The Cracking Sky

Chapter 17: The Cracking Sky

High Town's sky shimmered with orange clouds as the sun dipped low, casting long shadows over the buildings. The city buzzed with energy, people rushing to and from restaurants, shops, and transport hubs. But in one quiet corner of a café, a scene unfolded that caught Elira's sharp eyes.

She watched a man shouting at a young waitress. His voice was loud. Angry. The girl stood frozen, clearly scared.

"You spilled it all over my clothes, you idiot!" the man roared.

Elira didn't hesitate. She marched over and—without a word—slapped him across the face.

He stumbled back, stunned.

"You could've spoken kindly," Elira said firmly. "She's not your servant. She's working to survive."

The man looked humiliated. Muttering something under his breath, he rushed out, vanishing into the crowd.

Elira turned to the girl, who looked close to tears.

"Are you okay?" Elira asked gently.

The girl nodded slowly. "Y-Yes… thank you."

"What's your name?"

"F-Fourn… I'm nineteen."

"Where are you from?" Elira asked. "And why are you working here? You should be studying, enjoying life."

Fourn looked down. "My mother's very sick. I came here from Village Velmora to earn money for her medicines. There's no one else to support us."

Velmox, who had been quietly observing, stepped forward. "If it's money you need, I've got enough. I made a fortune from my science exhibitions and inventions."

He pulled out a pouch of credits and handed it to her.

Fourn's eyes widened. Her hands trembled as she accepted it.

"Thank you… thank you so much…" Her voice broke as tears streamed down her cheeks.

Elira smiled warmly. "No need to cry. But we're not done yet. You owe us one thing."

Fourn looked up, surprised. "W-What?"

"You have to take us to your village. We'd like to meet your mother ourselves."

Fourn nodded quickly. "Yes, of course! Please come with me."

"But first…" Elira said, gesturing to her own dusty outfit. "You need new clothes. And something special for your mother."

Fourn looked overwhelmed. "I… I don't know what to say."

Elira guided her through the market. "You said your little brother was the one who always wanted to buy her something nice, right?"

Fourn nodded, her voice soft. "He was… he was going to get her a necklace. But he… he was taken in the last sacrifice."

Elira's heart ached. "Then let's make his wish come true."

They stopped at a jewelry stall. Elira held up a delicate diamond necklace. Fourn gasped.

"This is beautiful… but it's too expensive—"

Velmox grinned. "Don't worry about the price. Just think about her smile."

By evening, the three were on their way to Village Velmora.

—---

Far away, in the Crimson Zone, Tatsuo soared through the clouds on Sethyrosis' back. Wind whipped through his hair, and the dragon's massive wings created gusts that scattered the clouds.

Tatsuo looked down at the quiet lands below. "There's not much excitement anymore," he said. "But riding with you still makes my heart race. Thanks, Sethyrosis."

The dragon grunted playfully. "It's been a while since I fought anyone. I might be growing rusty."

"Let's head to the clearing," Tatsuo said with a smirk. "Let's see your Ice Fire again."

—---

Back on Earth, peace hung over Velmora like a gentle breeze.

Cairo, now twenty-one, sat comfortably on the porch of his home. Beside him, Lysendra hummed softly while reading an old book.

"It's so quiet nowadays…" Cairo said, stretching his arms.

"That's a good thing," Lysendra replied. "People fight wars for this kind of peace."

Cairo chuckled. "True."

"I'm going for a walk," he said, standing.

"Come back before sunset," Lysendra said with a smile.

He wandered outside the village, letting the wind guide his steps. After a while, something odd caught his eye—a stone well, covered in moss and surrounded by silence.

"I've never seen this here before…" he murmured.

Curious, he picked up a rock and dropped it in.

Silence.

No sound of it hitting water or even a bottom.

His stomach twisted.

Something wasn't right.

—---

By sunset, Elira, Velmox, and Fourn reached Velmora.

"Is this your home?" Elira asked.

"Yes," Fourn said, pointing to a small house just outside the village.

"You live so far from everyone?"

"It's quieter," she said. "And we can still get supplies from the village."

Elira's gaze shifted. There it was again—the same mysterious well Cairo had seen.

"That well…" she asked. "Do you use it?"

Fourn shook her head. "No one does. It never ends. No water. Just… darkness."

Elira narrowed her eyes. "Do you know why?"

"No idea," Fourn replied. "Come, I'll introduce you to my mom."

Inside the small home, Fourn's mother lay resting on a thin mat. She coughed weakly as the guests entered.

"Mama, look," Fourn said cheerfully. "They're the ones who helped me. They wanted to meet you."

Her mother sat up slightly, eyes filled with surprise. "You helped my daughter? Thank you… thank you both."

"Would you mind if we stayed the night?" Velmox asked kindly. "We've been traveling a long way."

"You're most welcome," the mother said with a weak smile.

As the others settled in, Elira walked back outside, her eyes once again drifting to the well. The silence around it… the way it seemed to draw in the air itself…

Something wasn't right.

And above, unnoticed by all, a faint crack appeared in the red-hued clouds—like the sky itself was beginning to break.

—---

End of Chapter 17: The Cracking Sky