21.Ruby Hale And Minji Xiao
Time: 9:02 PM
Location: Secret Floor, Mall District-09
A mechanical hum echoed in the room as Moon, Kai, and James stood in front of the teleporter console.
"Are you sure this is the right code?" Moon asked, squinting at the flickering panel.
James tapped confidently on the screen. "Relax, Moon. It's a one-time use code. It'll send us exactly where we're supposed to go."
He hit 'ENTER' and the teleportation platform lit up with a gentle swirl of blue light.
Vrrrrrrmm—ZAP.
In the blink of an eye, they vanished.
---
They reappeared in a completely different world.
Though technically indoors, it felt like they had arrived on another planet altogether.
Above their heads stretched an artificial night sky—so beautiful it stole the breath from Moon's lungs. Stars shimmered in impossible clarity. Galaxies rotated slowly, each looking like a divine painting, and faint auroras danced near the ceiling. The ambient lighting bathed the entire area in a soft silver glow.
Kai tilted his head back and whispered, "...This doesn't feel like a party. This feels like a dream."
Music played in the background—gentle piano chords, an acoustic guitar blending in quietly. The stage in the center was minimalist, but the space layering tech made it look massive.
Everything was expensive. Everything was exquisite.
And they were late.
As the trio stepped forward, the room seemed to notice them.
The conversations softened. Heads turned. Expressions ranged from curious to confused… to judgmental.
Moon lowered his voice. "Why do I feel like we just walked in after ruining someone's wedding?"
Kai didn't smile. "Because we probably look like we did."
The murmurs started building around them like quiet waves:
> "Who are they?"
"Late? At this event?"
"Did someone actually invite them?"
"They don't look like they belong."
"One of them's chewing gum. I swear I saw it."
James whispered, "Ignore the eyes. Just walk like you belong here. Left foot, right foot, breathe. Easy."
He took a dramatically slow step and pretended to fix his collar like he was on a runway.
Kai grabbed the back of his shirt. "Stop. You'll get us kicked out before we even get food."
The three quietly shuffled toward a side wall—trying to stay unnoticed, despite being very noticed.
---
Fifteen long minutes passed.
The party still hadn't started.
James checked his holo-watch. "9:17. Weird. Usually, rich people are obsessed with punctuality."
Moon glanced around. "Maybe they're waiting for someone more important than us."
"Doubtful," James said. "Unless—"
VROOOM.
The teleporter at the back vibrated—a familiar hum of someone arriving.
All three turned instinctively.
Out of the shimmering portal, two girls stepped through.
Moon tilted his head. "Ah. So these are the real party pooper."
The taller one wore a sleek red dress that glowed faintly under the ambient light. Her black hair flowed down her back like ink, eyes sharp yet elegant.
The second girl beside her had long, silvery-white hair that fell in soft waves. Her outfit was a subtle blend of ivory and pearl blue, refined but not loud. Her posture was composed—graceful, almost regal.
The crowd, which had judged them so harshly earlier, now softened completely.
Men and women both approached the girls warmly—handshakes, hugs, even soft bows.
Moon watched, genuinely confused. "Wait... so they're also late?"
James nodded. "Yep."
Kai raised an eyebrow. "So where's their angry judgment and laser-eye glares?"
Moon huffed. "Bro… they're beautiful, but come on. We're not exactly average either."
He stepped forward, puffed his chest, and did a slow, dramatic pose—chin tilted up, lips parted, one arm across his chest like he was on the cover of a perfume ad.
James blinked. "Moon…"
"What?"
"You look like you're about to sneeze dramatically."
Kai deadpanned, "He's trying to seduce gravity."
James sighed and pulled Moon back into standing straight. "Don't. Just… don't."
---
Moon turned serious. "Okay but… who are they?"
James crossed his arms. "The one in red with black hair is Ruby. She's one of the top candidates for heir of the Hale Clan."
Moon blinked. "Hale Clan… That's the second strongest clan, right?"
"Exactly."
"And the white-haired one?"
"Minji," James said. "She's related to both the Hale and Angelos Clans aka Xiao clan.
Her mother's from the Xiao—also called the Angelos Clan. They're cousins, actually."
Kai nodded slowly. "So... one from the second strongest clan. The other from the third."
James added, "And both are insanely famous in elite circles."
Moon muttered, "Wow. That's why everyone turned into polite puppies around them."
Kai whispered to Moon, "You know what's interesting? Hale and Angelos have always had a close alliance. Unlike Alhuwalia Clan... which stays hidden. Even now, most civilians barely know they exist."
Moon gave a quiet hum. "Makes sense. The shadows have their own rules."
James raised a brow. "Wait… how do you know about Alhuwalia?"
Kai smiled. "I read a lot. Big fan of clan history."
James looked like he wanted to ask more, but let it go.
---
"Anyway," James said, dusting off his sleeves, "I should go greet them. Our families work together. I've known them since childhood."
Moon raised a brow. "Since childhood, huh?"
Kai smirked. "You've probably played tag with them in palace gardens."
James laughed. "Sort of. I spent a lot of time with their clans when I was a kid. Ruby and Minji treat me like a younger brother."
Kai nodded. "Certified sibling-zoned."
---
Meanwhile, Ruby and Minji were finally catching their breath near the edge of the crowd. Minji scanned the room—and spotted James.
Her face lit up. "Ruby! Look—it's James!"
Ruby's eyes followed hers, and a soft smile appeared. "Took him long enough."
Without hesitation, they walked toward him.
James stepped forward with a wide grin. "Sister Ruby. Sister Minji. I swear you've both grown taller since last year."
Ruby rolled her eyes playfully. "You're just shrinking. What are you eating these days? Air?"
Minji giggled. "He's still the same. Head full of jokes and pockets full of nothing."
They hugged like siblings long-separated.
From the corner, Moon and Kai quietly watched the exchange.
Moon muttered, "They really are tall for a girl …"
Kai measured with his eyes. "Both are at least six-one. Maybe six-one and a half."
Moon sighed. "We need better shoes."
---
James returned with them and said, "Come on. I'll introduce you two."
"These are my friends—Kai and Moon. Twin brothers. Met them in the Shifting Expanse."
Ruby stepped forward first and extended her hand. "Ruby Hale. A pleasure."
Moon shook her hand with a small nod. "Moon."
Minji followed. "Minji Xiao. I've heard your names whispered already."
Kai smiled politely. "Kai."
They shook hands. No overly dramatic moments. Just polite curiosity.
---
The host finally appeared on stage and began his speech.
It was long.
It was formal.
It was boring.
Moon leaned toward Kai. "He's still going?"
Kai didn't reply. He was already zoning out.
James was blinking in slow motion, clearly struggling to stay awake.
Then Moon spotted something divine.
"The food counter's open," he whispered like it was a national secret. "Guys. Left flank. Sausage rolls in sight."
Kai's stomach growled in response.
Without hesitation, the three slipped out of the crowd and made their way to the buffet.
---
Moon was happily chewing on a thick slice of pizza.
Kai twirled spicy noodles like a samurai sharpening his blade.
James had found his soulmate in creamy pasta.
Back on stage, the host continued:
"And so, as you all know, today we sold our two most expensive villas—"
CLICK. A spotlight lit up.
Directly over Moon, Kai, and James.
The rest of the room dimmed.
Everyone turned.
There they were—munching food like it was a village fair. Moon had sauce on his chin.
Crowd murmurs began again:
> "Are they… eating?"
"During the villa speech?"
"Disrespectful."
"Hungry ghosts…"
Even Ruby and Minji noticed.
Minji covered her mouth to hold back a laugh. Ruby smirked, shaking her head slightly.
The host blinked, clearly flustered. "...Yes. As I was saying, community is about... unity."
---
Later, as the teleportation shimmered around them and they returned to the outside corridor, Moon stretched and let out a yawn.
"Well. That was fancy."
Kai glanced at him. "You embarrassed us."
Moon grinned. "I embarrassed them. They were jealous we got to the food first."
Kai sighed. "That wasn't jealousy. That was... disgust."
Moon shrugged. "Same emotion, different font."
Then Moon asked" So the second most luxurious villa were bought by them ?"
Moon was hinting towards the sisters
Kai said "Oh my God,.. why are you so dumb sometimes."
James entered and said "yes"
To be continued...