks strategically embedded ensured the structure's integrity, allowing the water to continue its course without compromising the refuge's safety.
**Hooooh... Murmur... Swishhh...**
The sound inside the cave contrasted with the roar of the waterfall. Here, only a perpetual murmur remained, the water filtering and falling in rhythmic droplets, creating a tranquil echo that faded into the depth.
Further inside, the cavern expanded, wide enough for several dragons to rest together, wrapped in the moisture of the environment. There were other caves in the area, but this was the largest, 'the hidden heart of floor 95,' where shadow and water converged to create a refuge for rest.
—"Much better... but still, I don't understand how a dragon can feel comfortable in such a gloomy place."
Vaelinne observed closely, trying to get used to the atmosphere of the place.
—"We better move before Tsukigaki arrives."
—"Ah, you're right."
Lyrielle took Vaelinne by the arm, reminding her that they were not alone.
**Shhhwoooosh... Drip... Ksshhhh...**
**Thooom... Halt... Hoooooh...**
Just then, a huge silhouette passed through the curtain of water, stepping heavily inside the cave.
—"Hey, Tsukigaki, warn us before—Aaaah!"
Lyrielle didn't let her friend finish her complaint; she pulled her harder, moving her further away from the spot where the dragon had just arrived.
**Shhhwoooosh... Splaaash... Thud...**
A wet and powerful thud echoed as Tsukigaki shook, expelling the water accumulated on his body in all directions.
**Hooooh... Shake... Ksshhh...**
The droplets scattered forcefully, sliding down his scales, while his paws firmly planted on the ground, stabilizing his weight after the shake.
**Drip... Plip... Splaaash... Ksshhhh...**
**Drip... Plip... Splaaash... Ksshhhh...**
**Drip... Plip... Splaaash... Ksshhhh...**
A rain of droplets fell everywhere, and one of the affected spots was right where Vaelinne and Lyrielle had been moments before.
—"Thank you so much, Lyrielle, for saving me. I owe you one."
—"You owe me more than one..."
Lyrielle replied with a slight smile, but she didn't let the moment linger too long.
"Then just mark it on the debt account; I'll pay you back little by little."
Vaelinne joked, regaining some composure.
—"Haaah..."
Lyrielle simply sighed, shaking her head before refocusing on Tsukigaki.
—"You can continue, Tsukigaki."
"Yeah, go ahead, show us what you want us to see."
Vaelinne nodded firmly, also pointing to the dark entrance of the cavern.
**"Kururu-Kururu."**
Tsukigaki, with renewed excitement, let his voice resonate as he saw they were so close.
**Thoom... Thoom... Rumble...**
With determined steps, he began to enter the cave, which wasn't very deep, as they were already almost at the end of floor 95.
Vaelinne and Lyrielle followed Tsukigaki once again, advancing with their luminous spheres in their left hands.
**Tup... Tup... Scrape... Hoooh...**
**Tup... Tup... Scrape... Hoooh...**
A soft and constant echo, their steps resonating on the damp rock, each movement leaving a muted whisper in the shadows.
—"I envy you; I wish I could see through the darkness like a dragon..."
Vaelinne murmured lightly, trying to ease the tension of the moment. Despite her carefree voice, her expression told another story.
—"Calmness and concentration, Vaelinne… Tsukigaki wouldn't take us to any dangerous place."
Lyrielle replied calmly, walking shoulder to shoulder with her. However, although her face remained serene, it also showed some tension, even if she tried to hide it better.
Because even if a person has proof and logic to know the truth and is 99% sure of it, that 1% of uncertainty can influence their emotions and motivate them to act against what they already know.
**Thoom... Thoom... Rumble...**
**Thooom... Halt... Rumble... Hooooh...**
Moments later, Tsukigaki reached the back of the cave, a spacious and tall place, with a circular shape that could accommodate several dragons.
But at that moment, there were no other dragons present, just them and Tsukigaki.
**"Kururu-Kururu-Kururu."**
The dragon turned toward them, excited.
—"Are we here? Are you sure, Tsukigaki? Because I..."
—"We don't see anything besides you..."
Lyrielle finished the sentence, moving her sphere of light from side to side in search of whatever was so important to her friend. Vaelinne did the same, exploring the huge cave but finding nothing more than rock walls and water filtering through.
**"Kururu-Kururu."**
Tsukigaki changed his tone, conveying dissatisfaction because they couldn't see what he wanted to show them.
—"I know that tone! If you want us to see it so much, please illuminate us."
Vaelinne complained, frustrated by the dragon's strange behavior.
—"That's right, Tsukigaki... We can't see anything. What is really so important?"
Lyrielle insisted as well, for even she couldn't fully understand it.
—"That's right, you'll have to point it out to..."
—"See it?"
A masculine voice, not belonging to Lyrielle, interrupted Vaelinne.
The two women tensed instantly, their bodies reacting with reflexes honed from years of combat.
**Shhhiiing... Ksshh... Clank...**
Vaelinne, with a precise metallic slide, quickly unsheathed her sword from the sheath at her hip. The echo of the steel vibrated in the air, a cold glint announcing her presence.
**Whisshh... Click... Hummmm...**
Lyrielle, with an equally swift movement, drew her weapon, releasing it from its holster with a mechanical adjustment. A faint hum of energy coursed through its structure, her blue core ready to fire.
Their gazes immediately turned to where that unexpected voice had originated.
That spot was near Tsukigaki.
—"Who's there?!"
—"Come out now!"
They both raised their voices firmly, their bodies in combat position, making it clear they were not playing.
An intruder had managed to enter the cathedral unnoticed. It was a warning alert.
**Fwoooosh... Crackle... Zap...**
Then, suddenly, a bluish flash cut through the darkness.
At first, it was just a flicker, a trail of light that seemed to dance in the air like static electricity, tracing the silhouette of a still indistinct figure.
The light expanded, revealing fragments of his body.
First, his hands emerged from the darkness, fingers extending as if breaking through an invisible barrier.
Then, his torso and legs began to materialize, the blue light tracing his outline, as if the darkness itself were gradually releasing him.
Finally, his face appeared, the final flash revealing his sapphire blue eyes, which shone brightly upon meeting the light from their spheres.
The energy that had kept him hidden dissipated like stardust, scattering in the cold night breeze.
—"Calm down, girls… it's just me."
Kirito's voice cut through the gloom with an imposing calmness, firm yet enveloping.
When Vaelinne and Lyrielle finally saw him, their bodies tensed even more, their emotions overflowing in an indecipherable tide—disbelief, relief, euphoria, a mix that made them tremble.
Their eyes could not look away from him. He was real. He was here. Now.
—"No... It can't be..."
Vaelinne whispered, her hand trembling on the hilt of her sword. Her stance faltered, the weight of the situation stripping her of all composure.
—"Kirito..."
Lyrielle spoke his name, caught in the same whirlwind of emotions. Always serene, unperturbed, but now even her weapon trembled in her hands.
But then, she noticed something different. Something about him that didn't quite fit.
—"Your eyes..."
Kirito maintained the same tranquility as he brought a hand to his face, brushing the skin near his gaze.
"Yeah, I know. They're different… They're blue."
—"..."
Silence fell like a mantle over them, a revelation shaking any certainty they thought they had.
—"How...? Why?..."
Vaelinne couldn't help but ask, her voice barely a trembling echo in the vastness of the cave.
Kirito smiled slightly, as if the secret were too great to reveal in a single answer.
—"How about we sit down, and I tell you everything? We have a lot to discuss tonight…"
His eyes shone brightly as he looked at them both, his voice resonating in the stillness of the refuge.
—"…Vaelinne Schtrinen and Lyrielle Arabel."
Kirito's words echoed in the air, and in that moment, the night ceased to be just a veil of darkness. It was the beginning of an even greater battle, a struggle against the cruel fate he was forced to face to survive and find his way back.