A few days had passed since Abell was admitted to the ic. His injuries had healed almost pletely, leaving only a few minor bruises. Astrid had been g for him throughout this time while Torin showed up to ehey did not get too close.

  One day, Astrid and Torin had gone home. His mother had stepped out with Ms. Mary t back food.

  Left alone, Abell stared at the ceiling.

  “I’ll be leaving soon.”

  He thought he’d be more excited, but he felt pretty dejected.

  “I am making the right choice, aren’t I.” he thought.

  Sunlight faded into the distance as the moon began to rise. Illuminating the toh a vibrant tone.

  “Did I e at a bad time?” a voice asked.

  Abell jumped and turo see who the voice was ing from.

  Hugo.

  “I didn’t know you could be lost in thought,” Hugo said.

  Abell frowned.

  “What’s that supposed to mean? How did you get in here anyways!?” he replied.

  “Never mind that.” Hugo shot back. “I came to tell you we’re leaving soon.”

  This information caused Abell to sit straight up.

  “How soon?”

  “I’d like to leave tomorrow, but given your injuries, we’ll go the day after.”

  Abell silently nodded his head. “Sure, that’s fine.”

  “Woah, nument back? I’d thought you’d want to leave as soon as possible.” Hugo smirked. “Having sed thoughts?”

  “No, it’s just...” Abell said.

  “Well, whatever your answer is, it doesn’t matter. You’re stuck with me.” Hugo grinned. “Meet me by the north exit in 2 days.”

  Abell gazed at him with somber eyes.

  “Okay, but where are you going?”

  “Secret business. ’t tell you." Hugo said.

  And just like that—he was gone.

  Abell decided to lie back down and rex, causing him to drift asleep.

  The ic’s main door creaked open.

  Keeko and Mary entered, carrying food. Mary set the tray down, but she focused on Keeko’s arms.

  Keeko winced while moving her arms to sit down.

  “If you don’t mind me asking, Ms. Keeko, why are you hiding your injuries?”’

  Keeko’s body stiffened. “My injuries are healed.”

  “You don’t have to act tough,” Mary replied. “Your son’s not around.

  Keeko sighed. “You're right; my arms took some damage from Abell’s Lux,” she said with her head down. “Therain from my Lux, Prismatic veil puts immerain on my body, which didn’t help either.”

  Mary’s expression softened.

  “So that’s why you retired young. Your own lux was damaging your body.”

  Keeko remained silent.

  “I’m sorry, the doctor in me came out.” Mary giggled. “But.... you know this is probably the first time you’ve opened up to me.”

  Keeko shot her a look.

  “Don’t make this weird, Mary, please.”

  “My husband’s gonna be shocked when I tell him I made friends with the ‘Iron Wall.’”

  Keeko groaned. “How do you know that niame?”

  Mary only ughed.

  “Alright, go che Abell. I’ll prepare something for your arms.”

  As she headed inside, she found him sound asleep. His breathing was steadier than the previous nights, causio smile—she couldn’t believe how far he had e.

  She sat beside him, brushing his messy hair aside to see his fabsp;

  “Genevieve... I tried to stop him, but our family ’t escape this life, we?”

  Her fingers curled against the b.

  “I hope he’ll be alright.”

  The following day, Abell woke up feeling lighter, agile, and ready to walk.

  His body still ached, but the pain from the fight was fading. However, the weight of leaving was finally settling in.

  “O day.” he thought.

  Instead of lying in bed feeling bad, he dressed, deg to explore the tow time.

  Mary greeted him as he headed to the ic's main lobby.

  “Hello, Abell, feelier?” she asked.

  Abell rotated his shoulders. “Yes, I feel better, thanks to Astrid.”

  “Ooh, only Astrid, huh?’ Mary giggled.

  “It’s not like that,” he said, dismissing the thought. “Have you seen my mom?” he asked politely.

  “Oh, Keeko, she left earlier this m. Don’t know where exactly.”

  “Hmm, okay, thanks,” he said.

  With that, he headed out to explore the town.

  He passed the training yard, the market, and the small park by the edge of town where he used to sit and think.

  Everywhere he went, things felt smaller than before.

  A familiar voice pulled him from his thoughts.

  “Abell?”

  He turo see Torin standing nearby.

  “I heard from Astrid. You’re leaving.”

  Abell nodded. “Yeah, looks like it.”

  “Welp, it’s about time; I finally be the hero Astrid needs.”

  Abell hesitated, then forced a grin.

  “Uhh yeah. You do that, I’m leaving to bee stronger.”

  Torin smirked but didn’t reply immediately.

  He cpped Abell on the back. “Mark my words, ime you e back, I’ll be strohan you.”

  Abell paused

  “Wait, did you ask Hugo about ing with us?” he asked.

  However, Torin turned away—tinuing to walk.

  “What do you think, Abell?” he faced back, teary-eyed.

  “We’ll meet again when I'm stronger.”

  Abell remained silent.

  “I’ll see you then, Torin.”

  As Abell tihrough town, he passed a familiar vendor’s stall where he used to buy snacks after training.

  The vendor waved.

  Abell nodded back but didn’t stop.

  His gaze drifted to the statue of the Liberator, t in the ter of town—a silent reminder of the past.

  He stared at it momentarily, feeling a tightness in his chest.

  Then, he turned away.

  “ABELL!”

  A slight blur shot toward him before crashing into his leg.

  Misha.

  The kid g to him, eyes wide with panibsp;

  “Is it true?! You’re leaving?!”

  Abell sighed. “Misha, get off me. You’re ruining my pants.”

  “But you’re leaving?” Misha’s voice wavered. “Are you mad at me for calling you a coward st time?”

  Abell shook his head. “No. I have to train harder, that’s all.”

  Misha sniffled. “But who’s gonna watch me train?!

  Abell opened his mouth—but hesitated. Misha’s grip tightened for just a sed before he abruptly let go.

  “You ’t leave. I won’t accept it!” And then, he ran off.

  Abell watched him disappear into the streets, silent.

  “Stubborn brat.”

  Abell exhaled, running a hand through his hair.

  As the day winded, Abell looked around for his mother, but she was o be found. Giving up his chase, he decided to go to the one pce he knew would be the hardest to let go.

  Genevieve’s grave.

  His heart began to weigh down with guilt. He promised his sister he would stay to protect the town.

  But here he was leaving.

  When he arrived, he stood before the stone, hands ched into fists.

  “Sorry, but I ’t stay here.” he began.

  He held his head down.

  I know I promised you I would, but… I ’t miss this opportunity. I have to go. I must bee a Luminary—like you were.”

  Instead of breaking him, it lit something inside him. His tone picked up and began to sound brighter.

  “I’ve got a bigger dream now.”

  He exhaled, a slight smirk f.

  “Not just proteg this town. I’ll protect the whole try.”

  His fingers brushed the edge of the grave marker.

  “I hope you’re watg when I bee the greatest Luminary ever.”

  The wind picked up momentarily, rustling the nearby leaves and trees.

  Abell imagihat was her answer.

  He turned away, feeling refreshed and renewed.

  This time, he felt ready.

  The rest of the day passed without much happening. Abell wahrough town, taking in the sights and sounds o time.

  As the su paihe sky in shades e and pink, Abell retired to his room, his mind filled with thoughts of what y ahead.

  "Don't fet to wake up early," Keeko said while entering his room.

  "Yeah, I know," Abell replied.

  She paused for a moment, gazing at him.

  “What is it?” he asked.

  She posed herself, “Sorry, It’s nothing...”

  “Okay...” Abell replied.

  As she began to walk away, Abell spoke up.

  Pointing to his chest

  “Don’t worry about me; I’ll bee strohan you and Genevieve,” he said. “That’s a promise.”

  She couldn’t help but smile at his bravado. “Alright, Abell, I’ll hold you to that,” she said.

  Before she walked away, she embraced him in a big hug. Causing Abell to feel embarrassed.

  “You don’t have to do this, you know.”

  “Shut up, let me enjoy this,” she said.

  The night passed quickly, and m came. The sun shone brightly over Iridius, and the town began to bustle with life. Abell sat up in bed, his thoughts clearer, but his mind was occupied with the future.

  A soft kno the door. “So… today’s the day, huh?” Keeko stood in the doorway, arms crossed.

  Abell nodded. “Yeah.”

  She didn’t say anything else—just stepped forward and hugged him tightly.

  “Another one?” Abell asked.

  But she remained quiet.

  After a moment, she left the room and pbsp;something cold in his hand—a broken bde.

  “It’s the only thing they found where Genevieve was st seen.” Her voice was barely above a whisper. “I know she’d want you to have it.”

  Abell stared at the on, running his fingers over the dull, jagged edge.

  He could still see his sister standing tall, her sword in hand.

  “Strong. Fearless. Untouchable.”

  “Thanks, Mom.”

  Keeko gave a slight nod, then turoward the door.

  “Let’s not keep Hugo waiting.”

  As they walked toward the north edge of town, Abell couldn’t shake the feeling that this was it.

  His mother walked beside him in silence. He could feel the weight of her presence, but her spoke.

  Because there was nothio say.

  At the edge of town, Hugo was waiting.

  His hands were in his pockets, and he wore that same knowing smirk. “Took you long enough,” he said.

  Abell exhaled. “Let’s just go.”

  Hugo stretched. “So, are you gonhe greatest Luminary ever, or was that just for show?”.” He turned.

  Abell blushed before Abell could respond— “You’re not going to say goodbye?”

  The voice was soft but firm. Abell turned. Astrid stood there, arms crossed.

  A sed ter, Misha appeared, running toward him.

  “Yeah, really, Abell?!” he shouted, his tiny fists ched. “You were just gonna leave?!”

  Abell sighed. “Misha—” The boy grabbed onto his leg. “Who’s gonna watch me train?!”

  Abell hesitated for a moment.

  Then, his eyes sed past Astrid and Misha, sing the quiet street. Aiced. Torin wasn’t there. Something stirred in his chest—but he didn’t get mad.

  He uood.

  However, other townspeople began to appear one by ohe town elder, Mira, Mary, Freed, the vendors, and even his biggest haters.

  Mira spoke up. “It’s gonna be silent without him stirring up trouble.”

  “Yeah, we’ll finally get some peace.” Another person said.

  “Don’t talk bad about him!” Misha shouted. Causing everyoo ugh.

  For so long, he had felt like he assing through this town. A restless kid waiting for something bigger.

  Now, for the first time, he felt the weight of what he was leaving behind.

  A haed briefly on his shoulder. Keeko.

  For a moment, she wao stop him. But opted to embrace him o time.

  “Go, Abell.”

  Abell smirked. “I promise I’ll be the stro.”

  O g his childhood home. And with that, he stepped forward.

  This time, he didn’t look babsp;