#3atonage

“Wait.”

Isaac looks at him questioningly.

"Before that.. You should have these," Kellyn took out the Tears of Princes shards that he had, "Just.. to keep them safe."

"What?? No!"

Isaac's incredulous tone took him aback, "Why not?"

"Kate trusted you with them, right?" The look in the blond's eyes was fierce, "You'll need them. Now, more than ever."

That was the point, Kate trusted him. He had to keep these shards safe, they were... precious. If anything happened to them, he didn't know what to do. What could he do? He had no basis, no Almia Times issue to use as a reference.

"Kellyn.. you're lucky, you know?"

"Huh?"

Isaac smiled wistfully, "If my time with Team Dim Sun taught me anything worthwhile, it's that we should know who our real friends are. And we must keep them close.

"You've got Kate and Keith by your side," the scientist continued, "Even Rhythmi, Wendy, and Sven.. And me too, if that's alright with you."

"Isaac.." Kellyn wanted to reassure him, but the boy held up his hand to stop him.

"So... those gems are precious. Bring them with you," Isaac patted his shoulder, "I have a feeling that you'll need it. Just in case."

Kellyn watched as the boy genius turned to the console, tapping away at the keys. It was surprising how Isaac had matured in such a short amount of time.

So... he was saying, "You're not alone.”

After a while, the electrified floor lost its spark.

"It's gone!" Kellyn called out.

"Whew.. that took a while, sorry. H-hey?! What the—!'

Kellyn whipped around, only to see that laser beams had trapped Isaac within the small space before the console.

"Crap, this trap must have been delayed! Damnit!" Isaac turned around and fumbled with the controls, "It can't be deactivated from here!"

Oddly, relief flooded Kellyn's senses. If Isaac was trapped, he would be safe here, right?

"I.. I think this is as far as I go."

"That's okay. I'll finish this."

"Kellyn—" Isaac began, but he stopped and sighed instead, “stay safe."

He nodded, turning back to the staircase. With measured steps, he walked to its base and looked up. The dark sky stared back at him from the staircase's end. Who knows what awaited him?

Kellyn felt far from prepared, but he had to steel himself. After all... A trio of blue, red, and yellow gem shards rested within his Fine Styler.