The chamber was silent...so silent that even the flickering crystal flames on the wall sounded like storms inside Flux's ears.
Mike's words cut through the air.
Mike: "So Flux… you are actually"
Flux's throat tightened. His voice cracked as his trembling lips forced the words out.
Flux: "W–WAIT… s-so my real mom… is… an angel?"
White nodded slowly, his long silver hair swaying like endless threads of fate.
White: "Hmm… you can see it that way."
Flux's eyes darted to Ixia, searching desperately. His voice broke again.
Flux: "Huh? Mom… (calling Ixia) … i-is this real?"
Ixia lowered her gaze, her hands clutching her robe tightly. Tears glimmered.
Ixia: "Hmm… yeah. Will you believe it, Flux?"
Flux staggered backward. His heartbeat thundered.
Flux: "What the…?"
---
🌌 A Shattering Realization
The truth slammed into Flux like a thousand storms colliding. His chest felt heavy, his body shaking. But in the next instant..his knees gave out, and he turned his tear..struck gaze toward Alicia.
Flux: "R.really!? Then… M'Mom!"
Before she could respond, Flux leapt forward, crashing into Alicia's embrace, clutching her as though he would never let go. His tears poured uncontrollably, dampening her robe.
Flux (sobbing): "M–Mom… why you… why you abandon me… plzzz… why… 😭?"
Alicia's arms wrapped around him instantly, trembling as her own tears spilled down.
Alicia (crying): "S–sorry… son… we had to do this to save you… plzzz… I know it was stupid but… c-can you forgive me?"
Her sobs mixed with his.
Flux (choking, voice cracking): "I… I'm not angry… I just… I just wanted to know why…"
White's deep voice cut through, though his face was also shadowed by guilt.
White: "Sorry, son. I… am guilty too."
Flux sniffled, shaking his head.
Flux: "It's… it's OK… now I know why I felt so empty inside."
He wiped his ruby eyes, but then his lips quivered again.
Flux: "B–but… what about… Hikari? Where is he?"
At once, both Alicia and White exchanged a silent, grim look. The air grew heavier.
Alicia (soft, hesitant): "Hmm… well… he's at a place where exit doesn't exist."
Flux's body jolted, his eyes widening.
Flux: "What?!!"
Alicia forced a faint, bittersweet smile.
Alicia: "It's hard to explain… but worry not. He's somewhere where there is only one thing… pain. So don't worry. 🤭"
Flux: "D.don't worry?! How is that even!"
White (cutting in, serious): "Listen, Flux. If someone like Hikari ever comes back, you must be strong enough to face him. That's why… I ask you. Want to start training? After one week?"
Flux clenched his fists, thinking hard. Then he turned to Mike.
Flux: "Hmm… if Mike says yes, then yeah. If not… then not. So… Mike. What's your decision?"
Mike widened his eyes.
Mike: "Me?! Why me??"
Flux smirked despite his tears.
Flux: "Because you're my best friend."
Mike groaned, scratching his head.
Mike: "But"
White chuckled.
White: "Soo… how about you two train equally at the same time?"
Flux grinned.
Flux: "Good. Let's go then!"
Mike sighed in defeat.
Mike: "Fine… but honestly, I also want to get stronger to impress girls, you know."
Vantres's ears perked, and a sly smile crept across his face.
Vantres: "Ohho? Mike… is that so?"
Mike's face went crimson.
Mike: "Y-YES!"
Vantres (grinning): "If you want to impress girls, then why not ask Zygord? He's very, very, very good at it, you know."
White and Vantres burst into roaring laughter.
White & Vantres: "😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣"
Hidori tilted his head in confusion.
Hidori & Ixia (together): "???? What do they mean?"
Zygord clenched his fists, his voice snapping like a whip.
Zygord: "You… FLICKLACTER bitches!"
The room went silent for half a second before White leaned forward, holding back laughter.
White: "Huh? What do you even mean by 'FLICKLACTER'?"
Zygord smirked smugly.
Zygord: "Why not? I also read Sector Selection: Legacy of Legends, you know."
Mike and Flux's heads snapped.
Mike & Flux (together): "Ohhh! That's that Webnove about a character with immense potential and a pretty cool history, right?"
Zygord nodded, trying to look serious.
Zygord: "Exactly. And it's pretty good."
Mike scratched his cheek nervously.
Mike: "Hmm… but, Lord White. Why is Lord Zygord so angry at such a… compliment?"
White leaned down, whispering like he was sharing the world's greatest secret.
White (whispering): "Hehe… the truth is… Zygord only loves one girl. But she's too pure… she sees him only as a brother. So she rejected him. Yet still… he hasn't tried to move on." 🤭🤭
Mike's face softened.
Mike: "Ohh… I actually feel bad for him…"
White shrugged.
White: "Don't worry. He's fine."
Mike nodded.
Mike: "OK…"
But Vantres wasn't finished.
Vantres (smirking): "Haha, OK. OK. Then let me introduce you someday to someone who has almost… 250 girlfriends."
Mike's jaw dropped.
Mike: "T–TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY!!?"
Vantres waved casually.
Vantres: "Ahh… it's OK. Just get stronger, and I'll call him."
Mike still trembling.
Mike: "OK… but… how are we even getting strong?"
White turned, his eyes glowing faintly. His lips curled into a mischievous smile.
White: "Ohh, about that… have you ever heard about… the White Craptle Tower? 💀"