Kai Lane: Beginning

Tonight, at the academy's exit, a blonde girl and a black-haired boy stood facing each other. Beside them was a slightly smaller winged tiger. Since this had become a common occurrence lately, the Guardians didn't pay much attention. Except for the tiger, of course. None of the Fallen had ever come with a tiger like this, and some of them had their own secrets. Now, the only ones here were Emma and Jack.

"When are you leaving, Jack? Winter is coming soon, and you shouldn't stay here any longer. Almost everyone else has left."

Jack shook his head and replied to Emma. As they talked, Little Tiger stood beside them with a serious expression.

"Even if you say that to me, didn't you stay here just as long? You always followed Kai, and only Kai's memories are here. But those memories aren't yours. There was no point in waiting for you. Were you waiting to remember something, Emma?"

Jack's words instantly cornered Emma, making her tense up, though she didn't know why. What difference would it make if Jack knew?

"I don't want to skip straight to the second step like you did. That's why staying here a little longer doesn't matter. I'm trying to create the Shadow Domain. I won't move on until I succeed. This way, I can gain more power," Jack said. With these words, he pulled Emma out of her reverie. Even when she looked up at him in surprise, he hadn't changed.

"Jack, you... is it the Double Domain—"

"This is no longer a matter that concerns you, Emma. I'm sure anyone with such an opportunity wouldn't hesitate to do it. The more powerful I become in the second stage, the safer I'll be while searching for the Hunters."

Emma let out a bitter sigh, and her cold, hate-filled eyes returned to their old state. Over the past few months, Jack had grown accustomed to those eyes and knew that Emma wasn't doing this willingly. So he said nothing about it. Instead, he steered the conversation elsewhere.

"What are you going to do? Even though I know you have taken Kai's hope like us, this is a difficult situation to understand. Your hatred is strong enough to almost suppress Kai's hope itself. Most likely, Kai's goal is not what you desire."

Although Jack's words weren't insulting, Emma felt incredible anger toward them. She wanted to say something, but she couldn't bring herself to speak.

'Kai's hatred, Kai's hope. Don't talk about them as if they belonged to me. That power belongs to Kai. Not to me.'

"I'm joining the army. I'm moving to Seattle where my family lives. That way, I won't be far from them, and I can personally ensure their safety. Maybe I'll go home and sleep for a long time."

Emma had unwittingly taken a piece of Kai's dreams. It was unclear if she took it when Kai brought her back from the dead or when he gave her hope. Similarly, it was unclear if Kai had done this deliberately or if it was just luck.

Emma continued to row in vain, thinking these were her dreams. Perhaps years later, she would realize her own desire.

"Is Little Tiger coming with you?"

Little Tiger was a winged tiger that Kai had taken out of an incubation capsule five years ago. Its species had gone extinct billions of years ago. Little Tiger was the last of its kind.

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Although Kai couldn't show much interest due to his circumstances, Little Tiger never minded. He knew Kai did it for his safety and the safety of everyone else. Still, he never thought Kai would sacrifice himself for him. Jack was definitely not the one most affected by Kai's departure. It was Little Tiger! He slept in Kai's bed every night, waiting for him to return. Little Tiger was old enough to know that Kai would never come back, but he still cried. He wanted Kai to appear before him alive, to come back and pet his head and rub his belly.

"He won't come with me. I don't know what he'll do."

Then, Emma turned around, put a dirty hood over her head, and started walking. They had talked enough here; now it was time to part ways.

"Until we meet again... Jack."

"Raarrghh!"

The Little Tiger let out a roar, transformed into a beam of light, and turned around.

Jack sighed as he watched them leave and looked up at the moon. It was brighter and more beautiful than ever tonight. He wished he could enjoy this moon another time. With his friends. Maybe one night they could sit like this.

"I should leave at dawn, too. No, this is best."

***

By dawn, Jack was ready. The sun's rays were just beginning to illuminate the Academy. Students who wanted to study early had already woken up. Of course, unlike them, some hadn't slept at all. They thought they were talented enough not to sacrifice sleep.

Jack left the house with a few items of clothing stuffed into his bag and walked toward the exit of the academy. It wasn't very far. In fact, he could get there in a few seconds if he ran, but why would he do that?

"Aren't you even going to say goodbye, Jack?"

He looked back. A girl with black hair and dark circles under her eyes was looking at him. She was only 19 years old and clearly short. Her hands were clasped together. Jack knew why she was there and why she hadn't left the academy in all this time.

"I'm leaving."

He said nothing else nor implied anything. Unlike Jace, Jack thought it was better this way. The less you said, the better. But he knew Milah wouldn't leave it at that.

"What makes you think you can just leave me like this? I'm coming too!"

"No!"

"Why? Let me come with you. We don't have a problem like Jace does. Are you not letting me follow you just because you're going to fight the Hunters and it's dangerous? You're forgetting that Kai gave me hope too, Jack! I'll go after the Hunters, even without you. At least let me come with you!"

Jack shook his head and spoke, clenching his fists.

"I'm not strong enough to protect anyone. I've never been able to do it, not even once. Kai was always the one protecting us. And whenever he gave me a chance, I messed it up. I'm weak! I can't protect anyone. I don't want anything to happen to you. Take a different path, Milah," Jack said. The weight of the two scabbards stacked on his waist was heavy. His purpose was different. He didn't feel like he could protect anyone with those swords.

"I want to come with you! I want to be with you. I don't want to be alone anymore, Jack."

Jack had already started walking, but he slowed down as Milah spoke. Deep down, he didn't want to go. But after failing so badly, he had no other choice.

If Kevin and Kai were here, they would tell him that he didn't have to go. He knew that. They were his closest friends, but this time, he couldn't listen to them. Those two had always had his best interests at heart. That's why they weren't here now. Jack had to think of their best interests and bring justice for them.

"I'll be back one day!"

Jack suddenly spoke, silencing Milah. He didn't turn his head, but you could tell how determined he was by the look on his back.

Milah stared at him as he clenched his teeth and shouted,

"One day, I'll come back and marry you, Milah!"

"So until I return, don't marry anyone else, and accept this selfish request of mine!"

Then, without saying another word, Jack disappeared into the shadows. He left no opportunity for reaction or denial. As he left, he had only one thought in his mind. It was a sentence that fueled his determination:

'I will definitely return, Milah!'

Milah stared in shock at Jack's back as the light of dawn hit her face, illuminating her and not giving her a chance to speak. But then a smile formed on her face, and she clasped her hands together. Tears streamed from her eyes as words formed on her lips for the man she loved.

"I'll be waiting for you... Jack!"