Chapter B3: Departures

  Mister Gabe felt the soft yet coarse squeeze of his daughter's palm tighten around his own. He did not need to look down at her face to know that his words had stirred something deep within her. After everything he had explained, he could only imagine the thoughts spiraling through her young mind, colliding with one another as she tried to make sense of a world that was far less kind than she had once believed it to be.

  That said, exposure to truth was inevitable. It was better that she encountered it now, under his guidance, rather than later when the world would offer no explanations and no mercy.

  As a father, there was only so much he could do. He could guide her, correct her when she strayed, and hope that whatever knowledge she gained would be used wisely throughout her life. Beyond that, the choices would one day be her own.

  With that in mind, Mister Gabe cleared his throat lightly, his tone shifting into something more casual as they continued walking along the road that led back to town.

  "Tell you what, darling," he said, attempting a gentle smile. "How would you like to go on a trip with Daddy?"

  Carrera's grip loosened immediately. She looked up at him, her frown easing as confusion replaced the anger on her face.

  "A trip?" she asked.

  "Yes," Mister Gabe replied. "In two days' time, I'll be going on a business journey. I was thinking… perhaps you would like to come along with me."

  This was his way of helping her, even if she did not yet realize it. Carrera was thirteen now. In just a few more years, she would reach the age of sixteen, the recommended age for those who wished to apply to become Crusaders of Mankind.

  Like many children her age, she would one day leave Degan and see the wider world, a world far larger and more complex than their small town could ever reveal. When that time came, the concepts of right and wrong would not always be clear, and without guidance, those uncertainties could easily overwhelm her.

  This trip was his way of preparing her, of letting her see fragments of the world while still under his watchful eye. It was a careful balance, one that allowed her to learn without being lost to the harshness of reality. If he was honest with himself, there was another reason as well.

  Degan now held painful memories for his daughter. Every street, every familiar place reminded her of Adrian and of his absence. Mister Gabe hoped that a change of scenery, however brief, might ease the ache in her heart.

  Carrera thought about his offer, though only for a short while. There was little keeping her here now, other than memories that hurt more than they comforted.

  "Yes," she said at last. "I want to go."

  Mister Gabe felt relief wash through him. "Good," he said. "When we get home, start packing your things. And remember, your mother has been very sensitive lately, so be mindful of what you say to her."

  The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

  They continued walking, and as they did, Mister Gabe found himself smiling to no one in particular. The thought of traveling with his daughter filled him with a quiet excitement. It was not often they spent such time together, and he intended to make the most of it. He imagined sightseeing, simple adventures, and moments of laughter that might finally bring light back into her eyes.

  Before they reached the town proper, both father and daughter spotted a familiar figure approaching from the opposite direction.

  Aunt Mira was walking toward them from Degan, dressed in her usual work attire. Her sword was strapped to her back, the hilt extending past her shoulder, a sight that had become almost synonymous with her presence. Her steps were steady and composed, as elegant as ever.

  Carrera's eyes lit up at once. She had not seen Aunt Mira since everything had happened, and the sudden appearance stirred a mix of emotions within her.

  They met midway along the road, exchanging greetings. Mister Gabe and Aunt Mira spoke briefly, their conversation polite and restrained, as though both were careful not to touch upon unspoken topics.

  When that was done, Aunt Mira turned her attention to Carrera.

  "How have you been, Carrera?" she asked.

  "I'm fine, Aunt Mira," Carrera replied, though she paused when she noticed something different in the woman's expression.

  Aunt Mira nodded once. "That's good to hear. You both take care now."

  She turned to leave, her steps quiet as she passed them by.

  Carrera slowed, doubt creeping into her thoughts. She might have been imagining it, but something about Aunt Mira felt different. The air around her carried a sense of finality that Carrera could not ignore.

  She stopped walking altogether.

  "Dad," she said quickly, tugging at his hand. "Can you wait here for a moment? There's something I need to ask Aunt Mira."

  Before he could respond, Carrera pulled her hand free and hurried after the retreating figure. Thankfully, Aunt Mira had not gone far.

  "Aunt Mira!" Carrera called out, slightly breathless as she caught up.

  Almost as if she had sensed her approach, Aunt Mira stopped and turned around slowly, her gaze settling on the girl with calm attentiveness.

  Carrera hesitated, then forced herself to speak. "Are you… are you going somewhere?"

  From appearances alone, it did not seem so. Aunt Mira carried no bag, no supplies, nothing aside from her sword, which she always wore. Normally, Carrera would have assumed she was simply heading to work, leaving Adrian behind as she had done countless times before.

  But this time, it felt different.

  "Yes, Carrera," Aunt Mira answered. Her voice was firm. "I am leaving town. For good."

  The words struck Carrera harder than she expected. She stared at Aunt Mira, unsure how to react.

  "Why?" she asked.

  First Adrian had left. Now the person most closely tied to him was leaving as well. It felt unfair, as though pieces of her life were being taken away one after another without explanation.

  Aunt Mira's gaze softened, though there was a trace of longing beneath it.

  "The only reason I ever returned to Degan," she said slowly, "was to take care of my nephew after his mother left him in my care and disappeared."

  Carrera listened closely, sensing the weight behind her words.

  "Adrian is gone now," Aunt Mira continued. "And without him, I no longer have a reason to remain here."

  That answer did not satisfy Carrera. Degan was Aunt Mira's home too, was it not? Adrian leaving did not mean she had to abandon everything.

  "Where will you go?" Carrera asked. "What are you going to do?"

  "I need to find my sister," Aunt Mira replied. "She's somewhere out there, and I intend to find her."

  Carrera frowned. "Why?"

  "There is something I need to ask her," Aunt Mira said, offering no further explanation.

  She placed a gentle hand on Carrera's head. "Take care of yourself, Carrera. And stay safe."

  With that, Aunt Mira turned away and resumed her walk, leaving Carrera standing alone on the road, watching her figure grow smaller with each step.

  In that moment, Carrera realized that Degan was changing, and not for the better. People were leaving, bonds were breaking, and the world she once knew was slowly unraveling.

  And deep in her heart, she knew that nothing would ever truly be the same again.