Displacement

Stepping out of the shower, Sol ran a towel through his damp hair, sighing in contentment. After a month of pure, grueling training, he finally felt somewhat human again. As he reached for his bag, he noticed something—his body had changed. His muscles were more defined, his frame leaner yet stronger. His usually pretty face, once delicate and youthful, now carried a subtle yet undeniable manly charm. He smirked slightly, shaking his head. He had grown in more ways than one.

After getting dressed, he caught sight of his reflection in the mirror. His jet-black hair, now past his shoulders, was starting to get in the way. "Guess I need a haircut soon," he muttered, running a hand through the unruly strands. He decided to leave it for now and turned toward the door.

Descending back down to the lobby, he took in the aftermath of his training. Small craters marred the ground, vines hung from the walls and ceilings like nature had begun reclaiming the place, and at the far side of the hall, his glowing azure tree swayed eerily as if caught in a nonexistent breeze. A sense of satisfaction washed over him. It wasn't just a ruined building anymore—this was his secret base.

With a flick of his wrist, thick vines slithered to the entrance, intertwining and forming a natural barricade to ensure no one would stumble upon his sanctuary. He nodded in approval before turning on his heel.

Peach, now perched comfortably on his shoulder, let out a small excited chuff. Sol patted his companion as they made their way back toward the Sparking Den. Along the way, he grinned, asking, "What appearance should we go with today?"

Peach tilted his head in deep thought before gleefully shouting, "Pink!"

Sol let out a laugh, shaking his head in amusement. "Pink it is."

With a casual wave of his hand, his illusion affinity flared to life, shifting his hair and eye color to a vibrant, striking pink. Peach followed suit, his fur shifting into a fluffy, pastel pink hue, making him look like some kind of oversized, demonic stuffed animal. Clearly pleased, Peach let out an enthusiastic squeal before rapidly growing back to his massive size.

Sol grinned as he effortlessly hopped onto Peach's head, stretching out lazily. "Alright, let's go cause a scene."

With that, they made their way through the bustling district, turning heads and leaving a trail of bewildered stares in their wake.

As they moved through the lively streets, a mouthwatering aroma drifted through the air, making Sol pause mid-ride. His stomach rumbled in response, reminding him just how long it had been since he had eaten anything other than fruit.

Peach let out a curious huff as Sol scanned the street, quickly spotting the source of the intoxicating scent—a bustling food stall with sizzling skewers, steaming dumplings, and thick bowls of fragrant broth being served to eager customers. His mouth watered at the sight.

"Alright, change of plans," he muttered, hopping off Peach's head. "We're getting food first."

As he approached the stall, all conversation seemed to pause. The stall owner and customers alike gawked at him and Peach, their vibrant pink appearance drawing immediate attention. A child tugged at their mother's sleeve, pointing. "Mom, what is that?"

The mother simply shook her head, just as baffled. "I… I don't know."

Sol, unfazed by the stares, casually stepped forward and placed his order. The stall owner hesitated, still eyeing him with suspicion, before finally preparing the food. Even as he cooked, his eyes flicked toward Sol and Peach every few seconds, like he was trying to make sense of what he was seeing.

When Sol handed over the payment, the owner finally spoke up. "You're quite a flashy one, huh?"

Sol grinned, pocketing the change. "Thanks."

And with that, he turned and walked off with Peach, leaving the stall owner standing there, dumbfounded. That was a compliment?

Sol found a quiet spot near a fountain, settling down on the edge as he unwrapped his food. The fountain itself was a spectacle—rather than water, it spewed out glowing, star-shaped objects, swirling and drifting like celestial bodies caught in orbit. The shifting lights made the entire structure look like a miniature nebula vomiting cosmic remnants into the air before they dissolved into shimmering dust.

The warm steam from his food carried an explosion of spices to his nose, making his mouth water. Peach, still massive and pink, plopped down beside him, staring intently at the skewers.

"No," Sol said flatly before taking a bite. The rich, savory flavor was everything he needed, and he groaned in satisfaction. "Damn, this hits the spot."

Peach let out a pathetic whine, eyes glistening with exaggerated sadness.

Sol sighed, shaking his head. "Fine, fine. But only one."

With a flick of his wrist, he tossed a skewer toward Peach, who snapped it up in an instant, making a pleased chirp. Sol laughed. "You eat anything, huh?"

As they sat there, the vibrant cityscape of the Luminara District pulsed around them—neon lights reflecting off the sleek streets, holographic advertisements dancing in the air, and the hum of life flowing like a never-ending current. Sol leaned back, stretching his legs out as he savored the atmosphere.

For the first time in a while, he wasn't training, wasn't running, wasn't surviving.

He was just existing.

And that felt nice.

Just as he was about to take another bite, something shifted. A strange ripple passed through the air, distorting the space around him. Unlike before—when he had been abruptly teleported without warning—this time, he could *feel* it happening. It was subtle, like a gentle tug at the edges of reality, but unmistakable.

His muscles tensed, every instinct screaming at him that something was off. Peach growled lowly, sensing the shift as well, his massive form subtly bristling. The familiar warmth of his illusions and plant affinity flared up within him, a reflexive preparation for whatever was about to happen.

The space around them shimmered, bending unnaturally, and then—just like that—the world around them changed.

Sol found himself standing before a massive cosmic structure, a building so immense it felt like it could house entire celestial bodies within its halls. Ethereal lights swirled across its towering surface, shifting like galaxies in motion. The sheer presence of it sent a shiver down his spine, an ancient and overwhelming energy pressing down on him. For the first time in a long while, Sol felt truly small.

Peach let out a low, uncertain chuff, clearly sensing the magnitude of the place as well. Sol swallowed, forcing himself to look up—only to spot something that sent another jolt through his chest.

Carved in elegant, shifting letters across the grand entrance was a single name.

The Archive.