Aelira walked down the long, empty corridor, the sound of her boots echoing against the stone.

  ?She slowed as a figure appeared from the opposite end.

  ?Lysric.

  ?He stopped a few paces away, blocking her path. His posture was rigid, his jaw set tight. The air between them grew heavy, suffused with the unspoken weight of their duel.

  ?Aelira lowered her head, intending to pass him in silence.

  ?"Leaving?"

  ?His voice was sharp, cutting through the quiet.

  ?Aelira paused and slowly turned. Lysric wasn't looking at her; he was staring at the wall, his fists clenched at his sides.

  ?"Yes," she answered simply.

  ?"For a long time, I heard."

  ?"Yes."

  ?Lysric finally turned his gaze to her. There was no warmth in it—only a turbulent mix of frustration, shame, and lingering pride.

  ?"Don't think this is over," he spat, forcing a grin that looked more like a grimace. He jabbed a thumb at his chest. "Just wait until you get back. The title... I’ll take it back. I will win next time."

  ?The boast hung in the air, fragile and desperate.

  ?Aelira didn't respond. She didn't flinch. She just watched him with those calm, silver eyes.

  ?Under her steady gaze, Lysric’s bravado crumbled. His grin faltered, then vanished entirely. He looked down, kicking at an invisible speck of dust on the floor.

  ?"And..." His voice dropped to a murmur, stripping away the aggression. "About that day... at the dungeon."

  ?Aelira remained silent.

  ?"I know it wasn't easy... I left you there," he admitted, the words clearly tasting bitter in his mouth. "I ran."

  ?"It’s fine."

  ?He looked up, startled by the quick absolution. "It’s fine? I abandoned you to an Isengrim. How is that fine?"

  ?"I can’t explain it well," she said, turning fully to face him. Her expression wasn't angry, nor was it forgiving. It was... accepting. "But... I think I understand you now. That’s why it’s fine."

  ?"You... understand me?" Lysric frowned, a flicker of irritation rising. "What’s that supposed to mean? You think you're above me now?"

  ?"No. I just understand."

  ?I understand the fear of losing. The fear of being seen as worthless.

  ?An awkward, thick silence settled between them. Lysric searched her face for mockery but found none. That bothered him more than insults would have.

  ?"Tch." He looked away, scratching the back of his neck aggressively. "You know... that move was annoying."

  ?"Annoying?"

  ?"Yeah. The way you read my attack and dodged it like it was nothing. It pissed me off."

  ?"I... suppose so."

  ?"You barely attacked," he muttered, his tone clumsy but undeniably sincere in its analysis. "Dodging is good, but you can’t win wars by just running away. You waited for me to tire myself out... I didn't think you could keep it up that long."

  ?"It was a necessary strategy," she said softly.

  ?"Yeah... well. It worked."

  ?He let out a sharp exhale, as if releasing a breath he'd held since the duel.

  ?"Go, then. Prepare for your trip."

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  ?"I will."

  ?Aelira turned to leave. She had taken only two steps when his voice stopped her one last time.

  ?"Aelira."

  ?She glanced back over her shoulder. Lysric stood alone in the dim hallway, looking smaller than she remembered.

  ?"Don't die out there," he muttered, looking away. "See you later."

  ?"Are you ready?" Zaek asked, then stopped dead.

  ?He stared in disbelief at the mountain of luggage Aelira was dragging across the courtyard. It was a trunk large enough to house a small family.

  ?"What... in the name of the gods... is that?"

  ?"I’m taking it with me," she said firmly, gripping the handle with both hands.

  ?"I can see that." Zaek slapped a hand over his face, groaning loudly. This kid… "Leave it. This isn’t a vacation. We can’t carry that all the way."

  ?"But you said it could take months!"

  ?"The journey to Oryndel, plus your training, could take months, yes. Do you plan to drag a house behind you for months?"

  ?"Are we... walking?" Aelira asked, her confusion genuine.

  ?"Of course," Zaek said, puffing out his chest proudly. "The whole point of this journey is to make you stronger. Besides, isn’t this how a real adventure is supposed to be? Dust on your boots, wind in your hair?"

  ?"I don’t think so… but okay."

  ?Aelira looked at the massive trunk, then at the dirt road ahead. She sighed, defeated.

  ?She can handle this, right? Zaek looked at her small frame and felt a flicker of doubt.

  ?She looked up at him. "So, what should I take with me?"

  ?"Money, food, and water," he answered simply.

  ?"Is that all?"

  ?"Yes. Essentials only."

  ?So that’s why he walks around for months with nothing but the clothes on his back, she thought, eyeing his worn coat. No wonder Sensei always smells like a campfire and old leather…

  ?"I know that face," Zaek said, grinning sharply. "You're judging me. But listen, you can buy clothes or anything else you need on the road. Just bring enough coins—and don’t let it get stolen."

  ?Aelira’s cheeks flushed pink. "I wasn't judging..."

  ?"Ah, looks like your farewell party has arrived," Zaek noted, nodding toward the mansion doors.

  ?Aelira turned. Her parents were approaching.

  ?"Mother…"

  ?"Are you ready to leave?" Vivianne asked. Her hands were clasped perfectly before her, her gaze fixed on Aelira with clinical detachment.

  ?"Yes. We were just about to."

  ?So, she does care enough to see her off, Zaek thought, stepping back to give them space. Still, it’s surprising it’s only the two of them. Are Sylas and Celdric too busy—or do they simply not care?

  ?"My darling… Papa is going to miss you so much! Waah!"

  ?Both Vivianne and Aelira stared at Wilkram, who was putting on a very unconvincing, theatrical display of sobbing into a handkerchief.

  ?"You don’t have to cry, Father…" Aelira said gently, though she looked slightly embarrassed.

  ?"But still… my little girl…!"

  ?Vivianne ignored him completely. Her attention returned to her daughter. "Aelira. If you don’t want to go—if you are afraid—"

  ?"No," Aelira interrupted. She met her mother’s gaze with a new, unwavering determination. "I want to be stronger."

  ?Vivianne paused. She studied her daughter's face for a long moment.

  ?"Very well. Just be careful."

  ?For a fleeting moment, the icy mask on Vivianne’s face cracked. Her lips softened into something that almost resembled a smile.

  ?Aelira blinked, rubbing her eyes. Did I imagine that?

  ?Even Wilkram froze mid-sob, staring at his wife in shock.

  ?"What? What are you two looking at?" Vivianne snapped, the ice returning instantly.

  ?"No, it’s just…" Aelira bowed her head. "It felt strange."

  ?A faint, rare blush rose on Vivianne’s pale cheeks. "Ahem." She cleared her throat, regaining her composure. "You should get going. Don't keep the Hero waiting."

  ?"O-okay…"

  ?As her daughter turned to leave, walking away with Zaek, Vivianne felt a strange knot of unease tighten in her chest.

  ?Wilkram sidled up beside her, his tone teasing. "Hmm? Don’t tell me you’re actually worried?"

  ?"No."

  ?"She’s strong enough to take care of herself," he said, trying to sound reassuring. "And Zaek is with her."

  ?Vivianne didn’t respond. She kept her eyes fixed on Aelira’s retreating back until the two figures disappeared beyond the gates.

  ?Wilkram scratched his head. "Ah, I forgot—where were they going again?"

  ?"Oryndel."

  ?"Oryndel, huh? That’s good, I’m sure—"

  ?Wilkram froze mid-sentence.

  ?His face went pale. The blood drained from his lips. He turned sharply to his wife, pure panic in his eyes.

  ?"Wait, wait, wait! Isn’t that Lassandra’s hometown?!"

  ?"Lassandra?" Vivianne’s eyes widened. The name struck her like a physical blow. After all these years… she still remembers her?

  ?"What are we going to do?" Wilkram wailed, clutching his head. "What if she finds out? What if she hates us? What if she runs away forever?"

  ?"Don’t be so dramatic," Vivianne said coolly.

  ?Her lips curved into a smile—but this one was sharp, cruel, and terrifying.

  ?"We will do nothing. After all, we know nothing of her fate." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "She could have died on the road home… or met some other misfortune. It’s not something we could possibly know, is it?"

  ?Wilkram stared at her for a moment before realization dawned.

  ?"Ohh, I see… Clever as always, my beautiful wife."

  ?But the glare Vivianne gave him was enough to make him tremble.

  ?"I—I should probably head back now…"

  ?Vivianne lingered for a moment longer, staring at the empty path where her daughter had vanished, before turning sharply and walking away.

  ?A heavy knock echoed through the study.

  ?"Come in," Sylas’s deep voice commanded.

  ?The man who entered bowed deeply. "They have left the manor, my lord. They did not take a carriage and are traveling on foot."

  ?"Good. Stay in contact with our assets in Oryndel. Ensure they don’t draw attention, understand?"

  ?"Yes, my lord. As you wish." The man bowed again and exited.

  ?"You may go."

  ?Zaek…

  ?Sylas stood by the window, his gaze fixed on the horizon where gray clouds were gathering.

  ?I don’t know what game you’re playing, but I won’t let you have what you want.

  ?His eyes narrowed.

  ?Just a little more time…