The dirt road curved through a scarred valley, where trees still leaned like wounded soldiers and ash clung to leaves like memories that wouldn't let go.
Zorawar walked quietly, one hand brushing Dren's back. The Spirit Beast matched his steps without a sound. Beside them, Vyuk scribbled into a worn leather-bound notebook as they moved.
Zorawar glanced over. "You ever seen someone else fuse two beasts?"
Vyuk shook his head. "No. Never in person. Maybe in the archives, but those scrolls were locked behind a librarian who hisses when you touch her shelves."
Zorawar raised an eyebrow. "So… it's rare?"
"Rare? It's like... hatching a phoenix in a teacup while singing backwards."
Zorawar blinked.
"Translation," Vyuk said with a grin. "Yes. It's very rare. And no, I still don't know how you're doing it."
There was a pause.
