The evening was cold.
A thin wind swept across the territory, carrying the scent of damp earth and dying embers, but inside Kairo's domain, a fire still burned—both literal and otherwise.
Flint and Theo stood facing each other in the open training ground, breath heavy, muscles sore, bodies already pushed past comfort. They had been at this for a long time. Ever since Kairo had left for the meeting of the lords, there had been little else to do but wait.
So they trained.
And when training wasn't enough, they pushed further—searching for something more.
Flint tightened his grip around the wooden axe Shiri had crafted specifically for sparring. The weapon was rough, its surface scarred with dents and chips from countless clashes. His tail flicked behind him, slow but alert.
"You ready?" Flint asked, voice steady despite the exhaustion.
Theo rolled his shoulders and lifted his blunt wooden sword, planting his feet firmly into the dirt. A grin spread across his face, sharp and familiar.
"Always," he replied. "Give me all you got. One last time."
They locked eyes.
Then—without another word—they moved.
They charged head-on, dirt kicking up beneath their feet. Flint swung first, his arm snapping into a brutal right hook meant to end things quickly. Theo ducked just in time, slipping beneath Flint's arm with practiced precision. He pivoted sharply, twisting his body as he prepared to thrust his sword forward.
But Flint was already turning.
The wooden axe came down in a heavy arc. Theo reacted instantly, bringing his sword up to redirect the blow, forcing the axe aside with a loud crack of wood against wood. He leapt backward, barely creating space—
Only for Flint's tail to lash out.
It struck Theo's legs with a solid thump, sweeping him clean off his feet. Theo crashed into the dirt, air knocked from his lungs. Flint stepped in, foot rising to follow up—
Theo rolled.
The strike hit nothing but ground.
Theo sprang back up, wiping dirt from his cheek, eyes blazing. "My turn!"
"About time," Flint replied, grin flashing.
Theo surged forward again, his sword humming as he activated Rattle of the Deep. The blow came fast and heavy, vibrating through Flint's guard as he raised his arm to block. Flint retaliated immediately, swinging his arm wide—
Theo ducked again, slipping low and driving forward with a sharp thrust.
Flint tried to capitalize, stepping in close to grapple, but Theo saw it coming. He twisted away at the last second, boots skidding as he activated Dash, creating instant distance.
"Huh," Theo muttered, breathing hard. "You're stubborn."
He dashed forward again.
Flint raised his axe to block the incoming strike—
But it was a feint.
Theo slipped past him, circling fast, and brought his sword down again with Rattle of the Deep, striking Flint squarely in the back. Flint grunted, staggering forward.
Then his tail snapped out again.
Theo barely avoided it, dashing backward just in time, before immediately surging forward once more, blade aimed straight for Flint's face.
Flint stopped.
Completely still.
Theo hesitated—just for a fraction of a second.
Flint dropped his axe.
It hit the ground with a dull thud.
Theo's eyes widened in surprise as he rushed in, unsure what Flint was planning—
Then Flint's eyes flared.
Red and blue light swirled within them as he lifted his head and spoke, voice low and heavy.
"Burn."
Fire erupted across his arm and along his back, controlled but fierce. Heat surged outward as Flint drove a flaming punch straight into Theo's chest.
Theo was launched backward.
He crashed into the dirt hard, rolling to a stop several meters away.
Flint stood there, arm raised, flames dancing across it. His breathing was heavy, his focus absolute.
Then reality snapped back.
"Theo!" Flint shouted, panic flooding his voice. "Are you alright?!"
Theo groaned, then slowly pushed himself upright, rubbing his head. "Dude… you almost broke one of my horns."
Flint froze. "I—I'm sorry! I didn't mean to—"
Theo waved him off, eyes lighting up instead. "Nah, nah. That was sick." He pointed at Flint's burning arm. "So… you did it, huh?"
Flint blinked. "Did what?"
He looked down.
And froze.
"When did I do that?" he asked, staring at the flames.
Theo laughed. "You don't remember? You got all intense and went—" he deepened his voice dramatically, "burn—and then your arm just lit up."
Flint scratched the back of his head, flames still licking around his forearm. "Huh. Guess I didn't notice."
He clenched his fist, fire responding instinctively.
"This… this is what we trained for all day," he said, awe and excitement bubbling over. "I didn't think I'd be able to use it again so soon."
He laughed, genuine and loud. "This feels amazing. Using magic like this."
Flint leaned closer. "You sure you don't wanna try it?"
Theo picked up his sword and shrugged. "Nah. Not my thing." He smirked. "I'm way better with a sword anyway."
He lifted the blade again. "So… another round?"
Flint grinned wide.
"Hell yeah."
They reset their stances.
Fire met wood.
And the clash resumed.
Flint and Theo clashed again, wood striking wood as their movements grew rougher, louder, more reckless. Dust kicked up around their feet, the rhythm of their sparring echoing through the territory. Their intensity radiated outward—heat, noise, motion.
And a short distance away, there she was.
Lilian sat on the ground with her legs folded beneath her, her elbows resting on her knees, her hands propping up her face. Her eyes followed the two of them lazily as they fought, lids heavy.
She looked… bored.
Unwilling.
"Honestly…" she muttered.
A cold breeze slipped past, making her shiver. "Ah—!" She sneezed softly, rubbing her arms. Her gaze drifted toward the barrels stacked near the wall. Water. Cold water. No fire beneath it. No way to heat it.
Just thinking about it made her slump.
(If only…)
Her thoughts wandered back to her old home. A warm room. Soft towels. A hot bath every night. Steam rising gently, easing the tension from her shoulders. Just imagining it made her breathe easier.
Then she opened her eyes.
And remembered why she left.
Her family. The same family that had forced her out of comfort and choice alike. The warmth had never truly been hers.
She looked around again—dirty ground, wooden shacks, crude walls. Reality settled in, heavy and unromantic.
"…Well," she said quietly, standing up. "Adventuring has its cons, I guess."
She glanced back at Theo and Flint, who were still exchanging blows with wild enthusiasm.
"Don't these idiots ever think of anything else to do?"
Shaking her head, she turned away, deciding to find something to eat.
Behind her—
Theo and Flint charged at each other again.
They collided mid-swing, both overcommitting.
At the exact moment Lilian knelt down near the fire pit to check the leftovers from last night—
Flint came rolling in.
He crashed straight into the small pot, food spilling everywhere as it tipped over beside the unlit fire. Theo landed on top of him, wrestling, teeth clamping down on one of the spikes along Flint's back.
Neither of them noticed.
Lilian froze.
Her face went pale.
Slowly, she turned her head.
Flint and Theo felt it instantly.
They stopped.
Lilian stood there, staring at them. Her aura shifted—sharp, dangerous, furious.
Theo swallowed. "Uh… what?"
She exploded.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN WHAT?!" Lilian shouted. "Do you have any idea what you just did?! That was FOOD! FOOD!" She gestured wildly. "Do you think meals just magically appear here? Do you think we live in a palace?!"
Theo blinked. "I mean—"
"I cannot believe I'm stuck here with you two!" she continued, pacing. "Rolling around like animals, breaking things, ruining supplies—how am I supposed to live like this?!"
Theo scratched his head. "Well… you don't have to."
She stopped.
"You're leaving after the tide, right?"
The words hit harder than they should have.
Flint winced. "Theo… you shouldn't say stuff like that."
He turned to Lilian quickly. "He didn't mean it. He's an idiot—you know that."
"But it's true," Theo said honestly. "That's one of the first things you said when we met."
Lilian's breathing grew uneven.
Theo tilted his head. "Isn't that right?"
[(He doesn't even know what he's saying… he's just clueless.)]
She stiffened—then snapped.
"Of course!" she shouted. "If it wasn't for those damn monsters, I wouldn't stay one night in this dump! I'm leaving the moment this is over!"
She spun on her heel. "I'm tired! Wake me up when you two find something to replace the food you ruined!"
She stormed toward the Tier One house, footsteps fast, frantic.
Behind her, Flint sighed. "You really shouldn't say things like that to people's faces."
Theo frowned. "I don't get it. She wants to leave....right?"
The door slammed shut.
Inside, Lilian leaned against it, back pressed to the wood, chest rising and falling.
(Why did I hesitate?)
(Why am I angry?)
She stared at her hands.
(I'm leaving. I always planned to.)
(So why did my chest feel tight when he said it?)
She swallowed hard.
An intrusive image crossed her mind.
Kairo.
Her breath caught.
(…Do I want to leave?)