Orion was the first to break the silence.
— Kid, I see you have good taste, but if you keep this up, you're going to scare the lady away! HAHAHAHAHA! Solaria, come here, I want you to meet someone.
He approached Tyrin as Solaria walked toward them.
— Relax, kid. I'll help you, but stay calm, alright?
Gertrudes, understanding Orion's intentions, pretended to be oblivious, but deep down, she was also curious about this woman. Solaria awakened unfamiliar sensations within her.
— Mr. Orion, how are you? — Solaria asked, her expression serious. — I see you have guests for this top-secret and dangerous mission. Care to explain why?
— AHAHAHAHA! Always so worried! — Orion replied in his jovial tone. — This here is my friend and war companion, Solaria. But don't worry, they're good people. I want you to meet Gertrudes Scar... That's right, his daughter! Can you believe it? HAHAHAHAHA!
Solaria raised an eyebrow, analyzing Gertrudes.
— I see. It's a pleasure to meet you. I fought alongside your father in a few battles. An excellent commander, I must say.
— Thank you, Solaria. — Gertrudes smiled politely. — Even as a teacher in Vanaheim, I've heard your name a few times. That's rare. Only the truly strong are mentioned. It's an honor to be in your company.
— Okay, okay! — Orion interrupted, excited. — Gertrudes, don't worry, and don't talk too much, or she'll get embarrassed. Now, I'd like to introduce you to this kid here. Can you believe he managed to beat the Emperor's War simulation?
As soon as Orion revealed that information, silence filled the mess hall. Everyone stopped eating and turned to look at Tyrin—some in disbelief, others clearly skeptical.
— Boss, that simulation is impossible to beat! — exclaimed a man at the next table.
Others nodded in agreement, murmuring among themselves.
— Guys, I saw it with my own eyes! This kid is a genius, isn't he, Azrael?
Azrael crossed his arms and analyzed Tyrin for a moment before answering:
— I wouldn't say genius. He got lucky, but he also knew how to put the right pieces together. I'd say he's on par with my knowledge and intelligence.
The mess hall was stunned. Tyrin and Gertrudes didn't know it, but Azrael was known for being extremely arrogant. For him to acknowledge someone as his equal was a rare and remarkable event. The way people looked at Tyrin changed. He was no longer just some 17-year-old kid.
— Sorry, everyone... — Tyrin tried to justify himself, uncomfortable with the sudden attention. — Azrael is right, I was really lucky, and I think there were a lot of coincidences too...
— AHAHAHAHA! — Orion roared with laughter. — Kid, putting yourself down like that is only going to make people like you more! Do you know how long that simulation has existed? What do you think, Solaria? He's young and interesting, just your type, huh?
Solaria smirked, studying Tyrin with a mysterious gaze.
— Hmmm... Maybe I should talk to you more, Tyrin. Welcome to our fleet. I hope to get to know you better another time. Orion, if you'll excuse me.
Tyrin felt her eyes scan his face and body intensely. Around the mess hall, some people showed envy and even anger—Solaria was, for many, an untouchable muse. But to Tyrin, all of this felt... strange.
Damn, this is a damn Mimic.
He had seen one before. But never one that replicated a human so well.
Could it be the Overlord...?
He tried to push the thought away as Orion laughed beside him.
— Kid, she's really into you. I did my best, now it's up to you. Actually, you guys have two days until we reach our destination.
— I agree with Orion — Gertrudes added. — Solaria may not come from a noble family, but she carved out her place with strength and power. Am I starting to sound like my father? Oh, damn! HAHAHA!
Orion and Gertrudes seemed to get along well, despite the age difference. Something was happening there.
— If you'll excuse me, I'll head to my quarters to rest. I haven't had the chance until now.
— Already? We just left the room.
— I was nervous, I thought we wouldn't get out of there… So I couldn't really rest. And from what I understand, we're not heading to Vanaheim. I need some time.
— Let the kid rest, Ger. I want to show you my ship. It's the third fastest in the Empire. Want to come with me?
Gertrudes glanced at Tyrin, as if waiting for his opinion. He simply raised a finger, signaling his approval.
The truth was, Tyrin was exhausted. He needed to be alone to process everything that was happening. When he reached his room, he noticed something he had been searching for a long time but had never been able to find.
An Interstellar Caller.
Holy shit, they have one of these in the room… Can I use it?
Tyrin stared at the device with a mix of surprise and hope. He took a deep breath and quickly entered the code for his solar system. The screen flickered a few times, processing the connection.
Holy shit… I think I can actually talk.
His heart pounded. If it worked, he would finally have news from home.
Ring.
Ring.
Ring.
On planet Helheim 74B, Frida was sitting on the house's porch, gazing at the cloudy sky. Her voice carried a mix of longing and irritation.
— Why hasn't my brother contacted me? He promised we would talk every year…
— Frida… — Dante sighed heavily. — He lied. I'm sorry, but I had to lie to him too.
She frowned, clenching her fists.
— What do you mean?
— I want you to know that he was fine. Every month, we received his vital status along with the payment. Out of the group that left here, he's one of the last survivors. As far as I know, he's already gone farther than most people on this planet ever have.
Frida didn't seem satisfied.
— If he's alive, why doesn't he call me? It doesn't make sense! Does he hate me? Does he not want to see me anymore?
Dante was sitting in his dull, lifeless living room, but that wasn't what gave him that hardened expression. The problem was far more complex than just rearranging furniture. He couldn't stop thinking about the conversation he'd had with Frida the day before.
— What's happening to you, kid? — he muttered to himself.
He remembered all the times he had tried to calm her down. Every month, she came back with the same question about her brother. Now, Frida was nearly the same age Tyrin had been when he left—and Dante was running out of excuses. Deep down, he knew that just saying Tyrin was alive wouldn't be enough.
He stared into the void and sighed.
— Time flies…
Helheim 74B had drafted more people after Tyrin. More and more young men and women were sent to war. Most never returned.
Dante closed his eyes for a moment, exhausted.
"I'm sick of sending kids to the slaughter."
He had considered leaving his position many times, but he knew the only way to avoid being drafted into the army at 40 was to accept the role of executioner.
— Husband! — The anxious voice of Calera, his wife, interrupted his thoughts. — You won't believe who's trying to contact us. Come quickly!
Dante furrowed his brows, standing up abruptly.
— What do you mean? Is there a problem at the border?
— No, it's Tyrin. Can you believe it? He's calling!
Dante's heart skipped a beat. He didn't know what to expect, but if Tyrin was calling, it meant he was alive… and wanted to talk to them.
— Transfer the call to my office. Don't let anyone in. Oh, and get Frida. She should be in the plaza.
His body was tense with nervousness. The boy who had been forced to leave his planet was no longer a boy. What had he become?
The communication was terrible, full of static. But finally, a familiar voice broke through the barrier of time and distance.
— Mr. Dante, it's me, Tyrin. Is everything alright there? How is everyone?
Dante let out a relieved sigh. The voice was the same—just steadier, more mature.
— We're doing well here. Your sister always asks about you, but she's fine. And you? How are you?
The static intensified, disrupting the conversation.
— I… I'm… fine, Mr. Dante.
The connection started to falter. Tyrin felt a tightness in his chest and hurried to speak.
— If my connection drops, tell Frida I miss her and apologize for not calling sooner. I've had a lot of problems.
Dante hesitated.
— Tyrin…
He swallowed hard. His throat was dry. Tyrin didn't know. How could he know? How could he tell him?
Before he could say anything, the door burst open with a loud bang.
— Is my brother here?! Let me talk to him!
Frida ran in, eyes wide. Dante let out a quick breath.
Saved by the bell.
He looked at the screen and nodded.
— Of course. Go ahead. Tyrin, there's someone who wants to talk to you.
The voice on the other end trembled slightly.
— Brother… Is that you?
— Yes, Frida, it's me. I miss you.
— Shut up, you idiot! — her voice cracked. — You left me alone on this frozen planet! If Mom were here, she'd beat the crap out of you. I hate you, you idiot! You don't know how to keep a promise!
As she spoke, her voice wavered, and tears streamed down her cheeks. Tyrin listened to every word, a wave of nostalgia washing over him. Deep down, only one thing came to mind to say.
— Sister, I lo—
Silence.
— Brother? BROTHER?!
Frida hit the screen of the Caller.
— Dante, this piece of junk broke!
Dante closed his eyes for a moment.
— I think the call dropped. I'll try to reach him myself.
Aboard Orion's ship, two figures spoke in hushed voices.
— Miss Solaria, are you sure we did the right thing? He was just trying to call home… — said Sibério, crossing his arms. — When I studied in Vanaheim, I tried to do the same.
Solaria remained expressionless.
— We don't know who else might be listening to that call. We know nothing about this boy. As far as I know, he comes from a planet that has never produced anything but mediocrity.
Sibério frowned.
— If you didn't want him to call, why did we let it go through? Why not block it from the start?
Solaria gave a faint smile.
— Now we know who he loves.
Sibério blinked, confused.
— I don't understand. He's young, intelligent, but why do we need to keep such a close watch on him?
Solaria turned abruptly.
— Sibério, it's not your job to understand anything. Just do your part.
She left the room without another word, leaving Sibério even more intrigued.
In the dark corner of the ship, Solaria stopped. She stood there, motionless, staring at the floor. Her breathing was heavy, her mind restless.
"He knows…"
She clenched her fists.
"No… They don't know us… But he knows…"
Her face twitched in an unnatural way.
"We killed him…"
She gripped her head, a tremor running through her body.
"No… That's not the plan… It wasn't supposed to be like this…"
Solaria gasped. A voice inside her whispered.
"I'm hungry…"
She shuddered, squeezing her eyes shut.
"When are you not hungry…? We can go to the mess hall…"
"NO! I WANT MEEEEAAAT!!!"
Her face twisted, skin unraveling and reknitting itself in grotesque patterns, forming a macabre mask of horror.
A rat scurried across the dark floor.
It was the only witness to Solaria's true face.