The Line Between

Chapter 48: The Line Between Worlds

The council chamber was silent, the echoes of the meeting still lingering in the air. Shenlog stood near the wide wooden table, his imposing frame illuminated by the soft glow of a hanging lantern. His gaze was steady, fixed on Seiji, who leaned casually against the doorframe. Despite Shenlog's stern demeanor, there was a glimmer of curiosity in his sharp eyes.

"What is Jin to you?" Shenlog asked, his tone blunt but inquisitive.

Seiji smirked, tilting his head slightly as if the question amused him. "It's simple. He's my favorite student."

Shenlog crossed his arms, his eyes narrowing. "So you retired to start taking on students now?"

Seiji shrugged, a faint laugh escaping him. "Yeah, something like that. Gotta keep life interesting, you know."

A faint smile tugged at Shenlog's lips, though it was fleeting. "You never change, do you?"

"Why would I?" Seiji shot back, his grin widening. "Change is overrated."

Shenlog exhaled sharply, his tone shifting back to seriousness. "What's your plan now?"

"I'm going to check out these energy spikes at the border," Seiji replied. His voice carried an edge of intrigue, his usual playful tone giving way to something sharper. "And I'll be taking Jin with me. I hope you don't find that… disturbing."

Shenlog's brow furrowed slightly. "Taking him there—don't you think that's dangerous?"

Seiji straightened, his smirk returning. "Maybe. But I'll be with him. What could go wrong?"

Shenlog's gaze lingered on Seiji for a moment longer before he sighed, his shoulders relaxing. "Fine. Do what you want. You always do."

"That's settled, then," Seiji said, clapping his hands together. He turned to leave, his footsteps light and carefree. But before he could step through the door, Shenlog's voice stopped him.

"Seiji," Shenlog said, his tone lower, almost hesitant. "Have you seen my bastard son, Drake?"

Seiji paused, glancing back with a raised eyebrow. "No. Why? I thought you didn't care about him after he decided not to join the Sentinels."

"I don't," Shenlog replied curtly, though his expression betrayed something more. "I'm just asking."

Seiji's grin widened. "You're a terrible liar, Shenlog."

Without waiting for a reply, Seiji turned and walked away, his laughter echoing faintly through the corridor. Shenlog remained in the chamber, the flickering light casting long shadows across his face. Alone, he muttered to himself, his voice tinged with frustration.

"Drake… you keep disgracing this family."

Jin and Seiji: A Sudden Departure

At the edge of the Free World's bustling marketplace, Jin sat on the stone steps of a quiet bookstore, a half-eaten apple in his hand. The noise of the city felt distant here, muted by the gentle rustle of leaves and the faint hum of the rebuilding efforts still underway.

He took another bite of the apple, his sharp gaze fixed on the horizon, lost in thought. The sweetness of the fruit seemed at odds with the bitterness lingering in his mind. The vision of Rex, shrouded in darkness, remained vivid, a constant weight pressing against his thoughts.

"Jin!" a familiar voice called, breaking his reverie.

He glanced to the side as Rebekah approached, her steps light and cheerful. She carried a small bag of fruit, her face bright with a smile. "Eating alone, huh? Typical."

Jin raised an eyebrow but didn't reply, taking another bite instead. Rebekah plopped down beside him, pulling an orange from her bag. "You know, you could at least pretend to enjoy company."

"I'm not stopping you," Jin replied, his tone flat but not unkind.

Rebekah rolled her eyes, peeling the orange with deft fingers. "You're impossible."

Before the banter could continue, a figure appeared behind them, his steps silent but his presence unmistakable. Seiji tapped Jin on the shoulder, his expression a mix of amusement and urgency.

"Time to go," Seiji said, his voice light but commanding.

Jin turned, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Go where?"

"You'll see," Seiji replied, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

Before Jin could protest, the world around him shifted. A sudden rush of air enveloped him, and the soft glow of the marketplace vanished, replaced by the stark, desolate landscape of the borderline.

The Borderline

The border between the Free World and the New World was an unsettling place. The ground was barren, cracked and dry, stretching endlessly in both directions. The sky above was an unnatural shade of gray, thick clouds swirling ominously.

In the distance, faint ripples of energy shimmered like heat waves, distorting the air. These were the spikes, erratic bursts of power that pulsed with a strange, otherworldly rhythm. The hum of the energy was faint but constant, a low vibration that seemed to resonate through the ground.

Seiji gestured toward the ripples with a casual wave. "See those? That's the connection."

Jin stepped forward, his eyes narrowing as he studied the phenomenon. The energy was unstable, chaotic, and yet… familiar. It tugged at something deep within him, stirring a sense of unease.

"What are they connected to?" Jin asked, his voice quiet but firm.

"The New World," Seiji replied, his tone serious. "And it's not just random. These spikes are getting stronger, more frequent. It's only a matter of time before something—or someone—comes through."

Jin's fists clenched at his sides. "Someone like Rex?"

"Maybe," Seiji said, his gaze fixed on the ripples. "Or maybe something worse. That's the thing about the New World—you never know what to expect."

The two stood in silence, the hum of the spikes filling the air around them. Jin's mind raced, the vision of Rex flashing before him once more. If the spikes were a sign of what was to come, then the Free World was far from safe.

Seiji finally broke the silence, his voice quieter now. "Whatever's coming, Jin, you'd better be ready."

Jin didn't reply. His gaze remained locked on the ripples, his resolve hardening. The line between the two worlds was thinner than ever, and he could feel the weight of what lay beyond pressing closer.