Arlienne dragged Emerion toward the dining hall where the mid day meals were served. The siblings took their seats at a mahogany table; the room was mostly vacant, as the morning crowd had dissipated and it was still too early for lunch.
"Let's see, there are different items... Brother, do you want to try wine?" Arlienne asked with a flicker of curiosity as she scanned the leather bound menu. Emerion immediately twisted his face into an expression of pure disgust.
"I don't want to deal with a hangover. It would only taste bitter regardless," Emerion said, dismissing the idea instantly. He had never tried wine in his life. He held a firm, general belief that most drinkers were either physically unhealthy or prone to mindless aggression. This mental image had been heavily influenced by the adventure books he had devoured as a child, the impression was so deep that even now, he refused to be like one of those villainous characters who were always depicted drinking wine while plotting.
"Then what do you want? Milk? You should really give new things a try, you know," Arlienne said, her voice carrying its usual teasing lilt. Emerion felt the familiar spark of annoyance.
"Orange juice would be fine," Emerion said stubbornly. Arlienne simply nodded.
"As expected your favorite drink after coffee, I assume. How about some rice and steak?" she asked, her eyes moving back to the menu. As if in response, Emerion's stomach let out a loud, traitorous grumble. He looked even more embarrassed, though he took comfort in the fact that there were not many people in the room to notice.
"Just order whatever you want," Emerion said, pulling the other menu toward him just to keep his hands and mind occupied. Arlienne signaled the waitress and placed the order.
"So, brother, what do you think our aunt is doing on this ship?" Arlienne asked, leaning in to gauge his reaction. Emerion looked dumbfounded for a moment before answering.
"She is probably off to somewhere, I don't know. Maybe something related to medical business. I heard she got promoted to the head of Miravale Island's medical facilities, so perhaps she's going to another island for an inspection or a meeting" Emerion said, thinking it through. He didn't feel suspicious of his aunt, she had always been a kind, warm woman the complete opposite of his mother.
"I see... it could be. But don't you find it strange that she didn't mention anything about our mother?" Arlienne asked, crossing her arms on the table and resting her chin on her hands.
At his sister's words, Emerion realized he did find it strange. His mother had been in a deep mana sleep for two years now. At the time it happened, Emerion had felt a secret sense of relief that he wouldn't have to face her. The Dawnveil family had been utterly shocked by the news, no one could believe that the legendary Aurelith had fallen into such a state. Since no one knew her true limit for using mana, the surprise was universal. She was a figure of immense importance to the nation of Ateris, so handing her over to a stranger medic would have been too risky. Their father had secretly handed Aurelith to her younger sister, Seraphyne, who was already a medic with a high reputation. Aurelith was taken to Miravale in secret so that no other Great House would discover she was incapacitated.
The tense moment was broken by the waitress, who arrived with a glass of orange juice and a steaming plate of rice and steak. The food looked warm and savory.
"Aren't you going to eat?" Emerion asked, picking up his fork.
"I have already eaten breakfast, so I am not hungry," Arlienne said, sipping some water. Emerion nodded and began to eat, but his mind remained occupied by his sister's words. Still, he had no reason to suspect his aunt unnecessarily especially since she had even paid for the damages he caused during his fight with Anathema.
"Speak of the devil," Arlienne muttered to herself. Emerion turned his head to see the golden blonde Seraphyne accompanied by the raven haired Nyxelle.
"I was looking for you two" Seraphyne said in her gentle voice. She sat gracefully beside Emerion while Nyxelle, whose expression seemed permanently set to "annoyed," sat next to Arlienne.
"Is there any reason for that, Aunt?" Arlienne asked, flashing a practiced smile while ignoring the glare Nyxelle was shooting her.
"Not really, but I wanted to check on your brother's hand. Are you feeling better now, Emerion?" Seraphyne asked. Emerion, who was busy eating, suddenly remembered he had been wounded. He was still wearing the bandage on his right hand, but since he hadn't felt any pain, he hadn't thought about it.
"I think I am okay... I don't feel any pain," Emerion said. He moved his hand around and began to remove the bandage. To everyone's shock, his palm looked completely normal there wasn't a single mark left.
"Huh... you healed quickly," Nyxelle muttered to herself. Given the way Emerion's hand had taken the impact of Anathema's sword, it shouldn't have healed in a single day.
"Is something wrong?" Emerion asked, seeing their stunned reactions. Seraphyne composed herself before answering.
"No. I guess I should have expected that," she said, closing her eyes as a look of heavy nostalgia settled on her face.
"You should have expected what? What do you mean?" Arlienne asked, her interest piqued.
"Well, in my medical career, I have only ever seen two people heal this fast," Seraphyne paused. "First was my sister, and now you, Emerion. But I should have known you both are mother and son, after all."
Seraphyne smiled, but Emerion tensed at the mention of his mother. He had assumed that healing this quickly was normal if a skilled healer helped you, but his aunt's words caught him completely off guard.
Suddenly, a man with a grey mustache entered the dining hall. Everyone turned, they all recognized him as the Captain.
"Ah, I didn't expect to find you here, Lady Seraphyne" the Captain said. His voice sounded surprised, but his expression remained perfectly composed.
"I guess unexpected things happen in life," Seraphyne humored him with a warm smile. The Captain chuckled slightly.
"It is intended. But I have come here for business and a request," he said, looking toward the siblings.
"I see... Nyxelle, come. We will talk with them later," Seraphyne said, sensing the need for privacy. Nyxelle followed her mother out. Arlienne watched her aunt go with a suspicious eye before turning to the Captain.
"What kind of business and request do you have, Captain?" Arlienne asked, her voice turning professional.
"First, I promised you a refund for the misbehavior of my staff. You need to fill out these forms and you will receive it," the Captain said, placing several papers and a pen on the table.
"It's quite a lot of forms for a refund. I didn't expect you to keep your word after the fight between my brother and Anathema," Arlienne said, scanning the papers. The handwriting and the layout looked like they had been made at the very last second, but she decided to fill them out anyway since they bore the official company symbol.
"Words coming from the mouth of someone in my position have consequences. If I turned back on my own words, I would set a bad example for my subordinates" the Captain said. His voice was filled with a sense of morals and ethics that Arlienne chose not to comment on.
Emerion finished his food and began to get up, but the Captain interrupted. "There is another thing. The request is regarding you, sir."
"Request regarding me? What kind of request?" Emerion asked, confused.
"Well, there are some people who wish to have a conversation with you" the Captain said. He clapped his hands, and two figures walked into the dining hall. Arlienne and Emerion instantly looked guarded.
"Relax guys, we just want to have a chat," Ryuuken said with his usual cocky grin, followed by the curly haired Rui.
"Ryuuken..." Emerion muttered the name like a curse.
"I see you remember my name. Should I be honored?" Ryuuken smirked, trying to provoke him. Rui pinched him, telling him to behave.
"Can you explain, Captain, why you brought them here?" Arlienne asked. Rui spoke before the Captain could respond.
"Our Lord wishes to have a conversation with your brother. He felt he went too far during the fight. He expressed his regrets and wants to have a chat," Rui said in a much more composed voice. The words shocked both Dawnveil siblings.
"So you used the Captain as a mediator?" Emerion commented, his brow furrowing as he tried to find a hidden motivation.
"I find it hard to believe someone like Anathema expressed regret, but then again, he was so desperate to save you both from my brother's blue flames yesterday. I assume he has emotions despite his reputation" Arlienne said thoughtfully.
Ryuuken and Rui looked surprised. "He... was?" Ryuuken asked. He had thought the Captain or Seraphyne had been the ones to save them. Rui quickly intervened to keep the conversation on track.
"So, do you accept the request? We will stay here so you can have a private chat."
Emerion hesitated. "I think you should go, young man." the Captain said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Holding a grudge can be very unhealthy. I'm telling you this from personal experience."
Arlienne analyzed the situation. "I guess you should give it a try. It will be a private chat, I don't think he would do something stupid."
Feeling the peer pressure, Emerion sighed. "Fine. I will go."
A strange light appeared on Ryuuken's face, but he didn't say anything.
"A wise choice. My officer is outside the dining room, he will take you to where Anathema is," the Captain said. Emerion nodded and walked out. He was still suspicious, but the fact that the guards were staying behind gave him a hint of reassurance.
Outside, he met the young officer who had accused them of being stowaways on their first day. The man was unusually respectful now. As they walked, Emerion noticed posters for a music and light show featuring the mature blonde girl he had seen earlier.
"Please, come on in" the officer said, stopping at the Control Room.
"But this is the Control Room," Emerion said, pointing to the sign. "Passengers aren't allowed."
"I just need to take something from here. It would be rude to leave you outside. Come in" the officer said respectfully. Emerion figured the Captain's scolding had changed the man's attitude. As soon as he stepped inside, the officer slammed the door and locked it from the outside.
"Hey! Open the door!" Emerion knocked, but there was no answer. "Fine, if you don't open I will.."
He felt a presence and dodged just in time as a sword aimed for his neck. He spun around, his blood boiling. "Anathema... so it was your plan, you cheap..."
Anathema swung again, and Emerion dodged. "So you aren't in the mood for talking, huh?" Emerion's hands began to glow blue, but then a melody filled the room.
"Drift away from the world of the waking,
Leave the burdens that keep your heart aching.
Close your eyes where the shadows are deep,
Oh, restless soul, surrender to sleep..."
Emerion's eyelids became heavy. He felt a sudden, crushing exhaustion. His vision blurred as he struggled to stay upright. 'What's happening?' he thought before collapsing. He saw two blonde figures appear next to Anathema before his vision went black.
"You two can leave now. I can handle the rest," Anathema said to Riruka, who had stopped singing. Ririyen stood beside her.
"Leave? I guess you are not in a position to order us, Anathema," Ririyen said with a rebellious edge that caught him off guard.
"What do you mean? Your Captain made a deal with me. You have to obey," Anathema said coldly. Riruka laughed.
"Oh, my sweet Anathema. Every mother teaches their children not to trust strangers, yet you believed our Captain so much that you didn't even take an Oath of Echoes from him." Riruka laughed, and Ririyen smirked, crossing her arms.
"If you don't obey, you will pay with your lives!" Anathema raised his sword. Riruka began to sing again, her voice more haunting this time.
"The journey is long and the path is unknown,
To find who you are, you must go on alone.
Meet your fate in the dark of the mind,
Leave the sword and the anger behind.
Sleep... sleep... find the truth in the deep..."
Anathema's eyes grew heavy, but he fought it. He swung his sword at Ririyen. Riruka leapt between them and took the blow on her right shoulder. She hissed in pain as the blade cut her. Anathema prepared to strike again, but Ririyen interrupted.
"You want to sleep, right, right?" she said, clapping her hands and jumping like a cheerleader. "You don't have the strength to hold a sword, right, right?"
Anathema looked dumbfounded as the sword slipped from his hand. Sensing the opening, Riruka finished the song. The effect was perfect; Anathema slumped to the ground, unconscious.
"You okay, big sister?" Ririyen asked, looking at the wound.
"I'm fine. I'll need to hide this during the performance tonight" Riruka said, clutching her arm.
"You always think about the business. Think of yourself too," Ririyen sighed.
"Don't worry. Let's leave them, the officers will take care of it." Riruka walked out. Ririyen looked at the sleeping Emerion with a hint of guilt.
"I didn't wish to do this to the silver haired boy. He seemed like a kind person." she whispered.
"Our fates were sealed to do such things that day. Now, let's go." Riruka said walking out of the room.
She bowed slightly to Emerion with a applogic look before following her sister, leaving both boys alone in the control room.