The Aegis airship cut through the atmosphere with intense speed, but it wasn't alone. A procession of airships followed behind, each carrying the paragons of the various tier-one families. Each ship bore the insignia of its respective family, proudly etched onto its hull.
During the two days Atticus had spent at the Dimensari domain and in Sector 6, the entire human domain eagerly anticipated his return. None knew the exact time that he would return, but that didn't stop them from preparing to welcome him.
In those two days, Sector 3 was completely flooded with people. Visitors from Sectors 2 and 4, and even farther away, gathered in Sector 3, all wanting to witness this moment.
The accommodations and infrastructure couldn't possibly cater to such massive crowds, but the Ravensteins had opened their sector to everyone. Spirits were high, and nobody seemed to mind the inconvenience.
The influx was so great that many brought camping gear, slept on the streets, or found lodging with friends or family in Sector 3. People from farther sectors gathered in the closest sectors they could reach, just to be as near to Sector 3 as possible.
These crowds came for one reason: to witness the return of their apex firsthand. They had come to see the future of humanity, to witness the birth of a legend.
The airships followed a golden pathway leading directly to Sector 3. Eventually, the procession burst out from the golden trail, arriving at the first town of sector 3, Dusktown, and then slowed to a moderate pace.
By that time, screens had already filled every corner of the sector and beyond, displaying the image of the lead airship with the Ravenstein insignia.
The streets overflowed with people, murmurs rippling across the sector as they strained to catch a glimpse of the one they hoped was truly their apex.
Suddenly, a small hatch opened on top of the Aegis airship, and from it, a figure emerged. Every screen captured his image, broadcasting it to the entire domain.
Piercing blue eyes, pure white hair, and a face so handsome it seemed crafted by the gods.
As soon as the people saw him, it was as if a switch had been flipped. The murmurs, the shouts—even the birds flying in the sky fell silent, as if the entire domain held its breath.
Conversations stopped mid sentence, laughter faded from lips, and even the gentle rustling of banners in the breeze seemed to pause.
The silence was so profound one could hear the faint sound of the wind weaving through alleyways.
It was him. It was Atticus Ravenstein.
The entire human domain fell into silence, gazing at the figure of Atticus standing high on the Aegis airship. The silence held.
The people couldn't explain their emotions. They felt excitement, happiness; they wanted to cheer, to celebrate, to shout at the top of their lungs. But, somehow, it didn't feel like it was enough.
They wanted Atticus to understand the depth of what he had achieved, what he meant to them. And so, as the Aegis airship moved forward, it began from the heart of Sector 3, the Ravenstein estate.
The white haired Ravensteins watching silently placed their fists over their hearts, their expressions turning solemn.
Then, like a chain reaction, the people followed. Every person placed a fist on their chest, fixing their gazes on the screens with solemn expressions.
The silence deepened, stretching across every street, every alley. This wasn't just a gesture; it was a pledge.
The entire sector stood as one, their fists pressed to their chests, hearts pounding in sync.
Eyes hardened. Breaths steadied. It was as if the very soul of the human domain resonated with a single, unbreakable will.
This wasn't just respect; it was reverence, raw and fierce. Children, elders, warriors— it didn't matter. They all stood, unmoving, gazes locked forward.
In this moment, he wasn't just their apex. He was their hope. Their fire. The legend they had waited for.
The mighty Aegis airship, along with the others, flew over Dusktown and eventually reached Ravenspire. Despite the passage of time, the people remained unmoving, fists on their chests.
Even as the airship landed and Atticus descended onto the Ravenstein estate, the entire domain remained in reverent silence.
The Ravenstein estate was packed with family members, but a path had been cleared, leading directly from the estate gates to the mansion stairs.
None of the paragons or crew members disembarked, and none joined in. Across the entire domain, only the measured footsteps of Atticus could be heard.
Everyone stood still, fists on their chests, gazes filled with awe and pride fixed on Atticus. He had left this estate and had raised their name to new heights.
Atticus reached the top of the mansion stairs and turned. Even though only Ravensteins stood before him, it was as though he was facing the entire domain.
Many waited in anticipation, wondering what he would do. Would he give a speech? Because they hoped for one.
In the next second, Atticus spoke, but it was far from a speech. He said only four words, and yet they were enough to stir the hearts of all who heard them.
"It was my honor."
A collective shudder ran through the entire domain, as if those words had struck something buried deep within their souls.
Fists tightened, knuckles turning white as a surge of pride and unshakable awe ignited within them.
Their heartbeats thundered like a war drum, and in that moment, each of them knew they would follow him to the ends of the earth.
Afterward, Atticus turned and entered the Ravenstein estate. As the door closed behind him, a warm smile spread across his face as he looked at the figures in front of him.
"I'm home."
As those words dropped, Atticus found himself enveloped in a warm and tight hug.
"Welcome home," Anastasia whispered, burying her head in Atticus's chest. Despite being only 16, Atticus had already grown taller than Anastasia. But that didn't stop Anastasia from treating him like her baby.
In the next second, Atticus's already messy hair became even messier as Avalon ruffled it before joining in the hug. Unlike Anastasia, he wore an intense grin as he squeezed Atticus.
Anastasia had been worried throughout the Nexus event, her heart pounding every time an attack came close to Atticus.
While the rest of the human domain was happy he had won, she was most grateful that he had returned home safe.
Avalon, on the other hand, was simply proud to have such a son. While other young men his age were thinking about romance or grand, naive dreams, Atticus had been a boy. He loved how simple he was.
A few meters away, the three Stars, along with Boman and Arya, watched the reunion with smiles on their faces.
The hug lasted a while before Anastasia reluctantly released him so he could greet the others.
"You beautiful boy!" Suddenly, Atticus found himself wrapped in another hug, and he was utterly shocked.
"Huh?"
He had expected another hug, maybe from Arya, but he hadn't anticipated Nathan!
The big, round, jolly Nathan, with whom he wasn't particularly close and who usually kept his distance, now had him in a bear hug, squeezing tight.
"You were amazing!" Nathan's voice boomed with excitement, nearly deafening Atticus.
"The Nexus, Atticus! Do you know what this means? Sector 3 is practically flooded with business! Deals, partnerships, the Ravenstein name— everyone wants a piece of it now! Our stores are packed, my ledgers are bursting with numbers I've never seen before. All thanks to you!"
Nathan's grip tightened, his hefty arms squeezing so hard Atticus felt his ribs might crack. He struggled to breathe, his face half buried in Nathan's soft chest.
"Uh… Nathan," he gasped, sucking in air as though his life depended on it.
"And do you know what this means, Atticus?" Nathan continued, oblivious to Atticus's struggles.
"I'm talking lifetime deals! Sector 3 is now the heartbeat of business, all because of you! This is a goldmine, no, a platinum mine!"
"Need… air…" Atticus wheezed, his voice barely escaping his lungs as Nathan's hug turned into a full-on squeeze. The others watched, amused. Atticus's achievements had brought great benefits to the Ravenstein family, and Nathan's enthusiasm was proof of that.
"Let's hope this'll at least make him lose some weight," Sirius muttered to Lyanna, who stood beside him.
Lyanna scoffed. "Please, he's a lost cause. But don't be naive enough to think this peace will last. Give it a week, and he'll be twice this size."
"Oh, right!" Nathan finally noticed Atticus's plight and released him, clapping his shoulder so hard he nearly stumbled.
"But I mean it, you marvelous boy! I've never been prouder… or richer! Keep this up, and you'll be putting crowns on all our heads!"
Atticus coughed, trying to catch his breath as Nathan continued, his round face flushed with excitement, entirely unaware of the near-death experience he had just inflicted on Atticus.