SeventhSight waited outside the Chronosphere chamber, lost in thought. He knew what the UN would want to do with Erebus, and he knew what he wanted to do. He wanted to save him, but the UN would likely want him dead. Could he really bring himself to do it? SeventhSight leaned against the wall, his eyes drifting to the floor as his mind wrestled with the moral dilemma. His hand instinctively went to his pocket, where he kept a small, worn photo of him and Erebus, taken during their first successful mission together. The memory of Erebus’s bright smile and triumphant laugh flooded his mind, and for a moment, he forgot about the monster his friend had become.
His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the doors sliding open, the soft hiss of the airlock releasing its seal. The lights above the doors flickered slightly as the chamber equalized pressure with the outside. Aria stepped out, her expression grim, her eyes red from fatigue, dark circles etched beneath them like bruises. She took a deep breath, her shoulders sagging as she let it out, the weight of her responsibilities bearing down on her like a physical force.
She looked up, her gaze meeting SeventhSight’s, and for a moment, they just stared at each other, the only sound the soft hum of the facility’s systems. Then Aria spoke, her voice low and even, “Everything looks good here. Let’s head back to the Liberty Express and get back to the UN. We have a lot to discuss with the council about Erebus, the Sons of Ishmael, and the Carrionborn epidemic that’s spreading fast. We need to come up with a plan to stop it before it’s too late.
SeventhSight nodded, his expression grim, as he followed Aria back to the Liberty Express, the sleek train that would take them back to the UN. As they walked through the quiet streets of New Eden, the soft glow of the streetlights casting long shadows behind them, Aria turned to SeventhSight, her eyes searching his face. It had been a long time since they’d been alone like this, and SeventhSight could sense the unspoken questions hanging in the air between them.
Aria spoke first, her voice barely above a whisper, as if she feared being overheard. “SeventhSight, can I ask you something? Do you ever think about Elyria? About us, back then?” Her words hung in the air, like a challenge, or a promise, and SeventhSight felt his heart quicken, his mind racing with memories of their childhood, of laughter and adventure, of first love and heartbreak.
SeventhSight looked away, his eyes drifting to the ground, as if the memories were too much to bear. But then he looked back at Aria, his expression softening, his voice low and husky as he replied, “All the time, Aria. I think about it all the time. I think about you, and me, and what we had. What we lost.”
Aria’s eyes locked onto his, her gaze burning with a fire that SeventhSight hadn’t seen in years. She took a step closer to him, her voice barely above a whisper, “Do you ever wonder what would have happened if we had stayed together? If we had never left Elyria?”
SeventhSight’s heart was pounding in his chest now, his mind reeling with the what-ifs of their past. He took a step closer to Aria, his voice low and rough, “Every day, Aria. Every single day. I wonder what our life would be like, if we had grown up together, if we had built a life together. Would we have had kids? Would we have traveled the world? Would we have changed the world together? The thoughts swirled in his mind like a maelstrom, pulling him under with their intensity. He looked at Aria, really looked at her, taking in the curve of her jaw, the sparkle in her eyes, the softness of her lips. He felt like he was drowning in her gaze, like he was being pulled back in time to a place where they were young and in love, with their whole lives stretching out before them like a blank canvas waiting to be filled.
Aria’s eyes locked onto his, and for a moment, they just stared at each other, the past hanging in the air between them like a challenge. Then Aria spoke, her voice soft and nostalgic, “Do you remember that summer we spent at the lake? The one where Eliana taught us how to sail?” SeventhSight smiled, the memory flooding back to him like a warm wave. He remembered the feel of the sun on his skin, the wind in his hair, the sound of Aria’s laughter as she splashed in the water. He remembered the way Eliana had watched over them, her eyes warm with a love that was both fierce and gentle.
As they boarded the train and found their seats, Aria turned to SeventhSight, her eyes sparkling with memories. “And what about the time we tried to catch the moonfish? Eliana had to save us from drowning when the boat tipped over!” SeventhSight chuckled, the sound low and rough. He remembered the way Aria’s hair had looked, slicked back and dripping with water, her eyes shining with mischief. He remembered the way Eliana had scolded them, her voice firm but her eyes warm with amusement.
The train rumbled to life beneath them, the scenery outside blurring together as they picked up speed. SeventhSight turned to Aria, his expression serious. “Aria, can I ask you something? Do you think Eliana’s plan to save Erebus will work?” Aria’s smile faltered, and she looked away, her voice barely above a whisper, “I don’t know, SeventhSight. I want to believe it will, but…Erebus has been gone for so long. I’m not sure what’s left of him to save.”
SeventhSight nodded, his expression grim. He knew what Aria said was true. Erebus had been consumed by the darkness for so long, it was hard to imagine anything of the man he once was still remained. But he had to hold onto hope. He had to believe that Eliana’s plan would work, that they could save Erebus and restore balance to the world. The train slowed, pulling into the station with a soft hiss of brakes. SeventhSight stood, offering Aria his hand. We should get back to the meeting. The council will be waiting for us.
Aria took his hand, her touch sending a spark of electricity through him. He led her off the train, through the bustling station, and back to the UN headquarters. The building loomed before them, its sleek glass and steel exterior reflecting the darkening sky like a mirror. They walked through the doors, into the familiar chaos of the UN hallways. People rushed past them, talking into comms devices or hurrying to meetings. SeventhSight and Aria walked through it all, their faces grim, their hearts heavy with the weight of their mission. They reached the meeting room, the door guarded by two heavily armed soldiers. One of them stepped forward, blocking their path. SeventhSight recognized him as one of the men who had been with them on the mission to the underground city.
The soldier’s face was grim, his eyes narrowed as he looked at SeventhSight and Aria. But then his expression changed, a flicker of recognition crossing his face. He nodded, stepping aside to let them pass. SeventhSight and Aria walked into the meeting room, the door closing behind them with a soft click. The room was dimly lit, the only light coming from a holographic display projected above the table. The display showed a map of the world, with several locations highlighted in red. The table was surrounded by people, their faces familiar to SeventhSight. There was President Thompson of the United States, his face lined with age and stress. Next to him stood the Russian president, her eyes cold and calculating. Across from them were the Chinese and European presidents, their expressions grim. At the far end of the table stood Eliana, her eyes fixed on SeventhSight and Aria as they entered. President Thompson looked up, his eyes locking onto them. He stood, his voice booming across the room. “Welcome back, SeventhSight, Aria. We’ve received your report. We need to discuss the next course of action.”
Leave a comment