The air around her shimmered, a faint ripple that quickly grew erratic. Her figure flickered like a disrupted projection, fragments of light breaking apart and reassembling in a disjointed rhythm. Kaidan leaned casually against the table, his expression unchanging as he watched the process unfold. It was a sight he’d seen countless times before, but the disjointed nature of it always struck a strange chord within him.

Why does it always feel like something is missing? He questioned inwardly.

When the distortion settled, a new figure stood before him. Long, wild hair of snow-white tumbled down her back, contrasting sharply with her healthy, fair complexion. Her frame was slightly taller than Seraphina’s, though still slight compared to his own. Bright golden eyes met his with a sharp, steady focus that held an air of quiet authority. Only the clothes remained the same though.

All of this happened in just a few seconds.

Kaidan let out a short breath through his nose. Astrid, he mused, recognizing her immediately. Or Ash, as I like to call her.

His gaze flicked to her neck. The asterisk marking was still there, but the number beside it had shifted. Where it had read “2” moments ago, it now displayed a “3.” The change wasn’t shocking—he’d seen it before—but it still gave him pause.

How do they even pull that off? To make the markings change as well... he wondered, his mind lingering on the thought. The overseers’ capabilities always felt like an itch he couldn’t scratch, answers just out of reach.

“Happy Birthday, Kai,” Astrid said, her tone calm and even, as if she were commenting on the weather.

“Thanks, Ash,” Kaidan replied with an easy grin, pushing off the table. He crossed his arms, tilting his head slightly. “Though, I’ve got to say… That’s got to be the flattest happy birthday I’ve ever gotten. Not even a smile for the occasion?”

Her golden eyes softened just the slightest bit as she gave him a pointed look. “I’m not exactly the festive type,” she said, her voice dry but lacking any real edge.

“Stress getting to you?” he teased, a playful lilt in his voice.

She sighed a subtle but deliberate sound that hinted at her usual stoicism cracking just enough to let him see through. “You could say that.”

Kaidan’s grin faltered for a moment, his gaze dropping briefly before he caught himself and plastered it back on. “Well, you’re here now, so it can’t be all bad, right?”

Astrid’s lips twitched, almost imperceptibly. “Right,” she said simply, her tone softer than before.

The comfortable silence stretched for a moment until she spoke again. “I can’t stick around too long though. If I hog the body for much longer, 'you know who' will chew me out.”

Kaidan chuckled, his hands slipping into his pockets. “Yeah, can’t have that. Sera’s probably sharpening her claws already.”

Astrid shook her head, the faintest trace of amusement flickering in her golden eyes. “She would.”

Then, without warning, the air around her shimmered once more. Her form began to glitch again, fragments of her body flickering out and in as though reality itself were struggling to hold her in place. Kaidan watched her dissolve into the distortion, her features breaking apart piece by piece until only shimmering fragments remained, the feeling of wrongness appearing again.

The figure that emerged was distinctly different.

Her hair cascaded down her shoulders in vibrant, flowing waves of purple that seemed to catch the glowstone light just right, giving it a soft sheen. Her amethyst eyes sparkled with a quiet warmth, set against skin that held a rich, deep tone reminiscent of polished mahogany. She stood a full head shorter than Seraphina, her stature petite yet graceful, her features sharp yet regal. If someone had whispered that she’d walked straight out of an ancient desert court, he wouldn’t have been surprised.

The shimmering distortion faded fully, and Isis stood before him. Kaidan’s gaze instinctively flickered to her neck, where the mark had shifted. The asterisk now sat beside the number 4, as clear as if freshly etched.

“Happy Birthday, Kai,” Isis greeted, her smooth voice carrying a warmth that softened the regal air around her.

“Thanks, Queen,” Kaidan replied with a grin, the nickname rolling off his tongue naturally.

Isis raised a brow, the faintest smirk tugging at her lips. “You’re still calling me that?”

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“Of course,” he said, his grin widening. “It fits. Royal demeanor, commanding presence—it would be weird not to call you that.”

She chuckled lightly, shaking her head. “And here I thought you’d at least try something new today.”

“You wound me,” Kaidan shot back dramatically, clutching at his chest. “Next time, I’ll call you something completely unexpected.”

“Like?”

“Goddess?”

She gave him a flat look that almost hid the amusement dancing in her eyes. “You’re impossible.”

“And yet, you tolerate me.”

Their banter came to a pause as Isis’s smile faded. Her eyes lowered, her fingers absently brushing her arm.

Kaidan tilted his head. “Something on your mind, Queen?”

“It’s… Lia,” she admitted, her voice softening.

His relaxed posture tensed at the name.

“She’s still not ready to come out,” Isis continued. “But she asked me to apologize on her behalf… and wish you a happy birthday.”

Kaidan exhaled slowly, his jaw tightening. Damn it, Lianne.

“She doesn’t need to apologize,” he said after a moment, his tone measured. “And tell her I say thanks..”

Isis looked at him, her expression unreadable. “She’ll feel better if you forgive her, Kai.”

She's always so apologetic, what do I need to forgive her for? he sighed.

Kaidan’s lips curved into a faint, wry smile. “Then tell her she’s forgiven, since there's nothing to be forgiven for.”

Her gaze lingered on him for a beat longer before she nodded.

Inside, Kaidan’s thoughts swirled. What did those bastards do to her this time?

But he pushed the questions aside, burying the rising anger beneath his usual façade. “Now then,” he said, shifting his tone back to lightness, “you’re not going to make me wait all night to open this, are you?”

Isis’s expression softened as she gestured toward the box on the table. “I’ll leave you to it,” she said. “I wouldn’t want to spoil the surprise.”

“Running away already?” Kaidan teased, though his eyes followed her closely.

“Not running,” she replied, her voice as composed as ever. “But I’ve taken enough of your time tonight.”

Before he could respond, her form flickered, colors distorting as the faint hum of the transformation filled the room. Her rich brown skin and vibrant purple hair melted into the pale features and dark curls of Seraphina.

“Kai-Kai!” Seraphina exclaimed, rushing to his side the moment she fully materialized. Her hands grabbed his arm, tugging him toward the box. “Come on, open it already!”

Kaidan blinked at the sudden shift, but her excitement was infectious. Shaking off the weight of his earlier thoughts, he allowed himself to be pulled toward the table, the small wooden box now demanding his full attention.

The room fell into an anticipatory silence as Kaidan’s fingers worked to untie the string holding the box shut. He removed the lid with deliberate care, his violet eyes narrowing in suspicion as he peeled back a layer of coarse fabric. Inside lay a neatly folded piece of parchment, aged and worn, its edges slightly frayed.

His breath hitched as he carefully lifted it out and unfolded it, revealing a map. The markings were faint but unmistakable, etched in a mix of sharp lines and rounded curves, depicting tunnels and cavernous expanses. Kaidan’s sharp gaze traced the lines, and recognition flickered in his expression.

“This…” he whispered, his voice low and disbelieving. “This is a map. A map of the underground.”

Turning quickly, he locked eyes with Seraphina, who stood a few steps away, her hands behind her back, rocking on her heels with a smug smile plastered across her face.

“Well?” she asked, her tone light and teasing. “Aren’t I amazing?”

Kaidan blinked, still processing, before his brows furrowed. “H-How did you even get this?”

Seraphina’s smile grew wider as she leaned against the edge of the table. “Oh, you know me, Kai-Kai. I’m resourceful.”

Sure you are... he jibed inwardly.

She relished the surprise on his face before finally explaining. “After my last testing session, they sent me to another infirmary room because one of the older villagers decided to throw a tantrum. Something about the overseers crossing a line.”

Kaidan raised a brow, gesturing for her to continue.

“While everyone was distracted, I noticed this sitting on a desk. Looked important, so I swiped it. I mean, it was practically begging me to take it.” She winked, her smugness practically radiating. “I figured it would mean more to you than to anyone else.”

Kaidan’s gaze softened slightly as he regarded her. That is actually impressive but—why would they leave her in the same place as the map?

He then turned his gaze towards her, still waiting patiently for praise.

But still...this means...a lot.

A silence stretched between them before he abruptly stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her in a quick but firm hug.

The action startled her for a moment, but she quickly melted into it, a warmth spreading through her chest. “Well, look at that,” she said, her voice softer now. “Didn’t know you had it in you, Kai-Kai.”

“Thanks,” Kaidan said, releasing her. He turned to glance at the map again before adding, “And thank the others too. I’m guessing this wasn’t a solo decision.”

At that, Seraphina puffed out her cheeks in an exaggerated pout. “Why do you always have to bring them up? Can’t I get all the credit for once?”

Kaidan chuckled, shaking his head. “Sure, sure. All hail the great Seraphina, mastermind extraordinaire.”

“Don’t you forget it,” she retorted, sticking out her tongue before watching him inspect the map further.

He traced the lines again, muttering under his breath as his mind began piecing together connections. His fingers brushed over one segment, lingering on a small, dark marking that seemed to denote an entrance or significant point.

“This…” he muttered, a spark of excitement flashing in his eyes. “This is exactly what I’ve been looking for. All these years…”

Seraphina tilted her head, her playful demeanor giving way to curiosity. “You mean this might actually help us?”

Kaidan’s smile was small but genuine, a rare sight. “More than help. This might just be the key to getting out of here.”

Her eyes widened slightly before her usual mischievous grin returned. “Well then, I guess I really am the best gift-giver, aren’t I?”

Kaidan snorted, folding the map carefully and tucking it back into the box. “Don’t let it go to your head.”

Seraphina’s laugh echoed softly in the small hut, a sound of hope amidst the oppressive weight of their reality.