Chapter 14 – Arrival and Antics
The road turned from worn Elvon stone to compacted earth as the group stepped over a cracked border marker carved with fading letters:
WELCOME TO THE KINGDOM OF REVERB.
Kaze barely noticed it at first—too focused on the rolling hills ahead, the sharp winds that carried the scent of unfamiliar soil. Reverb felt… different. Not in its air or terrain, but in the tension beneath it. The sword kingdom had a reputation. And now they were walking straight into it.
A pair of guards manned a stone outpost up the hill, built more for ceremony than defense. One of them stood tall when he spotted the group, but his posture changed when Kazuki approached.
"Still breathing, Kazuki?" the guard asked with a grin.
Kazuki stopped in his tracks. "Barely."
The soldier chuckled and stepped aside, nodding respectfully. "The capital will be glad to know you're back. Good luck surviving it."
"Wasn't planning on dying just yet," Kazuki said, and continued walking.
Kaze blinked. "You're famous here?"
Kazuki didn't answer. He just kept walking.
⸻
The town of Glimere was the first proper stop in Reverb. Smaller than Gage but more organized, with clean roads and slate-roofed homes. The smell of baked bread and roasted meat drifted through the narrow streets, and townsfolk gave passing nods to the travelers.
Kaze looked around. "Place is clean. Too clean."
Atlas elbowed him. "Don't jinx it."
They passed a small outdoor market. Lyra's eyes lit up at a booth lined with folded cloaks and travelers' gear. She stepped away from the group, fingers brushing over a light green tunic with gold trim.
Atlas raised an eyebrow. "That caught your eye?"
She turned. "Why not? You guys keep upgrading your weapons. Let me feel pretty at least once."
She stepped behind the booth, and a minute later re-emerged wearing the tunic, a sash tied at the side, and her short hair tied back with a ribbon.
Kaze's mouth opened slightly. He looked away instantly. "That's… that's decent, I guess."
Lyra smirked. "Wow. High praise from the ice mage."
Atlas leaned in. "Kaze, blink if you're okay."
Kaze flicked his fingers. A gust of wind slapped Atlas across the face.
"Alright, deserved that," Atlas muttered.
⸻
They found a small training yard near the inn. Atlas cracked his neck.
"One round. Me and you, Kazuki."
Kazuki, sitting calmly on a bench, tilted his head. "Why?"
"Because I'm sick of you always acting like you're better than us."
"I am better than you."
"Exactly! Fight me!"
Kazuki stood, his movements smooth and unreadable. "One hand. No killing."
They squared off.
It lasted fifteen seconds.
Kazuki sidestepped Atlas's opening move, spun his blade, and flicked him to the ground effortlessly.
Atlas groaned on the dirt. "Just stab me already, handsome…"
Kazuki raised an eyebrow. "You're insane."
Atlas, grinning: "And you love it."
⸻
That night, outside the town, the group camped near a thicket of whispering trees. The fire crackled, pushing back the evening chill.
Kaze sat cross-legged, staring into the flames. Lyra sat beside him, legs pulled in, cloak draped over her shoulders.
"You're not as cold as you act," she said.
Kaze didn't look at her. "You're more annoying than you act."
She bumped her shoulder lightly against his. "You're not denying it, though."
He smirked faintly.
Atlas and Kazuki sat across from them, Atlas gesturing wildly.
"So then I was like, 'Watch me land this strike!' and then your boy tripped over a rock. A literal rock."
Kazuki nodded slowly. "Impressive."
"Right? I call it 'Earth Technique: Self-Destruct.'"
Kazuki let out something close to a chuckle.
⸻
As the fire dimmed and the others drifted into sleep, Kazuki sat upright. His head turned toward the forest beyond the ridge.
There was something there. Not dangerous—yet—but watching.
He reached into his belt and gripped the small, worn knife—the same one he'd carried for years. The blade hummed faintly in his hand.
"Soon," he whispered.
And then he laid down beside the others, still gripping the handle.
⸻
End of Chapter 14