Zael glanced over the battlefield once more before turning back to them, his expression settling into something more neutral.
"What happened here?"
His voice wasn't sharp, but it carried enough weight to cut through whatever tension was left.
Then his eyes moved across them again.
"…Where's Zane?"
Auralis didn't answer. Instead, her attention kept drifting—again and again—toward the hammer in Zael's hand. She tried to hide it, but it was obvious. Every few seconds, her eyes flicked back, practically glued to it.
Aurelia stepped in before the silence stretched too long.
"We don't know," she said calmly. "He left."
Zael's gaze shifted to her.
Aurelia extended her hand, fingers steady, holding out a neatly folded piece of paper.
"He told me to give you this."
Zael took it without hesitation, his expression unreadable.
Lily spoke up from the side, her tone quieter.
"He said something about… finding his path."
That made Zael pause for a fraction of a second.
Just a moment.
Then it passed.
He didn't open the paper yet.
Instead, he held onto it, his grip light but firm, as if already weighing what it might contain.
"Mm."
Auralis finally couldn't hold back anymore.
She stepped closer, eyes practically shining now, the earlier exhaustion from the fight completely forgotten.
"Um… Zael…"
He glanced at her.
She gave him a bright, slightly pleading smile, pointing subtly toward the weapon.
"Can I take a quick look at that hammer?"
Zael looked down at it.
Then back at her.
A faint smirk tugged at his lips.
"Of course."
He flipped it once in his hand before tossing it lightly toward her.
"Just don't damage it."
A small pause.
Then, casually—
"It belongs to someone."
Auralis caught it instantly, excitement flashing across her face as she handled it carefully—but her movement slowed just a bit at his last words.
"…Someone?"
Zael didn't answer.
He had already shifted his attention away.
Back to the paper in his hand.
And this time—
He opened it.
Zael unfolded the paper and read.
His eyes moved steadily across the lines, calm, focused. No rush.
Zael,
By the time you read this, I should be quite far away. I'm sorry it had to be this way but I think it's time. Thank you for giving me life, I'll never forget.
His expression didn't change.
Not yet.
I know you created me to be the light to your shadow, to be the one at the forefront while you stay safe behind but I guess your life path is against that.
Zael exhaled lightly.
A quiet breath.
Then—
A small smile formed.
Faint.
Barely there.
But real.
He kept reading.
I don't know if you've noticed but ever since we returned from the abyss and your class became the Abyssal Dao Sovereign, there has been a fracture in our syncing. We're essentially becoming two different people.
His eyes paused for a fraction of a second.
Not in surprise.
Just… acknowledgment.
Then he continued.
I was created for a purpose but now that it isn't needed, I feel lost. I know you might be disappointed in me, but I have to find myself.
The smile didn't disappear.
It just shifted slightly.
Quieter.
I'll return someday and maybe then I'll be able to help you in a meaningful way and you won't have to carry it all by yourself.
Zael finished the last lines without interruption.
Your clone and brother forever,
Zane.
A brief pause.
Then—
P.S. Please take care of Auralis for me. She means a lot.
Silence followed.
Not heavy.
Not tense.
Just… still.
Zael lowered the paper slightly, eyes lingering on it for a moment longer before folding it back neatly.
Carefully.
Like it mattered.
"…Idiot."
The word came out low.
Not harsh.
Not mocking.
Just familiar.
He slipped the note away without another word.
His expression had already returned to normal—calm, controlled, unreadable.
But something subtle had shifted.
Not weaker.
Just… different.
Zael lifted his gaze.
Forward.
Focused again.
"…Find yourself, huh."
A faint exhale left him.
Then the smirk returned.
Small.
Sharp.
"…Try not to die before you do."
He'd miss him—that much was clear, hell they'd all miss him but if he really felt that way then Zael supported his adventure. At this point Zane was more than just a clone to Zael, he was a brother and brothers always got each others back.
He turned slightly, attention shifting back to the present.
The ruins.
The dungeon.
The path ahead.
Because whether Zane was here or not—.
He still had a dungeon to finish—