The vibrant energy of the carnival swirled around Bayu like a living thing—bright lanterns casting warm light over the crowd, laughter mingling with the rhythmic pulse of steel drums, and the tantalising scent of spices and caramelised sweetness hanging thick in the humid air. Despite the noise and chaos, Bayu found a quiet sort of contentment walking through it alone, observing the sea of colors and joy.

That contentment was short-lived when he spotted Tomoya leaning against a stall, his shoulders tense, hands shoved deep into his pockets. The sharp angles of his face were shadowed, a brooding cloud that seemed to absorb the light around him.

Bayu approached with a smile, his dark eyes warm. "Tomoya, how's patrol going?"

Tomoya didn't look at him, just shot him a dark glare and returned to staring into the distance.

Undeterred, Bayu tucked a stray lock of his dark hair behind his ear and tried again. "Tomoya—"

"Don't talk to me," Tomoya snapped, his voice low and cutting, like a door slammed shut.

Bayu ignored the rebuff, crossing his arms lightly. "What happened between you and Kai yesterday?"

That struck a nerve. Tomoya's head whipped toward him, his eyes narrowing into sharp slits. "What part of 'don't talk to me' do you not understand?" His voice rose slightly, edged with irritation. "I'm not some pet project for you and Kai to poke and prod at. I joined the Aetherwing Brigade to do my job, not to make friends."

The bitterness in his tone lingered like smoke, but Bayu didn't flinch. He opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, a panicked figure emerged from the crowd and ran straight toward them.

The woman was tall and willowy, her face streaked with tears, her trembling hands clutching at the loose fabric of her dress. "Please help! You're with the Aetherwing Brigade, aren't you?"

Bayu straightened instantly, his easygoing demeanor dissolving into sharp focus. He stepped forward and gently took the woman's arms to steady her. "We are," he said calmly, his tone measured and reassuring. "Tell us what's wrong."

"My husband," she sobbed, her breath hitching. "He disappeared—he was right beside me, and then he was just gone."

Bayu's brows furrowed deeply. "Disappeared? Where exactly were you when it happened?"

Before she could answer, a wave of voices erupted around them. More carnival-goers swarmed toward Bayu and Tomoya, their faces painted with fear.

"My daughter is missing!" cried one woman.

"I was just with my brother, and he vanished!" yelled a man, his voice thick with panic.

Bayu exchanged a tense look with Tomoya, whose brooding expression had been replaced with one of grim seriousness. Whatever had happened, it wasn't isolated. Something was terribly wrong.

"Alright," Bayu said, raising his voice to be heard over the growing crowd. "Please, everyone stay calm. I need you to tell me everything—when and where you last saw them."

The panicked murmurs grew louder, overlapping and frantic. Bayu glanced at Tomoya, his voice firm but low. "We need to get word to the others. This is bigger than us."

Tomoya nodded stiffly, his earlier irritation forgotten. "I'll signal Kai and Isaac. You stay here and try to get as much information as you can."

Bayu gave a quick nod, then turned back to the frightened crowd, his soldier's training kicking in. This was no longer a carefree carnival night—it was a battlefield.

"Everybody, please step back!" Bayu raised his hands to calm the frantic crowd, his voice ringing clear above the din. The murmurs quieted as people shuffled back reluctantly, their fear making them linger closer than they should.

"I'm going to try a finding spell," Bayu continued, his expression grave but steady.

"A wizard?" someone whispered, awe threading through the question.

Bayu nodded solemnly. "Yes. And I will do everything in my power to locate the missing people."

The crowd held their collective breath as Bayu stepped to the center of the throng and closed his eyes. He focused inward, drawing on the deep well of magic within him. His power surged, blue and luminous, thrumming like an ocean tide in his veins.

Finding spells were tricky, unpredictable things, he reminded himself as he steadied his breathing. They required precision, focus, and above all, a significant amount of magic. Overextending could leave a wizard drained—exhausted or worse. Bayu was no stranger to the risks; his magic had already been taxed keeping the wards intact in Falmouth, and his reserves felt dangerously low.

Still, he pressed on, pulling the azure energy forward. A warmth grew in his chest, spreading outward like a ripple in still water. He raised his hands, palms open, as the blue light manifested, glowing softly between his fingers.

The spell reached out like a living thing, spreading invisible tendrils through the air. Bayu's forehead began to bead with sweat, his focus narrowing to a single point. He envisioned the missing people—their essence, their presence. Where are you?

A flicker. A shadowy shape materialized in his mind's eye, faint and wavering like a reflection on water. He gasped softly as the image sharpened, though not enough to make out details. There were people—a dozen of them, clustered together. But the strangest part wasn't their number; it was their location.

"Falmouth?" Bayu murmured under his breath, his brow furrowing. That didn't make sense.

The spell faded, the light in his hands dissipating. The effort left him lightheaded, but he forced himself to stay steady, raising a placating hand to the crowd.

"Everyone, please stay here," he said firmly, his voice brooking no argument. "Do not leave this area. Help will come soon, but for now, it's safer if you remain together."

He turned on his heel and started running. His heartbeat thundered in his ears as he wove through the carnival's thrumming crowds, scanning for any sign of Tomoya. Where are you, Tomoya?

He spotted him near a stall, his shoulders tense as he searched the bustling throng. Bayu skidded to a halt, barely catching his breath. "Did you see them?" he asked, his voice tinged with urgency. He forced himself to sound calm, to keep the panic in check.

Tomoya turned toward him, his expression unreadable. "No," he said flatly, shaking his head.

Bayu frowned but pressed on. "Alright, I'll contact them through the bond. I've located the missing people—they're in Falmouth."

At his words, a strange expression flickered across Tomoya's face, his brow knitting in confusion. "Bond? What bond?"

Bayu hesitated, caught off guard by the question. He bit his lip, then decided it wasn't the time to withhold information. "Before we went on this mission, we completed a convergence trial," he explained carefully. "It created a bond between our squad. It's how we communicate with each other, even when we're apart."

Tomoya's eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze shifting as if he were turning something over in his mind. Bayu didn't have time to interpret the look. He was already reaching out mentally, the bond a golden thread stretching between him.

The bond was beautiful and strange, like golden threads spun between their hearts, glimmering in an unseen tapestry. Each time Bayu accessed it, he felt a shiver course through him—something both intimate and overwhelming, as though stepping into a shared heartbeat.

The first time they had formed the bond, during the convergence trial, it had felt alien and awkward, like inviting someone into the deepest, most private corners of his mind. But now, it was second nature. The threads had strengthened, their warmth spreading like sunlight through his chest.

He let himself sink into that connection, feeling it deepen. There was Kai's presence—steady, solid, like the roots of a great tree. And Isaac's—sharp and vibrant, crackling with an energy that made him smile despite the situation.

Kai? Can you hear me?

Kai's voice resonated immediately, calm and commanding as always. Yes. Is something wrong?

Yes, very wrong, Bayu replied, his thoughts urgent but focused. Several people at the carnival are reporting their loved ones missing—vanished into thin air. I cast a finding spell and... He hesitated, the memory of what he'd seen sending a chill through him. They're in Falmouth.

Isaac's voice cut in, bright and clear, as if he were standing right beside Bayu. Falmouth? Are you sure?

Bayu pulsed back his affirmation, a subtle but definite nudge along the thread.

Kai's presence flared in the bond, his steadiness anchoring them all. We need to act quickly, but we can't all leave the carnival. Who knows what threat might still be here? Bayu, Isaac—you both should stay and placate the crowd. Make sure no more people vanish.

Bayu frowned, his confusion rippling through the connection. Why not all of us? Wouldn't it be better to move as a unit?

He felt Isaac's exasperation as if it were his own—a sharp pulse of amusement and impatience. We'll tell you later, Isaac sent back, the wryness in his tone almost palpable.

Kai interjected before Bayu could press further, his voice firm and decisive. Tomoya and I will head to Falmouth. It won't be a good look if the entire squad leaves the carnival. Trust me on this.

The threads between them hummed with shared tension, but Bayu couldn't deny the logic in Kai's words. He murmured his assent, his agreement rippling softly along the bond.

Okay, stay safe, both of you, he sent, his thoughts laced with genuine concern.

Kai's presence pulsed back, steady and reassuring. No worries. We're on our way to you now.

As the connection dimmed slightly, Bayu opened his eyes, the golden glow of the bond still warming his chest. He glanced at Tomoya, who had been watching him with a wary expression.

"I'm staying with Isaac." Bayu said quietly, his voice steady despite the rising tension. "Kai and you will head to Falmouth. But Tomoya..." Bayu hesitated, then placed a hand on his arm. "Be careful."

Tomoya gave a curt nod, his gaze hardening with determination. "I always am."

Bayu wasn't so sure about that, but he chose not to press the point. Instead, he turned back toward the crowd, who were still restless and murmuring. Focus. The people needed calm, and he would give it to them.