The next day ca faster than I expected.
Maybe it was because I barely slept, or maybe it was because everything had started to feel like borrowed ti. Either way, morning arrived with a dull ache behind my eyes and a list of things I needed to finish before we crossed back to Aetherfall.
Kyren was already awake.
When I stepped out of my room, I found him sitting on the couch with his legs stretched out, handheld console balanced lazily on his stomach, one arm tucked behind his head. He looked relaxed, like this was just another day and not the last ti he’d be living a normal life in this world.
"You’re up early," I muttered.
Kyren glanced at and grinned. "You weren’t exactly quiet pacing around all night."
I ignored that and grabbed my jacket. "We have a lot to do today. School first. Then the doctor."
He groaned dramatically but didn’t argue, which already told sothing was off.
The walk to his forr school was quiet. It was a small private academy affiliated with the religious orphanage he’d stayed at, modest but well-kept, with clean grounds and banners fluttering in the morning breeze. Kids were already arriving, laughing, complaining, dragging their bags behind them like this was the most important inconvenience of their lives.
Kyren slowed for half a step when we reached the gate.
I noticed.
"You don’t have to say anything if you don’t want to," I told him.
Kyren shrugged. "It’s fine. I wasn’t planning to co back anyway."
We handled the paperwork quickly. Formal withdrawal. Guardianship confirmation. A few looks of surprise from staff mbers who clearly hadn’t expected this outco, especially not so suddenly. Kyren answered their questions politely, casually, like this was sothing he’d already decided long ago.
When we stepped back outside, the school bell rang behind us.
That Chapter was closed.
Next was the clinic.
Dr. Elias Hartmann’s office was exactly as I rembered it. Clean, sterile, and faintly slling of antiseptic and artificial citrus. The kind of place that tried too hard to feel comforting. Kyren disappeared into the examination room without complaint, leaving alone with my thoughts in the waiting area.
When Dr. Hartmann ca out to greet , he looked older than I rembered. Or maybe I just saw him differently now.
"Mr. Finley," he greeted warmly. "And this must be your brother."
"Adopted," I clarified automatically although I don’t an anything bad about it.
He nodded, already flipping through Kyren’s file. "Yes. I was inford."
While Kyren underwent his check-up, I asked Dr. Hartmann to look at my eyes as well. It felt pointless, considering everything I’d been through, but so habits die hard.
He examined carefully, shining light, asking routine questions, nodding as if everything was normal.
"They’re stable," he said finally. "No deterioration. No visible problem."
I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. "Thank you."
Then, before I could stop myself, the words slipped out.
"Also... thank you. For Ms. Ultima."
Dr. Hartmann blinked. "I’m sorry?"
I frowned slightly. "Before my initiate crossing. When I ca here asking about my eyes. You whispered sothing to her. That’s how she noticed , right? That’s how she helped ."
Confusion crossed his face, genuine and imdiate.
"I think you’re mistaken," he replied carefully.
I stared at him. "I saw it. You leaned in. You said sothing. After that, she looked at differently."
Dr. Hartmann shook his head slowly. "I knew Madison was planning to cross that day. I did not know you were."
I felt my stomach sink with that realization. He was right.
"There was no reason for to suggest anything," he continued. "At that ti, you were just another patient. I had no knowledge of your intent to cross, let alone of what would happen to you afterward."
"That doesn’t make sense," I muttered.
"It may not," he agreed gently. "But I can assure you, I did not orchestrate anything. But if she did helped you, then it’s good right?"
I nodded, but before I could ask further, the door opened.
Kyren stepped out, hands in his pockets, looking bored.
"Done," he announced. "Everything’s good. Apparently, I’m annoyingly healthy."
Dr. Hartmann smiled faintly. "He’s perfectly fine. Exceptional, even."
The conversation stopped there.
I thanked the doctor again, this ti for Kyren’s check-up and for confirming my own condition. He still looked confused about my earlier question but didn’t push it. Instead, he simply smiled and reminded us both to take care of ourselves.
As we walked out, sothing gnawed at the back of my mind.
If Dr. Hartmann hadn’t pointed Madison toward , then why had she helped at all?
Pity didn’t fit her. Curiosity maybe, but even that felt incomplete. I’d asked her before, directly, and she’d dodged the question with that quiet, infuriating calm of hers.
I didn’t have an answer.
The rest of the day passed in fragnts.
We visited the religious orphanage next. Kyren said his goodbyes quickly. No tears. No dramatic farewells. Just polite nods and brief smiles. Still, I could tell they were genuinely good people. I doubted Kyren would have even bothered to say goodbye if they had treated him poorly during his stay.
The staff seed relieved more than anything, though there was a sadness in their eyes, the kind reserved for kids who were leaving sowhere familiar for sothing unknown.
By the ti we got ho, the sun was already starting to dip.
We packed in silence.
Kyren didn’t bring much. A few clothes. His console. A couple of personal items he refused to explain. I packed only what mattered, everything else already stored safely in my magical belt bag.
That night, as I lay awake staring at the ceiling, my thoughts kept circling back.
Madison Ultima. Aetherfall. Kyren. The crossing tomorrow.
Nothing felt settled. Nothing ever did.
And yet, for the first ti since my parents died, I wasn’t alone.
I didn’t know if that made things easier or harder.
But tomorrow, we would cross together.
And whatever waited for us on the other side, I knew one thing for certain.
There was no turning back now.
~~~
We prepared to leave early the next morning.
There was a strange quietness in the apartnt, the kind that only shows up when you know you are about to step into sothing irreversible. I moved through the rooms thodically, checking what little I still needed to bring, even though most of my belongings were already secured inside my magical belt bag. Old habits from my world clung stubbornly, even when they no longer made much sense.
Kyren, on the other hand, looked entirely too relaxed.
He sat cross-legged on the couch, his handheld gaming device balanced in his hands, fingers moving quickly as familiar sounds filled the room. I paused in the doorway, staring at it longer than necessary.
"Why are you bringing that?" I asked, finally breaking the silence. "It’s not like there’s electricity in Aetherfall. Not the kind that works with that thing, anyway."
Kyren didn’t even look up. "I’m bringing a solar charger."
I frowned. "A solar charger won’t be enough to keep that thing alive."
He glanced at then, eyes bright, expression almost amused. "Who said that? There are pocket solar chargers with enough capacity to last weeks. You just haven’t kept up."
I rubbed my temple. "Even if you manage that, there’s no internet. Your online gas won’t even load."
Kyren smirked. "I’m still connected to our world’s System. That’s basically the sa as being connected to all the players running the sa ga."
I stared at him for a long second before letting out a slow breath. "I don’t even want to know anymore."
He laughed softly. "You’re only twenty-one, but you sound like you’re ten decades older than ."
I didn’t bother replying. So argunts simply weren’t worth the effort.
By midmorning, we were already on our way to the initiate crossing site.
The place was more crowded than I rembered.
Dozens of people gathered near the entrance, so in groups, so alone, all wearing variations of excitent, anxiety, or forced bravado. The structure itself hadn’t changed. A clean, controlled space overseen by Realm Union representatives, designed to handle the movent between worlds without unnecessary spectacle.
Before stepping too far in, I approached one of the representatives and explained that I wouldn’t be using my previously granted return authorization. I clarified Kyren’s situation as well, that he would be crossing as an initiate under my guardianship.
The representative listened carefully, reviewed my information, and nodded. After a brief check, he granted the necessary clearance without fuss.
When I returned to Kyren’s side, he was already scanning the crowd with open curiosity.
"There are more people than last ti," I murmured.
"Yeah?" he replied, not sounding worried at all. "That just makes it more interesting."
I studied his expression. "Are you nervous?"
Kyren looked at as if the thought had never crossed his mind. "Not really. I’m really excited though."
I didn’t know whether to admire that confidence or worry about it.
We stayed near the back, avoiding attention. Or at least, that was the plan.
"Theo? Theo Finley?"
I turned at the sound of my na.
Three familiar faces stood a few steps away.
Calanthe Bertram was at the front, just as I rembered her. Long wavy light brown hair fell over her shoulders, catching the light, and her green eyes sparkled with the sa effortless confidence she’d always had. Behind her were Mira and Ethan, standing close, both looking curious rather than hostile.
I felt a quiet tightening in my chest.
Out of reflex, I borrowed Kyren’s Observer ability, just for a mont.
Calanthe’s stats appeared clearly.
Strength: 19
Vitality: 16
Agility: 24
Dexterity: 25
Intelligence: 40
Luck: 45
It was an impressive spread for soone who hadn’t crossed yet. People born with stats like these were usually regarded as promising even before stepping into Aetherfall.
Mira and Ethan’s numbers were slightly lower but still solid.
They had never been bullies. Not exactly. They were the type who looked away, stayed silent, and focused on their social circles rather than getting involved. That kind of neutrality could still hurt, but I had learned to live with it.
Calanthe smiled warmly. "I didn’t expect to see you here so soon. It was only about two weeks ago that I heard from one of our professors why you couldn’t attend the graduation ceremony, so I ended up giving the speech."
I returned her greeting politely and apologized for putting her in that situation. Then I gestured to Kyren. "This is my brother by the way, Kyrene Finley."
Mira tilted her head, studying . "You look... different."
Ethan nodded. "Yeah. You stand straighter. And you actually look people in the eye now instead of hiding behind your hair."
Calanthe chuckled lightly. "He’s already crossed. That’s probably why. Confidence suits you." She paused, eyes lingering. "I just didn’t expect your eyes to be brown. I thought they’d be lighter."
Mira and Ethan leaned in slightly. "So how is it there?" Ethan asked, barely hiding his excitent.
I hesitated. "It’s hard to explain honestly, until you experience it."
"Fair enough," Ethan replied quickly, clearly satisfied.
Mira smiled. "I heard there’s always so kind of team. It would be great if we could all form one. We’d have a terrain and area advantage with you around."
Calanthe frowned at her. "That’s not very nice. You shouldn’t talk about using people like that Mira."
Ethan shrugged. "We’re not using him. He probably needs our help too. You know what I an."
He glanced pointedly at .
Mira laughed, then quickly covered her mouth and offered an apology. "Sorry. I didn’t an it like that."
Calanthe’s gaze flicked to my neck. "His status has probably improved already. Look, he’s marked."
"Oh right," Mira said, nodding, though there was still a trace of amusent in her eyes. "Sorry about that."
I stayed quiet.
I was used to this. And honestly, I didn’t have the energy to correct them or defend myself. Everything that had happened since my parents’ death, everything I had experienced in Aetherfall, had shifted my priorities. Proving sothing to people like this no longer mattered.
Kyren, however, looked thoroughly unimpressed.
"We don’t need your help," he cut in sharply. "My brother and I can cross just fine on our own. You’d just slow us down."
Ethan scoffed. "You little brat. Us? A burden?"
Mira blinked in surprise. "I never imagined you’d have a sibling this... different from you, Theo."
Calanthe smiled gently at Kyren. "It would be nice if we all went together, but if you prefer to be alone, that’s fine." She softened her voice. "And don’t mind them. They’re just jealous. Your brother was a great student, and now he’s already a marked crosser."
Kyren stared at her, blinked once, then shrugged. "Whatever."
Ethan bristled. "Hey. You don’t talk to her like that."
Kyren tilted his head. "Why? Who is she anyway?"
Ethan straightened. "Her big brother is one of the highest-tier Realm Crossers on our planet, and they’re important people."
Kyren shrugged again. "So? I don’t care."
Ethan’s expression darkened. He reached out and roughly ruffled Kyren’s hair.
Before Kyren could react, I grabbed Ethan’s wrist.
I didn’t an to squeeze as hard as I did.
"You’re not allowed to do that," I said calmly, though my voice was colder than usual.
Ethan struggled. "Oi, let go."
I tightened my grip just a fraction more before releasing him. Then I turned back to Calanthe, offering a polite nod. "We’ll register as family and cross as a duo. Take care."
Without waiting for a response, I guided Kyren away.
Behind us, Ethan muttered angrily, Mira looked stunned, and Calanthe smiled quietly, murmuring sothing about how I’d finally found my footing.
I didn’t look back.
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