Meanwhile, on the safely secured evergreen cliff where the subjects of this story were teleported away from the eyes and ears of Michael and other potential harm, Fate turns towards her guests.
Fate: *She stares at her sister and Darius, a sly smile playing on her lips.* Don't just stand around, lovebirds. Make yourselves useful. Bring the other three here.
Darius: *Clutches Destiny tighter, his wings rustling nervously.* Three? Are you certain, Fate? This feels… precarious.
Destiny: *Flexes her fingers, a predatory gleam in her eyes.* Relax, Darius. A little trip across dimensions never hurt anyone. Besides, how dangerous could they be?
Darius: *Shifted uncomfortably.* It's not them that I fear, my love… it's… him… *He whispered the last part so that only she could hear him.*
Jin-Woo: *Raises an eyebrow, a flicker of confusion in his normally stoic eyes.* Three? Who are they talking about?
Fate: *Fixes Jin-Woo with a knowing gaze.* Your vessel, your sister, and your girlfriend, of course.
Jin-Woo: *Stammers, his composure momentarily shaken.* W-what? I have no idea w-what you're talking about…
David: *Throws his head back and laugh, the sound echoing across the cliff.* Oh, this is rich! Don't worry, Jin-Woo, if she's anything like you, it'll surely be interesting. *He placed a hand on his shoulder.* I can't wait to meet her, man.
Monja steps closer to Jin-Woo, placing a reassuring hand on his other arm.
Monja: *Looks at him, her eyes filled with worry.* Are you alright, Jin-Woo? You seem… unsettled.
Jin-Woo: *Forces a smile, trying to regain his composure.* I'm fine. Just… surprised. I haven't seen either of them in so long, it's… just a bit overwhelming, knowing that they're coming here.
Lloyd and Lerato, initially clinging to Monja, now venture out, their curiosity piqued by the conversation.
Lloyd: *Stood broadly at Jin-Woo's side, curiosity getting the best of him.* You have a sister? Is she nice?
Jin-Woo: *Looks at the teenager, a flicker of sadness crossing his face. He remembers his sister back home, a world away, and another life time ago.* I… I did. She was… the best.
The air grows heavy with unspoken tensions, the cheerful mood shattered by the mention of Jin-Woo's life, a life that seems so distant, now. The cliff-side, once a sanctuary, now feels like a precipice, poised on the edge of something unknown and dangerous.
Lerato: *She tugs at Jin-Woo's shirt, and look up at him, her eyes filled with empathy.* Did something happen to her?