Chapter 129: Amelia’s Departure
Once inside, it didn't take long for the four of them to gather in the living room. A brief but comfortable silence settled over them as they adjusted to being back. Mikael leaned into the couch, his muscles finally relaxing. A deep sense of satisfaction lingered— their mission had been a success.
Knowing that all of them had now reached Military Rank 2 and gained access to Emergency Extraction filled him with a sense of security. As long as they exercised caution when selecting worlds and avoided reckless risks, they would always have a safety net. That knowledge lifted his mood considerably. However, when his gaze shifted to Amelia, that momentary satisfaction dulled.
She sat apart from the rest, outwardly composed, but the way her fingers idly traced patterns against her sleeve betrayed an underlying tension. Her green eyes, usually sharp with focus, held a distant, almost vacant quality. Mikael didn't need to ask to know what weighed on her mind.
During their mission, Amelia had thrown herself entirely into battle, strategy, and relentless training, using them as a way to keep her thoughts at bay. She had given herself no time to dwell on anything beyond the immediate fight, no room for emotions that could slow her down. But now, back in the Akashic Records, with no enemies to face and no urgent objectives to accomplish, the memories she had tried so hard to suppress resurfaced—Nexoria's destruction, the countless lives lost, and the crushing weight of all she had been unable to protect.
Mikael felt his own mood darken. His gaze lowered slightly as the image of Shadow's sacrifice forced itself into his mind. He had accepted what had happened, but acceptance did not erase the weight of it. And for someone like him, who was unaccustomed to feeling indebted to others, it was an unfamiliar burden to bear. Shadow, Amelia's bodyguard—someone he had barely even known—had thrown her life away to save them.
He knew, logically, that her actions had not been for his sake. She had sacrificed herself for Amelia, her duty and devotion clear until the very end. Mikael had simply been fortunate enough to be with her at that moment. Yet, despite understanding this, he couldn't shake the unease it left in him.
It lingered at the edges of his mind, creeping in whenever he let his thoughts wander. During the mission, he had done his best not to dwell on it, keeping himself occupied with battle and objectives. But now, without the constant pull of danger, he found himself doing exactly what Amelia was—drifting back to thoughts he had tried to avoid.
Across the room, Kiara and Lyra were engaged in an unexpectedly fluid conversation. Their relationship had always been an unusual one—a mix of contrasts and common ground—but surprisingly quickly, they had grown accustomed to each other's presence. What had started as a mere acknowledgment of one another with Mikael acting as their common point had gradually evolved into something resembling genuine friendship.
Despite their differences, their interactions carried a natural ease, their words flowing without effort. Kiara's playful yet composed nature meshed surprisingly well with Lyra's reserved and analytical demeanor, creating a dynamic that, while unconventional, felt oddly balanced.
Lyra adjusted her glasses, tilting her head slightly as she replied to Kiara. To an outsider, her quiet demeanor might have made her seem timid, but in reality, she was far more perceptive than she appeared.
It didn't take her long to notice the shift in the room's atmosphere. Her gaze settled first on Amelia, who sat unnaturally still, an unmistakable gloom hanging over her. Then, she turned to Mikael. His expression remained neutral, but something about him felt off—his earlier energy had quietly faded, replaced by a subdued weight.