[Book II Chapter 65] FILIA: Silver’s return

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Standing on Neon’s docks, Filia and Kate watched the airship descend. Silver was returning. He’d taken portal from Bastion to Novgard this morning and they were here to greet him.

Filia recognized him instantly among the disembarking passengers. He’s grown so much. Kate ran and jumped into his arms.

“I missed you.” She said, giving him a smack on the lips.

“Me too.” Silver smiled. He then looked around anxiously. “Where’s Kara?”

“Off in the city.” Kate answered. “Although I’m sure you’ll see her soon enough.”

Silver looked her in the eye, “She hasn’t traumatized you, has she?”

“No, I was prepared this time.” Kate said. “But what about you? You were in that place for three years…”

Silver’s eyes went distant. “I witnessed hundreds of thousands die in those endless skirmishes. It’s maddening how everyone accepts it. There were times I wanted to see you so badly…”

I’m glad he’s back safely. From what Filia knew, simply surviving the Flux Planescapes was an impressive victory. She’d secretly dreaded Kate would receive devastating news.

“But enough of that.” Silver declared, shaking off the gloom. “I’ve got something to show you!”

Filia felt him channel, and the white stripped tail of a snow tiger extended behind him. There were two new extremities on his head.

“Look, I have cat ears too!” Silver boasted happily.

Kate took a step back, a complicated expression on her face. “Please don’t. It’s strange.”

“I thought you’d like it…” Silver was crestfallen. “I really practiced this fusion.”

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“I appreciate the effort, but no.” Kate said firmly.

Chuckling, Filia announced her departure. The two nodded, barely registering her words. Spreading white feathery wings, she took off over the familiar cityscape.

<> Blizzy asked.

<> Filia answered, perching on a tall building and activating her wristal.

It was her first time back in civilization since Rosaria, and she devoured headlines with a starved fervor. Beacon repels the Grey Kindom… Saints arrive from the cultivator world… A dungeon appears near Messanic… Many articles were devoted to the Revenant sovereigns terrorizing the Twisted Lands. Skimming a few, she switched to a network devoted to sukemon coverage. With relief, she discovered most at the tournament had escaped safely.

<> Blizzy chimed in. Blizzowls were one of the few sukemon that had the sage characteristic and could read.

Laughing Man tracks down third collector.

Filia opened the piece and frowned. Three adventurers famous in the scene had been ambushed leaving dungeons, their parties killed and their rare cards stolen. So he hasn’t found what he is looking for…

<> Blizzy asked.

<> Filia sighed.

Of course, she could always remain in Neon, but she firmly rejected this option. It was her pursuit of immortality which justified not grieving her parents. Without it, she’d have no excuse not to, and she feared falling into a depression she couldn’t escape. That madman won’t crush my dreams.

<> Blizzy.

Filia smirked at the encouragement. Her resilience in the face of the Lomistan tragedy was due to her sukemon. They were her second family.

Her wristal flashed, and she received a message from Kate and Silver. They had something important to discuss. She flew down and joined them in an outdoor cafe.

“Silver met with Astra Skyfell in Bastion.” Kate began. “And she assigned him a mission, so we won’t be traveling with Kara anymore.”

“My sister Hope has been captured.” Silver explained. “Since the Grey Kingdom is refusing to answer inquiries, mother wants me to conduct an infiltration to find out more.”

Filia absorbed the bombshell. “Isn’t that a super dangerous assignment?” It sounded like the way to lose a second child.

“During the Grey Kingdom’s offensive, some areas surrendered without a fight and were granted autonomy.” Silver revealed. “It should be relative safe to move around there.”

“Like you, Silver is a summoner and can open passageways to the Ether as long as he’s away from protective wards.” Kate added. “This means it should prove simple to retreat if things go wrong.”

Silver displayed a map. “Our goal is to reach the Adventurer’s Guild branch in Ransas. It’s our best bet to secure intel.”

They both looked at Filia. “Are you coming with us?” Kate asked.

There’s not really a choice. “I guess I am.” She answered.