Hope City stood ahead of them, worn and crowded.
Alvana followed closely behind Elena as they entered. Aster stayed in her arms, quiet, his eyes open as he watched everything around him.
The streets were busy, filled with people moving quickly, each minding their own business.
Alvana lowered his voice. "So this is where the Primal Pearl is?"
Elena nodded. "Somewhere in this city. We just need to find it before anything finds us."
They walked for a while until they approached the city gate.
Elena stopped. "Wait here."
Alvana nodded and watched her walk toward one of the guards.
The man looked bored at first, but the moment Elena approached, his attention shifted.
"You're new here?" he asked.
"Yes," Elena replied calmly. "I came from afar with my relatives. We need a place to stay for the night."
The guard studied her more carefully now. There was interest in his eyes, but also caution.
Hope City was not a place where people acted without thinking.
He cleared his throat. "You have anyone inside?"
"No," she said. "That's why I'm asking for help."
There was a brief pause.
Then Elena stepped a little closer, lowering her voice just enough to make it feel personal, not obvious.
"We've traveled for days," she added. "We just need somewhere safe to rest."
The guard hesitated. His eyes flickered for a moment, then he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small token.
"Take this," he said. "Find someone called Dead Eye inside. Show him this. He'll sort you out."
Elena accepted it with a small nod. "Thank you."
She held his gaze for a second longer than necessary, then turned and walked back.
Alvana had been watching everything.
There was something different about how she spoke, how she carried herself.
It wasn't the same woman he had known growing up.
When she reached him, he didn't hide it.
"You've changed," he said quietly.
Elena looked at him. "I did what was needed."
Alvana held her gaze for a moment, then nodded. "I understand."
>>>>>>>>>>
They entered the city and followed the directions they were given.
After asking around, they found the place.
A man with a scarred eye sat behind a counter.
Elena handed him the token.
He looked at it, then at them, before nodding.
"You can stay. Upstairs."
>>>>>>>>>>>>
The room was small, but it was enough.
Alvana sat down, letting out a breath.
"We should plan our next move," he said. "We can't just wander around looking for the pearl."
Elena nodded slightly.
Before she could respond, a loud voice echoed outside.
"The City Lord is arriving. Everyone is to come out and bow. Failure to comply will be punished."
Alvana frowned and stood up. "We should go. No need to attract attention."
Elena shook her head.
"We're not bowing."
Alvana blinked. "Why?"
Aster spoke quietly. "We don't bow to humans."
Alvana turned to him. "What do you mean we?"
Aster said nothing more.
Alvana looked back at Elena. "It's just a bow."
She took a breath. "Not for us."
His chest tightened. "Explain."
Elena looked at him directly. "I am not fully human."
Silence.
"My mother was human," she continued, "but my father was a celestial dragon."
Alvana's thoughts scattered.
He looked at Aster, then back at her.
"Then what about me?" he asked.
Elena shook her head. "That does not explain you."
Alvana frowned. "What do you mean?"
Aster spoke again.
"You are different."
Alvana's eyes locked onto him.
"You are not human."
His heartbeat quickened.
"You are not beast."
His throat went dry.
"You are not dragon."
The room went still.
Elena spoke softly. "It's like you don't belong to any of them."
Alvana's legs gave way.
He dropped to the floor, his mind unable to catch up.