Rain slipped in through the lime tree tops. The world seemed to change from calm and bright to odd and unfamiliar.
The lush green melted away, replaced by a haunting, spectral glow. The wanderers gripped the carriage, eyes wide with terror, haunted by the fear that The Exordium might vanish just as The Establisher once had.
Raindrops battered the world, icy and unyielding. Drimi tore across the sodden ground, water exploding beneath her feet, her desperate urgency shattering the hush with every thunderous stride.
"What's up? What has gotten you spooked about?"
The wanderers pointed at the white grass with trembling hands, recalling their dream with anxious glances toward Drimi. Drimi gasped, her eyes landing on the luminescent blue flowers scattered across the plain, unsure how to respond.
"Huh? That's… strange. I have never seen anything like that before."
Phthonus sprang up from the far side of the wagon, curiosity sparking in his eyes as he called out.
"What are you seeing?"
Drimi's breath caught. Sharp regret and panic stabbed through her as she gazed upward. Each failure replayed in her mind, confusion compressing her chest. A silent plea quivered on her lips—she battled not to break.
"Is this your gift?"
The wanderers stared at her in bewilderment, then dropped their gazes to the ghostly white grass. Phthonus lifted his arm, feeling cool raindrops trace paths down his dark skin as he spoke.
He said, "It's strange how the rain never stops. I didn't notice before, but here in Pladtioa, it only rains when the God of Purity is gone."
He drew in the sharp, rain-soaked air, each breath whisking his worries away like autumn leaves carried by a rushing stream.
"Let me tell you about The Ruler of Purity. Bet you haven't heard it."
Phthonus studied the wanderers' unreadable faces. He tapped his foot, about to speak, when Asahi interrupted.
"So... are you going to share it or what?"
Aletha nudged Asahi and sighed. As rain intensified, she muttered to Phthonus.
"Just tell the story. My brother is being very idiotic right now."
Phthonus's smile faded with concern as he met Aletha's gaze. He leaned in, hesitation flickering in his eyes, his plan to tell the story faltering as he noticed her distress.
"What are those white things in your iris?"
A flush crept up his cheeks as he took in her face and the quiet strength in her posture.
"Don't get the wrong idea. You have elf eyes, but human ears. I don't get it."
Asahi's gray eyes deliberately widened in shock. He slid away from her and pointed his finger.
"Sis, I never noticed until now! Your eyes are... different."
Aletha lowered her head, shielding her eyes with her hand. Phthonus wandered back to the group, while Drimi spun two battered branches between her fingers, her movements jittery and distracted. Sally's gaze vanished into the deepening forest shadows. As the wagon crested the hill, Phthonus stroked his chin, his thoughts drifting into distant realms.
"Hmm, care to give me an explanation?"
Aletha fell silent, hesitant to reveal her feelings to Phthonus. Asahi patted her shoulder reassuringly and answered Phthonus just as a raindrop fell from a nearby branch.
"Maybe her power's in her white pupils. Her clothes don't glow much. Where's mine stored if my eyes aren't like hers?"
Drimi batted her amethyst eyes at Asahi and sharply pointed at the massive glowing star symbol attached to the gigantic dark flap near his chest before replying in a sarcastic tone, her gestures exaggerated and impatient.
"I don't know! Maybe it's in that glaring white sun symbol on your chest!"
Phthonus drew a steadying breath and nodded, determination flickering in his eyes.
"She's… right, but she didn't have to put it in such a rude tone, though."
He raised his voice.
"Drimi, what has gotten you so grumpy recently?"
A suffocating silence pressed down on the carriage, broken only by the ceaseless drum of rain. Asahi locked eyes with Phthonus's tired orange stare. Drimi shot Asahi a glare, anger quivering beneath her skin, fists clenched bone-white. Her jaw trembled, barely holding back the storm of grief inside.
"Why… I don't understand how Akwan could vanish. I never saw him disappear… not even once. How I don't u-understand why…"
Panic stretched Drimi's eyes. Memories hit in a chaotic surge—Akwan, Belial, Phthonus, tangled and painful. Breathless, she clutched her chest, turning away as her heartbreak twisted her face, unable to let anyone see her break.
"Akwan, you f-failed me! You broke our promise! You can't die… you can't--
Drimi summoned the memory of young Akwan: lavender eyes, a cascade of dark hair, skin as pale as moonlight. He seemed impossibly far away now, those bright memories dissolving like mist at dawn.
As the wagon surged up the hill, Drimi lunged at Asahi, her fist arcing toward his jaw in a flash of motion.
Dust trickled from his wound as Aletha pressed her hand firmly to it, shoving Drimi back with a surge of fierce determination.
"What are you doing, Drimi?!"
Phthonus stomped his foot against the wagon, stopped it, and raised his voice.
"Do you have any idea why you just did that?!"
Drimi shoved Phthonus off the wagon, causing him to stumble and fall to the ground. Sally quickly stood up and rushed over, attempting to restrain Drimi by wrapping her arms tightly around her. Drimi forcefully pried Sally's arms off, twisting her body to break free from the hold, her frantic movements making her intent clear.
"They know their reason! Pathetic. They are both pathetic."
Phthonus gritted his teeth and swung his arm into the air. He formed a burning amber flame over his fingertips, then shouted as the wanderers backed away behind a tree trunk in fear.
"Settle down, Drimi! Don't force me to use this."
The earth shimmered with a fierce, fiery glow. Leaves withered to ash, swirling in the thick air. Fury crackled around him, molten light dancing through his dark hair. He jerked his scarf up as Drimi charged.
"You left me no choice, Drimi. I knew you were such an arrogant fool."
As Phthonus tried to dodge the floating bubbles, Sally's magic struck him, coating him in sticky liquid. She fixed her gaze on the marble in her hand, rain pouring through her platinum hair as she focused. Sally then unleashed her Hydro Plunge attack, a surge of water slamming Phthonus to the ground and extinguishing his flames.
She felt her veins tingle with the marble's power. Channeling this energy, Sally unleashed her Hydro Plunge directly at Phthonus, pushing him into the ground and extinguishing his flames.
"That marble… It has Astait Soil in it, right? Who knew people from that cold region were so smart at using the Soil's energy? Enough fighting. If you keep this up, I'll abandon everyone right here."
The wanderers froze, Phthonus's threat looming like a thundercloud. Sally's arms dropped, exhaustion settling over her like a heavy cloak. Drimi's fury ebbed away, leaving sorrow in its wake, delicate and exposed. A child's voice, Akwan's, echoed in her mind, its gentle warmth calming the tempest inside her.
"Violence will never solve anything. It will only bring more anarchy."
The quote made Drimi pause. The wanderers sighed with relief as they listened to the rain. Phthonus reached out to Drimi with a gentle smile.
"Drimi, it's been five years since we last saw each other. I could never find you in Pladtioa until now. So let me say this once…"
Phthonus stepped toward Drimi, standing tall and steady. His amber eyes searched her trembling face. Drawing a deep breath, he gently led her away from the others. Beneath the sheltering treetops, hidden from the rain, Phthonus whispered.
"Drimi, I show you my greatest gratitude for pushing me to be the way I am currently. The white-haired beings don't know how much I went through with you to get to this point. You taught me the basics of sailing, fighting, and using magic when I was younger. You fed my family after the Queen of Pladtioa stole everything from me. You even went as far as to entertain and protect my siblings, too, which you didn't have to."
He paused, sunlit memories flickering through his mind. Drimi grew quiet, her mask glinting with the rain's silvery sheen. The wanderers peeked from behind a broad tree, eager to witness the moment. Phthonus pulled his scarf higher, a rare, radiant smile breaking through.
"I don't know who you lost, but they were important. Drimi, you treat me..."
His voice shifted to a trembling, caring tone.
"...like a brother. If that doesn't snap you out of your mood, nothing will. You were always our bold, playful leader."
Tears welled in Drimi's eyes, her body wracked with unnamed feelings. The wanderers, uncertain yet touched, felt grief and hope ripple through the group, the moment pressing heavily on them all.
"Please, know I'm grateful. I'm not who I was."
Drimi sniffled, her body shaking with emotion as she pulled Phthonus into a fierce embrace. The wanderers' faces softened with understanding as sunlight broke through the clouds, turning her final tears into glimmering drops of gold.
"Phthonus… you were the brother I never had. You're truly different now. Thank you. I didn't want to show this side, but I couldn't hold it in any longer. I know I was wrong, and I'm sorry."
"I did what I thought was right. My father wasn't treated well, so I treat others better. That's how a Knight of Pladtioa should be."
As they made their way back to the wagon, Drimi patted Phthonus's back. He glanced over his shoulder, catching her as she slowly lifted her dark mask from her mouth. Her smile lit up his face, her tears dissolving into the sunlit air. The mechanical hum of the steampunk wagon vibrated around them as Drimi leaned in to whisper.
"I owe you, too, Phthonus. Thank you for showing me hope."
Phthonus simply replied while stepping into the wagon.
"You're welcome."