I looked back at Dante, suspicion creeping into my tone. "What are you planning, old man?"
He met my gaze, his smirk deepening just enough to make it worse. "Nothing dangerous," he said. "Just... symbolic."
"Symbolic," I repeated, still holding the robe.
"Exactly," he said, eyes narrowing slightly. "That’s the point. It’s time certain people started recognizing what you are and what you represent."
I frowned. "And what’s that supposed to mean?"
Dante didn’t answer immediately. He just gestured to the rest of the room. Steve, Primus, and Anjee were all watching me now, each of them already wearing the same robe.
The air grew heavier, the silence between us tight like a stretched wire ready to snap.
Finally, Dante spoke again, his tone calm but carrying that annoying air of mystery he loved so much. "You’ll understand when the time arrives. For now, just trust me."
North stood up, picking one of the black robes from the table. She ran her fingers over the fabric, her brows rising slightly as she traced the symbol. "Are we forming some kind of group or secret organization?" she asked, half-serious, half-curious. I could tell she recognized the emblem too, the same one branded on my chest.
Dante cleared his throat and looked away. "As I said, just trust me for now. You’ll know their use in due time."
North shot me a look, part suspicion, part amusement. "Well, if he’s saying so," she said finally, shrugging. She took the robe and walked out of the room, probably to change.
I turned back to Dante. "Old man, I don’t like surprises. You should tell me now."
He shook his head stubbornly, a grin tugging at his mouth. "Not telling. And while we’re at it, maybe you can tell me how this kid—" he pointed at Steve, who looked mildly offended— "suddenly got so strong out of nowhere. I have my guesses, but I’d rather hear it from you."
I sighed. "All right, fine. But first, I’ll go wear this robe. Stop acting like a kid."
I slipped on the robe right there. It fit perfectly, almost like it had been tailored for me. The material was light but firm, the red stripes catching faint light as I adjusted the collar.
"Looks good," Dante said approvingly, raising his cup. "You actually make it look cool. That’s new."
Before I could respond, I felt a sudden ripple in my perception range, familiar Essence signatures brushing against my senses.
Lyrate.
"Looks like everyone’s here," Dante muttered, pushing himself up from the sofa. With a casual wave of his hand, a walking cane appeared out of thin air.
I rolled my eyes. "Really? The cane too?"
He ignored me and started walking, that smug grin still plastered on his face. North joined us halfway down the hall, her robe flowing neatly as she fell into step beside me.
We stepped out into the front courtyard, where the morning light glinted off the manor’s white walls.
"Oh, I wasn’t told there was a dress code," Lyrate said, her tone teasing as she eyed our black robes.
Primus chuckled from behind. "There is, actually. But don’t worry, we’ve got one ready for you too."
Dante waved his hand again, pulling another robe from his ring. But before he could hand it over, Lyrate lifted her palm. "No need," she said.
In the next instant, the deep red of her dress began to fade, bleeding into pure black. The same emblem, the gear within a circle, formed on her chest in glowing crimson lines.
Dante froze mid-motion, coughed awkwardly, and tucked the robe back into his ring. "Well... I suppose that works too."
Then his tone shifted, a quiet authority slipping into it. "I hope everyone’s ready for the journey."
He tapped his cane against the ground, and a glowing circle spread beneath our feet. The air shimmered, the world twisted, and in the next heartbeat, we stood in front of Dante’s spaceship.
Dante turned toward me. "You should send Silver back. The other three can stay outside if they wish."
I met Silver’s gaze and he nodded. Once he was gone, the rest of us followed Dante up the ramp and into the ship.
Dante stood at the center, resting one hand on his cane as he spoke. "Our destination is far. It’ll take about a week to reach, maybe longer depending on what we run into." His voice deepened, steady but serious. "According to Anjee’s information and what I know of Vaelix Ranthor, he’ll go there straight away. He’ll want to finish the task before other powerful families or races even catch wind of it."
He paused. "So be prepared. Train, sharpen yourselves, and ask if you need anything. Because what waits for us isn’t another mission, it’s a battle against a Transcendent rank being."
*****
We lifted off smoothly, the familiar ground of Vaythos shrinking beneath us. I pressed my hands lightly against the railing, watching the sprawling cities and forests fade into the distance.
Lyrate, standing nearby, let out a soft sigh. "It looks beautiful," she murmured, her eyes tracing the curving coastlines and distant mountains.
Even Knight, usually reserved and serious, tilted his head slightly and said, "What a sight." His red eyes reflected the planet below, and for once, the usual shadow of his were gone.
Steve, standing near the viewport. "I want to get powerful," he muttered, fists clenching. "I don’t care about planets or beauty right now. I just... I need to be stronger."
Primus, leaning comfortably with his arms crossed, let his gaze linger a moment longer on Vaythos. "Ahh... this reminds me of home," he said, a rare softness in his voice.
North squeezed my hand gently, still standing close, and said nothing, but I could feel her thoughts mirrored in mine. There was a quiet peace here, a reminder of why we fought and trained so hard.
Even Dante, leaning on his cane nearby, simply nodded once, watching the stars stretch between us and home.
Soon, we were far from Vaythos, and Essence began swirling along the consoles as the ship prepared to jump. In a few heartbeats, the familiar shapes of planets and stars blurred, leaving only streaking lines of color streaming past us.
I turned to the group, raising my voice just enough to reach everyone. "You can go find a cabin for yourself. Meditate, train, do whatever you feel will help consolidate your strength. We’re going to face a difficult fight soon, and I want everyone at their best."
Ragnar grunted in acknowledgment and disappeared down one of the hallways. Steve shot me a determined look before following him. Knight vanished in a shimmer of shadows.
Primus asked, grinning. "We have drinks on board, right?"
Dante’s smirk was easy and effortless. "Yes. Lots of it."
"See ya," Primus said strolling off, clearly eager for some quiet time and maybe a drink or two.
North stayed by my side for a moment, eyes serious as she glanced at me. "I’ll go too. I need to work on my laws," she said.
I nodded and squeezed her hand. "Good. Make the most of it. I’ll check in later."
She gave me a small smile and turned to leave, her robes flowing lightly behind her.
I glanced at Lyrate. "Go help Steve. And don’t wreck the ship while you’re at it."
"On your command," she replied with a teasing smile, then vanished in a blur.
Dante fell into step beside me, his cane tapping lightly against the floor. "When are you planning to push to the next rank?" he asked, his voice casual but probing.
"Soon," I answered.
He raised an eyebrow. "Planning to check if it’s a Genesis rune first, then go for it?"
"Yes," I replied simply, the determination in my voice clear.
He hummed in acknowledgment, saying no more, and we walked a few steps in silence.
I paused at the doorway to one of the ship’s corridors and turned to him. "All right. See you."
He gave a subtle nod, and I continued on.