Hollow Daylight [Part 2]

With a noble and dignified air surrounding him, Ishaan presents a warm smile as he salutes his distant relatives one by one.

Head of Reosian, Lord Lysander Reosian.

Head of Ulthar, Lord Emberion Ulthar.

Head of Auriga, Lord Osmund Auriga.

Head of Eleodora, Lord Ignacia Eleodora.

Ishaan didn’t particularly care for any of the lesser clan members besides Raiden and Czar. He did not consider himself heartless for this as they hated his guts like they knew of his flaws.

They did not, yet they judge anyway, as if the truth of his existence changed nothing.

“How tedious our efforts in life can be,” Ziven once said, staring off into the fractured lights dotting the sky. “I wonder why anyone bothers in this endeavor we call life.”

Ishaan couldn’t help but feel that monotonous mood as he shakes hands with another clan member.

****

Ishaan no longer wanted to be in the estate with guests still over, so he headed to the capital, Timeless Blaze, which is located on the lower grounds.

The western continent is notable for their floating structures and roads nestled between clouds, with the buildings changing positions based on the heat of the sun. A third of their population is below, while the rest are in the sky.

Timeless Blaze is planted roundly in the middle of all five major cities, acting as a bridge to the higher lands.

A dense wall circles around Timeless Blaze, its white oak architecture towering over pentagon shaped houses that glimmer with a shift of blue and pale yellow.

Ishaan controlled footsteps stride down a half crowded sidewalk, clad in a dark brown robe, its hood deep, hiding his features.

Life forces prickles around him as people bustle through the spilt streets lined with various booths and stalls. Vibrant green trees scatter spots clear of concrete and pavement.

Happy chatter flows with a buzz into Ishaan's incredible senses. As usual, every sound, scent, touch, physique, and scent in a fifteen radius of him assaulted his senses.

The clamor of the crowd ripples like waves of an ocean, constantly moving around him, while aromas of roasting food, sweet pastries and beverages afloat and mend in the atmosphere.

Clinking of coins, sounds of laughter and frustration give off a subtle vibration. People’s spiritual essence smolders like balls of fire filled with viability and potential.

Ishaan sometimes feels like he’s a phantom to life; never truly experiencing what civilians claim to be normal.

His normal was insane or sanctity in the eyes of those around him.

The only joy Ishaan feels nowadays from the bottom of his chest was the pride in his ever growing success.

Ishaan whisks his way to a booth selling grilled skewers. The smell alluring him.

Pulling out a pelt wallet, he pays for two with five dollars. One of chicken and cooked vegetables, the other cubes of beef steak.

The strong spicy spices tingles his lips as he takes a bite, not paying much attention as he wanders absentmindedly.

Just then, on the edge of his senses, a powerful quaver outrushes.

Ishaan pauses, frowning slowly. ‘Am assassin? He would not dare send one when I’m in public. No, he would… But on Hollow Daylight?’

In curiosity, Ishaan follows the alarming presence, his smooth shoes trudging along on a vine covered path leading deeper into the woods behind one of the booths. 

Between twin trees five meters away from Ishaan, an intense boiling aura beats against his skin.

Ishaan comes to a complete stop, unable to hold back a shock gasp. ‘How random.’

****

With a rigid posture, Kaltain's hands clenched tightly at her sides, a scowl painted on her features. “That bitch.”

She urgently presses a red device to her ear. A ringing sound echoes softly for a while.

No one answers.

Kaltain raises her hand to throw the phone, but then sighs and reluctantly brings her arm down.

Tilting her head back in a deep exhale, her hair styled in a singular braid, Kaltain scoffs. “I’m related to a bitch.”

“Don’t be dramatic. It’s not that bad.” A tiny nine tailed fox shimmers off invisibility, positioned on Kaltain slender shoulders, her head nudging against the girl's neck. “I personally love summer.”

Kaltain wears a tunic emerald hoodie, white sweatpants, and furry light gray crocs. The smearing hot atmosphere already causing her to sweat. 

‘Don’t be dramatic, she says. It’s not like my sister teleported me across the world!’ Kaltain rolls her eyes and pinches Osyth's ear.

The graceful fox snarls and swats at her master like a cat. “Don’t hurt me, you human breed!”

Kaltain snorts, the sound inelegant and full of dry humor. “I’m sorry, oh great one. Shall I go on my knees and beg for forgiveness?”

Osyth sighs exaggeratedly and shakes her small head. She drew her ears in and pats them with care. “That sass will be the death of you one day, I fate it.”

“Or maybe the gods will banish me from heaven.”

“Asshole.”

“You started it.”

“What are you five?”

“My mind tends to match the intelligence of those I’m arguing with.”

Osyth scoffs dismissively. “My mind tends to match the intelligence of those I’m arguing with,” she repeats in a snarky voice.

Kaltain barks an amused laugh, looking at Osyth with a ‘you’ve proved my point’ type of gaze.

Aggravation waves off Osyth as she glares heatedly at Kaltain. ‘Why did I choose this brat again?’

Ishaan's lips tilt up in amusement. He debates whether to approach now, continue watching from a distance, or leave as if he never saw her.

“Why did you hide yourself from my family?” Kaltain asks Osyth in a curious voice.

“I wasn’t hiding. I am not afraid of anything. I just like to be invisible sometimes. Get used to it.”

After a short moment, Ishaan shrugs nonchalantly and allows his steps to reach them. ‘It doesn’t matter. The fox already noticed me.’

Ishaan couldn’t help but internally envision her appearance once more. Ivory white hair, delicately long eyelashes, hooded ice blue eyes, listless demeanor with steeped loneliness, and cleansed smooth fair skin.

As he halts two feet away from her, Kaltain goes stiff, faintly feeling his cool aura like a gentle whisper. ‘Ishaan.’

Ishaan senses her surprise by the way she gasps ever so slightly and caution in the narrowing of her eyes.

A wave of his comfort smell—vanilla—oozes from her, unintentionally allowing him to feel more at ease in her presence.

Ishaan lifts his hand in friendly surrender and pulls down his hood lightly. “I am not going to hurt you, I swear.”

Kaltain remains silent for a few seconds. “Ishaan.” Her euphonious voice gratifying trickles his eardrums. “My glorious mystery.”

A corner of his mouth quirks up. “Is that your nickname for me?”

Kaltain couldn’t be positive, but for a moment, she thought he was blushing. “I call it like it is.”

“That’s fair.” Lowering his hands, he gestures around them. “What are you doing in the west, sweet darling?”

Kaltain's heart races. “My sister,” she says, shifting to fully face him and bringing her hands behind her back nervously. “She decided not to be that today, I guess.”

Ishaan understands instantly. As a close friend to Ziven, Ishaan naturally knew of his twin, Ataraxia, yet they were not as close.

All the information he had on her was from conversations with Ziven or the rumors spread through society.

She graduated recently, officially an Ophanim now, and is part of Watchmen of the Rain league. Her celestial weapon is a powerful kusarigama known as Immoral Lance. It is said to cut through dimension barriers, creating portals, and possess healing flowers that can mend even inanimate objects.

‘Rumor murmurs she is the next in line as pillar of Winter Clan, but the fact that Kaltain is attending Lightless says otherwise.’

Ishaan scolds his expression back to his usual graveness, repressing his severe curiosity on the details of her life. “How long will you be staying?”

Kaltain shrugs. “No clue.”

Ishaan's attention flickers to the unfazed fox, sensing an enormous force underneath her majestic exterior. ‘She’s stronger than Raziela and Helios combined. As expected of Osyth, master of the flame scorpio tribe.’

Upon sensing his probing focus, Osyth mind spurn with his intentions before she grins widely. ‘I see. He wants Kaltain to himself. A date.’

Osyth rises, her limbs stretching steadily. “Ima go visit my kin. I’ve been with you for far too long anyways.” She winks at Kaltain and then sticks her tongue and claws at Ishaan. “Take care of my stage like master, handsome!”

‘Stage like master? What the fuck does that mean? Wait..’ Kaltain's eyes widen as Osyth disappears. ‘She fucking left me. Ha.’

Kaltain's dismay enters Ishaan's senses as she downcast her head, lips pressed together, awakening a discomfort twist in his belly.

“Shall I show you around?” Ishaan offers, softening his expression to ease her.

Tension gradually melts Kaltain's features as she looks at him, realizing she’s not truly alone.

Managing a small smile, Kaltain nods softly and motions for him to take the lead before blushing in embarrassment.

“Yes, I would like that,” Kaltain says, her voice faltering under the rush of nerves. ‘It’s just me and him. Fuck you, Osyth.’

‘She called me a puzzle before.’ Ishaan pretends to not notice Kaltain vibrating anxiety, while internally noting her behavior little by little with profound interest. ‘I wonder which of us will solve the other first.’