The day of our departure from the island of Arcadia, I surprised myself.
I awoke in bed alone, the sunlight spilling in through the curtains like molten gold. For a moment, I stretched out my arm, expecting to find a certain silver-haired beauty curled against me as she so often had these last few days. Instead, my hand brushed against cool sheets. A strange emptiness settled in my chest.
It had only been a short time since we'd met, and yet I already found myself craving her warmth at my side. Something about Lira's presence filled spaces in me I didn't even know were hollow.
I swung my legs over the side of the bed, planning to loosen my stiff muscles, when the door opened. Lira stepped inside, her arms full of clothing; tailored dresses from the store she had ordered earlier.
Her golden eyes lit up when they met mine. "How are you feeling? Any pain left? Stiffness?"
"Actually, yeah…" I paused, then grinned. "It's better if you see for yourself."
She blinked, puzzled, then hurried forward, dropping the dresses unceremoniously onto the sofa. Concern etched her expression as she leaned in close. But before she could press her hands against me to inspect, I caught her wrist and tugged her into my chest.
"You know what? I feel all better now." I wrapped my arms around her, squeezing her gently.
"Max!" Her indignant squeak betrayed her, but when I looked down, her bronze-tinted skin was flushed, her eyes darting away shyly.
Even after taking care of me so many times yesterday, she still turned bashful at the simplest touch.
"I woke up and you weren't here," I said softly. "Something felt… off."
Her lips parted slightly, but she didn't answer. Instead, she nestled against me, allowing herself to be held. We spent the next fifteen minutes tangled together on the sofa, trading teases and laughter until the tension of departure eased.
After a hot shower and a hearty breakfast, we packed our belongings into my [Pouch of Holding]. With that done, we checked out of the lodge and began the walk toward the airship port.
The streets were alive that morning. Stalls lined both sides of the road, hawking goods to departing passengers and last-minute shoppers. The aroma of fried dough mixed with spiced meats filled the air, mingling with the cries of merchants advertising charms, tokens, and polished trinkets.
Hand in hand, Lira and I wove through the bustle, stopping at stalls that caught her eye.
At one stand, I picked up a delicate brooch inlaid with gold filigree. Its gleaming hue reminded me of her eyes. When I fastened it onto her dress, she all but swooned, her cheeks pink.
"Thanks, baby!" she said, her voice a musical lilt.
I still wasn't used to her calling me that, but the warmth in her smile made it impossible to protest.
By the time we reached the port, the anticipation in my chest thrummed like a drum. The docks spread before us in tiers of stone and steel, airships of all sizes moored to towering platforms. Smaller courier vessels darted in and out like sparrows, while lumbering cargo haulers loaded crates the size of houses. And then, at the heart of it all, was our ship.
The passenger vessel was colossal, built to carry five hundred souls through the skies. Its hull gleamed with reinforced steelwood, and glowing runes lined its underbelly, pulsing with restrained energy.
Lira explained the layout as we approached. "Five levels. Cargo hold at the bottom. Above that, the general quarters, bunk beds and hammocks. The third layer is for private cabins like ours, along with finer restaurants. Fourth is shops and leisure spaces. And the fifth is the deck."
Her voice brimmed with quiet pride, as though she had built the ship herself.
We presented our skyfarer cards at the boarding gate. The attendant pressed each one to a rune-plate, which shimmered and chimed before releasing. With a bow, he handed us our cabin keys.
Unlike the long line of passengers shuffling toward the general quarters, we were ushered aboard immediately. It was a small luxury, but I couldn't help noticing the way others glanced at us, some envious, others simply curious.
Inside, the corridors gleamed with polished wood and brass, enchanted lanterns glowing steadily along the walls. It took less than five minutes to reach our assigned room.
The cabin was simple but comfortable. A broad double bed dominated the space, accompanied by a sturdy desk and chair, a cushioned sofa, and a small bathroom with what Lira proudly explained was a "magical shower." A crystal apparatus heated and summoned water at will, she told me, before adding with a mischievous grin, "It might be fun if we wash each other later."
I laughed, but my heart hammered at the thought. Gods, I hope she wasn't joking.
I unpacked a stack of books onto the desk, most of them Lira's spoils from the ruin, and left her to sort through them. Together, we set out again to explore the ship.
The bar and restaurants smelled inviting, the clink of glasses and hum of conversation spilling into the hallways. The higher levels were dotted with small boutiques, selling everything from maps and journals to jewelry and travel charms. Finally, we ascended to the open deck.
The view took my breath away.
From the deck's railing, the entire skyport stretched out beneath us, a web of platforms and airships and bustling people. Beyond the edge of the island, clouds rolled like a living sea, their peaks glowing orange beneath the morning sun.
Passengers streamed aboard, their chatter and excitement filling the air. Children pointed and laughed at the ships below, while traders barked orders at porters hauling crates.
I slipped behind Lira, wrapping my arms around her waist as we leaned on the railing together. She relaxed into me, her hair catching the light like molten silver.
Together, we watched until the final stragglers had boarded, and the gangplanks were raised. The ship's runes flared to life, humming with restrained power. Slowly, gracefully, the vessel lifted from the dock, breaking free of the chains that tethered it to Arcadia.
The island receded behind us, its towers and markets dwindling into the distance. A chapter of my life closed there, in the place I had once thought I'd never leave. And beside me, a new chapter was just beginning.