The room was dim, lit only by the red glow that seeped through the tall glass panels of Solarin. Dragora stood still, his armor half removed, the faint scent of metal and wine heavy in the air. Giola leaned against the wall, half in shadow, the reflection of his crimson drink glimmering in the low light.

  “Axel won, as expected,” Dragora replied.

  “That’s all?” Giola’s tone stayed playful, but his eyes searched. He set the glass down and straightened. “I’ll ask again. Be careful how you answer.”

  The temperature shifted. His presence thickened, bloodlust leaking into the air.

  “Axel showed a new technique,” Dragora said. “He could control another’s projection attacks.”

  Giola’s lips curved into a slow smile. “Was that so hard?”

  He poured another glass. “Here.”

  Dragora didn’t take it.

  Giola’s smile faded. “Too proud to share a drink?”

  Dragora ignored him, fastening the strap on his gauntlet.

  “You’re getting soft,” Giola said. “Almost like you’re starting to feel again.”

  Dragora’s hands paused. “You know that’s impos—”

  “Yet here we are.” Giola’s voice rose. “Stop pretending.”

  Dragora met his gaze. “What if I am?”

  Giola’s expression hardened. “We can’t have that. We’ll fix you.”

  “Stop it,” Dragora said coldly. “It’s not your choice.”

  Giola’s eyes narrowed. “Are you defying me?”

  The air snapped. Red light flared across the floor.

  “I am,” Dragora said steadily. “You murderous crybaby.”

  Giola’s grin twisted. “Like you. Tell me again, where’s your son? Oh, right.”

  Dragora’s aura flared, the room trembling. “That’s enough. Keep my son out of your mouth.”

  “Not my fault he kicked the bucket,” Giola said lightly.

  Dragora charged. Giola sidestepped, the rush of air scattering the wineglass across the floor.

  “Not like your parents are doing much better,” Dragora growled.

  Giola’s eyes gleamed. “Ouch. That’s what I’d say if I cared. Useless, both of them. Like the gods.”

  Dragora’s breathing slowed. “I pity you.”

  Giola’s eye flickered. For just a second, something ugly surfaced.

  “You hate gods because they didn’t save her,” Dragora continued. “But you hate yourself more.”

  The room felt suddenly smaller.

  Giola’s smile faded. “Careful.”

  He stepped closer, voice lowering. “You’re starting to forget your place.”

  Dragora didn’t move. “Try reminding me,” he said quietly. “And I’ll send you straight to hell.”

  Giola froze. Something clicked behind his eyes. “It’s Ariel, isn’t it?”

  Dragora’s voice turned to steel. “Don’t.”

  Giola’s smile returned, darker.

  “Some people are temporary, Dragora.”

  Dragora stepped forward slowly. The floor cracked beneath his weight.

  “If you touch her,” he said quietly, “I’ll bury you myself.”

  They stared at each other, the silence sharp as glass. Giola’s grin faltered. For the first time, he saw conviction in Dragora’s eyes.

  Giola sighed, lifting his hands in mock surrender. “You win. I’ll see myself out.”

  He turned and walked to the door. The faint click of the latch echoed in the stillness as he left.

  Dragora stayed motionless, pulse hammering. Wine stained the floor like blood. He looked toward the window, red light washing over his face.

  The question lingered long after Giola was gone.

  On the outskirts of the city, a small fire burned quietly on the hill. The night air was cool, smoke drifting upward into a sky filled with stars. Prius sat near the flames, stirring the embers with a stick as he waited for the four to wake. The glow painted his face in gold and shadow.

  A few minutes later, Axel returned from the trees with an armful of wood. His boots crunched softly against the dirt as he dropped the pile beside the fire.

  “That was something,” Axel said, brushing his hands on his pants. “What’s your opinion on them?”

  Prius didn’t answer right away. He laid another log over the flame, watching the sparks rise. “Each has strengths,” he said finally. “Lea’s the smart one. Lucio’s the strategist. Felix is creative. Miria’s the caring one. Together, no one will beat you.”

  Axel tilted his head. “Hold up. What about me, old man?”

  Prius looked toward the horizon, where the city lights shimmered faintly beneath a black sky. “You’re the glue,” he said quietly. “You hold them together. No matter what happens, you’re at the center.”

  Axel sat beside him, the fire’s warmth brushing his skin. “I never thought about it,” he said. “Though it sounds right.” He laughed once. “And you got all that from one practice round?”

  Prius smirked. “You’d be surprised what you can learn by paying attention.”

  Only the fire crackled for a while. The wind moved softly through the grass. The day’s tension faded into peace.

  Then a voice carried from beyond the hill. “Axel! Where are you?”

  Axel turned toward the sound, smiling.

  Prius leaned back on his hands. “Seems your team’s awake.”

  Axel stood and stretched. “Guess rest time’s over.”

  The fire popped, scattering sparks into the dark.

  Axel jogged back toward the campfire, grinning as he saw the others awake. The flames flickered across their faces. Before he could speak, a rock flew from the dark and struck his forehead.

  He stumbled back. “Ow! What the hell?”

  Miria stood with arms crossed, a faint pout on her face. “I still can’t forgive you,” she said. “It’s time for you to suffer.”

  “Wait, wait!” Axel threw his hands up. “It was just a rock disguised as a bunny!”

  He grabbed a stone from the pile. “See? Energy projection trick. Nobody got hurt!”

  Miria stared, expression blank. “You’re evil,” she said at last, her voice solemn. Then, after a beat, she smiled. “Perish.”

  Axel turned and ran. “I said it was just a rock!”

  Her laughter followed him. “I’m kidding,” she said quietly. “I’m glad you wouldn’t hurt an animal.”

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  The rest watched in disbelief.

  Lucio rubbed his temple. “Did he just run away? What happened while I was out?”

  Felix crossed his arms. “Didn’t think sounds like that came from our fearless prodigy.”

  Lea laughed, wiping a tear. “I always knew he was afraid of women.”

  Axel stopped and gave her a deadpan look. “Keep laughing. She had Prius scared for his life.”

  A voice came from behind him. “I don’t recall that.”

  Axel turned to find Prius standing there, arms folded.

  “Oh, come on,” Axel said. “You were begging for your life. I had to save you.” He mimicked Prius’s voice, hands clasped in mock prayer. “Oh, please, Miria, have mercy, I’m too old to die.”

  The group burst out laughing.

  Prius sighed and smacked the back of Axel’s head. “Respect your elders. Food’s ready.”

  Axel rubbed his head, grinning. “Yeah, yeah. You’re lucky it smells good.”

  They gathered around the fire. Laughter faded into quiet comfort. The flames cast long shadows across the hillside. For the first time, they looked like a real team.

  Lucio poked the embers with his knife. “So what was that sparring for? Your ego?”

  Prius finished a bite of meat before answering. “You’re Voflo’s son, right?”

  Lucio’s smirk vanished. “Yes. I am.”

  “I see the resemblance.” Prius leaned forward. “I was testing your archetypes, seeing where you stand.”

  He looked around the fire. “You’re ahead of most of your age, but unpolished.”

  Lucio’s grin returned. “Admit it. I’m the most talented one here.”

  Prius raised an eyebrow. “Talented, yes. Not the most.” He nodded toward Miria. “That would be her.”

  Everyone turned.

  Lucio blinked. “What? How?”

  Lea threw up her hands. “Girl power!”

  Felix laughed. “No way.”

  Miria rubbed her neck. “You really think so? I wasn’t doing much.”

  Prius shook his head. “Exactly. That’s what makes it scary. You had me petrified. I’d be dead if Axel wasn’t there.”

  The group stared at her.

  Axel chuckled. “Gentle soul, terrifying punch.”

  Prius nodded. “Enough praise. Here’s your assessment.”

  He looked to Lucio. “You’re skilled, but you struggle with speed and unpredictability. You control people. Learn to control the field.”

  Lucio nodded, thoughtful.

  “Felix,” Prius continued, “you’re creative but predictable. Relying only on bombs limits you. If they dodge, you’re done.”

  Felix stared into the fire. “Yeah. I see it.”

  “Then fix it.”

  He turned to Lea. “Your attacks are weak, and you hide it behind perfect form. Make them mean something.”

  Lea nodded quietly.

  “Miria,” he said last, “you lose control too easily. One rabbit and you nearly killed me and Axel.”

  Miria looked down. “Understood.”

  “If that keeps happening, you’ll damage your crystal. Fracture it far enough, and you die.”

  The words hit hard. The fire popped.

  “I understand,” she said again.

  Prius looked over them all. “We start training once Axel and I return from the mission. The city’s restless. Violence is coming. Someone will have to lead.”

  Axel smirked.

  “My first real mission? I’m ready.”

  “Good,” Prius said, standing. “Go home. Get some sleep, you will need it.”

  The night stretched wide and cold, the first hint of dawn creeping in.

  Back at the Ordine headquarters on Solarin. The chamber burned with the same crimson light bleeding through Solarin’s glass panels. Dragora stood with armor half removed, the scent of metal and wine still in the air. Giola had not yet arrived. A few officers lingered near the far wall, pretending not to listen.

  The door opened. Ariel stepped in, smiling.

  “Hey, Dragora. You look like you’ve been through hell,” she said, her voice light against the gloom.

  He blinked. “Didn’t expect to see you.”

  “Oh no, something’s wrong, isn’t it?” She stepped closer. “Let me take a look.”

  “I’m fine,” he said. “Just not something you can see.”

  She frowned. “Is it your crystal? Let me check. You can’t function right if it’s failing.”

  He caught her wrist. “It’s not the crystal. Just thoughts I can’t ignore.”

  Her tone softened. “And here I thought my best creation didn’t doubt anything.”

  Before he could answer, the door slid open again.

  Giola entered, grin sharp. “Well, isn’t this cozy? You two having a moment?”

  Dragora started to speak, but Giola cut him off. “Save it. We’ve got executions to run. We’re late. Move.”

  Dragora hesitated.

  “That was an order,” Giola said.

  Dragora nodded and left.

  As the door closed, Ariel turned. “What’s your problem?”

  Giola smirked. “Oh, you noticed I have one?”

  “Cut the act,” she said. “You’re unbearable.”

  The air went still. The soldiers froze.

  Giola’s voice dropped. “Careful. You forget who you’re talking to.”

  “I know exactly who,” she said. “A tantrum-throwing child in a uniform.”

  Giola’s grin vanished. He drew his scythe, metal whispering.

  “You need a reminder of where you stand?”

  “Go on,” Ariel said. “Do it. We both know what happens next. And we both know you can’t beat Dragora.”

  Giola’s eye twitched. He pressed the blade to her throat, a thin red line forming.

  “I could test that theory right now,” he said. “You sure you want to bet on it?”

  Ariel swallowed. Her voice faltered.

  Giola leaned close. “You should remember who saved you from Ordine, you ungrateful little genius.”

  Then he stepped back, laughing once. “Relax. I’m joking. Don’t ruin my favorite day of the month.”

  He left the room.

  Only when the door sealed did Ariel exhale. “I really thought he’d do it this time,” she whispered.

  The faint orange of dawn spread across the hilltop where last night’s fire had burned down to ash. The air was still cool, carrying the scent of smoke and dew. Axel knelt beside the remnants of the fire, fastening the straps on his boots while Prius stood nearby, reviewing a cracked datapad with the caravan’s manifest flickering faintly on its surface.

  “First mission,” Prius said without looking up. “How do you feel?”

  “Excited,” Axel replied, tightening the final strap. “But a mission’s still a mission.”

  Prius gave a short nod. “Good. Just don’t lose sight of why we’re doing this.”

  “I know. People are starving.”

  “Exactly,” Prius said. “And today, the two puppets will be busy. That means fewer eyes on us.”

  Axel straightened and slung his pack over his shoulder. “Figures. So, shall we get going?”

  Before Prius could answer, a soft voice called from behind them.

  “Not before saying goodbye to me, I hope.”

  Axel turned, surprised. Lea was approaching from the edge of the camp, her hair tied back and a faint smile on her face. The early light glinted against the bracelet at her wrist.

  “Lea,” Axel said, smiling. “Of course not. I could never leave without saying goodbye.”

  “Good,” she said, stopping in front of him. “Because I haven’t forgotten what you promised.”

  Her tone shifted as she looked to Prius. “And you make sure he gets back.”

  Prius met her eyes. For a moment, the usual calm in his expression wavered, something almost protective flickering before it vanished.

  “You have my word,” he said.

  “I got it,” Axel added with a grin. “I promise.”

  Lea nodded, her smile softening. She watched as the two turned toward the caravan, their boots crunching over gravel in the quiet morning. When they reached the edge of the camp, Axel turned back once and lifted a hand.

  Lea waved in return. The wind caught her hair, brushing it across her face as she watched them fade into the distance. The moment lingered in the still air, gentle and heavy with a feeling neither of them could name.

  The corridors of Ordine’s command outpost hummed with activity. Red light from Solarin streamed through the tall panes, washing the floor in crimson. Giola stood near the exit, adjusting his scythe across his back. Dragora was still fastening the last pieces of his armor.

  “Are you finally ready?” Giola asked, tapping his foot.

  Dragora’s voice was calm. “What’s the hurry? I know this excites you, but you’re unusually joyful about all this today.”

  Giola smirked, but tension crept into his tone. “I’ve got a gut feeling. Can’t help it. Feels like something’s going to happen today.”

  Dragora glanced up. “Where is this coming from?”

  “I have no idea,” Giola said, frowning slightly. “But it hasn’t left me alone all morning.”

  Dragora looked past him. His eyes wandered across the courtyard where soldiers were forming ranks. Why am I scanning the crowd? Am I looking for someone? He couldn’t explain it.

  Then he saw her, Ariel, walking towards him through the line of soldiers.

  Without a word, she began adjusting the plates of his armor, checking the straps with careful precision. Giola noticed and made a sound of disgust.

  “Don’t mind me,” Ariel said without looking at him. “We don’t want people’s last sight to be a warrior whose armor isn’t perfect, do we?”

  Dragora nodded silently.

  Giola mimicked throwing up. “Come on, Mom, the big men have to go fight. We don’t need all this.”

  Ariel turned her head sharply, her glare cutting through him. Giola froze for a second before looking away.

  “Women,” he muttered under his breath.

  Ariel ignored him and finished tightening Dragora’s chest plate. “There,” she said softly. “You look perfect. Please be careful.”

  Dragora placed a hand on her shoulder. “I promise I’ll be fine.”

  Giola sighed. “Let’s go. Change of location, time to head to Viltrez.”

  The two turned and walked toward the waiting transport, the low hum of engines rising as the gates opened. Ariel watched them leave until the red light swallowed their silhouettes.

  As the transport lifted, Giola didn’t look back.

  Dragora did.

  Far from headquarters, the caravan rattled along a dirt road surrounded by cliffs and dry grass. The air was still, heavy with dust. Axel sat in the back, checking the straps of the supply crates while Prius watched the horizon from the driver’s seat.

  “So,” Axel asked, breaking the silence, “where exactly is this caravan heading?”

  Prius glanced at the map projected on the dashboard. “Viltrez. But don’t worry. Intel says the commanders should be in Bijion as we speak.”

  Axel nodded, his eyes staying on the open road ahead. The sound of the wheels grinding over gravel filled the silence as the morning sun climbed higher.