"You did well, Raphael… I'm genuinely impressed by how you handled the ironfur bear." Subaru's boots crunched over the broken twigs as he stepped closer. The elites anxious, wide-eyed and silent, still stunned by the effortless display they had witnessed.
Standing beside Raphael now, Subaru rested a hand on his shoulder. "So? Even if that looked easy for you… how did it feel?"
Raphael tilted his head slightly, the blindfold over his eyes casting a faint shadow. He faced down at the chainfangs in his hands, their twin blades catching the fading light between the trees. "The feeling… hasn't changed." His voice was steady. "But I know this isn't enough to defeat you."
Subaru let out a laugh, warm and rough. He patted Raphael's back. "Oh really? You still want that match so badly, huh? Too bad I'm unarmed right now."
Raphael raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. Auren stepped in gently, turning to Elowen with his usual calm tone. "Elowen… please inform the elites to prepare the bear for transport."
"Understood," Elowen replied with a nod and walked off toward the human elite.
Raphael's voice sharpened. "You're still avoiding it."
Subaru smiled faintly. "One fight… that's all you ever ask. You and Kibo both. But right now, at your current level, neither of you can land a proper hit on me."
"Is that so?" Raphael asked, his jaw tight. "Then why not let me try again? Just once."
Subaru chuckled. "I admire the boldness. But be careful when you think about biting the hand that taught you."
Raphael lowered the chainfangs slightly. "Fine. Then am I accepted into the order… like you wanted?"
Subaru gave him a long, approving look. "Of course you are." He paused. "But before that… one last lesson."
Raphael frowned slightly. "You say that like there won't be another."
Subaru let out a deep laugh. "Oh, Raphael. This one really is the last."
Raphael exhaled slowly. "Alright… what is it?"
Subaru's voice shifted—quieter, sincere. "Accept the power you carry."
Raphael tilted his head. "But I've already accepted it… or did you forget?"
Subaru shook his head. "Not truly. You've only tolerated it. You still fear what it means. That fear holds you back… and I understand why. But remember this: the power you have isn't just yours. It's what will shape your path. It's what you'll use to protect the ones you love… and someday, to challenge the laws this world tries to bind you with."
There was a pause.
Raphael gave a slow nod. "Alright, grandpa."
They both turned as the elites gathered around the fallen ironfur bear, beginning to secure it for the upcoming feast. Raphael glanced over. "Should I go help them?"
Subaru shrugged. "Let's find out." He raised his voice. "Clayton. You need Raphael's help with that?"
The half-elf elite looked from Subaru to Raphael, and something flickered in his expression. He bowed quickly. "No, thank you… Lord Reaper. We can manage on our own."
Subaru nodded once. "Alright, suit yourself."
Auren approached, a soft chuckle in his voice. "I don't blame them… they just watched someone break an ironfur with almost no effort."
Raphael smirked. "If I'd known that, I should've faked a struggle."
Subaru grinned. "But you didn't want to. You wanted to prove something. Mostly to me."
Raphael faced him again. "Of course I did. You know me better than anyone."
Subaru gave him a look, amused but fond. "Why wouldn't I?"
Auren stepped forward and extended a hand with a polite smile. "Welcome to the Order, Raphael."
Raphael took it and nodded. "Thank you… for having me."
Night had fallen over Dreadholm, but the heart of the settlement glowed with life. Warm firelight danced across the faces of the gathered crowd. The square pulsed with laughter and clinking mugs, the long wooden tables piled with roasted ironfur bear meat—Raphael's kill laid beside the five others hunted by the elites. The tough hide had been carefully stripped, revealing dark, tender meat that steamed in the cool air. Starberry stew bubbled in large pots. Pastries stuffed with spiced apples sat in woven baskets, while skewers of wyrmtail meat dripped with tangy glaze.
Chairs lay scattered across the cobbled square. Some people sat, others strolled with cups in hand, chatting freely. An orc man leaned close to a human woman, whispering something that made her laugh and brush his arm without thinking. The smell of roasted meat, herbs, and mead thickened the air.
Near one of the cookpots, Ruin moved quickly, her apron smeared with streaks of jam and stew. She ladled out generous portions with cheerful efficiency. Elowen arrived beside her and accepted a plate, weaving carefully through the moving crowd, her steps light and practiced. Her smile remained steady, even as a child darted past nearly brushing her elbow.
Behind them, Jong-Min nearly poured moonfruit sauce into a pot of stew. Ruin gasped, reaching over just in time.
"Careful, Jong-Min!" she scolded, nudging him with her elbow.
He chuckled and rubbed the back of his head. "They all smell the same after a while."
An elite woman with tight curls and violet eyes tapped his back. "You actually look like you belong behind the pot, you know?"
Ruin giggled. Jong-Min gave an exaggerated sigh. "Maybe I missed my true calling."
Their laughter folded into the wider soundscape of the feast—mugs clinking, music playing, people sharing stories beneath lantern-lit banners.
At a low table surrounded by excited children, Clayton sat awkwardly with a plate of meat he hadn't touched. His brow furrowed, deep in thought, though he tried to hide it behind a forced smile. A tigress girl beside him blinked up at him, her striped tail flicking.
"Clayton, why aren't you eating?" she asked, tilting her head.
"I'm just not very hungry, little one," he replied gently.
She blinked again. "But you're frowning. Doesn't that mean you're hungry?"
He chuckled softly. "Not always."
A half-elf boy leaned toward an orc girl and grinned. "He's frowning because he didn't want to carry the bear meat earlier."
That was enough to spark a wave of giggles around the table.
Clayton blinked. "That's not true."
The orc girl, cheeks smudged with sauce, grinned. "Then why'd you say it was too heavy?"
The table erupted. Children squealed with laughter, half their food forgotten. One human boy flicked a chunk of tart that stuck to Clayton's cheek. The group froze.
Then came the explosion of laughter.
Clayton wiped his cheek, trying to look stern. "Who did that?"
The boy pointed without hesitation. "She did!"
"I did not!" the orc girl cried, flinging a bit of crust in return. Chaos followed, crumbs flew, stew dripped, shrieks of laughter filled the air. Clayton tried to duck a flying skewer and nearly toppled backward.
"Alright, enough!" he called, barely holding in his own grin. "You little rascals."
The tigress girl tugged at his sleeve. Her eyes sparkled. "You're smiling now."
The table cheered.
"Clayton's scared of tarts!"
"He's gonna run from the stew next!"
"He'll never carry meat again!"
Their teasing grew louder, more ridiculous. For the first time that evening, Clayton's laughter joined theirs, low and warm.
A few tables over, Raphael sat quietly with Stubby and Elara's family. Young Raphael, perched beside his namesake, was practically glowing.
"You know," Stubby said, nudging Raphael's side, "you really should smile more. The ladies don't exactly fall for brooding statues."
Elara swatted his head with the back of her hand, one arm still gently cradling her baby girl.
"Stubby, not in front of the kids."
The baby squealed with delight. "Ga-ga!" Her hands waved in the air, grabbing at nothing.
The eldest daughter giggled and turned away, hiding her laugh behind her sleeve. Young Raphael puffed up proudly.
"Yes, Uncle. My…"
Elara cut in quickly with a finger tap to his forehead. "Your what?"
Raphael chuckled under his breath, ears twitching just slightly. The table broke into more laughter. Stubby clutched his head in mock pain. Elara's baby responded with a delighted "ba-ba!" that sent another round of giggles echoing across the table.
Nearby, the air rippled with laughter as Subaru and Old Man Wǔ faced each other across a small round table, both gripping their mugs like champions of an ancient rite. The crowd leaned in from all sides—Kara, Nox, and several others packed in tightly, voices loud and filled with energy.
Auren stood not far from them, hands folded neatly in front of him. His gentle smile curved just enough to soften his expression as he looked toward Baek Dae-Won beside him. Baek Dae-Won watched the contest silently, his arms loosely crossed, expression unreadable.
Auren spoke quietly, his voice like calm water in a roaring stream. "I think Old Man Wǔ has the upper hand."
Baek Dae-Won glanced at him, eyebrow rising just a touch. "Last time you said that, you changed your mind halfway through."
"I don't believe I did," Auren said, still smiling. "I only offered a counterpoint. I never withdrew."
Baek Dae-Won said nothing. He tilted his head, clearly unconvinced.
At the table, Subaru slammed his mug down, foam spilling across the wood. His grin was wide, teeth showing, eyes bright with drunken fire. "Old Man Wǔ," he said, leaning in, "if you want to give up now, I'll let you do it with your dignity still intact."
Old Man Wǔ laughed mid-drink, slapping the table with one hand while finishing the rest with the other. "You talk big… but talk is wind. I drink more in morning before soup. You already wobble."
Subaru laughed louder, squinting one eye. "I am not wobbling. My footing is just... philosophical."
Gasps and laughter rolled through the crowd.
"Kaya," Subaru called, "pour me another! If I fall, I fall as a legend."
Kaya, grinning as she approached with a heavy barrel, tilted it over his mug with a practiced ease. Beer spilled over the rim, soaking the edge of the table.
Old Man Wǔ tapped his empty mug. "You pour for him faster than me. I no blame you… he need it more."
"I'm trying to be fair!" Kaya laughed, pouring his mug just as full, setting the barrel down with a thud.
The two men lifted their drinks high.
A human man shouted over the noise, "Come on, Lord Reaper! Show him what strength really means!"
A lizard beastkin woman raised both hands, tail flicking excitedly. "Old Man Wǔ! Show him where the floor is!"
Subaru raised his mug in salute. "To the crowd, and the sky above… may your cheers stay louder than my fall."
He drank, loud and proud, beer spilling down his chin.
Old Man Wǔ narrowed his eyes, grinning fiercely. "You drink like baby goat. I drink like storm!"
They both downed their mugs. The sound of chugging was nearly drowned by the crowd's roar.
"Old Man Wǔ's got this!" a half-elf boy yelled, clapping.
Kara bounced in place, waving both arms. "Grandpa, don't stop! You're still the best!"
Nox, half spilling his beer, pointed at Subaru with a hoot. "He's leaning! Look! He's already swaying!"
Subaru paused mid-gulp, gasping as he set his mug down with a heavy thud. "I'm… not… done!"
Laughter exploded all around. Even Elias, leaning against a nearby post, smiled a little more.
Old Man Wǔ slammed his mug on the table, chest rising with pride. "You done! I see it! You slow! Like sleepy turtle!"
The crowd broke into a chant. "Old Man Wǔ! Old Man Wǔ!" Hands clapped. Cheers rose louder.
Kaya came back, already refilling both mugs, head shaking in disbelief. "They're going to pass out before midnight," she muttered.
Subaru rubbed his eyes, blinking slowly. "I've never lost… except that one time… and maybe once before that…"
Old Man Wǔ leaned back, hands behind his head, eyes dancing. "You strong in muscle… but no brain! That why I win!"
Subaru pointed weakly. "I have brain. I'm just… sharing it with the alcohol right now."
Another round of laughter rang out. Someone nearby spilled their drink. Kara hugged Nox tightly while chanting. Children nearby echoed the chants with their own giggles. All around, the square swayed with joy, the warmth of firelight blending with the joy of shared celebration, as mugs clinked and spirits rose high.