The morning sun stretched across the ground, casting long shadows as Kairo and the others stepped out of the old, broken house. The air was dusty, and a little cold from the night before. Kairo looked at Arsene, his sharp eyes full of curiosity.
"You're pretty smart, aren't you?" Kairo said with a small smirk on his lips.
As he said that, a memory came to his mind. He remembered a conversation he had with Arsene before they started this journey.
---
Flashback
Arsene leaned against a wooden post. A cigarette was between his fingers. Smoke slowly came out of his mouth. His face was hard to read.
"As far as I know," Arsene said, "the first person you'll meet in Eldoria is Reatrice. He's the one who decides what Eldoria will do with you."
Kairo frowned. "Is he important? Like… a prince?"
Arsene gave a dry chuckle. "Eldoria isn't like Solmaria. There's no royal family there. It's a democratic country. People have freedom. Not like Solmaria, where the royal family and government control everything." He flicked the ash off his cigarette and looked at Kairo. "From how you talk, it sounds like you don't support them."
Kairo's eyes turned cold. "I don't. That's why I'm here."
Arsene nodded, pleased. "Good. Now listen carefully. You'll be taken to a house in Varinth. There, you'll meet Reatrice. He's not the type of man you can beg for help. That will only make him hate you more. He likes people who are strong and bold. If you want to survive… make him respect you. Show him you're worthy. You're a royal blood, right? Then act like it. Challenge him."
Kairo listened carefully. "I understand."
Arsene's eyes grew serious. "There's one more thing. Reatrice doesn't like Sirius. They have a rivalry. If you can deal with Reatrice… you'll be one step closer to getting justice for your friend."
The memory faded. Kairo blinked and returned to the present.
---
Kairo sat inside the bull cart. The wheels creaked as they moved forward. He turned to Arsene.
"Why did you help me?" Kairo asked softly.
Arsene took a deep breath from his cigarette. Then he let the smoke out slowly.
"I have a feeling about you," he said. "That maybe… you'll fix this world. This corrupt world that took everything from me."
His face stayed calm, but his voice carried pain. He looked at Kairo, his voice steady.
"Remember my words, Kairo. Stand on them."
Kairo stayed quiet, thinking deeply about what Arsene said. After a moment, he asked, "Will Rolf and Carla come with us?"
Arsene shook his head. "That's your choice. But think carefully. Right now, Solmaria probably thinks you ran away because they found out your real identity. If they see your face again, it will only cause more problems. For now, wear this."
He pulled out a mask. It was simple, with only one hole for one eye. Perfect for Kairo, who had lost an eye.
Rolf, who was driving the bull cart, stopped suddenly.
"We're at the border," he said.
Arsene turned to Rolf and Carla. "Go back to your base. I'll return after I get Kairo to the capital."
Carla frowned. "We're coming too."
Arsene's voice turned firm. "No. I don't want you two getting into trouble. Just go. I'll handle this."
Carla and Rolf looked at each other, then slowly nodded. They watched as Arsene and Kairo stepped off the cart and crossed the border into Solmaria.
---
As soon as they entered the small city, angry voices filled the air.
"How dare you come here?!"
"Go back, trash!"
"Stay in your camps! This is our land!"
Kairo's fists tightened. "Why are they shouting at us?"
Arsene showed the black cloth tied around his arm. "Because we're from Varinth. We're poor. They see us as dirt." His voice was quiet, but cold. "I'm used to it."
A taxi pulled up. The driver gave them a dirty look.
"Tch. People like you shouldn't—"
Before the man could finish, Arsene pulled out a gun and pointed it at his head.
"Drive to the capital," Arsene said calmly.
The driver froze. Then he nodded quickly and started driving.
---
Inside the taxi, Kairo turned to Arsene.
"Do you have a phone? I need to call my friends."
Arsene pulled out an old phone. It was cracked and scratched, but still worked.
"It's old… but you can use it."
Kairo took it. For a moment, he stared at the broken screen. A strange sadness filled his heart. Then he quickly dialed Luca's number.
"Hello?" came a tired voice.
"Luca."
There was silence. Then—
"Kairo?! Is that you?! Are you okay?!"
"I'm fine. Just tell me where everyone is. I'm coming."
"We're in a building near the dam… in the capital. Hurry!"
Before she could say more, Kairo ended the call.
On the other end, Luca froze in shock. Then she jumped up and ran into the hallway where the others sat. Everyone looked tired and sad.
"Kairo is coming back!" she shouted.
Everyone looked up, eyes wide.
"What?! Are you serious?!"
"He just called me! He's coming!"
A wave of hope rushed through the group.
---
After some time, the taxi stopped outside a tall building. Kairo jumped out and ran inside.
"Wait, Kairo—" Arsene sighed, paying the driver and following him.
Inside, Kairo saw them.
His friends.
His heart clenched. For a moment, he couldn't believe it. He had dreamed of this moment for so long.
Tears filled his one eye. "I'm back…"
Everyone rushed to him. They hugged him tightly, arms wrapped around him from all sides.
Kairo held them close. For the first time in so long… he felt safe. He felt home.
At the entrance, Arsene stood quietly, watching them with soft eyes. A rare smile formed on his lips as he saw Kairo crying in his friends' arms.
Then, he noticed someone standing nearby.
Sirius.
He sat on the stairs, watching them with his usual calm expression. As Arsene walked over, Sirius stood up.
"It's been a while, hasn't it, Arsene?" Sirius said.
Arsene gave a smirk. "You haven't changed at all."
Sirius crossed his arms. "Did everything go as planned? Did Reatrice give you trouble?"
Arsene chuckled. "It went just like you said it would."
Then, looking toward Kairo with a knowing smile, he said softly—
"He's literally a child, isn't he?"
(Chapter ends)