"You have always wondered where your father was all this time. I think this should answer your question."
Kairo took a step forward only to be reminded by Fabian shaking his head not to get too close. Then grudgingly he kept his distance. All he could see was his father's back, seated while reading in the presence of reading a book.
At his front was a card floating in some sort of container. With a single glance, Kairo could tell it was the last card that composed the Deck of Origin: Born Miracle.
"It's thanks to Born Miracle that the card mage police has a semblance of power over the other organizations. It is the final piece of the puzzle. But its magic needs constant observation, if not it might go astray at any moment. This was also the reason we needed to collect all the other cards of the deck to stabilize Born Miracle."
"You mean now that we have all of them, father will be free?"
"Not exactly," Fabian shook his head. His voice carrying a tone of regret. "The public and some card mages believe Magnus is nothing more than a symbol of power. That he does nothing and sits around while we card mages sacrifice our lives every day on new missions. But tell me, Kairo, do you have any idea of the sacrifice it required for him to be here?"
Kairo swallowed hard. How could he not see it? Magnus had sacrificed Kairo's upbringing, sacrificed his relationship with Mirelle. Sacrificed even the love and admiration others had for him. Bearing the name of incompetent and cowardly all this time. He might have not paid the depth of blood like them, but he had paid a price perhaps even greater.
"Father," Kairo muttered in a low voice. He felt Nyx's palm gently touch his shoulder, a forced smile on her lips. "I have never doubted our leader. Who cares what the world thinks of him? As long as we know the truth," she said.
"You're probably right," Kairo sighed. His muscles relaxing with his breathing. After handing over chosen destiny to the card mage police, he had thought everything would end peacefully for them. But the reality was far from the truth. Fabian might have forgiven his failure on the island, but that didn't mean their resoluteness had ended with the gold rush.
"Take good care of the Eye of Truth. Everyone believes you handed it to the card mage police and will never suspect you. We count on you for that," Fabian said, then left him with Nyx. Observing his father a little longer, Kairo resolved even more.
Keeping the Eye of Truth for himself had not been his idea but that of Fabian. It had created a huge surprise in Kairo after the rift on the island. But something could not be changed. The mission was all that mattered for the likes of Fabian. He was the type of person you could hate or love but would not mind working with.
"Let's go, Kairo. We still need to send Ortega off."
"I almost forgot. Let's go." Kairo shifted on his heels, almost running out of the chamber. Finding the heliport of the card mage police wasn't hard as it was located at the very top of the main building. Here Kairo and Nyx could already see Ortega and a woman hoisting coffers into the helicopter.
As they approached, the sound of the spinning helixes grew, causing Camila's hairs to be blown to the side. Despite her age, Camila radiated a feeling of sense and sensitivity that made people want to be around her.
"I would have been disappointed to leave for so long without having the opportunity to thank you both," Camila said.
"There is no need for that. We did our job in the submarine," Nyx shook her head, a faint but genuine smile on her lips. Camila being alive was the proof that she had not failed on that day.
"Are you coming back any time soon?" Kairo asked in a low voice, head low. He didn't want to meet Ortega's gaze. In a sense he could not blame Ortega, however certain things were they were. And he couldn't change it just by the wave of a hand.
"I have no intention of coming back," Ortega said frankly. "Come on, darling, don't say such things so easily. The reaper still needs you," Camila shook her head, taking Kairo and Nyx's arms into her motherly own. "We are definitely coming back, even if I have to drag him back here with force."
Kairo couldn't help but crack a smile. The difference in size made her words seem so far-fetched. But he had no doubt she could achieve something like that. After all, the entire gadget of the card mage police came from her. "Then we will be waiting," Kairo said.
"Safe trip, Camila, Captain Ortega." Nyx waved at them as the helicopter took into the sky.
Kairo stayed rooted there, drinking in the cold winds generated by the blowing object. As the helicopter was getting out of view, he finally lifted his head to look at Ortega. It was brief, but their expressions met. As for what there was in Ortega's eyes, Kairo could not tell.
He was the type of person that was easy to read but also the most complex to decipher, Kairo thought.
After a long day in the card mage police, Kairo and Nyx drove together home. The card paradise at night forced them to slow down their pace, to drink in the animated life that came into view. This place was not only the most sought-after neighborhood in town but also the most packed with speculations about card magic.
On their way back, Kairo passed through the door of an open festival. Kids ran back and forth accompanied by their parents trying to explore the numerous attractions related to card magic.
"What's the plan for tonight?" Nyx asked, leaning in her chair.
"Perhaps dinner?" Kairo answered without much thought. As he prepared to explain more, his phone rang, interrupting them. After handling the phone, Kairo took a sharp turn with his wheel and changed their destination.
...
"How is he?"
Luve sat on the bed, gently placing a wet towel over the figure's forehead. "He hasn't healed as fast as he should. But he is out of danger."
"The Sam we saw on the island isn't going to shelve his deck in front of some fever. Trust him to heal, Luve. He definitely will," Nyx said.
"Yeah," Luve let out a weak, almost unknowing sigh. "That's not why I called you here. My father wants to talk to you, then I will leave you alone."
Kairo got closer to the sleeping Sam. Just as Luve left the room, Sam stirred in the bed, tilting his head in Kairo and Nyx's direction. He forced a feeble and lifeless smile. "Did you do it?"
Kairo stared blankly at Sam for a few seconds, unable to understand what he meant by that. Then Nyx made a subtle hint with her eyes. And then it hit him. "Card zero?" Kairo fell silent for a little second. In some sense, Card Zero was still alive since Card Zero was Kaili. She was the one who had taken Sam's son's life. But could he really acknowledge the truth just like that?
"It's done," he said in a low voice. Card Zero had been defeated. The card fossil in Kaili was gone. What was left was Kaili of the card mage police. As long as no one ever found out the truth, he hadn't lied to Sam. Not in the common sense, at least.
"Then the game for me will probably end somewhere here." Sam coughed twice. His face turned even paler. "Now that my son has been avenged, I can... I can..." Sam coughed twice. At that time, Luve returned with a series of doctors in the room.
Kairo was forced to stand up while the doctors tried their best to handle Sam. Luve had tears trickling down her face, only to be restrained by Kairo from interrupting the doctors. "Stop already, Luve. He... is gone."
"No, he can't be gone. Not like this. We still had so many plans for the ICMA. I am not ready to take over the association now. Kairo, please, you have to help me. Kairo." Luve drummed on Kairo's chest, her voice was extremely low, almost choked in her throat. Her fist lacked any force, but its weight made Kairo's figure stumble.
"Kairo, I think we should leave them alone," Nyx said.
Kairo took one last look at Luve's broken face. A pang of deep pain pressing on his heart. Of all the card mages who had returned from the island, many were in a very sorry state. Some had taken months, others weeks to recover. Others like Sam had succumbed to the effects of all what they had faced on the islands.