In a distant Desert, where 3 mighty pyramids cast their shadows, a PTV can be seen speeding the sands of the scorching desert near in the distance.
It is a car from the Pre Dark Times, in almost pristine condition, as the car bellowed through the sandy road, it created a cloud of rising sand behind it.
"So they are getting ready for the dawn shard expedition.. Good"
A man of white could be seen, in the driver's seat with one hand on the steering wheel while the other rested on the reclined window.
There was no one beside him, yet he still talked as if there was someone listening.
"For now just survive and wait for the war on the crimson spire."
And with that, the mysterious conversation ended.
The man looked out the window at the distant long forgotten pyramids of Giza.
The man was none other than keter.
"They say the air outside is toxic, but this is strangely comforting…"
That was the last thing he said before turning his head back to the steering wheel as the engines bellowed.
Keter drove off to the distance, towards a ruined Ancient Egyptian Temple.
***
I soon arrived at the room—a shared space where Cassie and I spent most of our time.
There was no door, so I simply entered, only to be greeted by a very entertaining scene.
It was Cassie. Today she wore a plain white tunic, simple and neat, while her enchanted bluish one remained tucked away in her soul sea—probably sulking there like an expensive coat no one ever wears indoors.
But none of that mattered.
Because Cassie… was dancing.
…
She had a pair of earbuds in, the cord trailing down to a little music player.
Nightingale songs filled her ears, and her expression was so serene you'd think she was conducting an orchestra of angels.
For a moment, it almost looked holy—until her body started to move.
Her movements, however, were anything but grand.
She rocked side to side like a tree that wasn't quite sure whether to resist the wind or just give up and topple over.
The rhythm was there, but only in the same way a toddler has "rhythm" when banging on pots and pans.
Every so often, she lifted a hand in the air and gave it a shy little wave.
It was the sort of wave you'd give if you were greeting an invisible crowd of polite ghosts—courteous, awkward, and strangely formal.
Her head tilted with the music in slow, careful nods, as if she were afraid nodding too hard might accidentally declare war.
It wasn't flashy. It wasn't wild.
It was the kind of dance that whispered: "Please don't look at me, but also… I'm really feeling this beat."
Endearing, yes—but also strangely infuriating to watch.
Was she imagining herself on stage, dancing with an actual nightingale at her side?
The thought made me clench my fists for reasons I couldn't explain.
I shook my head, forcing myself to simply enjoy the performance instead.
And of course, Cassie had no idea someone was watching her.
Right behind her, I stood, bearing witness to every try-hard model pose, every hesitant air-wave, and every awkwardly adorable "yes-I-am-dancing-but-no-you-can't-prove-it" move.
It was like stumbling into a secret rehearsal for the world's shyest, most unintentionally comedic concert.
—
Her mental state has improved a lot.. I thought
I moved to the side carefully avoiding her amazing dance performance which was like candy to my eyes.
Her state of mind has reached the point where she can afford to let go of some weight and break character like this.
I smiled, not only did my weight of guilt was lifted but she also has finally broken free of the first chain.
Having enjoyed the amazing performance, I approached her dancing figure, anymore and I might get killed by her.
When I was just 2 feet away, I spoke in a hushed voice, directing my voice to her ears.
"Can I join you?" I said in a sing-song voice.
"Yes, sure!!" she replied in ecstasy as she turned to face me.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA" a noiseless scream escaped her small mouth opened wide with her jaws dropping to the nether realm.
Every color of her being was being sucked away by an imaginary ghost behind her as it shook its head in pity.
"Y-you, YOU!! WHEN DID YOU GET BACK!!!" She Finally Screamed.
But before I could explain, a delicate hand sped to my face at speeds that should not have been possible.
SLAP!!
—-
A few moments later we sat side by side on Cassie's bed and leaned on the wall.
From a distance the scene was like an elaborate oil painting of two people in a dream world… only if there wasn't a comical red hand print on my face.
I looked to my side Cassie was looking away from me, she looked like she was very angry, but she couldn't hide the glowing red lights her ears were emitting.
More than the minuscule anger she was embarrassed of showing that side of her.
Hehe, this is exclusive to reality the novel could never-
"How long were you watching?"she asked, barely hiding the embarrassed tone underneath.
"Ah uhhh…" I trailed off trying to come up with a satisfying answer.
"Say it!" She brought her head closer, narrowing her eyes appearing to look threatening.
To me how ever, she looked more cuter then every (T-T)
Then from the corner of my eyes I noticed Adam (the apparition), hr first showed a cross with two arms then a double thumbs up.
Like telepathy I understood the meaning: "this is your chance, shoot!"
Should I ignore him? I moved my gaze to Cassie's lap where the music recorder is placed with a tangled ear bud piece, the same one I envisioned for her.
I felt a sudden irritation again..
—
All the sudden I moved my face closer to the side of Cassie's face whispering directly to her ears.
"Time doesn't matter… what matters is that I regret I didn't see more.."
Cassie shuddered at the touch of my breath on her ears but more than that at my words.
"Ah- ahhh" she blabbered some incoherent words trying to process everything.
Over her head smoke could almost be seen.
While I just watched with a victorious smile.
This is the first time I made a move on a girl!
Hahahaha
Yes I mentally celebrated this momentous occasion, I noticed Adam (the apparition) face palmed himself.
He then approached me.
"You're hopeless… Tch" he said in a disappointed tone.
"What do you mean?" I thought I nailed it.
"I mean that you're hopeless when it comes to romance, now don't ask me any questions" he motioned his hand stopping me from asking any questions.
"Let me regret in peace… hm?" As he pretended to be regretful he seemed to have noticed something.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"Well it looks like the meeting is about to start… get ready because.."
"Nephis is coming".