David and Aurora retreated down the hill, their thoughts aligned in a relentless pursuit of Bernard’s vanishing trail.

Aurora wrestled with an unsettling possibility: her brother might be tangled within the secretive bounds of the Scale Shield's territory.

She trusted in Bernard’s strength, yet her haunting doubts lingered.

She had enlisted Fiona’s aid to extract any hint of Bernard’s fate from the defeated Scale Shield operatives. But as their plans unfolded, uncertainty pressed in, deepening the shadow over their search for answers.

While waiting for Fiona’s crucial insights into her brother's whereabouts, Aurora seized the fleeting moments to acquaint herself with the foreign landscape of the city. Raised within the TRIBE, her world had long been bound to the Land of Flames, with its fiery landscapes and close-knit defenses.

For her, the bustling streets and unfamiliar sights of this city were a rare and exhilarating experience, carrying a different feeling from the familiar terrain of her homeland.

With each step, she embraced the opportunity to immerse herself in the vibrant tapestry of the outside world, her senses awakened to the myriad wonders that lay beyond the confines of her tribal origins.

However, for David, who had been born and raised in the outside world, the sprawling city of Beverly Hills was his playground, ripe with wealth of experiences waiting to be unveiled to Aurora's eager eyes.

At her request, they embarked on a tour through the city's vibrant streets, eager to explore its hidden gems and iconic landmarks.

The two of them cruised on David's sleek Ducati bike, their senses alive with the bustling energy of the city. With each turn of the wheel, a kaleidoscope of sights, sounds, and sensations unfolded before them, weaving a tapestry of experiences that etched their journey into memory.

Eventually, their excursion culminated in the grandeur of a sprawling, opulent mall, its architectural splendor a testament to the city's affluence. Aurora's gasp of delight echoed through the air, her eyes alight with wonder as she beheld the magnificence of the mall's façade.

David, silently observing her reaction, felt a swell of relief wash over him, reassured by her evident approval of their chosen destination.

DAVID: "Welcome to 'Mall De Imperius,' alternate referred as the Imperial Mall - A shopping complex for nobles and royalties only," he introduced, expressing a warm smile.

AURORA: "Whoooaaa! It's beautiful," complimented Aurora, her wide gaze sweeping across the elegant building's structure with awe.

AURORA: "I'd love to see what this... Imperius has to offer but I worry that its services won't come cheap. Is this something we can handle?" Aurora expressed her anxiety, worry etched across her features.

DAVID: "Trust me. If it's what you want, then you have nothing to worry about. We can give it a try if you're up for it," a slight wink adorned David's visage as he observed Aurora's expression.

AURORA: "[Nods her head with a determined smile.] Mmm. Alright then, let's do this!"

<<The Imperial Mall was an exclusive shopping center that catered to the wealthy elite, stocked with luxurious goods from around the world. Owned by an individual from Paris, the mall was specifically designed to cater to rich royalties, noble families, and political parties. However, access was restricted to only those who met certain high-class criteria. Unfortunately, the lowly commoners and average to high class civilians were not allowed to access the mall.
To ensure fairness, the mall issued exclusive VIP cards to patrons who met its stringent wealth requirements. These cards served as a form of recognition and granted access to the mall's exclusive services and goods. Wealthy and powerful commoners who possessed these cards were able to enter the mall and enjoy its luxurious offerings. Without such a card, access to the mall was impossible, regardless of one's social status or wealth.>>

As David and Aurora stood before the majestic facade of the Imperial Mall, David felt a rush of emotions surge within him, weaving a complex tapestry of memories and feelings.

Recollections, both cherished and painful, surged forth like an unstoppable tide, evoking a poignant longing for days gone by.

Once, this grandiose edifice had been a sanctuary of familial bliss, a haven where he, alongside his parents, had reveled in the opulence of its offerings. But now, those halcyon days were but distant echoes, eclipsed by the tragedy that had shattered his world.

The mere sight of the mall, a relic of his past, stirred a bittersweet symphony of nostalgia within him. He found solace in the familiarity of the mall's towering presence, a silent witness to the passage of time. In that moment, amidst the swirling currents of joy and sorrow, he yearned for the impossible - to reclaim a fragment of the past that remained forever beyond his reach.

He and Aurora, side by side, approached the entrance of the shopping mall with eager anticipation. However, their path was abruptly halted by the vigilant figures of two entrance guards stationed at the door, their stern expressions signaling an interruption to their plans.

GUARD: "Hold on, please. I would like you both to reveal your royal means of identity or your cards of acknowledgment before you can proceed," demanded one of the guards.

With a casual yet confident gesture, David reached into his pocket and retrieved the emblematic badge-token of his Blaze family lineage, offering it to the guards. After a brief moment of appraisal, the guards granted him passage into the mall's inner sanctum, acknowledging his familial privilege.

However, their stoic demeanor remained unmoved as as they turned their attention toward Aurora, who, to her dismay, realized she had misplaced her badge token during the chaotic events in the woods while being pursued by the Scale Shield elites.

Her failure to reveal her own badge rendered her entrance to the mall an unattainable luxury.

<<In the Land of Flames as well as some other elemental tribes, every superhuman either belonged to, or served a noble family that was either led by patriarchs, matriarchs, or family elders. Being of the noble bloodline, David and Aurora naturally had an exclusive badge token of their family's crest imprint which indicated membership in their prestigious families.>>

DAVID: "[Swiftly intervenes on Aurora's behalf.] Apologies, but we are a young couple. My wife here is a careless one. She must have misplaced her badge somewhere along the road. Do let her in and you can have these crystals for the trouble," David bargained with the guards, dropping two rare diamonds in their pockets.

The second guard opened his mouth to protest, but before he could utter a word, his colleague swiftly intervened, delivering a sharp smack to the back of his head, silencing any objections.

GUARD: "[Grins with a respectful bow.] Ah, so sorry for the misunderstanding sir. You are really a cute young couple. You both may proceed, please." The guard retorted while hastily opening the entrance door for David and Aurora.

Aurora's cheeks flushed with a mixture of surprise and uncertainty as David casually referred to her as his wife. Her mind raced with questions and doubts, wondering if there was any subtle sincerity behind his words. (Is he joking? Or is he serious? But... the word "wife" isn't that complicated, is it? Jeez! What am I even thinking?) Her thoughts swirled in confusion as she tried to decipher the true meaning behind David's statement.

They both walked in, holding hands. Since they had given the excuse of being couples, they had no choice but to play the realistic role.

Upon stepping into the mall, Aurora felt as though she had entered a palace of extravagance and splendor. The grandeur of the mall was beyond anything she had ever seen before, with opulent marble floors shining under dazzling crystal chandeliers. The size of the mall was immense, and it was filled with high-class individuals from various nations, dressed in the finest and most luxurious clothing. She was awed by the sheer number of royal human rulers, country and state leaders, and other influential people who were present, each of them exuding power and prestige. It was as if she had stepped into a world of kings, a world of glitz and glamor that was beyond her wildest dreams. (Truly, Mall De Imperius is truly deserving of its reputation,) she admitted in her thoughts.

Still locking hands with David, Aurora explored the various sections of the mall, taking in the romantic atmosphere and enjoying the fun and exciting experiences. She and David perused the luxurious royal clothing and tried on fashionable outfits, delighting in the thrill of trying something new together. They sampled delectable cuisine at the intimate, sectioned restaurants, savoring every bite and reveling in each other's company. And as they continued their adventure, they discovered charming dating spots and exciting fun centers, immersing themselves in the joyful, romantic ambiance of the mall.

However, amid the fun, Aurora suddenly caught sight of some musical instruments, forged with very rare materials, and proceeded there. These instruments seemed ancient and were stored on a transparent glass shelf. By merely looking at them, one could tell that they were of high quality.

David on the other hand, followed closely behind her as she dragged him along to inspect the attractive instruments. Once they got there, a female sales representative greeted them with genuine delight, ready to assist with their inquiries.

SALES REP: "Ah, I see you possess discerning eyes for the finer things, young Mrs. Feast your gaze upon my exquisite collection of wonders," the sales representative declared, her words tinged with a hint of pride and anticipation.

AURORA: "Wow! These materials appear quite rare. May I know what they are?"

SALES REP: "[Reveals a confident smile.] Of course, but I must tell you that these instruments are quite ancient with mysterious capabilities. However, their materials are forged with titanium and they remain one-of-a-kind instrumental tools.

But unfortunately, young Mrs, these are considered priceless for the time being and are only used for sightseeing and research purposes."

AURORA: "[Sighs with disappointment.] Alas, it's regrettable that I can't acquire one of these beauties - especially that one," Aurora lamented, her finger pointing wistfully toward a bird-shaped whistle.

Meanwhile, David, observing the disappointment etched across Aurora's features, felt the need to intervene once more. With a weighted sigh, he stepped forward, determined to salvage their outing from the brink of disappointment.