The tip of Cael's sword pressed against Shirley's neck, just enough to break the skin. A thin trickle of blood traced its way down his throat. Shirley gritted his teeth, suppressing a shudder as pain and exhaustion felt heavy on him.
Cael's golden eyes stared into him, unwavering, unreadable. There was no hesitation. No regret. Just a quiet, unsettling certainty.
Then, with a soft sigh, Cael pulled back. In one smooth motion, he sheathed his sword.
"I forgive you," he said.
"What," Madison blurted out, disbelief dripping from her voice.
The citizens, once frozen in fear, exchanged glances—then erupted into cheers. Relief, admiration, perhaps even reverence filled the air as they praised their so-called Guardian.
Cael turned away, his steps calm and deliberate. But just as he was about to disappear from view, he stopped. Without turning back, he spoke again.
"What's your plan here on Choreees?"
The group barely processed his words. They were already rushing to Shirley's side.
Tucker knelt beside him, his expression tense. "Shirley, are you okay?"
Madison huffed, nudging him lightly. "Does he look okay? Come on, Shirley-boy, wake up."
A beat of silence—then, ever so slightly, Shirley's eyes cracked open. With a low groan, he managed to sit himself up, wincing.
Shirley spat out a mouthful of blood, wiping his lips with the back of his hand. Despite the pain flowing through his body, his eyes burned with recklessness.
"Plan?" he scoffed. "I'm just here to back up my friend. But that CORE guy you serve…" He leaned forward slightly, a smirk creeping onto his bruised face. "Tell him to be patient. Wait for me. I'll show you what the power of a genius really looks like."
Cael's lips curled into the faintest smirk. "I'll pass it on… sure, by all means." His expression darkened slightly as he added, "But remember this—if any choice you make leads to your death, it will be no one's fault but your own."
His words lingered, heavy in the air. Then, after a moment of silence, he continued.
"Leave Choreees. Don't ever return. Go back to your life. Forget about this." His tone was firm, almost commanding.
Shirley frowned—then threw his head back and burst into laughter.
"Hell NO!" he shouted, his voice brimming with reckless determination.
Cael let out a quiet sigh before leaping into the air, his wings unfurling as he ascended effortlessly, soaring deeper into the Land of Paradise. The wind from his departure sent ripples through the dust and debris, his figure soon vanishing into the horizon.
Micheal stepped forward, placing a hand on Shirley's shoulder. "You're reckless, Shirley," he said, his voice laced with concern. "You could've died."
Shirley turned to him, grinning despite the dried blood on his face. "But I didn't!" he quipped, a mischievous glint in his eye.
Tucker let out a laugh, shaking his head. "You're a special one, Shirley."
Suddenly, the cheering citizens who had been watching erupted into movement, following Cael in a loud, frenzied procession. Their voices rose together in song, filling the streets with an almost eerie sense of unity.
"One glad morning, when this life is over, I'll fly away!
To a land where joy shall never end, oh, I'll fly away!
Oh, I'll fly away, oh, glory, I'll fly away!
When I die, Hallelujah, bye and bye, I'll fly away!"
Their singing carried through the city, echoing off the stone walls.
Tucker furrowed his brows. "What are they singing?"
Doug crossed his arms, watching the crowd disappear after Cael. "Some kind of poem, maybe? Probably their wish to be like him."
Micheal shook his head. "No. It's the Land of Paradise's national anthem," he corrected. His voice softened slightly. "I haven't heard it in years. Such a peaceful song… brings me back."
Madison raised a skeptic brow. "But isn't this the Land of Paradise? Wouldn't they want to stay here?"
Micheal scoffed, "Land of Paradise, my ass," he muttered. "Everyone here wants to escape."
He turned back to Shirley, his tone firm. "Now, let's get you to a doctor."
Hey, you guys!"
A high-pitched voice rang out from a distance. The group snapped their heads around, scanning their surroundings.
"Up here! In the tree!"
They turned toward a nearby tree and spotted a small boy perched on one of the branches. He had straight blonde hair, pale skin with pinkish cheeks, and bright blue eyes. When he grinned, a single sharp vampire-like tooth stuck out.
"Heya!" the boy called, waving enthusiastically.
Tucker squinted up at him. "Who are you?"
The boy leaped down from the tree, landing gracefully on the ground. "Name's ZE210! Nice to meet ya!"
Madison crossed her arms, eyeing him suspiciously. "How old are you, kid?"
ZE210 puffed out his chest proudly. "Six years old, m'lady."
He then turned to Shirley, practically bouncing on his feet. "I saw you fighting back there—it was awesome! I can't believe how strong you are! You sent the Guardian flying! That was amazing! What's your name?"
Shirley blinked, caught off guard. "Uh… Shirley."
ZE210's smile faltered. "Shirley… what?"
Doug let out a sigh. "He doesn't know his real name."
Tucker turned to Micheal. "Yo, isn't there some way to figure it out?"
Micheal shook his head. "Not a chance. Choreees isn't known to the outside world. If he's from here, he's definitely not in my records."
ZE210 scratched his head, looking confused. "No clue what you guys are talking about. But listen—" his grin returned, full of excitement, "—I wanna help! You announced to everyone that you'd defeat CORE, right? So let me join you!"
The group exchanged glances, uncertain.
ZE210 only grinned wider, his sharp tooth glinting in the sunlight.