[Scene: Zaherra — Grand Arena, VIP Box | Match Day 3, Mid-Afternoon]
Eirene sat alone.
Technically, the stadium roared. Flags waved. Drums clashed. Fireworks glittered midair.
But inside her VIP box?
Silence. Stillness.
And one very large Zorion-shaped absence.
She twirled a spoon in her untouched lemon sorbet. The seat beside her — the one that once held a moron and his idiotic charm — now sat too clean. Too quiet.
> "He ruined my match-viewing experience," she muttered, then stabbed the sorbet. "Along with his two."
She wasn't sure what annoyed her more — the fact that they'd risked everything last night…
Or that it suddenly felt lonely without them.
---
[Scene: Somewhere Else | Same Time]
Alethea was pacing in front of the old Volva booth. The static buzzed as she pressed the side of her head harder into the receiver.
> "Okay, Mom — I'm fine. I promise. I'll be back next year."
Beat.
> "Yes, I said promise. Please trust me. No, I'm not pregnant."
She hung up and let out a breath just as Eucliea turned toward Zorion… who had hijacked the booth previously.
Zorion had Inaya's toy tucked under his arm, acting out a full courtroom drama with its head spinning on command.
> "Hey. Why are you looking at me like that?" he asked, catching Eucliea's narrowed eyes.
He grabbed a scarf, wrapped it dramatically around his neck and shoulder.
> "I feel molested by your judgment."
Eucliea exhaled, the sound long and practiced.
> "You are so weird."
Sathvic adjusted his posture, voice low.
> "You told Phylax everything?"
Eucliea gave a crisp nod.
> "I did. He and Eirene will be at the farmhouse by evening to decide what to do next."
Inaya, kept playing in the farmhouse— her dolls married off, divorced, and now hosting a royal dinner.
---
[Scene: Hestan Police Station | Same Time]
Inside the command center, the walls buzzed with tension. Heat radiated off coffee cups and overworked monitors.
Officer 1 stepped forward.
> "No women matching the sketch were spotted near the Equinox stadium, sir."
The inspector leaned on the desk. Tired eyes. Jaw locked.
> "Wish they'd make this easy for once."
A younger officer stepped in.
> "Sir, should we publish the sketch?"
> "No. Not till the Equinox series is over. We don't want chaos mid-event."
Another officer approached with a data pad.
> "We're pulling hotel records — checking for Indran nationals in registered rooms."
Another voice came from the back.
> "Sir, about the girl they were trying to kidnap — we've only got a first name: Inaya. No records of guardians."
The inspector leaned back slowly.
> "No family. No prints. No trail..."
One of the senior officers looked over.
> "Sir, where's this case headed?"
The inspector didn't respond.
He just stared at the wall.
Then shook his head.
BONUS SCENE:
Zorion stepped into the booth like it was a phone-shaped confessional.
The light buzzed overhead as the connection clicked in — first to Granny.
> "Hey, Granny. Zorion here, I've, uh… settled in Zaherra. I think I'll be eating ducks now."
Silence on the other end. Then a long sniff.
> "Are they force-feeding you?"
> "No! No. Ducks are just… very available here."
A beat.
> "Are you on drugs?"
> "Haha, ok granny listen. A year. I'll come back in a year — and I'll explain everything. And I'm safe."
He hung up before she could ask about his laundry rotation. Then dialed Warne.
> "Bro. Warne. Listen. I think I've found the love of my life here. I might just stay here forever."
Warne: "Is she real or are you still recovering from dehydration?"
Zorion paused, lowered his voice.
> "Both."
And then — as if flipping a switch — he turned serious and explained everything.