you want to protect the people around you, you'll stop pulling your punches."
Kaen leaned casually against the fence nearby, sipping hot tea. "You two are going to tear the backyard apart."
Neither woman responded. Lirien lunged forward again, her rapier moving like lightning. Zian parried, her golden aura flickering more brightly now. Their strikes clashed in the frosted air, sending bursts of snow in every direction.
Inside the house, Mira peeked out from the kitchen window. "They've been at it for two hours," she muttered.
Kyel nodded from the sofa. "Good. Zian's getting stronger. She'll need it."
Leon sat beside him, polishing his spear. "Kaen hasn't joined in yet. Think he's testing us?"
"Always," Kyel replied.
Back outside, Zian landed a strike that forced Lirien to step back, her eyes wide.
"You're improving," Lirien admitted, catching her breath.
Zian gave a small smile. "Thanks to your pressure."
Kaen finally walked forward. "That's enough sparring. Come inside before Rourke makes us shovel the roof for punishment."
Lirien glanced sideways at him. "He already threatened that yesterday."
Kaen chuckled. "Then we better behave."
As they entered the house, Rourke was waiting at the door. The former S-rank hunter crossed his arms. "Hope you all worked up an appetite. I cooked."
Everyone froze.
"You… cooked?" Kaen blinked. "You burn cereal."
Rourke grinned. "Today's different."
Despite their doubts, the group sat down to a surprisingly good meal. The dining room was filled with laughter, light bickering, and warmth.
In that moment, none of them were hunters or monsters or hidden gods.
They were just people, sharing a rare peace before the storm that waited on the other side of winter.