Embraced in Ty's arms, Jade found herself overwhelmed by a flood of emotions. Each tear that slipped down her cheek carried the weight of the realization of what Ty had endured. Two long years he had battled through hardships unknown, transformed and alone, while she navigated her own trials.
The guilt for even a moment's complaint about her circumstances paled in comparison to his ordeal, and this thought constricted her heart with a mix of admiration and sorrow.
Words seemed trivial, insufficient to bridge the gap of their prolonged separation, but Jade's heart ached to express the simplest truth - her deep longing for him. "I miss you," she yearned to say, yet the words tangled in her throat, unsaid.
Then, Ty's voice broke through her turmoil. Even altered, his tone carried the familiar comfort and serenity she had clung to in memory. "It's okay. Just keep doing what you can and stay alive no matter what," he whispered, his voice soothing her frayed nerves. As he gently placed his hand on her head, a gesture so tender and protective, Jade felt a profound sense of peace envelop her.
In that fleeting moment, as Ty's lips tenderly brushed the top of her head, Jade felt a profound shift within. The weight of her existence, the burdens she carried, seemed to dissolve, leaving her enveloped in a warmth that radiated from the very core of her being.
Jade's moment of tranquility was abruptly disrupted as the ground beneath them and the surrounding walls trembled, sending a wave of panic through her. The fear of losing Ty again, so soon after their reunion, gripped her heart. Amid the chaos, she anchored herself in the present, determined to make the most of their brief time together.
"I have to focus on this time I have now," she reminded herself firmly.
Seeking answers and solace, Jade pressed Ty for details about his experiences. "So—so what about you? Are you any closer to getting back? What have you been through? I need to know everything, quickly. Maybe something you've learned could help with the challenges we're facing here."
Jade listened as Ty shared his journey, noticing the mix of exhaustion and urgency in his voice. He told her about meeting Nana and Elithira, making an unexpected friend in Todd, and his adventures across different realms. Ty spoke of the tough losses he faced and the blue fairy who became his companion.
Jade couldn't help but smirk as Ty wrapped up his tales. "You sure always find a way of making friends anywhere you go, I suppose," she remarked, her voice laced with affection and a hint of amusement.
The couple exchanged a glance. "Oh, uh, it was maybe a minute at most," one of them answered.
Jade massaged her head, still reeling from the recent emotional rollercoaster, as the café came into view. "Oh perfect," she thought, a small smile breaking through. "I will have so much to tell Ashaiki over some coffee, beyond needed after that whirlwind."
Patting her pockets, she realized the crystal was gone, but the pink strand remained. "Neat, I suppose I can still run some tests on this at a later date," she mused, her scientist's curiosity momentarily taking over as she entered the café. She wondered if Ashaiki might be delayed, recalling the event the Director had mentioned.
Scanning the café, she headed towards her usual table but paused upon seeing an unfamiliar blue-haired girl occupying her spot, nervously fidgeting. Their eyes met, and the girl hesitantly broke the silence, "A-are you Jade by chance?"
"Uh, yes, who are you?" Jade asked, curiosity mingling with a trace of caution in her voice.
The blue-haired girl offered a slight bow from her seat, her demeanor a mixture of nervousness and sincerity.
"Oh, I'm sort of acquaintances with the pink-haired lady back in Brazil. She had her hands tied and wanted me to meet with you. I also believe you know someone named Ty Hockenson. I wanted to take this chance to apologize for letting him die a few months ago for you," she explained, her words heavy with regret.
Right before, a light growl came, and the glass around them shattered.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
End Volume 10