Reunion

Rachel's heart thudded as the warp gate pulsed, and the shimmering veil of space enveloped her. The sensation was almost familiar now, the odd, weightless pull as the world folded around her. And yet, this time, it was different. The knowledge of where she was going—to Hwaeryun, to Arthur—made every moment feel heavier, laden with both anticipation and dread.

In the blink of an eye, the elite force of the Windward and Creighton families stepped into the chaos of Hwaeryun, transported thousands of kilometers in an instant. The air here was dense, thick with tension and the faint tang of burnt mana. Even the atmosphere felt oppressive, as though the city itself bore the weight of the conflict unfolding within its walls.

Around her, the camp buzzed with purpose. Soldiers moved with sharp focus, their expressions grim as they prepared for the next onslaught. The fortified base, constructed by the Moyong and Gu families, was a testament to their resilience—barricades reinforced with layers of mana, artillery glowing faintly with runic inscriptions, and patrols that never stopped moving. The sheer scale of it all should have been intimidating, but Rachel barely noticed.

Her sapphire eyes flicked over the scene, scanning past towering figures and bustling warriors. She caught sight of the Moyong and Gu family leaders—Immortal-rank warriors whose presences radiated like beacons of power. Their calm, commanding auras should have been reassuring. Instead, Rachel's focus flitted past them, her heart tugging her gaze elsewhere.

She found him quickly. 

Amid the swirl of activity, there he was—Arthur. 

He walked alongside Seraphina, his movements purposeful yet unhurried, his presence magnetic even among the elite soldiers surrounding him. His sword was strapped to his back, the hilt gleaming faintly in the fading sunlight, but it was his face that held her attention. The sharpness in his gaze, the faint lines of weariness etched into his features—he was whole, alive, and here.

Relief washed over her, sudden and overwhelming, and for a moment, she felt like she could breathe again. But as quickly as it came, the relief soured into something bitter. A pang of jealousy twisted in her chest, sharp and unwelcome. She had told herself she was fine with it—with Seraphina, with Cecilia, with the unique and strange dynamic they shared. She had made her peace, hadn't she?

And yet, it felt so deeply unfair. Seraphina had spent a whole month with him—a month filled with battles, victories, and stolen moments. Rachel had been miles away, her only connection to Arthur through brief calls and messages that never felt like enough. The thought gnawed at her, even as she tried to push it aside.

Her lips curved into a smile as their eyes met, but it faltered, just for a moment. She schooled her expression quickly, burying the flicker of bitterness beneath the warmth spreading through her chest. Arthur's face softened as he recognized her, his steps slowing. His blue eyes, sharp and focused just moments ago, lit up with something gentler, something meant only for her.

Rachel didn't think. She didn't care about the etiquette drilled into her since childhood or the dozens of eyes now watching her. All she knew was that Arthur was here, and she needed to be near him.

Without hesitation, she surged forward, her royal composure forgotten entirely.

Arthur barely had time to process what was happening before Rachel collided with him. Her arms wrapped tightly around his torso, and he stumbled back a half-step before catching himself. His body tensed in surprise, but only for a moment. Then, as if on instinct, his arms came up to hold her.

"Rachel," he murmured, his voice low, almost disbelieving.

She buried her face against his chest, her breath shaky. "You idiot," she muttered, her voice muffled by the fabric of his jacket. "Why didn't you call more? Why didn't you tell me you were safe?"

Arthur hesitated, caught off guard. "I—"

"You fought a Vampire Elder," she interrupted, pulling back just enough to glare up at him. Her sapphire eyes shimmered with unshed tears, both relieved and frustrated. "You fought him and didn't think to tell me directly?"

Arthur winced under her gaze, his mouth opening and closing as he tried to find the right words. "I didn't want you to worry," he admitted at last, his tone soft. "Besides, I'm fine."

Rachel's glare intensified. "You think that makes it better? Arthur, I worry about you whether you tell me or not. Don't you get that by now?"

Behind them, Seraphina cleared her throat, a faintly amused smile tugging at her lips. "Perhaps we should move this conversation somewhere less… public?"

Arthur blinked, his head turning slightly as he noticed their audience for the first time. Kathyln stood nearby, her arms crossed and an eyebrow raised, while Lucifer looked somewhere between exasperated and entertained. Several Moyong and Gu soldiers were attempting to look busy, though their stifled grins betrayed them.

Arthur's cheeks flushed faintly. Rachel, however, remained unfazed. She reached up, cupping his cheek with her hand, her thumb brushing lightly against his skin. "I'm just glad you're alright," she said softly, her earlier frustration giving way to vulnerability.

Arthur's tension eased. His hand came up to cover hers, his fingers curling gently around it. "I missed you too," he said, a small, genuine smile breaking through his usual composed expression.

Lucifer sighed loudly, cutting through the moment. "This is all very heartwarming, but some of us are here to fight a war, not star in a melodrama."

Rachel shot him a sharp look over her shoulder. "Oh, hush, Lucifer. You had your chance."

The soldiers nearby failed to stifle their laughter this time, and even Lucifer couldn't fully hide the reluctant smirk tugging at his lips. Still, Arthur caught the flicker of something else in his eyes—an emotion quickly buried beneath his usual mask.

"Alright," Arthur said, stepping back from Rachel and straightening. His hand lingered on hers for a moment longer before he turned to face the Moyong and Gu family leaders. "What's the situation here?"

Jeong Moyong stepped forward, his presence commanding but his tone grave. "It's complicated," he began, his gaze sweeping over the gathered reinforcements. "The vampires have intensified their attacks, and their numbers continue to grow. We've contained them for now, but it's a tenuous hold."

Rachel forced herself to focus, letting go of Arthur's hand reluctantly as the weight of the situation pressed down on her once more. The battlefield loomed ahead, and there would be no time for softness. Still, she couldn't help the faint warmth lingering in her chest, the knowledge that she was finally by his side again.

They would face what came together.