Parker looked at Kael with hope in his eyes and asked softly,
"So... your memories have returned?"
Kael nodded slowly,
"Yeah... everything came back. I remember it all."
A wide smile spread across Kael's face, as if erasing all the confusion he'd felt for so long.
Terren and Arek, hearing this, immediately jumped with joy.
"Hooray! Kael's memories are back!!"
They both cheered and hugged each other, full of excitement.
Parker smiled at the scene,
"After everything we've been through, finally... this is the moment we've been waiting for."
Liana, who had been a bit quiet, gave a small smile.
"Kael, I'm glad you're back to being yourself."
Kael looked at each of them, gratitude shining in his eyes.
"I'm glad too. Thank you, everyone. Without you all, I don't know what would have happened."
Dominus, who was sitting beside Kael, stood up and wagged his tail, almost as if joining in the celebration of Kael's return.
Arek, unable to contain his laughter, said,
"Now we can focus on rebuilding Ticonic. With Kael's memories back, we have even more strength to face whatever comes."
Mira nodded,
"We have a lot of work ahead, but the most important thing... is that we're all together again."
Parker raised his hand,
"For Ticonic! For all of us!"
"For all of us!"
Everyone replied in unison, their spirits high and determined.
With hearts full of hope and resolve, they were ready to face whatever came next—whether it was new threats or challenges. Ticonic was back, stronger than ever.
That night, the palace of Ticonic was filled with the sounds of laughter, music, and cheers of joy. All the surviving citizens and fighters gathered to celebrate their victory. Glittering lights adorned every corner, while food and drink overflowed on the large tables.
Kael walked slowly, his eyes scanning the crowd for a familiar face. Amidst the celebration, he spotted Mattew standing with Teresa. They were talking seriously, but Teresa's face looked slightly uneasy.
Kael moved closer with purposeful steps, his gaze fixed on Teresa.
Teresa sensed Kael's intense stare but tried to remain calm, focusing on her conversation with Mattew. But inside, she felt a growing unease. Every time her eyes met Kael's, she felt distracted, as if something was off.
Kael stopped right in front of them, his gaze locking on Teresa seriously, yet no words were spoken.
Teresa looked at him occasionally, but quickly shifted her focus back to Mattew. She didn't know what to say, feeling awkward and unsure of how to act.
Kael, sensing the tension, turned slowly, his gaze drifting elsewhere as he joined the others.
Parker, who had been watching Kael walk away, smiled knowingly.
"Everything will be alright, Kael."
Kael nodded, though his heart was still filled with questions and feelings he couldn't fully understand.
Mira, who also saw the interaction, approached Kael and spoke lightly,
"Don't worry, Kael. Time will heal everything."
Kael sighed, his eyes distracted by the festive celebration around them.
"Yeah… maybe."
Meanwhile, Teresa, still standing with Mattew, felt something unresolved between her and Kael. Something she couldn't explain, even though she knew the depth of the feelings still lingering between them.
Kael stepped out of the palace into the cool night air. The wind tugged gently at his cloak as he moved forward. Suddenly, the natural tattoo on the side of his neck began to glow faintly—the letters "T-E-R-R-A" pulsing with a steady rhythm. The tech fused into his blood activated instinctively, and within seconds, a transparent visor formed across his eyes, shimmering with a faint blue light.
He paused, scanning the surroundings through his augmented vision. Red dots lit up all around the palace grounds—markers of bombs or dangerous devices planted in hidden spots.
Kael muttered, "...Someone's trying to blow this place up."
Without delay, he tapped the small comms device on his wrist.
"Mattew, Parker—meet me outside. Now."
Within moments, Mattew and Parker came running, catching the intense look on Kael's face.
"What's going on?" Parker asked.
Kael pointed to the digital display in his visor, showing clusters of red dots.
"Bombs. Multiple. Planted deliberately. We need to clean them out—fast."
Mattew frowned. "Who planted them? Earth remnants?"
"Maybe," Kael replied. "But it's clean work. Coordinated. We can't wait."
He quickly divided the tasks.
"Mattew, take the east side. Parker, you cover the west. I'll go north. Clear every red-marked area. Move fast."
Parker gave a firm nod and sprinted back toward the palace. Inside, he rallied the Ticonic guards.
"Arm yourselves! Possible follow-up attack! Kael found bombs around the perimeter!"
Tension rose, but the palace troops quickly mobilized. Soldiers spread out, aiding Kael, Mattew, and Parker in disarming the threats.
In the deep night, the battle wasn't over.
This time, it wasn't against drones or invading armies—but a hidden enemy lurking in the shadows.
Tension hung thick in the air around the palace as Kael, Mattew, and Parker led the soldiers to deactivate the bombs. Each device was intricately wired, taking time and precision to disarm. Meanwhile, inside the throne room, King Elmir sat restlessly on his throne, shadows from the flickering torches dancing across the marble walls.
"What is the meaning of this... Who dares try to destroy this sacred place?" he muttered, suspicion in his voice.
Suddenly, the grand doors of the palace burst open.
Kael stormed in, followed by Dominus, the white wolf, and both Mattew and Parker. Their presence was sharp and urgent. All eyes turned to Kael, who raised his weapon straight at the King's most trusted official—his Royal Advisor.
"Don't move," Kael said coldly.
The advisor's face turned pale. King Elmir stood up, shocked.
"Kael! What is the meaning of this? That man is my right hand! He manages the entire palace!"
Kael stepped forward, his eyes sharp.
"That's exactly the problem, Your Majesty. He's not one of us."
He activated the lens on his techno-glasses, casting a projection over the advisor's face. The image glitched, revealing a human from Earth, his disguise falling apart.
King Elmir gasped.
"A traitor...!"
Mattew stepped beside Kael. "He planted the bombs. He's been leaking information and infiltrated our palace for years."
The advisor suddenly bolted, but Dominus growled and blocked him. Parker quickly restrained him with energy cuffs.
"Take him to the royal prison," the king ordered, his voice trembling with fury. "We'll interrogate him thoroughly."
Guards dragged the imposter away. In the throne room, silence gave way to murmurs of relief.
Kael turned to the king.
"The threats from outside may be ending... but the danger from within is far greater."
King Elmir nodded slowly.
"And thankfully... you were here to stop it."