Chapter 15: Tensions Rise

Chapter 15: Tensions Rise

The party aboard Lo Po Bia Traumerei's mothership continued to swell with laughter and the sound of clinking glasses. The grandeur of the floating palace reflected the vibrant lives of its inhabitants, yet beneath the surface, a quiet storm brewed.

Khun Eduan leaned against the polished railing, an amused smirk plastered on his face. He watched as Yeon Yirang, with her usual flair, engaged in animated conversation with Arie Hon. Yirang's laughter danced through the air, effortlessly drawing in the attention of nearby guests.

"Look at her," Eduan chuckled, his eyes glinting with mischief. "If she were any more animated, she might just float away."

Arie, leaning casually against the opposite railing, nodded. "She thrives in moments like this, doesn't she? But I worry about her. She carries too much weight on her shoulders."

"You know how it is," Eduan replied. "We all do. But tonight is for celebration, not for worrying. We should focus on lifting spirits, not burdening them."

Their banter was light, yet a shadow lingered in Eduan's heart. The tension between Traumerei and Amizu was palpable, and he could sense it even through the revelry.

From across the room, Traumerei observed Amizu, his heart heavy. She laughed with others, her beauty captivating, but there was a distance in her eyes that pierced through his soul. It gnawed at him, igniting a primal fear—the fear of losing her.

"Look at her," Eduan said softly, pulling Traumerei from his thoughts. "She's radiant, but I can see it in her eyes. There's something she's not sharing."

"Stop it," Traumerei snapped, turning away. "You don't understand."

"Then help me understand," Eduan urged. "You're my friend, and I'm here for you. But you need to talk about it. Pretending everything is fine isn't going to help anyone."

Traumerei clenched his jaw, his fingers gripping the railing tightly. "What do you want me to say? That I'm afraid she's slipping away? That I feel like I'm losing her every moment we're together?"

Arie stepped forward, placing a comforting hand on Traumerei's shoulder. "Then fight for her. Don't let this fear consume you. Show her how much she means to you."

"Easier said than done," Traumerei muttered, his gaze drifting back to Amizu. "She's made up her mind. I can feel it."

As if on cue, Amizu's laughter rang through the air, mingling with the strains of music. Yirang, noticing her friend's momentary lapse, seized the opportunity to intervene.

"Amizu!" she called out, her voice a beacon amidst the crowd. "Join us! Eduan and Arie have been dying to hear your thoughts on the latest climb! Don't leave us hanging!"

Amizu hesitated, glancing at Traumerei before joining her friends. The moment felt loaded, filled with unspoken words and emotions.

"Have you ever wondered why we risk everything to climb?" Amizu began, her voice steady yet laced with vulnerability. "The thrill of reaching the top? Or is it something deeper? A search for something lost?"

Eduan leaned in, his curiosity piqued. "That's profound. What do you think we're searching for?"

Amizu paused, her gaze drifting beyond the crowd. "Perhaps… peace? Understanding? Or maybe a chance to escape the burdens we carry."

Yirang's expression softened. "We all have our burdens, but we also have each other. No one has to bear their weight alone."

As the conversation deepened, Traumerei's heart raced. He felt torn between the longing to protect Amizu and the suffocating fear of losing her. The flickering lights mirrored his turmoil, casting shadows over his thoughts.