The meeting room was a wide chamber of pale steel and soft-blue light. Walls revealed the night sky and stars beyond, faint Ryun barriers shimmered whenever the ship adjusted course. A long obsidian table stretched through the center, its surface alive with shifting Ryun that reflected whoever sat around it. Chairs were mismatched—plush for some, austere for others—giving the sense this was less a council hall and more a youth group center with cosmic flair.

"You Jujisn are ticking toasters!" Ozzy exclaimed, throwing himself backward in his chair. His white robe hung loose at the shoulders, the glowing white X carved into his forehead pulsing faintly.

Tabia's crimson eyes narrowed into knives.

Ozzy shrugged, Locs falling to the side. "It sounds cool," he muttered.

Caroline groaned into her palms, while Sšurtinaui leaned forward, patient but visibly tense. North ignored the noise, his gaze fixed on Tinsurnae.

"So," he said slowly, "you are different than your male self. Two separate entities."

Tinsurnae hesitated. "Just think of us as twins. I remember everything up to the Ranker fight. But that was him fighting. I rarely came out. I didn't want to add to the burden—

"Stop with this burden shit," North snapped, leaning in. His aura flared, cutting her excuse short. "You fought and survived the same enemies I have."

"I guess…"

"And the sword? A way around it."

She went silent, lips pressed tight. "…no…just the hint to use Sryun…." Then she glanced down. "But I think we should head out tonight. Any more delays won't be in our favor." She paused. "I should have something by the time we all meet up again."

Sšurtinaui sighed, shoulders slumping. So much for one day of peace. But she couldn't argue.

Caroline broke in, her voice firm. "But can't these Unravelings be stopped? North stopped the last one—he, like, absorbed it."

North scratched the back of his head. "That took a lot outta me. And honestly, you guys helped. Sounds cheesy, but… friendship saved the day."

Ozzy pointed dramatically. "So hugs can stop timeline deletion. Got it."

"Sure, Ozzy," Caroline deadpanned.

Tabia raised her hand like a lecturer, ignoring their banter. "We can move tonight—the crew has been ready. Further, I have a question for Tinsurnae. And for Vari's Jujisn—"

"Just call her Destiny," North cut in. "Makes life easier."

Tabia's crimson eyes sharpened, but she continued. "Have either of you experienced an Unraveling?"

Tinsurnae shook her head. "I'm far from one. I still need to be… more. Destiny, though…" she hesitated. "From what I saw, it's like she's holding hers back. If that's intentional or not, I don't know."

"Then," Tabia pressed, "if the Blood Prince provokes her—could that cause her to unravel?"

Silence. The air thickened. It was a good question.

North leaned back, folding his arms. "It's a risk we just have to take. Besides, you and Ozzy can be far away when I meet her. Just in case. Should be fine though." He smirked faintly. "Hopefully."

Ozzy burst out laughing. "Naw, I wanna watch!"

"Of course you do, freak," North muttered.

"I'll give the order to depart," she continued, regaining composure. "We can chain our routes together toward our objectives. But… where exactly are we going?"

North tilted his head. "I can sense Destiny. I'll guide us there. Mag's quest will lead her squad where they need to go."

"Gotcha, partna!" Ozzy beamed.

Tabia nodded crisply. "Then it's settled. Afterward, we—"

The doors slammed open. Jack strolled in, hands in his pockets, a scowl carved into his face.

"We finally attack Civen," he declared. "And all the randos who joined this event. So we can win this damn thing and move on!"

Tabia's aura spiked, the room trembling under her restrained fury. Caroline shook her head hard, shooting him a glare.

"What? Heard there was a meeting and I wasn't invited."

Ozzy only laughed, slicing the tension with ease. "Relax. I insisted on the members here. Didn't wanna bore you kid."

Jack scoffed. "Bored? That's what you think? I —

"Well you're here now so hop on in."

Jack scoffed again, taking a seat and didn't argue further.

North smirked. "He's right, though. Once I deal with Destiny, and you guys finish your upgrades and whatever else—we regroup. And fight the last boss." He thrust his fist up. "YEAH!"

"YEAH!" Ozzy echoed, dramatic as ever.

The rest of the room just stared. Disappointed.

North grinned sheepishly. "…What? Too much?"

The next few hours dissolved into preparation. Jack disappeared with Sšurtinaui. She wanted to personally speak with this "new" member. Ozzy and Tabia busied themselves with the crew, giving out orders, organizing supplies, and tightening the ship's route. Their dynamic was sharp and oddly efficient.

North returned to one of the balconies, silent against the rushing air, working to strengthen the faint thread that led him toward Destiny. He sat still, letting his Ryun align with the tug. Focus was everything now.

Caroline, however, had something else on her mind. She found Tinsurnae moving quietly through one of the side corridors. The air was hushed, the hum of the ship's Ryun engines buzzing under their feet. Caroline didn't waste time.

"Okay!" she burst out, cutting her off. "Why didn't you tell me you were you—but also the twin you? Come on, Tinny! Why is everyone being so secretive? No secrets, remember!"

Tinsurnae faltered, caught, her lips pressing thin before she sighed. "Because… because…" Her voice wavered. "It's weird, ok. On my side, it's like watching through a window and now being outside. I let him lead. Protect me. That's what he always did. I never had to carry this much weight before."

Caroline tilted her head, frowning. That way of talking—like she wasn't talking about herself—felt unsettling.

"Tinny… you don't sound fine. Can we just talk about it? You don't have to keep holding all this in. And don't feel bad about not shaking off the blade curse either. North hasn't, so it's not like you're behind." She waved her hands, rambling, trying to break through the wall. "You're still here. That's what counts. Surviving counts more than anything…right?"

Tinsurnae smiled faintly, though it was a fragile smile. "Thanks. But I'm fine. I don't need a pep talk. I already promised myself I'll be more." She took a deep, shaky breath. "We can talk about it… just not right now. Once the journey starts. It's just… a lot right now."

Caroline exhaled, trying to keep her worry hidden. "Fair. I'll wait." She grinned suddenly, leaning closer. "By the way… I might have a boyfriend."

Tinsurnae blinked—once, twice—then gasped, her green eyes wide as moons. "What?! What did I miss!?"

Caroline chuckled, heat rushing to her face as she fidgeted with her feet. Tinsurnae just stared, utterly blindsided.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

———

"You sure are tall," Jack muttered, arms crossed.

Sšurtinaui turned her gaze toward him, brows lifting. "I'm not that tall compared to others. Honestly, I'm short for an elf, all things considered."

Jack shrugged. "Guess I haven't run into many elves. At least… ones that lived long enough."

Her eyes narrowed. "Was that supposed to provoke me?"

"No. Why?"

"Seemed like that's what you were doing."

Jack scowled. "What do you want, lady?"

"I'm making sure the boy who joined our team won't be a wrench in the cog."

His fists tightened at his sides. "I'm so tired of you guys treating me like some unstable—"

"You are unstable," she cut in coolly, "but only because you're young."

Jack's face reddened. "Young?! I've done more than half of you combined! I've killed rankers who should've outclassed me, bypassed defenses people said were impossible, and every time, I've proven I'm the main character in this damn story!"

Sšurtinaui let him finish, then folded her hands together on her lap as she took a seat. "You think being the 'main character' makes you untouchable. But a protagonist isn't someone who shouts it. It's someone who adapts. Who survives not by declaration but by growth. You keep naming your feats as if they matter more than the choices that follow them. And that's why you lash out when anyone questions you."

Her words slid under his skin. Jack's aura flared, anger twisting hot in his chest. For a moment—just a moment—he entertained the thought of cutting her down right there. The image of her falling to his blade pulsed behind his eyes. But… he stopped. She hadn't spoken with venom.

"Try taking what I said instead of reacting to it," Sšurtinaui pressed, her tone calm but firm. "See where it lands instead of swinging back blindly."

Jack clenched his teeth, then exhaled through his nose. Against his instincts, he gave her words room.

She softened slightly, though her gaze didn't waver. "What's really troubling you? In our group, we have a promise—to be truthful. To be honest so that no one gets blindsided. It's the only way this works."

Jack looked away, frowning. "Truthful, huh? Then let me ask you something. Do you even like me?"

She blinked at the bluntness of it, then answered without hesitation. "I'm still deciding that."

Jack studied her aura. She wasn't lying. That realization cut sharper than her words. He let out a long sigh.

"You the mom of the group or something? Is this that trope?" He asked, smirking, trying to brush off the weight in his chest.

Sšurtinaui tilted her head, unimpressed. "Jack. I'm not an NPC. And I'm not some side character in a story. You feel isolated, and when I extend my hand, you bite it. I don't know if you were always like this or if something happened to make you this way. But I can help—if you let me. If not? Then keep walking your path alone. But you're not bringing my team with you."

He scoffed. "You think—"

"I know," she interrupted, eyes narrowing. "Though you do have promise… I can't ignore your strength. You are stronger than me. By a lot. And though—I envy your strength—

That made him pause before cutting her off. "You do?"

She nodded, calm and steady.

Jack scratched the back of his neck, thrown off. "Oh, well, don't go and do that. That's… that's side character energy."

"I have a feeling you're doing that as well," she countered smoothly. "And as you just said—that's side character energy. But like me, you are not an NPC."

He frowned, clearly lost, and she could see it all over his face.

North—for all his nonsense—turned out to be far more intelligent than she gave him credit for.

"Listen," she said, softening her voice but keeping it firm. "You're still clawing at an image of yourself that no one else can see. So let me say it in plain terms: just because you compared yourself to something and fell short doesn't mean it's the end of the world."

Jack opened his mouth to deny it, but she cut him off again.

"Grow up, Jack."

His jaw dropped. "You're… you're really mean."

"It seems you don't speak to people much in conflict," she shot back. "You need to be just as good with your words as you are with your combat. Otherwise, you'll keep losing battles you never even realize you're fighting."

Jack blinked. Then blinked again.

Wait. Wait wait.

His heart jumped. This was it. His moment.

The hot, strict elf wasn't tearing him down. She was teaching him. Guiding him.

He clenched his fist, eyes wide as the revelation lit in his head. "Duh. This is it. Main character energy. Of course."

"What?" Sšurtinaui asked, narrowing her eyes.

"Nothing… teacher."

"Teacher?!" Her voice pitched in disbelief.

He nodded eagerly, grin stretching ear to ear. "Yeah. You can help me reach my potential. The sleeping elder awakes to guide the chosen one!"

"I'm not that old and I don't need anymore "chosen" ones around!" she snapped, ears twitching.

"It's okay," Jack said with a shrug, leaning back with faux confidence. "Teach, you're still cute. And I'm the only chosen one that matters."

Sšurtinaui froze. "…What?"

Jack smirked, unbothered by her glare. "Main character needs a mentor. Sexy strict elf works well."

Her aura spiked so sharply he flinched. "Jack."

"Y-Yes, ma'am—uh, teach!"

"If you ever lump me in with your delusional tropes again, I will personally staple your mouth shut with Ryun threads."

Jack gulped, but the corner of his mouth still twitched upward. "Sounds like… my needed character development!"

She groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. "You are ridiculous…"

———

North sat cross-legged on the balcony, the wind pressing against his face as the ship drifted in the sky. He closed his eyes, steadying his breathing, the hum of the vessel settling into the back of his mind. He'd done this before, reaching for Tinsurnae across the battlefield—but this was farther, deeper, more tangled.

At first he tried the simplest method: extending his aura like a net, stretching it until his chest ached, searching for a signature that might feel like her. Nothing. His aura only snapped back against his skin, restless and unfocused. Then, he tried to picture her—her hair, her smile, that maddeningly cryptic air of hers—and pushed the memory outward with his Ryun. For a moment he thought he felt something, but it was only his own thoughts rebounding. Hard to imagine someone mainly off someone else's memories.

He tried inverting his focus, not reaching out but instead waiting, letting himself become a beacon, a still pond for ripples to find. Minutes passed, and the only thing that found him was a stray gull that squawked overhead.

As a final attempt, he attempted to replicate the paradox-dream state he felt after the guardian fight—forcing his thoughts into mirrored loops, trying to walk both paths at once. It left his head pounding, his ears ringing faintly, but no thread appeared.

North opened his eyes and cursed under his breath. "Figures. Nothing can be easy can it…"

Now that he had some down time, he couldn't stop thinking about her. Back when she left, the ships and that black knight had been in the way—at least, for lack of a better term. But now? Once he saw her, she kept looping in his head. He was pretty sure that was Jafar's doing, but either way, he needed to confront it. Running away would only lead to another meltdown. Jafar had found value in the relationship, and he needed to understand why. The answer might help him get over this….whatever this Unraveling was. He felt it in his bones, in his very—

That was when the thought hit him. His blood. Taboo, sure, but he wasn't the same green fool he had been. He wasn't going to lose himself. Not anymore. He'd grown too much. Besides, it wouldn't take much. Just a few drops.

He let instinct settle the motions. But this time, he would decide the outcome. If he felt himself splitting, he'd stop. Simple as that.

He bit his thumb—because, well, anime logic—and let a few drops well up. It didn't even hurt. He'd endured worse: bones breaking, blades sharper than any kitchen knife.

The blood hovered between his fingers as he mixed it with his Ryun. The two substances convulsed, circling and clashing, then merging into something unstable but alive. They rose in the air like glowing embers, jittering, waiting for a command.

North grinned. "Show me… B'Raixa Daqui Vari."

The mixture spasmed, twisting violently, threads flailing in every direction. The air trembled then faintly turned gold. "Oh, right." He winced. "Probably just rang the actual goddess. Whoops."

He corrected himself quickly. "I mean… Destiny Vari."

The chaos calmed at once. The blood-Ryun mixture softened, turning into pale smoke. Then, strand by strand, it condensed into a thin, steady thread that pointed into the horizon, vanishing into the distance like a trail of light only he could see.

If you want me, come earn me!

North's grin sharpened. "Found ya."

The path forward wasn't looking too bad now.

"Heyoo. You ready?"

North turned his head. Ozzy was leaned against the doorway, the faintly glowing white X carved into his forehead pulsing like a heartbeat above the blindfold. The sight still unsettled him—because somehow, it felt like those covered eyes were on par with his own. He realized he hadn't even named his eyes yet, and "sigil eyes" sounded stupid. Plus, he barely used them. So it was something to worry about later.

"Yeah," North said, pushing himself to his feet. "Let's get a move on. Before—"

"A toaster goes pop," Ozzy cut in cheerfully.

North broke into laughter despite himself. "Haha… Ozzy, please shut up."

They started walking side by side, the ship humming faintly beneath their feet as the halls stretched ahead. For once, North didn't feel weighed down by uncertainty or dread. His chest felt lighter, his stride stronger.

He smiled to himself. The last time he'd felt this good was back during the evaluation—when that assurance boost had surged through him right before he'd joined the Fortune Holder. Back when he made a Supreme Family kneel, when the only thing that mattered was not standing out.

And this time, maybe… just maybe, he'd step forward without stumbling.

———

Ten fleets—each carrying over five hundred mortal beings—drifted toward the city. The night sky between them pulsed with restless energy, banners and Ryun steel cutting through the haze.

Every vessel, every soldier, received the same message. Not just from the systems, but the gods they served once they entered the towers.

The warning was clear.

As fate also had it. Many of the fleets that had entered already lay scattered. Burned out wreckages. Some had fallen to the Blood Prince and his new allies—the enigmatic Occulted Moon. Others had been consumed by something far worse.

A third force. A force that spared no one.

The Land's Herald. Death embodied, a creature whose very presence screamed with the grief and injustice of the soil itself. In its wake, more than half of the would-be executioners who sought to slay the Unraveling were simply gone.

And so, when the call for alliance spread, it was answered in droves. It would be foolish to ignore it.

Three great names bound the fleets together. Civen, the Flayer of Three Rivers—Caelus, the Calmbrand—Eirian, the Blade of the Dawn. Their armies swelled the numbers, boosting the coalition into the tens of thousands. Natives, Freelancers, and Outlanders all bound by one simple cause:

To slaughter the Jujisns.

To humble the Supremes.

To mock even Kings.

And so they flew. A pilgrimage of resolve and banners streaking toward Veltrisse.

And once they landed, they would push forward the Folklore that their gods said would bless them all.

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