A few hours earlier,
"Stay safe."
"I should be the one telling you that."
Young Aether remained standing where he was, silently watching the spot where Jonathan's figure had disappeared into the swirling gateway.
The gentle smile lingering beneath his visor slowly faded.
The warmth that had lingered in his expression dissolved completely, replaced by an emotionless calm that carried neither hatred nor kindness. Only a faint trace of anticipation remained, as though he had already stepped several moves ahead in a game that no one else realised had begun.
His gaze slowly drifted toward the surviving personnel of Commander 3 before sweeping across the heavily fortified rooftop.
He casually walked toward the elevator door and leaned against it, his eyes never leaving the portal shimmering before him.
After several moments of silence, he spoke almost absentmindedly to the only person who was close to him.
