[1. Uriel Ymir Loom — 0:0:1:29]
[2. Salazar Patym — 0:05:46:10]
[3. Lilith Aadamos Scourge — 0:05:46:11]
[4. Celeste Mahara — 0:05:46:12]
[5. Enoch Lothyn Thorne — 0:05:46:13]
[6. Arthur Myth Pegalir — 0:05:46:14]
[7. Layla Gorth Ymael — 0:05:46:15]
[8. Dorian Smeern — 0:05:46:16]
[9. {?}—{?}]
[10. Persephone {?} — 0:05:50:00]
…
It felt like a bomb.
It felt like a bomb had gone off in his mind, freezing him in place and shutting off all functions of his body, as if something fundamental had short-circuited all at once.
He didn't pay attention to his name for even a singular second, not even when the unfamiliar weight of a family name he never knew existed settled somewhere in the back of his mind.
None of it mattered. His gaze was locked.
He kept staring at a singular name, unmoving, unblinking.
[3. Lilith Aadamos Scourge — 0:05:46:11]
The letters refused to rearrange themselves into something else. The numbers didn't change. The list didn't flicker or fade.
It was there.
The atmospheric aether of the world seemed to resonate with Uriel's unrest and emotional state, harsh winds exploding around them as if in response, the air suddenly becoming heavy, dense, oppressive.
It became so heavy that even Enoch struggled to breathe, the aether in his body freezing in place, seized and dragged beneath the rule of Uriel's will without permission or intent.
For long minutes, all that filled the oppressive silence between the two young men was rain.
Its pitter patter echoed against metal and stone, layered beneath distant thunder and violent surges of wind that tore through the settlement streets.
After a while, Uriel looked up, his blazing golden pupils locking onto Enoch.
Noticing the latter's state, he snapped out of it and the pressure vanished all at once, like a cord being cut.
"Damn it!"
Enoch collapsed to a knee, his wound worsening as his body finally caught up to the strain, his lips sputtering with blood. He coughed out wet, choking breaths, gasping, begging for air, begging for his aether to move again.
Panicked, Uriel dropped down beside him, his thoughts racing as he tried to understand what he'd done and how to undo it.
"I-sorry! I didn't do it on purpose, I—"
Clenching his jaw, he slapped a palm against Enoch's convulsing body and reached inward, pulling on the warm flow within him, Enoch's own Natal aether.
He braced himself, expecting resistance, backlash, pain, something.
But none of it occurred.
Under his control, Enoch's natal aether began to flow once again, atmospheric aether following soon after, surging back into place, stabilizing his body and even mending part of the damage that had worsened moments prior.
"UHH!"
Enoch gasped violently for air, his lungs finally filling, his body shuddering as his heart hammered against his ribs. He fell back onto the carriage floor, utterly exhausted.
"My… my god…" he wheezed.
Uriel knelt beside him, silent, his hands trembling faintly.
His mind was in disarray, he'd nearly killed the one person who had helped him, but his heart was louder than the panic.
'Arthur and Lilith… they're alive.' His eyes burned as rain masked the moisture gathering there. 'They're alive.'
Tears slipped free regardless, relief crashing into him all at once as he let out a broken, suppressed laugh, the sound half-sob, half-breath.
He covered his mouth weakly, trying and failing to stop either.
'They're alive.'
…
It didn't take long for Enoch to recover.
The wounds on his body hadn't been the true problem; it was the sudden collapse of his aether flow that had nearly done him in.
SHAH!
Uriel helped him to his feet.
Exhaling slowly as the pain settled into something manageable, Enoch patted Uriel's shoulder. "Don't take it too seriously. It didn't hurt as much as it looked."
"I know there's a lot we need to talk about, and I won't ask you to wait any longer, but let's go somewhere more private before the others start coming back."
Uriel blinked, then shook his head in disbelief. "I still can't believe it… I got first?"
Enoch flicked his forehead again. "Oh cut it out already, stop bragging."
"There are babies participating in the trial. Did you really think you'd get last?" Another flick followed. "Don't treat yourself like an underdog."
"Didn't I already tell you you were gonna be strong?"
Uriel winced, rubbing the three bruises forming on his forehead. "Alright! I get it, I get it!"
Enoch feinted another flick. Uriel jerked back, hands raised—
"ARGH!"
—his jewels took the hit.
He crumpled instantly, eyes bulging.
Enoch sneered. "Idiot."
…
Exiting the carriage, a limping Uriel followed Enoch, clutching his most precious assets.
They walked through the wet streets of the settlement, passing many extremely friendly Inhumans.
Several handed them food, others pressed new clothes into their arms, replacing the bloodied and torn ones without hesitation.
With their directions, the duo quickly reached their destination.
"It's here."
A tall, wide building stood before them, constructed of dark metal and stained azure glass. The materials intertwined into rounded, bubble-like structures stacked atop one another, forming a strange yet elegant tower.
Soft white light glowed from within, warm against the cold rain.
They stopped at the entrance. The surface rippled like water, then faded, revealing a luxurious lobby, dark marble floors, a rich oak reception desk, and a vast hall stretching inward.
From behind the desk, a figure stepped forward.
"Hello!"
She wore layered crimson silk robes, veiling her form, her azure eyes bright beneath long lashes. Gold jewelry adorned her frame, catching the light.
"Welcome to the Gate Emporium!"
They entered.
Warmth washed over them, drying them completely, cleansing blood and grime away.
"I am Lady Ayah," she said with a smile, "and I am the House Keeper of the Emporium."