The control deck remained filled with the low hum of damaged mana systems while Blackwater continued to grow larger beyond the viewing glass.
Smoke-covered towers. Suspended bridges. Countless air docks layered across the mountainside like stacked steel skeletons.
The pilot adjusted the descent arrays lazily.
"We'll be entering the outer approach lanes soon."
No one reacted.
Then—
the control deck doors opened.
Draven stepped inside.
The black cat rested quietly against his shoulder while faint traces of blue mana still flickered across his coat from the navigation systems below deck.
His gaze swept across the room once.
Then stopped.
"Hey."
The cultist immediately looked up.
"Yes, my Lord?"
Draven turned back toward the doorway.
"Follow me."
Simple. Direct.
The cultist stood at once.
"Right, my Lord."
As she moved after him, the pilot spoke without looking away from the navigation arrays.
"We're approaching the city proper now."
Draven gave no response.
He simply continued walking.
Kaelira blinked from near the viewing glass.
"Wait."
She pointed at herself.
"Should I come too?"
No answer came.
The doors slid shut behind them.
"…Rude."
—
### Corridor
The atmosphere quieted immediately.
Only the distant vibration of the ship's engines echoed through the metal walls while warning runes flickered faintly along damaged mana lines overhead.
The cultist followed several steps behind Draven at first.
Then slowly moved closer.
Not out of confidence.
Out of instinct—like someone approaching a dangerous beast carefully, afraid that a single misstep might provoke it.
Still—
she asked nothing.
No questions about why he called her. No hesitation. No curiosity.
Only silence.
Draven continued walking calmly through the corridor.
The black cat's purple eyes remained half-open against his shoulder, quietly observing.
—
### Lower Sanctuary Chamber
A while later, the corridor opened into one of the lower sanctuary chambers.
Warm light filled the room softly.
The atmosphere here felt entirely different from the damaged control deck above—quiet, safe, and still.
Small mana lanterns lined the walls while protective formations pulsed beneath the floorboards in smooth, steady rhythms.
Inside—
Vaelith stood near the center of the chamber, composed as always.
Though at the moment, she was occupied.
Two very small figures flitted clumsily through the air using black bat-like wings that clearly contained far more enthusiasm than control.
Lucifer nearly crashed into a wall.
Vaelith caught him midair with effortless precision and redirected him aside.
A second later—
Elenya attempted a reckless dive toward one of the lanterns.
Vaelith stopped her just as easily.
Neither child seemed discouraged in the slightest.
If anything, they looked more determined.
Honestly, concerning.
—
The moment Draven entered, both tiny heads turned at once.
Then chaos began.
Lucifer launched himself forward first.
Poorly.
Very poorly.
He nearly spiraled sideways halfway through the flight.
Draven stepped forward calmly and caught him against his chest before he could crash.
Lucifer's wings continued flapping furiously anyway.
The child stared upward with wide crimson eyes—silent, focused—as though confirming Draven was still real.
Elenya followed immediately with a delighted giggle, flying toward him as well.
She was faster than Lucifer.
Still unstable.
But faster.
Draven's expression softened slightly.
"Get over here, you."
He caught her gently before she could collide with his shoulder.
Elenya giggled again, tiny arms reaching upward while her wings fluttered excitedly.
Lucifer glanced at her, then frowned.
He immediately tightened his grip on Draven's coat.
Competitive instincts apparently started early.
Vaelith watched the scene in silence.
The cultist stood near the doorway, frozen.
Draven holding both children at once somehow felt more surreal than the ancient sea serpent they had just escaped.
—
The black cat lifted its head slightly from Draven's shoulder.
Elenya noticed instantly.
Her eyes widened.
"Ah!"
She pointed excitedly.
Lucifer followed her gaze.
His expression turned immediately suspicious.
The cat blinked lazily.
A staring contest began.
Lucifer narrowed his eyes.
The cat stared back, utterly indifferent.
Neither blinked.
Neither moved.
The room grew strangely tense over something completely trivial.
Elenya watched them, then decided this was a game.
She pointed between them excitedly.
"Ah!"
Still no reaction.
The tension deepened for no reason at all.
The cultist watched in utter confusion.
Lucifer slowly reached out a tiny hand toward the cat—not aggressively, just cautiously.
The cat's ears twitched once.
Then it moved.
Fast.
A paw tapped Lucifer lightly on the forehead.
*Bonk.*
Lucifer froze.
Silence.
Elenya gasped dramatically as if witnessing a historic event.
The cultist covered her mouth instantly.
Vaelith remained expressionless.
Lucifer blinked once.
Twice.
Then his tiny wings flared violently.
Outrage.
Pure outrage.
A burst of crimson mana exploded outward instinctively.
BOOM—
Nearby lanterns flickered violently. Protective formations across the floor flashed red for a split second.
The cultist stumbled back.
"WHAT—"
Draven calmly tightened his hold around Lucifer, suppressing the surge before it could spread.
The crimson mana dissipated instantly.
Lucifer still looked deeply offended.
The black cat, meanwhile, simply curled back into place on Draven's shoulder as though nothing had happened.
Elenya burst into giggles again.
Which only worsened Lucifer's mood.
His wings puffed outward aggressively as he stared at the cat with what could only be described as lifelong hatred forming in real time.
Draven looked down at him.
"…You lost."
Lucifer immediately looked up.
Deep betrayal.
Elenya laughed even harder.
Even Vaelith looked like she almost reacted.
Almost.
The cultist slowly lowered her hands.
"…They're so cute."
Draven adjusted his hold on both children and began walking deeper into the chamber.
The sanctuary remained warm and quiet around them while the distant hum of the ship echoed faintly through the walls.
Outside—
far beyond the clouds—
Blackwater continued to draw closer.