Chapter 349: Departure

Morning came early. Kai stood outside the new house with a bag over his shoulder. The street was still quiet, a few cars passing in the distance, workers already beginning their morning shifts. Mythal was waking up.

Sera stood beside him, checking the supplies they’d packed. "Food?"

"Packed."

"Water?"

"Packed."

"Medical supplies?"

"Lily handled them."

Sera looked toward Lily, who nodded. "Everything is ready."

She closed the bag. "Good."

Kai looked at them. "You two sound like you’re going on a camping trip."

"We’re going to another continent," Sera said.

"Fair."

Lily adjusted the strap of her bag. "Do you have the route?"

Kai pulled out his phone. "Yes."

"Transportation?"

"Already arranged."

"Communication?"

"Guild network."

"Then we’re ready," Sera nodded.

The front door opened. Mina stepped outside, Leo following, trying very hard to look like he wasn’t upset. Kai noticed immediately. "You okay?"

"I’m fine."

"You don’t look fine."

"I’m fine." He crossed his arms. "I’m just tired."

"You woke up an hour early," Mina smiled.

"I wasn’t excited."

"Sure," Kai raised an eyebrow.

Leo looked away, then finally asked, "How long are you going to be gone?"

Kai paused. "I don’t know."

"That’s a terrible answer."

"I know."

"Then give me a better one."

"I’ll come back."

Leo looked at him.

"I will."

He looked away again. "You better."

Kai walked over and put a hand on his head. "I will."

Leo pushed his hand away. "Don’t do that."

"You were about to cry."

"I was not."

"You were."

"I wasn’t."

"He’s definitely about to cry," Mina laughed.

"I’m not!"

Sera covered a smile. Lily looked away. Even Kai laughed.

Leo pointed at all of them. "You’re all terrible."

...

Mina stepped toward Kai, her expression softening. "Be careful."

"I will."

"Don’t take unnecessary risks."

"I’ll try," he smiled.

"That’s not reassuring."

"I’ll be careful."

"Better."

She hugged him. It wasn’t dramatic. It wasn’t long. Just a quiet embrace between family. He rested a hand against her back, and for a moment neither said anything. Then she pulled away.

"And don’t forget us."

He looked at her. "I won’t."

"I know," she smiled.

Kai glanced toward the house, quiet now, their new home, Leo’s room upstairs, the garden behind them, everything they’d talked about only days ago. It was strange. He’d spent so much time worrying about keeping his family safe. But now he wasn’t worried. Because the city was safe, and they were surrounded by people he trusted.

...

They headed toward the city center, the departure point near the Hunter Guild, a transport vehicle already waiting. Mira, Elden, and Raze were already there, Raze leaning against the vehicle with his arms crossed. He looked at Kai. "Finally."

Kai stopped. "I’m on time."

"You’re exactly on time."

"Then what’s the problem?"

"I wanted to complain."

"Fair enough," Kai nodded.

Mira laughed. "Don’t mind him."

Raze looked toward the others. "So that’s it?"

"For now."

He looked at Sera and Lily. "You two are coming too."

"Yes," Sera nodded.

Raze sighed. "Great."

"What’s wrong with that?" Sera raised an eyebrow.

"Nothing."

"You sounded disappointed."

"I was thinking about who is going to stop Kai from doing something stupid."

Sera pointed at herself. "Me."

"Exactly."

"I’ll help," Lily smiled.

Raze looked relieved. "Good."

Kai stared at him. "You have very little faith in me."

"I’ve seen you fight."

"That’s not an answer."

"It is."

Mira laughed.

...

Elden stepped forward, holding out a tablet. "Before you leave."

Kai took it. "What is this?"

"The latest reconstruction report."

He looked at the screen. "The Guardian Core is stable."

"Mana distribution is functioning normally. The outer defense network is being integrated with it." Elden swiped to another page. "Most damaged infrastructure has already been repaired or replaced."

"And the remaining work?"

"Under control." Elden looked directly at him. "That’s why I’m staying."

"I know," Kai smiled.

"Mythal is still undergoing massive reconstruction. Someone needs to make sure the new systems actually work together." He tapped the screen. "Defensive systems. Relic infrastructure. Mana networks. Emergency systems. Construction. Everything."

"You’ve got it."

"We do."

Mira stepped forward. "And someone needs to make sure this doesn’t become a city full of buildings and empty people."

Kai looked at her.

"I’m staying for the civilians. The Hunters. The families. The injured. Recruitment. Morale." She looked around at Mythal. "We survived. Now we need to learn how to live again."

"That’s why you’re staying."

"Exactly," Mira smiled.

Raze stepped forward. "And I’m staying because someone needs to protect all of them."

Mira looked at him. "Finally. Something useful."

He frowned. "I was always useful."

"Of course."

"Especially during the disasters."

"Sometimes."

He looked offended. "Sometimes?"

"Sometimes," Elden nodded.

Raze looked at Kai. "See what I deal with?"

"You’ll survive," Kai smiled.

"That’s what everyone says."

...

A nearby Hunter noticed them and walked over. "Wait." He looked at Raze. "You’re staying?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because someone has to look intimidating."

"You mean useful," Mira immediately corrected.

Raze shook his head. "No." He cracked his knuckles. "Intimidating."

The Hunter laughed. "I believe you."

"Good," Raze grinned.

...

The final preparations were finished. Kai looked around at Mira, Elden, Raze. They’d been through everything together, three Disasters, countless battles, near-death experiences, arguments, victories, losses. And now they were splitting up. But it didn’t feel like the end. It felt different. Like the team had finally grown large enough that they didn’t need to stand in the same place anymore.

Kai looked toward Mythal. The city was alive, cars moving along the roads, stores open, people walking to work, construction crews continuing to repair the remaining damaged buildings, Hunters moving through the streets, children walking beside their parents. The city was standing. Not perfectly. But standing.

He realized something. For the longest time, he’d believed leaving Mythal meant leaving it vulnerable, that if he wasn’t there, something might happen. But he didn’t think that anymore. Elden had the city’s systems. Mira had its people. Raze had its Hunters. And all three of them had the experience of surviving the Disasters. Mythal didn’t need Kai to hold it together. It could stand on its own.

That was perhaps the greatest victory they’d achieved.

Sera stepped beside him. "Ready?"

"Yeah."

Lily joined them. "Then let’s go."

Kai turned around one last time. Mina and Leo were standing near the house, Emma beside them. Mina waved. Leo raised his hand, trying to look serious.

Kai smiled. Then Raze called out. "Wait."

Kai looked back. "What?"

Raze grinned. "If Nexus has anything interesting..."

"No," Kai immediately answered.

"You don’t even know what I was going to say."

"Treasure."

Raze paused. "...Treasure."

Mira laughed. Elden smiled. Sera shook her head. Lily covered a small laugh.

Raze pointed at Kai. "You’re getting predictable."

"You were going to ask."

"I was."

"Exactly."

"Then bring me something."

"I’ll think about it."

"That’s not a yes."

"It’s not a no."

"I’ll take it," Raze grinned.

Mira stepped forward. "We’ll take care of things."

"The Guardian Core is stable. Reconstruction is progressing," Elden nodded.

Raze looked at Kai. "And if anything attacks?" He cracked his knuckles. "We’ll handle it."

"I know," Kai smiled.

He looked at the three of them. For a moment, nobody spoke. Then he nodded. "Take care of Mythal."

"We will," Mira smiled.

"Go find what you’re looking for," Elden nodded.

"And come back stronger," Raze grinned.

"That’s the plan."

He turned toward the waiting vehicle. Sera climbed in. Lily followed. Kai took one final look at Mina and Leo, then stepped inside.

The vehicle began moving, Mythal slowly disappearing behind them. Kai watched through the window. He didn’t feel like he was abandoning his home.

For the first time, he knew he could leave it behind without fear. Because Mythal was no longer just his responsibility. It belonged to everyone who had fought for it.

Everyone who had rebuilt it. Everyone who had returned to it. Everyone who called it home.

Kai leaned back.

Ahead of them was Nexus, and somewhere within that continent, the Ruins of Aegis waited.