Once again, a golden glow ignited and the figure of Atticus abruptly appeared, this time just beside the massive and imposing black terminal.
Atticus's gaze instantly settled on the familiar view of the White Omen Division camp. He wasted no time and started heading towards the mansion on the other side of the black terminal.
The usual scenes played out, with every member greeting him fervently as Atticus passed through.
Many wondered where he had been and what the academy had called him for, but none dared to ask.
Atticus paid it no heed and reached the mansion after a few seconds, immediately moving upstairs toward a particular red-eyed girl's room.
Just as Atticus was about to knock, the door abruptly opened wide, and the figure of Aurora appeared with a suspicious look on her face.
"What do you want?" Aurora's gaze narrowed, suspiciously eyeing Atticus. She found it incredibly weird that Atticus had suddenly come to knock on her door.
Atticus chuckled, shaking his head slightly. "Why are you so tense? I can't visit my lovely cousin anymore?"
Aurora scoffed, her back resting on the side of the door as she folded her arms across her chest. "Save me the bullshit, what do you want?"
"Aren't you going to invite me in?"
Aurora stared at Atticus for a few seconds before sighing and stepping out of the way.
With a small smile, Atticus walked into the room.
During the past month, Aurora had made sure to customize her room to her taste; every inch of the room was covered in pink. Large teddy bears lay in multiple spots. It was all very… girly. Not something one would have expected Aurora to do.
Atticus offered no remarks and turned to face Aurora just in time for her to close the door.
Atticus's initial smile suddenly morphed into sadness as he gazed at Aurora. She had been trying to hide it, but he could see her excitement at his visit.
Atticus had decided to leave saying goodbye to the people in his division for last because he felt that he would need to spend time with this particular red-eyed girl.
Aurora instantly noticed Atticus's sad expression, a frown marring her face.
"What's going on?" she inquired worriedly. Atticus had only ever shown three expressions, especially when they were together: he was either smiling, neutral, or pissed.
The fact that he was looking sad was weird. Even during the attack on the Raven camp, she hadn't seen him give her this expression.
"I'm leaving the academy tomorrow and won't come back to the academy even until your third year," Atticus's words were rapid and at the same time deliberate and firm. He had gone the simple and direct route; there was no mistaking any of his words.
Aurora's reaction was hard to describe. She simply stood quietly for a second, not saying anything, as though trying to comprehend the implications of Atticus's words.
"Y-you're leaving?" Aurora's voice trembled, her disbelief palpable.
Atticus nodded his head in response and started explaining everything that had happened, from his meeting with Magnus and the relevant information he felt she should know.
Atticus spoke for more than a minute, and despite the fact that his voice was loud and could be heard from anywhere in the room, none of it seemed to reach Aurora's ears.
It felt like the entire world around Aurora underwent a strange transformation, turning into a surreal scene.
The noises of the busy mansion and the distant buzz of activity slowly faded into a soft symphony, leaving behind nothing but a haunting silence.
Time seemed to stretch as Aurora's mind grappled with the implications of the news.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Aurora managed to speak, interrupting Atticus's speech,
"I-I can't come…?" The sadness and hope in her voice were so overwhelming that Atticus was almost tempted to either take her with him or remain behind.
Atticus's hand clenched hard by his side as he released a deep exhale. He really wanted to, but he just couldn't. He wasn't leaving the academy to play, plus the condition he had to fulfill to be able to leave hadn't been easy to meet in the first place.
Atticus shook his head in response.
Aurora's hand involuntarily clenched, her gaze turning downwards. She released a deep breath before she faced upwards. Locking eyes with Atticus, she suddenly smiled. "Okay then, good luck!"
Aurora's smile was entirely fake, and there was no way Atticus would miss that.
Atticus had no idea when he closed the distance and enveloped her in a tight hug. "We'll meet after you finish the academy, I promise."
Aurora's eyes widened in shock for a few moments because of the unexpected hug before she buried her face into his chest, her figure trembling as she suddenly started sobbing.
There was only one person Aurora was mad at currently: herself. She had always told herself that she wanted to rely on Atticus less, being more independent. But the moment she heard he was leaving, what did she do? She wanted to follow him. She didn't want him to go.
No matter how much she tried to fight it, the feeling just wouldn't leave her. She didn't want him to leave. Aurora wept, her tears drenching Atticus's chest.
Atticus patted her head continuously, trying his best to comfort her.
Atticus didn't know how long it took, but Aurora eventually fell asleep in his arms.
He carried her, gently placing her on the bed before tucking her in. Atticus cleaned the tear marks from her cheeks, gazing at her quietly before standing and walking out of the room.
Atticus rested his back against the closed door, releasing a deep exhale.
'It's official, I hate saying goodbyes,' he thought with a wry hint of humor. It had been a long day with a lot of sad and intense moments.
'It's still not over though,' Atticus sighed. He still had a few people he hadn't said goodbye to.