Almost immediately after resolving his matter with the man at the head of the Rozanov family, Alexei departed from the chaotic streets of Bluewater and set his sights on his next destination: Skyline City, the very city where the Devi resided. It was a city they had once bid farewell, with wishes for a safe journey, even though she knew all too well that the path they were embarking upon would be anything but safe.

Arriving in Skyline City under the cover of night, the city's towering spires and illuminated streets greeted Alexei's weary form. Surprisingly, this time he encountered little resistance at the city entrance. Clad in a new set of clothes, Alexei passed through the guarded gates without so much as a word of inquiry. The guards, seemingly unaware of his true identity, allowed him to enter the city unhindered, their curiosity stifled by the facade he presented.

Several strides into the heart of Skyline City, Alexei's mind was consumed by thoughts of how Del'hia and the others had managed to elude him thus far. Frustration and determination coursed through his veins, igniting a spark within him. Raising his hand toward the heavens, he tapped into the raw power of his electro-elementalis, calling forth the electric energy that crackled and danced across his fingertips.

In a burst of blinding brilliance, lightning erupted from his outstretched palm, illuminating the surroundings with its dazzling radiance. The crackling bolts of electricity sizzled through the air, guided by his unwavering will. With pinpoint accuracy, he directed the lightning to strike the nearest wall, creating a barrier that blocked the road leading out of the city.

The wall trembled under the force of the electric onslaught, debris showering the ground as the impact reverberated through the night, waking half of the city.

With the barrier firmly in place, Alexei resumed his relentless march through the city,

In his stride through the streets of Skyline City, a remarkable sight unfolded before him. Despite the late hour, the city buzzed with activity. Vibrant lights bathed the thoroughfares, casting a kaleidoscope of colors upon the bustling crowds that filled the sidewalks and stalls. Every now and then, Alexei would catch glimpses of shadowy figures hurrying through the labyrinthine streets, their forms flickering like phantoms in the night. Laughter and conversations filled the air, intermingling with the tantalizing aromas of street food wafting from nearby stalls.

However, despite the apparent liveliness, Alexei couldn't help but feel a dissonance in the atmosphere. Having spent quite some time around these parts of the continent, the joviality that permeated the city obviously didn’t change, the only thing that did was him.

As he trudged along the bustling streets, the once familiar sights and sounds of the city now felt like cruel reminders of a past he longed to forget. The joyous laughter of strangers echoed in his ears, cutting through the silence of his solitude and digging into the wounds of his heart.

Each carefree chuckle he overheard pierced his soul, evoking memories of raucous escapades and stolen moments of happiness. He remembered the times when he and her would race through these very streets, the adrenaline pumping through their veins as they outmaneuvered the pursuing guards with reckless abandon.

The flickering shadows that danced at the corners of his vision served as a constant reminder of her mischievous exploits into which he would always get sucked into. He could almost see them, their silhouettes illuminated by the dim glow of lanterns, as they disappeared into narrow alleyways, leaving nothing but confusion and frustration in their wake.

But now, as he walked alone, their absence weighed heavily on him. He longed for her presence, for the familiar banter and the warmth of how clinging she was.

His solitary march continued, each step a painful reminder of what once was. The laughter, the shadows, the memories—they all lingered, haunting him as he ventured further into the heart of a city that had moved on, leaving him behind. The city, in all its liveliness, seemed to taunt him, mocking his isolation and magnifying his sense of loss. Only for it to soon turn into a boiling internal rage. This rage seeped through his very being like a sparkle of lightning and a gust of wind. His aero-elementalis and electro-elementalis, slowly going rogue, were halted by nothing but a thin strand of Alexei's sanity. The city became a blur of lights and colors, a reflection of his own seething rage. And yet the world around him seemed oblivious to the storm waiting only to be unleashed. Conscious enough to prevent the situation from escalating beyond his control, Alexei exerted his authority over his elementalis, all the while attempting to rein in his emotions and keep them in check.

Despite his best efforts, Alexei found it increasingly challenging to keep his emotions in check. A mixture of frustration and raw anger surged within him, and his mind became a battleground of conflicting thoughts and emotions.

Having difficulty to do so, Alexei thought about a way, one that involved the one who’d been around from the very beginning,

Struggling to maintain control, Alexei contemplated a solution—a way that involved the one voice that had been a constant presence at his side from the very beginning.

Closing his eyes, seeking company, Alexei attempted to commute with the voice that as far as he could remember has been in his head talking to him, and yet for the past few days he’d been inauspiciously silent.

"Hey, Suraxai, why the silence?" Alexei's voice carried a mix of longing and frustration, his desire to hear that familiar voice growing stronger with each passing moment. He hoped that by addressing it directly, he could break the spell of silence that had enveloped their connection.

Yet, once again, like his previous attempts his question was met with an empty void, the absence of any response. Alexei's heart sank, and a sense of unease settled within him. He couldn't fathom the reason for this prolonged silence or the lessons he was meant to glean from it.

"Whatever lesson I am supposed to learn from your silence, don't you think it's been long enough already?" Alexei's voice quivered with a mixture of impatience and longing. He yearned for the comforting presence of Suraxai, the voice that had guided him through countless challenges.

But his plea fell upon deaf ears, or rather, a silence that seemed impenetrable. Alexei's desperation grew as he struggled to make sense of the situation.

"I get it already," Alexei's voice cracked, his frustration giving way to a plea tinged with vulnerability. "Now, can you please stop this silence and speak to me again? It’s so silent, I hate this. So something, anything.”

His words hung in the air, carried away by a cold and empty silence. No matter what he said, Suraxai remained resolutely silent, unyielding in its refusal to respond. The ache in Alexei's heart deepened, the void left by the voice's absence becoming an overwhelming burden upon his shoulders.

For a fleeting moment, Alexei teetered on the precipice of falling apart under the weight of that void. Suraxai's silence and Ninjara’s absence had left him feeling lost and vulnerable, like a ship adrift in an endless sea. Yet, as he gazed upon the place where the 'travelers' were, before their departure, holed up just up ahead, a flicker of purpose ignited within him.

As he arrived at the designated structure, the first thing Alexei noticed was the absence of the carriage that had been parked in front of the building on his previous visit. The doors stood closed, presenting a formidable barrier between him and the answers he sought.

Without a single moment of hesitation, Alexei unleashed the raw power of his electro-elementalis. With a surge of energy, the doors' wooden frame splintered and buckled under the sheer force of the unleashed electricity. In a blinding flash, the door exploded into fragments, leaving behind a smoldering wreckage.

With an unhinged demeanor, Alexei stepped into the room, only to be met with a disheartening sight. The once vibrant space now lay empty and abandoned, as if it had been ransacked or hastily evacuated by its inhabitants.

The room, which had previously served as a bar, still held remnants of its former life. Glass shards and snack crumbs littered the tables, while a few bottles remained on the wall-mounted rack, though noticeably missing were the more expensive-looking ones.

Undeterred, Alexei continued to explore the structure, moving from the ground floor to the floor above. However, each room he encountered mirrored the same desolate emptiness as the one before. The sense of bitter apprehension and annoyance grew within him as he came to accept the grimm conclusion he had been avoiding: the ones he sought had already taken their leave, he’d arrived too late, and somewhere inside him he knew it would be the case.

Disheartened by the discovery, Alexei sank down onto an upturned chair, dusty chair, but just as he did he swiftly rose up, thinking, there is no time to waste, there is still that place to check. Before storming out of the structure, for the other place he returned to Skyline city for.

***

Walking along the familiar cobblestone path, Alexei found himself at the outskirts where the line between the Rajs' opulent residence and the more modest homes of the common people blurred. The mansion before him, while not as extravagant as the one in the distance, still exuded an air of prosperity that set it apart from the average dwelling.

Though not on the same scale as the grand mansions that dotted the city’s wealthy’s and Rajs’ districts, this residence retained a certain level of respectability that many in the city would consider enviable. If there was one thing that truly set this mansion apart was its sprawling garden. The lush greenery stretched out before Alexei, a vibrant tapestry of meticulously maintained flowerbeds, neatly trimmed hedges, and a variety of exotic plants.

Standing before the entrance gate that Alexei had forcefully opened with a mighty gale, the fragrance of blooming flowers filled the air.

Gazing at the light emanating from inside the house, a mixture of exhilaration and trepidation flooded Alexei's heart, accompanied by an unquenchable thirst that yearned to be satisfied.

With a resolute intent to quench that thirst, Alexei crossed the threshold of the entrance gate and stepped onto the meticulously maintained grounds of the mansion. When he reached the door, it was, once again just like the entrance door, locked. As he entered the house, a wave of both relief and disappointment washed over him. The interior was not in disarray, but instead, it appeared remarkably tidy. Everything seemed to be in its rightful place, as if the occupants had left without the need to hastily gather their belongings.

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Alexei's keen eyes swept across the rooms, observing the pristine condition of the place, the absence of any signs of struggle, and the absence of its resident that suggested an hurried departure. It became increasingly evident that the ones he sought were once again not there.

For a brief moment, time seemed to slow as Alexei's instincts kicked in. He pivoted on his heel, his gaze fixed on the source of the sound, and his arm raised in a defensive stance. Sparks danced along his fingertips as his electro-elementalis surged to meet the oncoming object.

For a moment, Alexei stood there still, his thoughts racing as he contemplated his next course of action. A wave once again disappointment, anger, and impatience threatened to engulf him, but a sudden gust of wind followed almost instantly by a sudden “thud” that sounded all but too much like footstep cut short to it, alerting his senses. Instinctively, he spun around. To his surprise, he saw a shovel was hurled at him, swung by someone standing just a few feet away.

Reacting with lightning-fast reflexes, Alexei summoned his electro-elementalis, channeling the power of lightning into his outstretched arm. The crackling energy enveloped his hand, creating a protective shield that intercepted the swinging shovel.

The impact sent a jolt of force through Alexei's arm, but he stood firm, refusing to let his guard down. The broken shovel clattered to the floor, its wooden handle splintered from the impact.

As their eyes locked, Alexei's initial surprise turned into a mix of confusion and disbelief. Andri, the Devi's gardener, had been his assailant all along. The realization left him momentarily speechless.

"You..." Alexei managed to utter.

Andri, however, seemed unfazed by Alexei's presence, a defiant glint in his eyes. He acknowledged Alexei's arrival with a hint of satisfaction, as if his expectation had been fulfilled.

“Devi said you would come, you really came.”

Andri discarded the broken shovel, swiftly reaching for a nearby broom. With a deft movement, he broke off the end of the broom, fashioning it into a makeshift staff. The determination in his eyes was unmistakable, and his readiness to confront Alexei was evident.

"Devi and young Mistress Anara left hurriedly because of you. They seemed afraid of you. I, however, am not afraid," Andri declared, his voice filled with conviction. “I will drive you off.”

Alexei couldn't help but be taken aback by the audacity of Andri's statement. The common Odoe, who possessed no discernible supernatural abilities, stood before him with a fighting stance, seemingly determined to defeat him with one way or another.

The absurdity of the situation threatened to ignite a mixture of amusement, self-derision, and annoyance within Alexei. Though the man was never what one would call an easy person to socialize with, as most of Alexei’s interactions with him consisted of him shaking his head and saying no, whether or not the Devi had returned from her journey.

In fact, if there were a person involved in all of this whom Alexei would have forgotten the face of, it would have been him. However, the fact that he chose to stand there meant that, in Alexei’s tab, he forfeited his position as a mere bystander for that of another name in his list.

Raising his arm with the intention to swiftly end the confrontation, Alexei's actions were abruptly halted, his hand frozen mid-air. A sensation of weight began to envelop him, gradually growing heavier with each passing second. It was not just his arm that felt burdened; his entire body seemed to be transforming into stone, rendering him completely immobile.

Before he could even begin to comprehend what was happening, a searing pain pierced through his consciousness, manifesting as an acute headache—one that he was all but too familiar with.

Nexus Alert:

Balancing in progress…

Why now out of all time.

Nexus Alert:

Odo Balancing in progress…19%

As the excruciating headache consumed his senses, Alexei's focus waned, leaving him vulnerable and defenseless. Seizing the opportunity, Andri launched a relentless assault, striking him repeatedly with his makeshift staff. Each blow landed with a painful impact, causing Alexei's strength to falter, and he crumpled to the ground, his body aching and battered.

Andri, channeling his rage with a scream, wasted no time in capitalizing on his advantage. He swiftly mounted Alexei, pinning him to the ground with a crushing weight. The wooden staff pressed laterally against Alexei's throat, constricting his airway and robbing him of breath.

The weight of Andri's body bore down on him, intensifying the suffocating grip around his throat. With only one hand Alexei tried to relieve the pressure put on him.

Nexus Alert:

Odo Balancing in progress…25%

Nexus Alert:

Odo channels established

Gasping for precious breaths, Alexei's eyes widened under the pressure. The world around him blurred as darkness threatened to consume his vision. The only clear thing in sight for Alexei was the nexus notification appearing in front of him, which was different from the usual one. However, it was not the best time for him to dwell on that thought.

Nexus Alert:

Odo Balancing in progress…35,64%

Nexus Alert:

- Odo Source installed

- Senescence deleted

- Odo Characteristic installed

As he attempted to process this sudden distraction, Alexei witnessed a momentary release of pressure, accompanied by a perplexed expression on Andri's face. But before long, Andri resumed his assault with even greater force, intensifying the pressure on Alexei.

Struggling to gather his thoughts amidst the suffocating grip, Alexei's consciousness wavered. In that vulnerable state, a distinct rustling sound reached his ears, unlike the previous phantom sounds. It was a tangible noise, originating from somewhere near his head.

The transformation in Andri's expression, the dark shadow cast upon his face, and the temporary alleviation of pressure confirmed something to Alexei: there was a way for him to escape this ordeal alive.

Summoning his last reserves of strength, Alexei managed to push the staff away from his neck, inadvertently drawing Andri's attention back to himself. Determined to seize the opportunity that lay before him, he delivered a forceful headbutt to Andri's face. However, to his surprise, Alexei didn't feel the impact of the collision, at least not on his forehead. Nonetheless, Andri unmistakably recoiled in pain, blood streaming from his injured visage. Seizing the momentary respite, Alexei swiftly took advantage of the situation, pushing himself away from his assailant.

With an unexpected surge of power, Alexei jolted the bar away from his throat, freeing himself from Andri's grip. Crawling out from under his assailant, Alexei saw Andri charging towards him, his bloodied countenance giving him a monstrous appearance. Desperate for a means of defense, Alexei's hand unexpectedly landed on something—the other half of the broken shovel.

Clutching the broken shovel tightly, Alexei unleashed a forceful strike, aiming it at Andri's face with all his might. The impact reverberated through the air, accompanied by a sickening thud as the sharp edge of the shovel connected with Andri's cheekbone. Pain and surprise etched across Andri's features as he staggered back momentarily, but he remained on his feet.

Determined to neutralize the threat and mostly fueled by primal and violent urges to do so, Alexei swiftly regained his footing. With a surge of adrenaline, he swung the shovel once more, targeting the same sweet spot. The heavy blow landed with a resounding thump, this time not failing to drive Andri to the ground, his body collapsing under the force of the impact. Without hesitation, Alexei seized the opportunity to unleash upon him his wrath.

With a scream improper to him, Alexei raised the shovel high above his head and brought it crashing down towards Andri's face. The sound of impact echoed through the air as metal met flesh, accompanied by a sickening crunch. Andri let out a guttural cry of pain, his blood mixing with the dirt beneath him.

Struggling to defend himself, Andri's hands flailed weakly, but Alexei's relentless assault continued. He swung the shovel again and again, each strike fueled by an unquenchable rage. Blow after blow rained down upon Andri's face while also splattering onto Alexei’s face, leaving a trail of broken bones and shattered teeth in its wake.

As the seconds ticked by, Andri's resistance grew weaker, his body battered and broken. Alexei's primal instincts took over, his mind clouded with a mix of rage and desperation. He struck with a ferocity that bordered on madness, his shovel becoming a merciless instrument of retribution.

Retribution for what, exactly? In that moment, Alexei didn't care. He continued to pound and pound, the sound of his raging scream morphing into a maniacal laugh. Even as he relentlessly hammered the shovel onto the man's head, Alexei failed to distinguish what was wrong with his arms—or, to be precise, one of them.

Finally, with one last swing, Alexei delivered a crushing blow that drove the shovel deep into the gory mush that remained of Andri's head. Alexei stood over him, his entire body tainted with blood.

The weight of the confrontation settled upon him, the reality of what he had just done sinking in. It was at this point, while gazing down at Andri's lifeless form, that Alexei noticed the shadow cast by his own figure. It took the form of a normal Arbian silhouette: a head, a torso, and four limbs. However, there was something different about the shadow atop his head—With a branching pattern, it resembled the shape of antlers. As Alexei reached up to touch it, a realization washed over him. Where his right hand had once been missing, there was now another hand—a hand with a golden hue, one that he knew all too well.

At the sight of it, covered in blood, Alexei whimpered, and as he tried to stifle it, a chuckle escaped his mouth. Then, out of nowhere, both the chuckle and whimper were followed by a second one, which soon transformed into a mixture of crying and laughing.

What am I doing? What the hell am I even doing, really?

While internally asking himself that question, Alexei was suddenly struck by a quick realization, one that made him accept that he no longer knew what he was doing.

There, unable to bring himself to stop crying and laughing, Alexei, for the first time in his life, longed for his life under Suraxai's tutelage. He reminisced about those days when his entire existence revolved around following Suraxai's orders and suggestions, and although it was occasionally painful, it felt easier compared to the overwhelming sensation of being lost that he was experiencing at that moment.

The same could be said about the short times he spent with her company after being freed of his own prison crystal, all he’d been doing with her around was tagging along, shielding himself behind her leadership.

Now he found himself alone, lost, with neither orders nor suggestions to rely on, nor a person’s back to seek refuge behind.

Right here and now, if there were one thing he could ask for, it would be for someone or something to give him purpose. He longed for something that could wash away the loneliness in his heart, that overwhelming sensation of not understanding the purpose behind his actions. Alexei would give anything for just that, regardless of whether it came from someone or something.

It was there in the midst of his confused thoughts that a screen appeared in front of Alexei.

Nexus Alert

—A screen within which hope appeared.