Arc carefully pushed open the door leading to the mansion's staff lounge. A small cloud of dust rose into the air, illuminated by the soft, golden rays from Morin streaming through the slightly ajar curtains. Inside, the atmosphere was thick with a musty scent, cobwebs adorned the corners, while the once-vibrant upholstery of the furniture lay dulled and coated in a thin layer of dust, making it clear that this room had long been forgotten.

The heavy curtains, starting to fade with age, swayed gently in the warm breeze as if trying to blow away the musty smell of the unused room. Light filtered through the thick fabric, casting playful patterns of light that danced across the worn wooden floorboards.

Arc couldn't help but notice the contrast to the previous room he had just left—gleaming and meticulously maintained—as if it belonged to a different world altogether. It struck him as odd, but he tossed the thought aside as another quirk of Genisis.

As Arc was about to open the door out of the room and into the main halls, the sound of playing children drifted into his ears. Although the sound was distant, Arc could tell it was inside this building. His thoughts jumped to the worst possible scenario, and he dashed out of the room to see what was happening.

Arc was just about to cross through the main foyer to the other side of the mansion, where he could hear the children playing when a familiar voice caught his attention.

"Oh? Family Head Arc? What are... Are you looking for young Carter?"

Arc turned and saw one of the caretakers of the orphanage standing at the door leading outside. She seemed to be talking to the knights while holding some papers.

Arc flinched when she started to walk toward him with a questioning gaze, but after a second, he breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed from her confused and innocent look that his worries were unfounded.

"Um, yes, I am looking for young Carter. Is he not here?"

"No, sorry to waste your trip here, although you should have seen them on your trip here. Istina and Ibada took him and several other children to meet with Zindra about accommodations specifically for them."

"Oh, should you be treating those children so differently? Are all children not treated the same under your Divine Race's care?"

"Well, yes, ...but this situation calls for special treatment, and I'm sure you'll understand when you see the group."

"Oh, and Carter falls into this group."

"Not specifically, but..."

Arc raised an eyebrow as he watched the caretaker squirm and fidget, silently staring and waiting for them to continue.

"Well, most of them are knights in training, and..."

"Problem children? Right?"

"Ummm, yes..." The caretaker said in a hushed tone.

"It is fine. I know the child is easily swayed by others. It is nothing on any of the children; they will be children, of course."

"Although he is more reclusive now, holding him down for some time was difficult as he would disappear late at night to explore. One time before this, he was gone for a few nights..."

"What? When? Why was I not informed!"

"Uh, it was a few months before his reclusion. We told Lady Zindra about it, but she did not tell you, thinking it was unimportant since he was safe."

"That girl, it probably slipped her mind, and you said this happened several times when."

"Several months back when most of the knights were umm..."

"And... I see..."

Arc lost himself in thought at the new information.

'She mentioned that he had been missing for several nights. If this happened several months ago, shortly after I discovered the underground labs. Could Carter have followed me? No, that timing doesn't add up. The guards were unconscious for a couple of months, and I was there alone for almost a month. Did he come after I left but before the guards woke up, during that gap when everyone was preoccupied with other matters? If that's the case, what did he see? Or am I just overreacting? He hasn't yet explored many places here, especially since he just found that old ruin outside the village with the other children. That could have sparked his desire to venture outside the premises, but something doesn't sit right. It's as if my body is telling me I am right, but am I just overthinking.'

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"Thank you for your time. I will go see Zindra about this and to see Carter."

"Oh, of course. If you need anything else, then let us know."

Arc waved as he stepped outside, greeting the knights with subtle nods, but his mind lay elsewhere. He was curious about the new hermit side of Carter, that useless child, and the changes he had experienced since his short time in the village.

Arc tilted his head back, his gaze fixed on Morin, which hung high in the sky, casting a warm, golden light over the small village. The streets around Arc were filled with Seedlings as chaos unfolded in the heart of the village. The main roads, usually vibrant with the sounds of laughter and trade, were now alive with an urgent frenzy. Seedlings moved in all directions, their faces marked with worry and haste. They jostled through the packed alleyways and meandering side streets, desperately seeking refuge in the center of the village. Each glance revealed pockets of fear; their hurried footsteps echoed against the cobblestones, blending with the distant shouts and the rustle of makeshift stalls being hastily dismantled. The air was thick with tension, yet the determination in their eyes reflected a shared hope that they would find safety amid the turmoil.

"It seems I spent only a handful of hours underground. Although I exhausted myself, it seems it was wise to ensure that the path out is safe as the chaos here is growing. I can't say I blame them, though those things below were fierce monsters even for me. Now, where is Carter?"

***

Arc made his way to the gates that led to the Central Building, a place that typically buzzed with the lively energy of Seedlings coming and going. Now, however, the scene was empty. Not a single Seedling was in sight; the usual sounds of chatter were replaced by an eerie silence that hung heavily in the air.

As he approached, he noticed shadows flickering across the tall windows of the building, suggestive of some unseen activity within. They danced and shifted, hinting at life, yet the stark emptiness outside made the situation even more unsettling.

"Where did all the Seedlings from this morning disappear to?" Arc asked himself, a little taken back by the lifelessness of the supposed busiest place in the village.

He strolled past the lush shrubs bordering the path, their leaves rustling softly in the breeze. As he walked toward the heart of the pathway, the small fountain with its crystal-clear water glistened just as it usually did. With a quick burst of energy, he sprinted across the open field until he reached a discreet side door. This entrance was his secret shortcut to Zindra's office, expertly avoiding the bustling main entrance, often crowded with visitors.

Normally, the stoic guard stationed at the door would greet him with a dismissive wave until he got close enough for recognition. But now the guard who had greeted him so grumpily this morning was absent, and to his surprise, the door—usually secured tight—stood invitingly ajar.

"Ominous," Arc mumbled.

As Arc cautiously leaned his head inside, he instinctively scanned the area for any signs of danger. To his surprise, he spotted the guard who was supposed to be outside—standing just a few steps from the entrance. The guard appeared to be talking with a duo in white cloaks. They stood amidst a cluster of children, huddled together in the cramped hallway leading toward Zindra's office and the other high-ranking officials of the building.

Arc could see a child with the usual icy-blue hair that marked one of his kind and knew it was Carter just from his strange way of standing still, if you could call the swaying motion that. With that little bit of information, it was easy to tell who the pair were, who the children were, and why the guard was doing what he was doing.

Arc continued through the entrance, and the group in the hall quickly turned toward him. The dangerous glow in the pair's and the guard's eyes swiftly left after they realized that it was only Arc walking into the hall.

"How many times have I got to tell you to use the main entrance? That is an exit only. Stop coming in that way!" The guard spoke in the grumbling voice that Arc was used to, adding a little comfort to the situation.

"And you still let me through every time. Plus, it was open. I thought something might have happened, so I rushed through to save you."

"Yeah, I am sure that's what it was," The guard turned to the pair in white cloaks before continuing, "Well, now you don't need me since one of the people you're looking for is here. I will go back to my duty. As for you, stop going through that door."

Arc waved at the guard with a slight smile, knowing that the guard would have nothing to worry about in just a few moments. Soon, he and Carter would leave, and it was likely that everyone else here would die.

"Arc..." The pair spoke in their usually twisting voice

Arc cringed at the mere sound of their echoing voices. He hated dealing with the split race, especially when they were with their children like the pair in front of him.

"Put the kids to sleep, and only one of you speaks. I can't deal with that mix of four voices; it gives me a headache."

"Sorry, there is only so much that we can do about that, but is this better," Ibada spoke as he pulled down his hood, his voice no longer mixed or twisted.

"Yes, anyways, I have come for the child..."

"Are you leaving Arc?" Istina spoke with a tinge of playfulness in her voice.

"Whatever do you mean, I simply do not trust any of you to care for the child in a situation like this."

"And you can be trusted?" Istina quipped back.

"Istina!"

Ibada turned to whisper something to Istina, but Arc paid no mind and waited for the pair to finish their silent conversation.

"Where are you taking the child? May I ask?" Ibada asked, now that he had finished his conversation with Istina.

"No, I think it best if you know nothing in case you leak our whereabouts."

"Ah, I understand. If so, please take the child, and may the gods and your ancestors protect you in these trying times."

"Thank you, come Carter. We have someplace to be."