Almost twelve hours later, at the Avaloria City's international airport, a figure clad in a black trench coat walked out of the arrival hall. His crimson strands were messy under the light.
Ruediger strolled through the terminal, his long strides steady despite the hour. With a backpack on his right shoulder and a suitcase rolled behind him, he scanned the bustling scene.
The air inside the airport was a mix of exhaustion, excitement and motion.
Though it was past two in the morning, the terminal was still alive.
Luggage wheels were dragged across polished floors and the occasional loudspeaker announcements cut through the hum of people speaking in various languages.
Some travelers curled up in the provided chairs, while others slept near the walls with jackets draped over them. A few groups sat at the tables in 24-hour cafes and restaurants, either sipping coffee, having bread or slurping instant noodles.
Ruediger barely took it all in as his mind raced with one thought.
