LRAB Chapter 1870: Chapter 1659: Reunion 2
Chapter 1870: Chapter 1659: Reunion 2
Chapter 1870: Chapter 1659: Reunion 2
Above the tangerine mountains of the floating fortress, kissed by the sun to their warm blush, the clouds moved like shoals across the sky. Equal parts blue and gray, streaked with silvers and golds, the heavens painted a breathtaking canvas over the serene landscape.
Alex woke with a deep, contented sigh, the first rays of sunlight filtering through his window. He felt unusually lighthearted, a quiet joy simmering within him. Though he couldn't pinpoint why, he didn't question it. Some days simply began this way, with a sense of peace that made the world seem a little brighter.
Rising from bed, he dressed in comfortable training gear and quietly left his room, careful not to wake the girls. He had decided to take advantage of the tranquil morning for a solitary jog through the forest behind the mountain.@@@@
The back mountain of the floating fortress was a haven of untouched beauty. Towering trees with emerald canopies swayed gently in the breeze, their leaves shimmering with dew. Shafts of sunlight pierced through the foliage, creating patches of golden light on the forest floor. Birds sang in soft, melodic tones, and the distant hum of a stream added to the symphony of nature.
Alex jogged along the winding trail, his steps light and steady. The crisp morning air filled his lungs, invigorating him with every breath. He kept a measured pace, letting his mind wander.
"Perfect morning," he murmured to himself, glancing up at the interplay of light and shadow above.
The deeper he went into the forest, the more vibrant it became. Flowers of every color dotted the undergrowth, their petals glistening with morning dew. A curious squirrel darted across his path, stopping briefly to eye him before scampering up a tree.
After a while, Alex slowed to a walk, allowing himself to take in the scenery. He reached a clearing where the trees gave way to a stunning view of the valley below. From this vantage point, the floating fortress looked majestic against the backdrop of the horizon, its towers catching the morning light.
Alex sat on a smooth rock at the edge of the clearing, wiping the light sheen of sweat from his brow. He gazed out at the landscape, a thoughtful smile on his face.
In moments like this, he felt grounded-grateful for the strength and purpose he had found, and for the people he shared his life with. The challenges they faced together, the laughter, the moments of stillness like this... they all felt like pieces of a larger puzzle that he was slowly piecing together.
Just as he closed his eyes to savor the breeze, Alex heard the soft crunch of footsteps behind him. Turning, he saw Gracier approaching, her fiery red hair catching the morning light. She was dressed in light training clothes, her expression bright but slightly sheepish.
"Good morning, big brother," she said, rubbing the back of her neck. "I woke up and noticed you were gone... thought I'd come find you."
Alex smiled warmly. "You're up early. I thought everyone would still be sleeping." Gracier shrugged, taking a seat beside him. "I guess I just had a feeling you'd be out here." They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the sounds of the forest enveloping them. "This place is beautiful," Gracier said softly, her eyes fixed on the distant horizon.
"It is," Alex agreed. "Sometimes, it's nice to take a step back and just... appreciate it all." Gracier nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "You're right. We're always training or fighting. It's easy to forget how amazing this world can be."
After a while, Gracier stood, stretching her arms above her head. "Since we're both up, how about a little sparring?" she suggested, her eyes gleaming with playful determination.
Alex chuckled, rising to his feet. "You never take a day off, do you?"
"Not when I have the chance to beat you," she said with a grin.
They found a flat area in the clearing and began a light sparring session. Gracier conjured her signature flames, weaving them into precise arrows as she moved with agility. Alex countered with controlled bursts of water, keeping her on her toes.
Though it wasn't a serious fight, their exchanges were sharp and fluid, each pushing the other to adapt and respond.
"This is oddly relaxing," Artemia admitted, her normally stiff posture softening as she eased
into the stretches.
"It's good for flexibility," Luna said. "And it helps with mental clarity."
"Which you'll need if you keep trying to keep up with Alex," Sakuya teased, moving
effortlessly into a graceful Dancer Pose.
At the mention of Alex, Gracier's expression softened. She thought about her brother and how
he had left earlier that morning. She wondered where he had gone but trusted that he was off doing something productive.
Luna guided them into the final stretch of the session-a moment of meditation. The girls sat cross-legged on their mats, eyes closed, as Luna's gentle voice led them through breathing
exercises.
The tension melted away, and a quiet sense of unity settled over the group.
When the session ended, the girls slowly opened their eyes, sharing small smiles.
"This was nice," Sakuya said, standing and stretching. "I needed this."
"Agreed," Artemia said. "A moment of calm is rare for us."
Gracier bounced to her feet, full of renewed energy. "We should do this more often! But now...
what's next?"
Meanwhile, Alex who was touring his fortress happened to feel someone's presence, upon
going to the coordinates of the teleportation as expected she appeared. How much he did
miss her. Time seemed to have stopped for the two lovers as nothing else mattered in their world, the third wheel stood dumbfounded not because of their reactions but because of how
scary Alex's existence was.
"He is a complete monster!" Hilde concluded.