He turned toward the voice, only to realize the person wasn't speaking to him at all.
The words were aimed squarely at Nyala.
And by "person," Azel quickly corrected himself — it wasn't a person at all.
A child hovered a few feet away, no older than Lillia by the look of him.
He floated effortlessly in the air, robes shimmering with a faint constellation-like glow, his long blue hair spilling past his waist, rippling in the phantom wind of this strange realm.
His eyes, bright like twin stars, fixed on Nyala with an intensity that belied his youthful appearance.
Nyala stepped forward with a small smile, though Azel could see at a glance that she was tense.
"It's been quite a while, Plaides," she said warmly. "I heard the Familiar Zone was re-opening, and naturally, I decided to come for a familiar."
Plaides's gaze narrowed, his expression twisting into mild annoyance.
He rolled his eyes, his long hair shimmering as it caught the glint of the strange ambient light.
