Monday arrived, and school resumed with its usual rhythm. Liam and Kaela carried on like normal—classes, quiet moments, occasional teasing from classmates, and John doing what John did best: treating Liam and Kaela like royalty.
"Make way! Kings coming through!" he bellowed down the hallway, clearing paths with exaggerated bows and sweeping gestures.
"John, please stop," Liam muttered under his breath.
"You're embarrassing us," Kaela whispered, cheeks turning red.
But John only grinned. "It's what a loyal knight must do!"
The day passed without incident, but elsewhere, shadows lingered in quiet conversations.
---
At Kaela's House
Lucas leaned back in his chair, eyes sharp behind his glasses. "Like you told me the other day... it was Liam who released that bloodlust across the entire school, wasn't it?"
Kaela nodded slowly. "Yes. It wasn't just intense—it was... consuming. Chilling. It felt like the death of his parents pushed him into a path of no return. He's determined. He'll do anything to avenge them."
Lucas narrowed his gaze. "And that makes him dangerous."
"I wanted to ask him more when we went out for shopping... but I held back," Kaela admitted, looking away. "I didn't want to provoke another incident like the one at school."
Lucas exhaled. "Understandable. But we can't stay in the dark. Today, we won't be training. I want you to spar with him."
Kaela blinked. "What? A full spar?"
"I need to see if he's truly ready. If I should intervene yet," Lucas said. "You know I can't go anywhere near that house."
Kaela gave a half-smile. "That's fine. I was already planning to go. I'll be careful."
---
At Liam's House
Liam stood before his mirror, adjusting his training gear. He was about to head out when a firm knock came at his door.
"Liam," Dreck's voice rumbled. "Kaela is downstairs. She says she wants to spar."
Liam blinked. "K-Kaela? Now?"
"Hurry it up."
Liam jogged downstairs, surprised to see Kaela standing with arms crossed, an impatient look on her face.
"Well, well, took you long enough," she said, tilting her head. "Did you fall into the toilet or something?"
Liam frowned. "Nice to see you too."
"You'll be seeing stars in a minute if you don't bring your A-game."
Dreck watched them both with a neutral expression, arms folded. "She explained everything. You two can use the dojo. I'll be watching."
Kaela winked. "Hope you're ready to be embarrassed, hero."
"Oh please," Liam smirked. "You're the one who's gonna need bandages."
---
At the Dojo
The air in the dojo was heavy with tension. The wooden floor creaked beneath their feet as they circled each other. Dreck stood to the side, silent and watchful.
"Don't hold back," Kaela said, sliding into her stance. "Let's see what that bloodlust of yours really means."
"I wasn't planning to," Liam replied, narrowing his eyes.
Kaela lunged first—quick and precise. Liam dodged, countered, their limbs moving like lightning. The air cracked with the force of their strikes.
Kaela spun low. "You've gotten faster."
Liam blocked with his forearm. "You're just slower."
She grinned. "Cocky."
He pushed her back with a powerful palm strike, and she stumbled.
"Not bad," she said, wiping a bit of sweat. "But let's kick this up."
She surged forward again, her movements sharper, more aggressive. Liam dodged, rolled, and swept her legs—but she flipped mid-air and landed clean.
Their hands met in a flurry of strikes—elbows, knees, Aether-charged bursts. Sparks danced from their clashes. Sweat dripped. Their breathing grew heavier.
"Still standing?" Kaela asked.
"Still bored," Liam teased, though his muscles ached.
She smirked. "Liar."
They clashed again—and this time, Liam's eyes glowed faintly.
Kaela's eyes widened. Is that…?
Suddenly, Liam dashed with a burst of speed, fist cocked back. She barely blocked, and the impact sent a shockwave across the dojo.
Dreck raised an eyebrow. "Interesting..."
Kaela skidded back. "Not bad…"
But just as she steadied herself, something strange flickered behind Liam—like a phantom echo of power beginning to rise.
Kaela's eyes sharpened. "Wait—what is that?"
Liam blinked, confused. "What?"
And just like that—
[To be continued...]