Manaan Legio Dormitory:

  Emberith sat in front of the fireplace once more now. Her sword resting in her lap, Drahonst sat across from and facing her, both matching each other’s breathing. The flames of the fireplace rose and fell with each inhale and exhale. Kai standing off in the shadows once more and choosing to mind his own business, his own turmoil written in his posture.

  “You do well, Lady Emberith. I feel the inferno of your soul, quell your lust for battle. You will have what you crave most when the time is right.” Drahonst said, his voice calm and steady.

  Emberith took another breath and let it out, the flames rising and then falling again slowly with the pace of her breathing.

  “My fire is not tamed by words alone. I must face him, I want to see this champion’s flames for myself, I will show him the true nature of fire.” Emberith said, her eyes opening as the fire started burning higher.

  “Careful now. The candle that burns twice as bright burns twice as fast.” Drahonst cautioned, opening his eyes as well and smiling softly.

  “Always one for a way with words, my Count.” Emberith taunted slightly, flashing a coy smile back at him and making him chuckle.

  “Your instincts have done you well, but trust in the master and his plan. All is set, we merely have to play along for another day. Then, you will be free to run wild. We will show these pompous captial dwellers our true strength.” Drahonst said, momentarily catching her attention.

  “Then I suppose I will have to take you at your word then.” She said, still toying with him.

  Their eyes locked as both merely smiled. Kai watching them with a look of mild disgust, he disliked much of what was to come. Yet he was committed to this, he was always good at being where he wasn’t supposed to. He should have been more careful with what he was good at, but this was the price.

  “Do I detect you still turn this over in your mind, Kai Sennei?” Drahonst asked, not turning his gaze away from Emberith.

  “Just say the word, and I will commit to the plan.” Kai said carefully.

  “Clever man, oh so very clever Kai. You’re a man who is too smart for his own good.” Drahonst said, now rising up as he slowly walked towards him. “But nothing hides from Ligeria’s light, not even for all your efforts to keep yourself veiled by fog.” He added, purposefully pushing the subject.

  Kai merely stared back with a dark glare, Drahonst was still and his expression unchanging.

  “We make choices and we have to live with them.” Kai said without hesitation.

  “Mmm, that is true. Oh so very true. But I cannot shake the lingering feeling of what tastes like regret on you, Kai Sennei.” Drahonst countered, not backing down from goading him.

  “Can’t wind back the clock. What I feel or think is irrelevant, I am here.” Kai said sternly, standing his ground.

  “Hm, well how about that. Still just as clever. Very well, if you say you are so resolved. Then I will have to believe you won’t I?” Drahonst taunted, still pushing to see how he could make Kai squirm.

  “I guess you will.” Kai responded coldly, making Drahonst chuckle again.

  “Very well, we will just have to wait and see. Just do not forget where your loyalty lies, Kai Sennei.” Drahonst warned.

  The look in his eye momentarily shifting to one of sternness, before at last turning and leaving Kai and Emberith to meditate by himself.

  ——————————————————

  Cole’s team Dormitory:

  Cole found himself once more on the balcony of his team’s dormitory, looking down at the crowds of people enjoying the evening and their winnings. Just about everything pub, bar and restaurant were packed. That familiar sea of lights, no matter how many times he saw it or where, it always felt nostalgic. Like he was back home and up on the rooftop, dreaming of getting out and making something of himself in that city of lights.

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  “You think too much, then again you always do.” Aaron said, joining him and snapping him out of his thoughts.

  “And you were never one to waste words or your time.” Cole retorted, looking his way now as Aaron continued to stare out into the crowds below.

  “I don’t see any reason to bullshitting.” Aaron responded simply, not turning his attention away.

  “Blunt honesty is often the hardest to argue against.” Cole remarked, rolling his eyes some at this statement.

  “I’m a simple man, and I look out for my friends.” Aaron said, still unmoving and still as a statue.

  Cole still kept his eyes on Aaron, studying him. He hadn’t given it much thought when they first met when he took him Taiga and Eugene up into the mountains. But now, he was truly seeing him. He didn’t want to believe it, yet it was becoming more and more difficult to deny it.

  “Aaron.” Cole said, making him look his way this time. “Do remember when we first met? Do you remember me at all? Do you remember anything?” He asked cautiously.

  Aaron now looked bewildered by this question. Like he was trying to solve some complex invisible equation infront of Cole.

  “I… I don’t. I just know in my soul, you are what I call friend, and that’s all that matters.” Aaron said, after a long moment of silence passed.

  “But do you remember our other friends? The last time we talked? Do you remember how you first met Taiga?” Cole asked, his voice becoming more desperate as was the look in his eyes.

  “There are… feelings in my heart, things I know that are true. But my head, I can’t remember a lot.” Aaron said, his tone more cautious and resting a hand over his face.

  Cole’s expression slowly deflated as let out a sigh of defeat. This was not the answers he desired or expected. Yet something continued to itch at the back of his mind, a gnawing feeling of so much being out place but he could not tell what it was.

  It felt more and more like the last time. The wound in his chest itching the most even years later, it was telling him something was off. Yet he couldn’t place it, it was more and more like a dream and couldn’t tell if he was awake or not.

  “What’s it matter?” Aaron said, making Cole look in way in confusion. “I’m here, Taiga and Eugene are here. You always have friends, you just have to look around.” He added, Cole remaining bewildered by this.

  “You’re like a brick wall, you that?” Cole retorted, making Aaron shrug slightly.

  “Perhaps, but don’t lose hope. You’ve always been the optimist, or have you forgotten?” Aaron added, before leaving to get some rest.

  ——————————————————

  El Cerrito Pl

  Down the street it was alive dancers and performers, small plays were performed, little carnival games were set up with fun prizes.

  Juni had taken Raiden out for the evening to enjoy some time and have a good day with her brother, Taiga and Eugene spending some much needed time together as well.

  Eugene won Taiga everything she wanted, meanwhile Raiden was happy to try and make his sister proud. Juni got a chuckle out watching him try his hardest to win every game they played.

  Now the two Sayer siblings were eating shaved ice with flavored syrup and watching fireworks.

  “So sis, what do think of Cole?” Raiden teased her, making Juni blush and roll her eyes.

  “He’s nice, and I think he’s an interesting mage with amazing weapons.” Juni carefully said, making her brother chuckle.

  “Whatever you say sis. I still don’t get all that mushy stuff like mom and dad do.” He said inturn making a faking gagging sound, Juni only laughing at this.

  “Maybe someday when you’re older kiddo.” Juni teased ruffling his hair as playfully pushed it away.

  Meanwhile…

  Eugene and Taiga watched the fireworks near the streets edge. Taiga carrying all her nick-knack prizes and Eugene just happy he got to see her smiling for one day.

  “You gonna be alright without me? With Aaron?” Eugene asked, as he looked on at the display of colorful explosions.

  “Are you gonna be alright without me?” Taiga posed, looking in her brother’s direction.

  “I don’t know.” Eugene said honestly, Taiga’s expression momentarily annoyed. “I’ll think about you everyday, hope you’re safe and doing alright, but I know I can’t hold you forever. And I need to live for myself as well.” He explained looking her way as her expression softened and she faintly smiled.

  With this the siblings hugged. Eugene could few taiga gently shake.

  “I miss them, I miss them everyday.” She said still holding onto him.

  “I miss them too. It’s why I’ve been so distant, I just didn’t know what to do beyond stick to a routine that worked. But I didn’t see what mattered most.” Eugene assured her, confessing his own shortcomings in the last few years.

  “I pushed away too, I dropped out, I was foolhardy and brash in my decision to stop using magic.” Taiga said, leaning back some and meeting her brother’s eyes.

  “You have more than shown you can hold your own with your skills and ambition. You can always find a new way, grow and adapt to what has changed. Even a broken blade can be reforged.” He explained to her, making her smile.

  “Always mister bright side.” She joked back.

  “Take care of yourself when this over sis, come visit the capital sometime, stop by the house, say hi.” He said honestly, making her feel the weight of this reality.

  “I will, I promise. And you’d better take care of her, cause you break her heart I’ll break your neck.” Taiga teased once more making Eugene chuckle as well.

  But for now they would enjoy the evening and enjoy the finals tomorrow, rooting Cole and his team on, hoping they could pull another miracle and win the tournament...