The morning sun had only begun to rise over Muscle City.
Golden light spilled across the towering walls as workers slowly returned to repairing the damage left behind by the invasion.
Broken towers.
Collapsed homes.
Scorched stone.
Although the city still stood...
The scars of war remained.
---
Kai stood atop the eastern wall.
The same wall where he and Chocomint had spoken beneath the full moon only hours before.
The letter rested safely inside his coat.
A cool breeze swept across the plains beyond the city.
"..."
His eyes drifted toward the endless horizon.
Somewhere beyond those lands...
Lay the headquarters of the Order.
A place he had only heard about through fragments of memories.
A place where perhaps...
Someone finally knew who he truly was.
Footsteps approached from behind.
"Already leaving?"
Kai turned.
Taai slowly walked toward him.
Bandages still wrapped around most of his upper body.
Even breathing seemed painful.
Yet his usual grin remained.
"You should still be resting."
Taai laughed.
"And miss sending off one of my students?"
Kai smiled.
"I wouldn't hear the end of it."
"Hah!"
Taai folded his arms.
"You've gotten stronger."
"...Not enough."
"No."
Taai nodded.
"Not enough."
The answer came far too quickly.
Kai looked away.
"I lost control."
"I nearly died."
Taai walked beside him until they both overlooked the vast plains.
"You did."
"..."
"But you also kept standing."
Silence settled between them.
Finally...
Taai reached into his pocket.
He tossed something toward Kai.