**Volume 2: Upper World**
**Chapter 72: Sunlight**
January 3rd, 7:19 p.m. – Dorm Block (After Sky vs Josh)
The dorm was dark except for the faint blue glow from the arena screens that were finally off. The crowd noise outside had dulled to a low hum — people leaving the stands, vendors packing up, demons laughing as they counted winnings. Sky sat on the edge of his bunk — baggy white pants still stained with blood (his, Josh’s, Troy’s), blue shirt torn open at the chest, Mara’s cracked-moon necklace resting heavy against his skin. He hadn’t moved since walking back from the pit. Just stared at the floor.
Frosty was asleep beside him — curled on her side, breathing slow, one hand still loosely holding his even in sleep. Max was on the floor against the wall — shadows limp around him, head tilted back, eyes closed but not sleeping. Hiro sat on the opposite bunk — knees up, hugging them, golden mend glow flickering weak around her fingers like she was trying to heal herself but couldn’t find the energy. Mira’s crow was perched on the windowsill — head down. Aoi in the corner — knees hugged — spatial cracks barely flickering. Kira stood by the door — katana leaning against her shoulder — staring at nothing.
No one spoke.
Sky’s eyes drifted shut.
And the world shifted.
---
**Flashback — Age 5**
Summer, backyard, Norfolk sunlight so bright it hurt to look at. Sky was tiny — messy brown hair, big blue eyes, gap-toothed grin — running barefoot across the grass with a plastic sword. His mom chased him — laughing, sundress fluttering — pretending to be a dragon. His dad sat on the porch steps — tall, quiet, same blue eyes as Sky — watching with that small, proud smile he only ever gave his family.
Sky swung the sword — “Take that, dragon!”
Mom fell dramatically — clutching her chest — “Oh no, the brave knight has slain me!” She collapsed in the grass, arms out, tongue lolling for effect.
Sky climbed on top of her — giggling — “I win!”
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
Dad walked over — scooped Sky up in one arm — kissed the top of his head.
“You’re getting strong, kid.”
Sky beamed — arms around his dad’s neck — “Stronger than you?”
Dad laughed — soft, warm. “One day. Definitely one day.”
The sunlight caught them all — golden, perfect — like nothing bad could ever touch them.
---
**Flashback — Age 8**
School playground, recess. Sky (still small, still that messy hair) sat on the swings alone — kicking dirt, watching the other kids play tag. A girl with short black hair and a crow pin on her backpack walked up — Mira, even then.
“You look lonely,” she said.
Sky shrugged. “Just thinking.”
Mira sat on the swing next to him — kicked off the ground — started swinging slow.
“Wanna be friends?”
Sky looked at her — surprised — then smiled.
“Yeah.”
They swung in silence for a bit — wind in their hair — then Mira’s crow pin caught the light.
“I like crows,” she said. “They’re smart. And they remember people.”
Sky nodded. “I like swords. And stories.”
Mira grinned. “Then we’re gonna be best friends.”
---
**Flashback — Age 15**
Diner downtown — neon sign buzzing “Open 24/7,” red booths sticky from years of spilled soda. Sky, Max, and Cam at their usual corner table — Sky in his gray hoodie, Max making shadow puppets with the ketchup bottle, Cam feeding fries to a tiny smoky wolf under the table.
Sky looked good in the diner lights — the warm orange glow catching his face just right, making his eyes look brighter, his jaw sharper, hair falling messy but handsome over his forehead. Max noticed — elbowed him.
“Bro, you look like a model when the light hits right. Frosty’s gonna lose it.”
Sky rolled his eyes — cheeks pink — but smiled.
Cam laughed — wolf yipping softly.
“Shut up. We’re eating.”
The three of them — laughing, stealing each other’s fries, talking about nothing and everything — looked like they could do this forever.
---
**Flashback — Age 15**
Academy rooftop — sunset, sky painted orange and pink. Sky, Mira, and Hiro sitting on the ledge — legs dangling over the edge, wind in their hair. Mira’s crows circled lazy overhead. Hiro had a small golden glow around her hands — healing a scrape on Sky’s knuckle from training earlier.
Mira leaned back on her palms — looking at the sunset.
“You know… I used to hate how quiet you were, Sky. Thought you were stuck-up.”
Sky raised an eyebrow.
“Now?”
Mira smiled — soft.
“Now I like it. You don’t talk unless it matters. Makes everything you say feel… real.”
Hiro nodded — glow fading.
“You make us feel safe. Even when you’re scared.”
Sky looked at them both — sunset light catching his face again, making him look almost golden.
“I’m glad I have you guys.”
Mira bumped his shoulder.
“Always.”
---
**Flashback — Age 15**
Training field — late afternoon. Sky, Cam, and Max sparring. Max’s loyal shade tackling Cam’s wolves, Sky weaving between them with quick spatial dodges. They collapsed in the grass after — laughing, out of breath, sun setting behind them.
Max grinned — shadows making a little heart in the air.
“Legends forever.”
Cam nodded — wolf nuzzling his hand.
“Forever.”
Sky looked at them — hair messy, face flushed from fighting, sunlight making his eyes shine.
“Yeah,” he said quiet. “Forever.”
---
The memories faded.
Sky opened his eyes.
The dorm was still dark.
Frosty’s hand was still in his.
He squeezed it once.
And whispered — so quiet only she heard.
“I miss them.”
Frosty squeezed back.
“Me too.”
The chapter ended.
To be continued…
