PASSAGE 18: TRANQUILITY KEEP

Alaric descended the stairs, the aroma of breakfast a welcome greeting after his night of contemplation. His mother, Angela, bustled around the kitchen, a warm smile creasing her eyes as she saw him. His father, Ricardo, sat at the table, sipping coffee and watching the morning news.

"Good morning, Alaric," they both chimed in unison, genuine relief lacing their voices. The past six months had been a harrowing ordeal, the silence a constant thorn in their sides. Alaric mirrored their smiles, the joy of reunion momentarily dampened by a news report catching his eye.

The screen displayed images of him and Selena, the 'Hunter' and the 'bagger' who had miraculously returned from a six-month disappearance. Thankfully, the Hunter's Embassy, ever-mindful of public safety, had blurred their faces and identities. A pang of concern shot through Alaric. How was Selena faring? He could only imagine the nightmare she was enduring, accused of crimes she didn't commit.

His ruminations were cut short by his mother's gentle voice. "Alaric, honey," Angela began, placing a plate brimming with food in front of him. "Are you thinking of continuing your job as a bagger?" Her gaze held a subtle worry, a reflection of the fear they'd both grappled with during his absence. He knew the incident had rattled them, the uncertainty gnawing at their hearts.

A reassuring smile softened Alaric's features. "Don't worry, Mom, Dad," he replied, meeting their eyes directly. "I plan on quitting the bagger job. I'll find something safer, something that won't have you constantly worried about me."

His parents exchanged a hesitant glance, a flicker of doubt lingering in their eyes. Alaric knew that regaining their complete trust would be a journey, but he was determined to take it. He had a new path now, a future etched within the swirling depths of the Eye of Chronos. But before he could embark on that grand adventure, there were more immediate concerns to address, one pancake at a time.

A comfortable silence settled as Alaric devoured his breakfast, the sweet comfort of pancakes momentarily pushing aside the weight of his newfound power. His father, Ricardo, broke the stillness.

"So, Alaric," he began, his voice laced with a hint of cautious optimism. "What's on your agenda for today?"

Alaric speared another pancake, a resolute glint in his eyes. "I was planning to visit Ms. Selena," he replied. "After everything that happened, I wanted to check in, make sure she's holding up."

Ricardo nodded approvingly. "That's a good idea, son. A friend in need, and all that."

A furrow creased Alaric's brow. "But do either of you know where she's being held?" he inquired, a note of concern coloring his voice.

His question drew a worried glance between Ricardo and Angela. Their silence spoke volumes, and Alaric's heart sank.

After finishing breakfast, Alaric excused himself and headed to his room. He donned the black eyepatch that Chairman Rosario had presented to him in the hospital. He knew it might raise eyebrows – who wore an eyepatch in this day and age? But the thought of people recoiling from the empty socket, unable to comprehend the truth of the Eye of Chronos hidden beneath, was far more unbearable. Lumina's words echoed in his mind – the human eye couldn't perceive the extraordinary artifact nestled within him.

With the eyepatch in place, he bid farewell to his parents, a wave of warmth washing over him despite their lingering concern. Stepping outside, he felt Lumina materialize beside him.

"Wowzers!" Lumina exclaimed, her voice tinged with wide-eyed wonder. "So this is your world, Alaric? It's amazing! So many humans, concrete mountains that pierce the sky… and what are those shiny metal boxes with wheels? Carriages without horses?"

Her unbridled amusement was adorable, yet Alaric felt a blush creep up his neck. He just glad no one else can see the vibrant golden-haired spirit flitting around him, muttering excitedly about the marvels of the human world. This was definitely going to be an interesting day.

The human world continued to dazzle Lumina as she zipped beside Alaric. Skyscrapers scraped the clouds, and strange metal boxes zipped down the roads propelled by unseen forces. "Where are we going, Alaric?" she chirped, her curiosity momentarily eclipsing the wonders surrounding her.

"We're visiting Ms. Selena," Alaric replied, a touch of concern lacing his voice. "I just want to see how she's holding up after everything."

"Ms. Selena? Where's she being kept?" Lumina tilted her head, her brow furrowing slightly.

"A place called the Tranquility Keep," Alaric said, a knot of unease forming in his stomach.

Lumina's expression remained blank. "Tranquility Keep? What's that?"

Alaric sighed inwardly. Explaining the intricacies of the Hunter's world to a being like Lumina wasn't as simple as he thought. "It's a special prison," he began carefully. "Hunters who break the law are locked away there. All the things that used to build that prison, is made out of anima crystals. It was forged to supress the hunter's abilities inside."

Lumina's confusion deepened. "But Ms. Selena didn't break any rules! She's not in her self when she was inside the Labyrinth of Lost Memories! Why would they put her in a prison?"

A heavy silence descended between them as they continued their trek towards the Tranquility Keep. Lumina's previously cheerful demeanor dimmed, replaced by a veil of concern.

"I understand the concept of punishment, Alaric," she began, her voice a mere whisper against the cacophony of the city. "Back in the Chronos realm, there are consequences for breaking the laws of time. But… humans are different, aren't they? Surely they take into account a person's intentions, their state of mind. I just hope Ms. Selena receives a fair sentence, one that reflects the truth of what happened."

Alaric offered her a reassuring smile, though a gnawing worry gnawed at his own gut. Explaining human justice to a being like Lumina was a daunting task. He settled for a simple squeeze of her incorporeal hand. They arrived at the imposing facade of the Tranquility Keep, a stark contrast to the vibrant cityscape that pulsed around them.

Tight security measures were in place, their purpose made chillingly clear by the glint of anima crystals embedded within the walls. Alaric stepped through a full-body scanner, its anima-powered technology designed to detect even the faintest trace of Hunter prowess. The device whirred silently, failing to register any anomaly. He was, after all, still an Untouched in the eyes of the system.

A snicker escaped one of the guards, his gaze lingering on Alaric's eyepatch. Alaric explained his reasoning, but the guard insisted on a temporary removal. As the patch came off, revealing the empty socket beneath, the guard's amusement curdled into disgust. He and his colleagues recoiled, their faces contorted in a mix of fear and revulsion. Alaric couldn't help but offer a wry smile, a flicker of annoyance dancing in his right eye. This was just the first hurdle in a long day, and already, he was reminded of the harsh realities that awaited him beyond the imposing walls.