Chapter 24: Arrival

The sky above Luria was pale, washed of color. A soft, cold light fell over the city, glinting faintly off the broken stone that still lay scattered in the streets. But most of it was already gone. Already rebuilt. The people of Luria moved quietly through their morning, hands stained with dust and sweat as they lifted stones back into place, patched walls, and restored bridges that had been torn apart just days before. Water users smoothed cracked stone with careful streams. Earth users raised pillars that had fallen in battle. Wind users cleared the smoke and dust that still hung in the air, revealing sharp blue skies that hadn't been seen in days.

Sen stood at the burial site just beyond the walls of Luria, where the ground sloped gently toward the river. Dain stood at his side, his arms folded, his expression tight and unreadable. Yerah was on Sen’s other side, her hands clasped in front of her. Shera knelt at the foot of the grave, her shoulders shaking with sobs she didn’t bother to hide. Makota knelt beside her, his hand on her back, but his head was bowed and his own tears streaked down his face. Neither spoke. Only wept. Zarnem stood slightly apart from them all. His posture was rigid, but his head was lowered. Even now, with his bruises still healing, he seemed like stone. Ira’s grave was one of many. Freshly dug earth, marked with simple stones, lined the clearing. The soldiers of Luria had stood in quiet formation earlier that morning. Now only a few remained. Priests draped in pale robes, heads bowed as they murmured prayers to Yeshma. Their voices were low and smooth, a soft current running beneath the still air.

Lessa stood behind them, watching. She wore complete black. Her arms were folded, her sharp gaze resting on the graves, but her expression was unreadable. The priests finished their prayers. One by one, they lowered the simple markers into place, marking each grave with careful hands. They spoke no names. There were no names to give. Ira’s grave had no inscription. None of them did. The final shovel of earth was dropped into Ira’s grave. Makota let out a sharp, shuddering breath. Shera wiped her face and stood slowly, leaning on him as she did. The others stayed where they were.

Sen’s eyes didn’t leave the ground. Yerah glanced at him once, then back at the grave. Dain remained stoic. It was over. The battle. The burials. It was all over.

Lessa stepped forward.

Lessa: Oh, people of Luria, look around you. Yesterday, it shook beneath the weight of death. These skies burned, and the walls we built to protect us were torn apart. And you stood. Our soldiers, every man and woman who raised their weapons, who braced their shields, who fought beside strangers and friends, you did not run. You proved to this world that Luria does not fall. You proved that we rebuild. You proved that we survive. Luria stands today because of you, and it will stand tomorrow because of you. Those who gave their lives here deserve more than silence. They deserve our vow, that what they fought for will be protected. You honor them by living. You honor them by standing when everything tries to knock you down, and we do not stand alone. There are those who came from beyond our walls. From far away. They stood with us when they could have turned away. They bled for us. They buried their own beside ours, and they asked for nothing in return. Sen. Dain. Yerah. Shera. Makota. Zarnem. Clyden’s soldiers. You are far from home. But know this… Luria is your home now. You are part of this land. And when history remembers this day, it will remember you standing beside us. We are grateful. And we do not forget.

Lessa stepped down as the people sang. She joined with Sen and his group.

Zarnem: That was quite different.

Lessa: Oh?

Zarnem: I’ve never seen you so professional.

Lessa: Oh, cute Zarnem. I’m a queen.

Zarnem: Right. So, what now?

Lessa: Oh, we meet at the courtyard again. This time, I’ll have more soldiers and guards keeping an eye out for any intruders. From there, we can open the gate again and release the barrier to Krutone.

Zarnem: When are we meeting?

Lessa: Oh, we should meet there soon to get things going. Let me give a few more orders to my soldiers first. Perhaps we meet in the next fifteen minutes to half hour?

Zarnem: That sudden?

Lessa: Oh, did you want to stay longer?

Zarnem: No. We’ll all meet there soon.

Zarnem turns to the crew nodding and they affirmed a nod back.

Zarnem: Yes. We’ll be there in at least half an hour.

Lessa: Oh, good. And by the way. I got to speak to President Kyto. He’ll be waiting for you when you enter Krutone. I’m sure you’re looking forward to seeing him again.

Zarnem: Understood. Thank you, and I’ll see you there.

As time passed, people resumed rebuilding their homes. Makota and Shera drifted away from the gravesite in silence. Her hand found his without searching, their fingers lacing together automatically as they walked.

Makota: We lost Fex… and we lost Ira…

Shera: They did so much to help us grow.

Makota: And now they’re gone…

Shera: I’m going to kill whoever did this to Ira.

Makota: Yeah. We’ll get the bastard together.

Zarnem stood near the edge of the courtyard, his arms folded, his gaze fixed on the sealed gates in front of them. The quiet stretched between him and Lessa, broken only by the faint whisper of wind winding. Lessa stood a few paces away. Eventually, she exhaled softly and stepped closer to Zarnem.

Lessa: Oh, it really is great to see how much you’ve grown.

Zarnem: And you look like you haven’t aged in decades.

Lessa: Oh, thank you. Thank you. Will you visit your mother when you return?

Zarnem didn’t answer.

Lessa: Oh, if you do, tell her I said hi. We have so much history together as you know. Unless, you’re still upset with her?

Zarnem: I don’t grudge.

Lessa: Oh, liar. I get it. She found another man. Can you blame her though? You wanted her to stay alone?

Zarnem: It’s not just that.

Lessa: Oh, then what?

Zarnem: It’s how fast she moved on.

Lessa: Oh, well, with a body like that, I don’t blame her. She had to use what she had while she could. Now she’s old. How long will you grudge for?

Zarnem: I said I don’t grudge.

Lessa: Oh, sweet boy, but you do. She’s old and you still haven’t taken the time to visit her. Where is she now? In a retirement home? Do you think your father—

Zarnem: Don’t fucking go there.

Lessa: Oh, scary.

Zarnem: You tried sleeping with my mother while she was with my dad. You disrespected our home even when I was a child.

Lessa: Oh, yes, yes. I know. I almost had her you know?

Zarnem rolled his eyes and sighed deeply.

Lessa: Oh, but she was into muscle men like your daddy… and her other man too. Haha.

Zarnem: Ok, I’m done with this talk.

Lessa: Oh, come on. All I’m saying is, I know we have history. But if it’s one thing I would hate to see is your mother on her death bed, never knowing how great her son ever was, just because she found love. Yes, it was two weeks after your father died, but still.

Zarnem stayed silent.

Lessa: Oh, sweet boy. I remember when you were just born. Sometimes Jezra would ask me to pick you up from school. And you’ve grown to be such a great man. I know you hate when I say his name… but Zash would be so proud of you.

Zarnem’s jaw flexed.

Lessa: Oh, how he would be so happy to know you became a Krutonian captain. Anyways, I’ll see you in a week or two.

Zarnem: I will?

Lessa: Oh, yes. There’s a summit to be held. The world leaders need to figure out what we’re going to do about these Zagons. It also helps that you mentioned Penim, Zan and Sicrus. All the world leaders know, and it seems like some of us have plans on how to deal with it. You should report to Kyto first of course since you have more details.

Zarnem: Any exact date?

Lessa: Oh, you know how we work. Sometimes we don’t even know what we’re doing tomorrow. All I know is that it’s sometime next week or two. So, maybe I’ll see you there.

Zarnem stood in silence long after Lessa walked away, his gaze fixed on the ground where her footsteps had faded. The weight of her words hung heavy in his chest, but he pushed it down like he always did. He exhaled slowly, squaring his shoulders, then turned toward the gates of Krutone, pondering.

Sen and Dain stood near the edge of the courtyard, away from the steady flow of soldiers and workers rebuilding the walls. Dain leaned back against the cool stone, arms crossed, watching the sky with a faint squint.

Dain (low): Peace and quiet. Almost feels wrong, huh?

Sen gave a faint nod, his gaze distant. He wasn’t really listening. His eyes drifted across the courtyard, where Yerah sat alone on a low stone wall, her shoulders hunched, staring at the ground. Dain followed his line of sight but didn’t say anything. After a moment, he bumped Sen lightly with his elbow.

Dain (quiet): You alright?

Sen didn’t look away.

Sen (soft): Yeah… I’m fine.

But he didn’t move toward her. He stayed where he was, hands loose at his sides, as the quiet stretched between them. Sen and Dain then sat near one of the broken archways overlooking the river, the distant sounds of Luria’s rebuilding humming quietly behind them. The light breeze stirred loose dust in faint spirals at their feet. Dain rested back on his elbows, his gaze fixed on the clouds, while Sen leaned forward with his arms braced on his knees, his eyes unfocused.

Sen: Hey, Dain?

Dain shifted, glancing at him.

Dain: What’s up, man?

Sen hesitated, tapping his fingers absently against his knee.

Sen: So… when I went after Yerah… in that fight…

Dain: Mm-hm?

Sen exhaled through his nose, shoulders lifting with the breath.

Sen: She…

Dain: What?

Sen took a slight breath, his gaze dropping to his hands.

Sen: She kissed me…

Dain blinked, then sat up straighter, his brows climbing.

Dain: What?

Sen: Yeah.

Dain’s mouth opened in disbelief.

Dain: In the middle of a fight?

Sen: No! After!

Dain: Right!

Sen huffed, shaking his head.

Sen: Dude… Anyways. It happened.

Dain: And then what?

Sen’s hands tightened into a loose fist.

Sen: I dunno… I pulled away.

Dain: I saw you carrying her though.

Sen shrugged lightly.

Sen: Yeah… back to safety.

Dain: But did you say anything to her?

Sen shook his head, staring out over the river.

Sen: No. I didn’t know what to say. Not after what happened before we got here.

Dain: You mean when you opened up to her?

Sen: Yeah…

Dain: So…

Sen raised an eyebrow.

Sen: So… what?

Dain: So… do you want to pursue it?... her?

Sen went still. His jaw tightened, and his fingers relaxed on his knee. He thinks.

Dain waited, watching him carefully.

Dain: You hesitate…

Sen: I don’t know.

Dain: What do you mean?

Sen rubbed the back of his neck, glancing away.

Sen: I don’t know. I should, shouldn’t I?

Dain: I mean, I think so? Like, I get why you might not want to. She pretty much rejected you even though she didn’t say anything. Are you offended?

Sen was quiet for a few beats. His eyes narrowed slightly as he thought.

Sen: I don’t know. I mean, I still ran after her to help fight.

Dain: Yeah, you totally ditched me for her, dude.

Sen gave him a flat look.

Sen: Stop it. I knew you were going to handle that one easily. You’re Dain.

Dain grinned wide, pounding a fist lightly against his chest with his arms slightly flexed.

Dain: Yeah, I know!

Sen rolled his eyes.

Dain: So, what now? Are you going to talk to her about it? Have you spoken to her about it yet?

Sen: No. And I’m not even sure what to say.

Dain nudged him with his elbow, leaning in a little.

Dain: Just bring it up.

Sen blinked.

Sen: What!?

Dain: Yeah, just bring it up. She’s probably feeling just as embarrassed.

Sen sighed, staring at the cracked stone beneath his boots.

Sen: I don’t know though.

Dain: Well, go know then.

Sen glanced at him, frowning.

Sen: Like, was it out of love?... Or was it just because I saved her?

Dain tilted his head.

Dain: How did you save her? Was it bad?

Sen ran a hand through his hair.

Sen: Yeah… she was going to get crushed, but I managed to turn everything around in time. And something inside woke up.

Dain leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees now, genuinely curious.

Dain: Explain?

Sen’s gaze darkened slightly, his voice lower.

Sen: When I heard her scream… No, when I heard her cry, I didn’t care about anything anymore. I felt… dark.

Dain: How do you feel dark? As in you—

Sen cut in, his fingers curling tightly.

Sen: Cold. I only wanted to save her… I think…

Dain: So, you do still care about her in that way.

Sen: I guess so.

Dain clapped him on the back with a grin.

Dain: Then you should go talk to her. Unless you plan on waiting a long time again.

Sen sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly.

Sen: It’s not that.

Dain: Then what is it?

Sen: I get this sense of… everything is falling apart.

Dain nodded solemnly.

Dain: It’s war.

Sen: Yeah… but I mean like, there’s this other thing I wanted to mention.

Dain: What’s up?

Sen: The guy I was fighting… He said Aku.

Dain’s expression hardened, his grin fading.

Dain: Oh damn…

Sen: Yeah… It’s like… we’re patching cracks in something that’s already falling apart. And I don’t know where I fit in all of it… I’m questioning things…

Dain: What kind of things?

Sen: Who am I?

There was a beat of silence between them. The wind gently drifted by.

Dain: Well, in my book, you’re Sen.

Sen didn’t respond right away.

Dain: And as far as I know, your name was never Aku.

Sen: Is Aku someone I’m supposed to know?

Dain: Maybe. Maybe we’ll find answers in Krutone.

Sen: Yeah… I suppose. Anyways, that’s why I’m hesitating with Yerah.

Dain exhaled slowly, giving a small nod.

Dain: I see.

Sen: Yeah… I have this uncertainty about what’s happening. What’s going to unfold when we get into Krutone? Am I ready? Or more so, am I in a place to give myself to someone else, like Yerah?

Sen sighed.

Sen: And how am I supposed to expect her to trust me… if I don’t even know who I am?

Dain smiled faintly, leaning back again.

Dain: Ahh. I get you. It doesn’t have to be serious, you know.

Sen frowned.

Sen: What do you mean?

Dain: Just stay friends. Don’t be distant with her. You were friends before you mentioned how you felt about her. Just go back to that.

Sen gave him a flat look.

Sen: Oh yeah, totally. Let me just pretend like nothing happened between us.

Dain laughed, nudging him again.

Dain: Exactly!

Sen shoved his shoulder with a groan.

Sen: Dude, shut up.

Dain: I’m serious!

Sen: No you aren’t!

Dain: I am!

Sen shook his head, but there was a faint smirk tugging at his lips.

Dain: It’s good for teamwork too. We all gotta get along. Just look at how well Shera and Makota do together.

Sen: They’re a couple.

Dain: Ok, and? You and I work incredibly well together, and we’re friends. It’s not about being in a romantic relationship. Just be friends!

Sen sighed, but this time, he gave a small nod.

Sen: Yeah, I guess.

Dain: Have you told anyone else about this?

Sen: About what? Aku? Yerah?

Dain: All of it.

Sen: No. No one.

Dain: Will you?

Sen: No.

Dain tilted his head.

Dain: Why?

Sen sighed.

Sen: Because I don’t trust anyone.

Dain: But you trust me, right?

Sen: Obviously, since you’re the only one that knows.

Dain: Got it. Just making sure.

Sen: The people we’re up against. Sicrus. Penim. Zan. And whoever else in that group… They look sort of disorganized, right? From the way they were in Allatora.

Dain: Yeah. They don’t seem to get along.

Sen began tapping on his knees.

Sen: True. Well, at least they’re transparent with each other, right?

Dain shrugs.

Dain: We don’t know that.

Sen: Yeah… but with us, are we any different? Transparency.

A pause.

Sen: I still can’t get a good read on Zarnem. I see how he behaves with the different leaders across the places we’ve visited… Who is he? Why does everyone know him?

Dain: He’s the son of some guy named Zash.

Sen: Right. But, look at the way all these leaders talk to him. It’s like they know him at a personal level, especially Lessa. Was Zarnem really that great of a Captain in Krutone?

Dain: I guess we’ll find out when we cross over. But, you still distrust him even after he got us this far?

Sen: Yeah, I still do. Mainly because of what happened back in Allatora… how he was with the enemy. It’s like he knew them too… at a personal level. They stood there and talked until we showed up.

Dain: I see.

Sen: I could just be thinking too hard like I always do.

Dain: You’re not wrong to think this way.

Sen said nothing more back. From where they sat, they could see Zarnem, Yerah, Makota, Shera, and Lessa gathering by the gates. Dain pushed himself to his feet, stretching his arms overhead.

Dain: Well, let’s get going. It looks like we’re heading over in a bit.

Sen stood a little slower, glancing once in Yerah’s direction as she walked ahead of them.

Sen: Yeah. Sounds good.

Lessa stood near the command post, giving short, sharp instructions to her soldiers, their movements efficient as they formed ranks along the perimeter. Sen and Dain arrived.

Yerah (quickly to Sen): Hey.

Sen (nodding): Hey.

Sen continued walking forward with Dain. The group stood together in the courtyard, their shadows long in the pale afternoon light, the towering gates of Krutone rising before them. This was it. The waiting was over.

Lessa: Oh, how exciting! Are you all ready to witness the greatness of Krutone?

Zarnem: Let’s pass.

Lessa stepped forward, her black cloak trailing behind her as she approached the towering gates of Krutone. She paused for a moment, casting one last glance at Sen, her expression unreadable, before turning back to the task. With a slow, practiced motion, she raised one hand, her fingers splayed gracefully. Golden threads of Intergy sparked to life at her fingertips, twisting upward like delicate strands of silk. They spiraled higher, brightening as they gathered strength, then shot forward in thin, precise streams that snaked along the engraved lines etched deep into the iron and stone. The ancient symbols flared to life, glowing bright beneath the pulse of her energy. A low, deep hum rolled through the courtyard as the great mechanisms inside the gate stirred, gears grinding as the massive doors began to part. The sound echoed, metal shifting against metal, until the opening yawned wide, revealing the faint shimmer of Krutone’s protective barrier just beyond. Lessa lifted her other hand in tandem, her focus sharp. A second surge of Intergy leapt from her palm, this time coiling toward the barrier itself. Slowly, the barrier peeled back in a perfect circle, widening to align with the open gates. For a moment, faint arcs of light crackled along the edges where the energy thinned. Then, with a soft pulse, the breach stabilized. The path into Krutone was open.

Lessa: Oh, go ahead! Enjoy Krutone!

The group moved forward, their steps cautious at first as they crossed the threshold. The air shifted immediately once they passed through the gates, cooler and denser, humming faintly with restrained energy. The interior of Krutone’s walls was not what they expected. It was thick enough to be a tunnel. It was massive, dark, and seamless, carved with absolute precision. The stone was smooth beneath their feet, the faint glow of Intergy veins pulsing softly along the walls, illuminating their path with rhythmic flashes of light. The ceiling arched high overhead, vanishing into shadow, and the space seemed to stretch on endlessly in both directions. Dain glanced up, his brows furrowed. Zarnem took the lead without a word, his eyes sharp and focused. Sen stayed at the center of the group, his hand unconsciously flexing at his side. It felt like walking through the belly of something ancient. Step by step, they continued, the faint opening on the other side just barely visible.

Zarnem: Be ready to see an entirely new world. Nothing you’ve seen before.

Shera: How different are we talking?

Zarnem: There’s a thing we call technology. You’ll see walking machines, but those aren’t people. Instead of riding on horses, people will ride in carts that fly. There will be an abundance of restaurants like you’ve never seen before. Be careful to allow your stomachs to process the kind of foods that are there.

Makota: That’s right. Anything we should be aware of not to do?

Zarnem: Don’t go too far off on your own. Krutone is absolutely massive. It stretches farther than you think. Try to not engage with the people there. The culture is different.

Makota: How different are we talking?

Zarnem: Completely different. You’ll see when we arrive.

Dain: Will we have a place to stay?

Zarnem: Most definitely. President Kyto will give all of us a nice place. Be absolutely respectful as he’s the most powerful man alive.

Makota: Got it.

Sen: What’s the first thing we’re doing when we get there?

Zarnem: Probably settling down into our spaces first, but we’ll see. President Kyto may want to get to business right away.

Dain: How long did you live here again?

Zarnem paused, thinking about it.

Zarnem: Thirty-five years I believe. Then I settled in Clyden.

Dain looked to Sen then back to Zarnem.

Dain: Why? Why did you go to Clyden?

Zarnem paused again, thinking of an answer.

Zarnem: Personal reason.

Dain didn’t push forward with anymore questions.

As they drew closer to the far end of the tunnel, the faint hum in the walls was slowly replaced by something new. A low, rhythmic thrum reverberated through the stone beneath their feet, steady, mechanical, alive in a way they’d never felt. Then came the sounds. Strange, layered noises that none of them recognized: a deep, smooth roar as something heavy passed by, a sharp, rhythmic clicking that echoed in rapid bursts, a faint melodic chime repeating in perfect intervals. And voices. Dozens, hundreds, layered over one another, speaking through strange devices, distant yet near. The light ahead grew stronger, brighter than natural daylight, and it washed over them as they approached the tunnel’s mouth. And then they stepped through.

Krutone spread out before them, vast and alive. Towering structures of glass and metal rose in gleaming pillars that seemed to pierce the clouds, their surfaces crisscrossed with glowing veins of Intergy that pulsed in steady rhythms. Suspended rails and smooth tracks curved between the towers, carrying sleek, capsule-like vehicles that glided noiselessly through the air. Above them, larger crafts soared like silver birds, their engines humming faintly as they weaved between buildings with mechanical grace. On the ground, crowds of people moved in seamless waves, their clothes simple but refined, their eyes fixed on translucent screens suspended from their wrists or embedded in their palms. Machines walked among them. Tall, humanoid constructs of shining alloys and soft lights, their movements fluid and unnervingly human. Drones hovered quietly overhead, scanning the crowds with precise beams of light before darting away. Neon symbols and signs scrolled endlessly across the faces of buildings, casting soft blues, greens, and golds over everything. Krutone wasn’t just a city, it was a machine, breathing and thinking on a scale they couldn’t comprehend.

They all stood frozen in awe.

Makota (slowly): Holy shit…

Shera’s mouth was slightly open, her eyes wide as she turned slowly in place, taking in everything from the hovering transports to the distant whir of machines scanning the streets.

Shera: It’s like… it’s alive.

Dain let out a slow whistle, rubbing the back of his neck as he shook his head.

Dain: This is insane… I have no idea what I’m looking at.

Yerah said nothing. She stood still, her hands faintly trembling at her sides, her gaze caught between fascination and unease.

Sen’s eyes were narrowed, sharp, as he watched the machines pass by.

Sen: This is… a completely new world…

Zarnem glanced over at them briefly, his expression calm but distant, for he’d seen this a thousand times before.

The sleek, silver vehicle descended smoothly from the air, its engines humming with a soft, controlled thrum as it settled on a circular landing pad. The doors slid open, releasing a quiet hiss of pressurized air. President Kyto stepped out first, his polished shoes touching the gleaming surface with practiced ease. His suit was immaculate, dark, tailored perfectly to his form, a single platinum pin at his lapel catching the light. Behind him, four bodyguards emerged in perfect sync, their movements fluid and efficient. Kyto’s gaze swept over the group waiting for him, his expression calm and commanding. He walked forward to the group.

Kyto: Welcome to Krutone. I am President Kyto.