Chapter Sixty-Five:

  “Breakfast on the Aetheris”

  Dawn stretched over the Celestial Sea, staining the sky in hues of amber and rose. The Aetheris glided smoothly through the thinning mist, the early light scattered across its polished hull, casting a warm glow over the ship. After days of brine and open sea, the scent of the air had shifted overnight, now laced with the unmistakable scent of earth and greenery

  Deep within the airship, the galley stirred to life. The scent of sizzling meat and rich coffee wound through the corridors, rousing the ship’s still-sleeping inhabitants with the kind of warmth that only a homemade breakfast could provide.

  Amari stood at the counter, sleeves rolled up, a knife flashing as he diced herbs with ferocity. The pantry had been stocked beyond expectation, and for once in his life, he had everything he needed to cook properly. He wasn’t about to waste the opportunity.

  He moved with care, the pan flicking with an effortless twist of his wrist, sending golden-brown potatoes tumbling through sizzling fat. A cast-iron skillet hissed as thick strips of meat crisped at the edges, their aroma rich and mouthwatering. The ship stirred around him, murmurs threading through the corridors, footsteps shifting above deck, the low creak of wood as the Aetheris adjusted to the morning’s gentle pull.

  Beyond the galley, where the warmth of dawn had only just begun to reach, Emily stirred in the quiet hush of her cabin.

  The first thing she registered was the smell.

  Bacon.

  She pushed herself upright, blinking as the first light of morning spilled through the cabin window. The air remained cool, the faintest bite of ocean breeze slipping through the wooden slats.

  Her cabin was small but comfortable, a space of quiet reprieve aboard the Aetheris. Drapes hung loosely from the ceiling beams, softening the angles of the ship’s structure, while shelves filled with books, trinkets, and maps lined the walls. The bed, still warm from sleep, sat beneath a lantern casting a yellow glow across the wooden walls.

  She stretched, easing the stiffness from her limbs before reaching for her clothes. The deep teal fabric felt soft against her skin as she pulled it over her body, adjusting the intricate belts and leather reinforcements. She tied back her cascading red hair, securing it away from her face before turning toward the window.

  And for the first time since they had set sail, something broke the endless stretch of water.

  Land.

  It rose from the horizon, distant but unmistakable, its dark outline breaking the seamless infinite ocean.

  For a moment, she only stared, the sight stealing away any lingering grogginess. It had been a long journey, and now that they were finally here, nerves settled into her chest. Was the Guardian of Fire still alive? Were they okay? If not, would she be able to help? The uncertainty gnawed at her, a quiet weight pressing against her thoughts. She had to believe she was strong enough to face whatever lay ahead.

  She grabbed her quiver full of arrows, securing it at her side before stepping toward the door. Whatever awaited them in Aetheria, the moment had arrived.

  The Aetheris had reached the edge of the unknown.

  But first.

  Breakfast.

  The soft creak of wood accompanied the gentle sway of the Aetheris as the ship sailed steadily toward Aetheria. Morning light filtered in through the small circular windows of the shared cabin, illuminating the wooden floors and the woven blankets of the bunks. The scent of breakfast lingered in the air, mixing with the faint salt of the sea.

  Lily sat upright in her bed, her hands folded neatly in her lap, staring ahead with an empty expression. She hadn't moved, hadn't spoken beyond the same few words since joining them. She didn’t sleep. She only stared. Always staring.

  Lucinda was already up and dressed, adjusting the fitted straps of her new attire, an outfit that had appeared in a locked chest with her name etched into the metal. She hadn't questioned it. After everything they'd seen, this barely ranked on the list of strange occurrences. She moved toward Lily’s bed, crouching slightly as she studied the girl’s distant gaze.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  "And how are you this morning?" Lucinda asked softly.

  Lily didn’t turn her head, didn’t even blink. Her voice, flat and hollow, barely carried in the quiet room. "I have to find my brother."

  Lucinda exhaled, a touch of frustration masked behind her patient smile. "Still no change from that one?" came Evelyn’s voice, thick with sleep as she sat up in her own bunk.

  Lucinda shook her head, brushing a strand of dark hair from her face. "No," she said quietly. "I just wish she could tell us who her brother was."

  Evelyn swung her legs over the side of her bed and stretched before making her way to the chest near the foot of her bunk, the one that, impossibly, bore her name. She knelt, flicking the latch open with a swift motion, and lifted the lid.

  Inside lay her new clothes, neatly folded, waiting as if they had always been meant for her. She traced her fingers over the intricate details of the outfit before standing with a quiet sigh. Turning toward Lucinda, she cast a glance toward Ankit, sprawled across his bunk like a teenager sleeping in past noon, snoring without a care in the world.

  "Make sure that one doesn’t wake up while I’m getting dressed, would you?"

  Lucinda smirked, nodding in amusement as she folded her arms and leaned against the bunk post. "Of course. No promises if he rolls off the bed, though."

  Evelyn scoffed, rolling her eyes as she turned her attention back to her clothes. Whatever awaited them in Aetheria, at least some things remained the same, Ankit could probably sleep through the ship crashing into a mountain.

  The scent of breakfast had fully settled into the ship, warm and inviting, drawing the crew from their bunks like moths to flame. Lucinda led the way, her steps slow as she kept a watchful eye on Lily, who followed in that same eerily composed manner, silent, expression unreadable. Evelyn trailed just behind, fastening the last buckle on her new outfit, a fitted black leather bodysuit reinforced with segmented armor, sleek yet functional, edged with dark crimson accents that hinted at something both regal and dangerous.

  Then, last, bringing up the rear, was Ankit, a walking disaster. His hair stuck out at odd angles, sleep still clung to his half-lidded eyes, and while he had at least managed to throw a shirt on, the rest of his efforts to be presentable were… questionable at best. Yawning loudly, he scratched his head, trudging forward, barely awake, barely functional.

  The galley was alive with conversation. Amari and Asha were already seated, joined by Leo and Emily at a large wooden table. The spread before them was fit for a feast, plates piled high with crisp bacon, golden eggs, fresh muffins, and an assortment of fruits. A kettle of coffee sat steaming near the center, accompanied by pitchers of fresh juice. Amari, clearly proud of his work, leaned back with a satisfied smirk, watching as the rest of the crew entered.

  Lucinda slid into a seat, resting an elbow on the table, her posture effortlessly composed. Evelyn followed suit, she glanced toward Ankit as he slumped into a chair, half-heartedly reaching for a plate.

  “Good to see you put so much effort into getting dressed,” Evelyn mused, raising an eyebrow as she smoothed a hand over her own polished attire.

  Ankit grunted, blinking sluggishly. “Clothes... what?”

  Asha smirked, lifting a cup of coffee. “You look like got in a fight with a hurricane... and lost."

  Ankit waved a hand vaguely before reaching for the nearest muffin. “Maybe, but maybe I won. You'll never know.”

  Lily, still standing, glanced at the table but made no move to sit. The usual unreadable blankness in her gaze lingered, but something in the way she tilted her head, just slightly, like she was observing something foreign, hinted at a quiet curiosity.

  Amari motioned toward an open seat. “Go ahead, kid. There’s plenty.”

  Lily hesitated, then, after a long moment, pulled out the chair beside Lucinda and sat. She didn’t touch the food, didn’t react much at all, but she was there.

  The meal was warm, the conversation easy. After days of uncertainty, it was a rare moment of comfort aboard the Aetheris. Plates were passed, cups filled, and for the first time in what felt like eternity, the crew simply enjoyed being together.

  Ankit picked up a strip of bacon, inspecting it as he turned it between his fingers. “You know, I always liked the smell of bacon. But I’ve never actually eaten it.” He glanced around the table, as if confessing some deep secret. “I was a vegetarian back home.”

  Amari leaned back in his chair, smirking. “You do realize we’re in a digital world, right? That’s not real meat. It’s just code.”

  Ankit frowned, considering this. “Huh.” He looked down at the strip again, rolling it between his fingers like he was debating some profound decision.

  Evelyn, mid-bite into her own meal, gave him a pointed look. “Even the creepy girl likes it.” She nodded toward Lily.

  All eyes turned.

  Lily, who had barely touched anything since they met her, was nibbling on a piece of bacon. Slowly, carefully, her lips barely moving as she chewed. It was the only bite of food she had taken since stepping aboard.

  Ankit raised an eyebrow, clearly taking this as some kind of unspoken permission. “Well, if she can do it…”

  He lifted the bacon toward his mouth.

  Then Lily screamed.

  It wasn’t a cry of discomfort, nor a startled yelp. It was raw, ear-piercing terror. A sound so sudden, so visceral, it sent a jolt through every person at the table. Plates clattered, chairs scraped backward.

  “Lily!” Lucinda was out of her seat in an instant, reaching for the girl. “Lily, what’s wrong?!”

  But Lily didn’t respond. She only continued screaming, high, shrill, endless.

  Then.

  Lily burst.

  A million green motes exploded outward, drifting through the air like scattered fireflies. For a heartbeat, they hung there, flickering, before fading into nothing.

  Silence crashed down over the galley.

  No one moved.

  No one breathed.

  Ankit, still holding the strip of bacon, stared at the empty space where Lily had been. Slowly, he lowered his hand, letting the bacon slip from his fingers and drop onto his plate with a soft, final plop.