Maya and Jack sat in the clearing, using simple relaxation techniques to calm their minds. Once relaxed, Jack learned there would be no sparring, and his shoulders slumped in disappointment.

  "Let's begin with a conceptual discussion—something basic. Since you've already done some self-development, I want to give you a simple framework for understanding magic's building blocks. This will help you learn how to develop these blocks and combine them into versatile, powerful effects."

  Jack shrugged. "Okay."

  "So, let's start with the magic of our world—it's the most basic but least versatile. If, as you say, you can use Demana magic and have a form of inherent defense through Kull magic, then this will give you a top-level view."

  "Basic magic deals with elemental forces like fire and water, as well as push and pull forces—your force projectile being a perfect example. But it goes beyond these. I specialize in magic that affects living beings' states—not dramatic transformations like turning someone into a frog, but subtle changes to their physical or mental condition. These effects are known as de-buffs. I can induce lethargy, drowsiness, or even sleep. They're all variations of the same magical blocks, albeit arranged differently."

  "De-buffs sound interesting. Will you be able to teach me those?"

  She nodded. "I'm confident you'll be able to master all those abilities and more. It will take time and dedication. You'll need to practice daily—the more you use your magic, the stronger it becomes and the closer you'll get to mastery."

  "Jack, when you were little, did you ever play with building blocks?"

  Jack snorted. “I was too poor for toys. The closest I had were sewer rats.”

  "But you know what I mean—blocks you can stack and combine to make things?"

  "Of course."

  "Let me explain using blocks. Say I build a wall, then glue the blocks together to keep it fixed. Then I build a castle and a drawbridge. Each structure represents a single element of magic. When I bind these three elements together, they create a spell. Magic is composable, so I can combine the elements in different ways to create different effects.”

  “Are effects and spells the same thing?”

  “Not exactly. People usually refer to effects with a similar result as the same spell. An effect is just a spell variant, if that makes sense. Drowsiness is a variant of the sleep spell. Same elements, combined differently to achieve a different effect.”

  “The important part of basic magic is that an element is the fundamental building block. It can't be broken down into its constituent parts. The glue creates an unbreakable bond."

  "So you need more blocks to build new elements and combine them to create new effects?"

  "Yes, exactly. Working with elements is easier but inflexible—creating different spells requires access to more elements. But imagine if we could break an element apart and reuse the blocks to create a different element. That would give us composability and versatility."

  "Can we do that?"

  "I can't, but you can. Demana magic works at a more fundamental level. Kull magic offers even more."

  "Then why don't I learn Kull magic and skip the others?"

  "That's an excellent question. Think of it this way: if you want to use Kull magic to create a block, it would be like binding a million grains of sand into the proper shape—a complicated and tedious process. Kull magic is best used more fundamentally, which I won’t get into right now. It’s a bit of mind fuck—if you don’t mind me saying."

  "Well, I guess it’s good my Kull magic works automagically. I can't control or modify it—the blocks are already assembled into protective walls around my core."

  "If that’s true, it is good, but we must confirm that. We’ll explore your Kull magic after we cover the basics."

  "Okay. I prefer to work on my Demana magic. Some of the things Kleo can do are amazing. Can't we skip ahead to that?"

  "Demana magic is quite specialized and not well understood. I'm fortunate to have Rugr as a source of reference information. Honestly, I'll learn as much from studying Kleo's use of Demana magic as from her Kull magic."

  “What makes it so different?”

  “It’s not about elements like fire or force. Demana magic is tied to aura—light and dark, good and evil, though that’s an oversimplification. It’s more like… Harmony and Disharmony.”

  Jack blinked. “Okay…”

  “To keep the metaphor going, imagine that with Demana magic, the blocks have colors. Some colors blend well, while others clash. You might combine two blue blocks with a green one and get something useful. Try red and blue, and it might collapse. Demana magic has more of certain color blocks than others. That means the elements you can create are more specialized.”

  “That sounds complicated.”

  Maya smiled. “Only at first. Once you start practicing, it’ll click.”

  Jack's expression suggested he remained unconvinced.

  "One final thing before we practice. All magic originates from Kull magic—other forms are structured systems built upon it, naturally occurring simplifications of the original."

  “Good to know.”

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  "Okay, enough theory. Let’s switch things up and work on your focus. We’ll use your force spell, but I want you to remember that the exercise is about honing your focus, not mastering the spell. Ready?

  Jack stood up, colored blocks swirling through his mind, arranging and rearranging themselves into simple shapes. Could magic really be this simple?

  When Kleo and Will returned, Maya and Jack sat together in the camp. The fire was made, but its heat was uncomfortable in the late afternoon. Kleo was still hot and sweaty from the journey, although the river crossing had cooled her down.

  Their report was simple. There were goblins, but from what they could tell, their camps were further to the south and west. The western edge of the river was clear. They had heard the sounds of drums in the distance. The rhythms a form of communication between camps rather than drums of war.

  They shared a meal from the provisions Bart had prepared. The provisions would not last long with four rather than two, but their proximity to Clan Ulgan and Ulgar would allow them to restock before they made their way into the southern wilderness. They would stick to the river as long as they could. Its bounty of fish, not to mention the freshwater, would be their greatest ally.

  They did their best to converse, but it went in fits and starts. Will and Maya were interested in hearing about the Battle of the Dark Witch, but Jack didn’t like talking about it. It was a reminder of the lost memories and his afterlife experience, something frustratingly intangible and impossible to explain. It was also deeply personal, creating further resistance to sharing.

  Jack seemed willing to talk about Morghadus, but for unknown reasons, Will and Maya seemed uncomfortable with the topic. Kleo guided him towards safer subjects, gigging and life in the Woog village. They still managed to have a pleasant evening, but both groups decided to retire to their respective sleeping areas once night arrived.

  Kleo and Jack had chosen a spot away from the fire, a secluded corner of rocks with a canvas hung to act as a makeshift entrance. It was a private space of their own, open to a sky filled with stars and a waning moon that glowed soft and warm. If the weather shifted, they would have to adapt, but for now, the cool, clear weather of the night looked like it would hold.

  Kleo removed her clothes, damp from the river crossings, and draped them over a low-hanging branch. They would dry by morning. Jack had already undressed, his clothes thrown into a pile on the ground. She folded them neatly and set them aside.

  When they had excused themselves, Will and Maya sat side by side by the fire. The crackling flames cast flickering light across their faces. Kleo caught a small, fleeting smile from Maya. Whatever tension still lingered between them, in the moment, they appeared content, sharing the fire’s warmth in companionable silence.

  Sliding under the blanket, she pressed herself close to Jack, her lips finding his shoulder, then his neck. Each kiss drew a soft murmur of contentment, and she felt the day's tension ebb from her body. His warmth enveloped her, and she wrapped her arms around him, pulling him closer still.

  She wanted this moment to last forever—this quiet intimacy, the feel of his skin against hers, the rise and fall of his breath beneath her fingertips. Her heart swelled with love, and she could not resist the soft ache of her longing.

  Shifting her weight, she rolled him onto his back and moved to straddle him. Her hands found their way to his curls, threading through them as her lips met his in tender, lingering kisses. Her desire flared like a slow-burning fire, insistent and undeniable. She trailed her fingers down his chest, savoring his warmth.

  Jack stirred, his eyes half-opening to meet hers with a playful gleam. “What’s going on here?” he asked, his voice low and drowsy.

  “Oh, nothing,” she teased, her tone light and filled with mischief. “You’re sleeping, and I’m loving you.”

  He smiled, his hands moving instinctively to her hips. “Mmm, should I go back to sleep, or do you need me awake for this?”

  She leaned down, kissing him, her lips pressing harder against his.

  “Awake would be nice,” she murmured against his mouth, her smile turning devilish. “But from what I can tell, I don’t think that will be strictly necessary.”

  Jack chuckled, his hands tightening on her hips as she kissed a trail along his jaw, her breath warm against his skin.

  “Okay,” he said, his voice thick with affection, “maybe I’ll stay awake… just to see how this turns out.”

  Will and Maya faced a new sleeping arrangement. For the first time in over three years, they would share a sleeping space. In Midena, they had been fortunate to find adjoining rooms, a convenience that had spared them from this intimate situation.

  When Will joined her in the makeshift tent, he muttered a soft hey—more of a grunt than a greeting. Maya glanced over her shoulder, sensing his discomfort. It wasn't the tight quarters or their proximity that bothered him; he was worried that this arrangement might unsettle her. That was Will, always concerned about doing the right thing, even when unsure what that meant. She felt a pang of guilt for the bitterness she had carried toward him over their time apart.

  To her surprise, being close to him now felt…natural. These few days together had rekindled memories of what they once shared—and what they might reclaim. Will was far more than his rugged looks and easy charm. His kindness, warmth, and fierce loyalty set him apart. He had always trusted her completely, respected her judgment, and treated her as an equal. These qualities had captured her heart even more deeply than the way his laugh could illuminate her darkest days.

  But Will wasn't perfect. He could be frustratingly reserved—especially with emotions that mattered most. He struggled with vulnerability and often faltered when she needed him to open up. When he couldn't fix things between them, his frustration would build until he was wounded; he'd retreat rather than fight for what they had. Their separation had left scars she wasn't sure would ever heal. Yet tonight, lying here with him so close, she wondered if they might begin to try.

  Beside her, Will shifted, trying to find a comfortable position. Though she faced away, she could sense his unease and a tense breath, held for a moment, then released in a slow, calming exhale.

  Through the quiet night came the sounds of Kleo and Jack. Soft moans of pleasure drifted across the camp, interwoven with whispered words and tender kisses. The intimacy filled the air, and Maya's chest tightened—not with jealousy but longing. She heard Will's quiet sigh beside her.

  "Go to sleep, Will," she said, her voice quiet but firm. She had deliberately chosen his preferred name, offering something small but meaningful. It signaled that she saw him—the man she had loved, the man she wasn't sure she could forgive but wanted to try. It was a step, and in her heart, she knew he would understand its significance.

  A moment later, he shifted closer and draped his arm over her. She froze, uncertain. His gesture was tentative—more question than declaration. As she exhaled, the regret and pain within her began to crack open.

  Tears streaked down her face as a flood of emotions welled up inside her. Four years had passed since they lost Jared—the day everything began to unravel. Fuck that bitch. She prayed the young couple making love under the stars had truly ended her.

  She tried to hold back her sobs, not wanting Kleo and Jack to hear, but the emotions overwhelmed her. Sadness crashed through her for the loss of Jerod. Regret consumed her for the anger and blame that had poisoned their relationship. Emptiness hollowed her heart for all the years wasted apart. And yet, mixed within this storm of feelings was something bright and warm—hope.

  Will remained silent, drawing her closer with a steady, reassuring touch. When her tears finally subsided, he pressed a long, gentle kiss to her temple. She let out a shuddering breath and managed a weak smile, her eyes still glistening with tears.

  Tomorrow would bring questions, challenges, and complexities of their "new normal." But tonight, she savored this fragile connection they had rekindled. It wasn't yet a promise—only a chance. And for now, that was enough.

  As her breathing steadied, the warmth of his embrace guided her into a peaceful sleep. For the first time in years, she believed that they might find their way back to each other.