REVOLUTION: A Rebel Among Monsters ✔

Forty-Three••Normal Life

Though she kept her word and didn't drink the Impian blood, Melaynia did return to a somewhat normal life. A normal rhythm, routine, a normal workday and evening rituals—before going to sleep in the dark. The real dark, the real night.

She underwent a few months of training on the former Forbidden Side, which was renamed, rebuilt, and reinforced with Eldian Attendants and a few recruits. It didn't surprise her to find Quincy among the trainees, specializing in crystal analysis to further technology development.

They argued—as always—though they were no longer a couple. But still, they shared clandestine kisses in closets between classes, and often shared the same bed in their stuffy student rooms. They couldn't be together, as Melaynia would never grow old. And he had turned twenty-one, interested in having a family of his own. She'd never be able to provide that.

It broke her heart, but at the end of their training, she ended things with him for good. He was assigned a mission in the south, with the Eldians; and she ventured north to the Impian's realm.

She loved her job. Researching space was almost like geography—she mapped stars, tracked planets, drew sketches of whatever she saw in crystal-infused telescopes. Every aspect of her new and normal life fascinated her.

But... she missed her sister. Her parents. Even Wylan, at times. She'd made promises to visit as often as possible, but she was swamped with duties. She'd received so many letters, beckoning her home, and it pained her to decline.

One message in particular finally made up her mind: an invitation for Valnia's wedding.

So she stuffed the girl-of-honor summons in her bag alongside her other things, thanked her supervisor for the permission to leave, and took off. There was no way she'd miss Valnia's nuptials; and in any case, she needed a break from all her discoveries and hard work.

Navigating the northern roads leading home, through snowy mountains and harsh weather, she recalled her first encounter with the snow. She laughed as she directed her crystal carriage onward, the frigid substance sloshing and splashing beneath her wheels.

Within half a day, she rolled into the familiar streets of Jorco. The lively markets, the colorful roofs, the cozy buildings devoid of overwhelming elegance, cracked and worn by age. She'd missed them; the new side was so modern, so advanced, it was easy to get lost.

It had been a year since she'd visited Jorco, since she and Valnia had departed the Monster Lair. But nothing had changed. The citizens recognized her and wished her well as she steered herself down the familiar farmland road guiding her to her childhood home. She had an urge to jump out and run the rest of the way, reminiscing of the good old days when she went everywhere on foot.

But as an adult, a grown woman with important responsibilities, she sat tight.

When the house appeared in her sight, she smiled. She'd always have warm memories of it, and felt horrible for not having much time to spend there. To take evening walks with her dad, to cook with her mom, to debate with Wylan. And most importantly, to be with Valnia.

The instant she walked in, Valnia pulled her into a bone-crushing hug. A scent of vanilla chicken filled her nostrils, mixing with her sister's clean and flowery scent.

"Sis," said Melaynia, smirking. "Vanilla chicken, huh? I thought you hated it when Mom made it, for our welcome home party?"

Valnia's eyes narrowed as she nudged her. "I didn't have the heart to tell her," she whispered, as Wylan came tumbling down the stairs.

"Look at you," he said, embracing her, the brother she'd never had, "all grown-up and professional. Are the Impians treating you well?"