The wind stopped.
Avi's wings folded in as she descended, gliding silently onto the jagged surface of an unfamiliar world. Cracked stone. Twisted roots. A faint hum in the atmosphere — not quite welcoming, not quite hostile. Just… watching.
They had arrived.
Sid stepped down behind her, his boots landing with a dull echo. The sky above was a deep gray-purple, faint stars swirling behind layers of slow-turning clouds. The land stretched far in all directions, barren yet alive with energy, like something waiting to be disturbed.
He turned around just as Dante dropped beside them, arms folded as he looked across the empty expanse.
"Not the prettiest place," Dante muttered teasingly, "but it's the only area with weaklings like you."
Sid rolled his eyes. "Charming."
Dante smirked, then looked out over the silent, desolate plains.
"You'll be staying here. They will keep you company."
He nodded toward Avi — then raised one hand.
A low vibration rippled through the air.
A pulse of dark silver light leaked from his chest, warping the space beside him. The energy coiled like mist, taking form. Sid stepped back instinctively, breath caught in his throat. He knew this feeling.
From the spiral of silver mist, a figure stepped out. Tall. Composed. Clad in long, dark robes that shimmered like they were stitched from moonlight. His hair was silver-white, tied back at the nape, and his unique blue, diamond pupiled eyes — sharp, quiet, knowing.
Silver.
Sid didn't hesitate.
"Uncle…"
His voice cracked slightly, caught between awe and joy. It had been years since he saw Silver take form, and yet… it felt like nothing had changed.
Silver met his eyes with a slight nod and a faint smile.
"You've grown."
The words were simple, but they struck deep. There was no dramatics between them, no reunion full of tears or loud laughter — only the warmth of familiarity, like a long breath finally exhaled.
And just like that — without a word — Dante vanished.
No explanation. No dramatic exit. One blink, and he was simply gone — swallowed by the wind and the strange sky.
Sid blinked, stunned.
"Wait… where the hell is he going?"
He looked around, half-expecting Dante to reappear behind him with a grin — but there was nothing.
Avi's voice came from behind, quiet but resolute.
"Don't worry, he needs to go somewhere. He'll be back soon."
Sid frowned. "I thought I was supposed to train with him…"
Avi turned slightly, the wind playing through her red hair.
"You will be trained."
"Just not in the way you expected."
Sid didn't answer. He watched the space where Dante had stood just seconds ago — still slightly frustrated, still confused, but slowly letting it settle.
They moved camp near a crooked stone rise. Silver sat quietly, eyes scanning the surrounding land like a predator in wait. A fire sparked with a flick of his fingers. Its glow painted soft lines on the ground.
Sid sat across from him, arms resting over his knees. The silence stretched.
Then, finally, he spoke.
"Uncle… I know I'm not yet ready before, so I didn't push the matter, but can I know now how to have a companion?"
There was a pause — long and weighty.
Silver didn't look at him right away.
Then he stood, brushing his cloak aside. His eyes met Sid's in full.
"It's about time."