The guard’s face clearly displayed his disgust, making it impossible to overlook. His eyebrows furrowed as he scrutinized them. Next to Jaycee, his partner remained indifferent.

“You’re free to leave,” the soldier stated, his words flowing smoothly, yet his tone betraying a sense of revulsion. As someone beckoned the soldier over, they were quickly forgotten. Leon released his hand.

Jaycee wiped his palms on his pants. He couldn’t afford to be openly choosy about their means of reaching their destination, yet inwardly, he could disagree with the methods used. The outcome was paramount, but so was preserving his mental equilibrium, however little remained. His past would endlessly haunt him, and the nightmares would accompany him till his final breath.

He joined his companion in the long queue, waiting silently as it gradually dwindled until it was their turn. The loudspeakers resonated around them, with an authoritative voice informing all passengers of the airship’s impending departure.

Up to that point, they had gone unnoticed, but as minutes ticked by, the military’s presence seemed to intensify. A few individuals were detained as they attempted to board, and guards were stationed at the entrance of the line.

“Keep your head down,” Leon ordered.

Jaycee glared up at him, on the verge of expressing his true feelings, when a guard marched by and approached the worker checking tickets. The guard surveyed the crowd before whispering to her.

Jaycee could only make out the word “fugitive.” Instantly, he felt a surge of heat. He imagined his old comrades mocking him for sweating over something so minor.

As always, Leon remained unfazed by the abrupt turn of events, a testament to his professionalism. This prompted Jaycee to speculate Leon’s identity. Could it be that they had crossed paths before?

“Excuse me, you two over there.”

Leon raised his head, his expression one of agitation. “What now?” he asked.

From afar, a voice cut through the crowd, shouting, “Hey, make way! Excuse me, a lady is coming through—hey, watch the hands, Mr. Slippery Fingers.”

Jaycee caught sight of Kyla just in time, her hands waving wildly as she noticed them looking her way. To say she was embarrassing would put it mildly. Beside him, Leon let out a loud groan.

“Sir, we can’t delay the departure any further,” the worker implored, grasping the officer’s arm and beseeching with her gaze for passage. The surrounding commotion drew curious glances their way, stirring unease among the onlookers.

“If necessary, I’ll bring Commander Jin here to see what’s happening,” the woman said. She tipped her hat up and fixed the soldier with a stern gaze. “A little birdie told me about your activities last night—”

The officer clicked his tongue and conceded. “Fine. You win.” Turning to face them, he said, “You may go.”

He shoved past Kyla, not even whispering an apology.

“What’s his problem?”

The name Commander Jin could instill fear in anyone. As the head of Fioma’s military and a notorious figure even in the lower ranks, he was known for his ruthlessness. It was always wise to stay off his radar.

The worker bowed her head. “I’m sorry about that. Do you have your tickets ready?”

Jaycee just managed to notice the subtle curl of her lips aimed at Leon.

After presenting their proof of passage, they made their way down an extensive corridor and through a door that led them outdoors. The wind intensified, tossing Jaycee’s hair about. Before him stood an object the likes of which he had never seen before.

The airship hovered over the building they had just left, its vast magnitude spanning the entire dock and halting at the edge of Fioma. A mere steel fence was all that stood between it and the open sky. In that moment, the true might of Fioma became undeniably clear to him.

Jaycee gazed upward. The cerulean blue sky contrasted with the fluffy white clouds. Below him, a tapestry of brown and green grass unfolded, punctuated by a lone dandelion basking in the sunlight. He yearned to imprint this sight into his memory. The grandeur of The City in the Sky was unparalleled by anything the world below had to offer.

An employee gestured for them to proceed, and Kyla sprang forward with enthusiasm.

They stood on the brink of their descent into The World Below. It was there that his true adventure would unfold. All that he had fled from would come crashing down, nipping at his heels. Yet, he had to see it once more—his home.