"Before we continue," Kael said, looking at Garrick, Darius and Sylphie, "let me tell you what Fira actually is. I think you already know about spirited weapons—those rare and powerful arms inhabited by sentient spirits that greatly amplify their wielder's strength and abilities. Those are some of the most powerful artefacts in existence."
Garrick, Darius and Sylphie leaned in as Kael continued.
"But Fira... she's different. She's not just any spirit. She is the embodiment of Ronan's magic itself—his very soul made manifest."
Kael's expression darkened. "And that's exactly why I'm hiding her from others. If the great families find out about Fira, they will most likely want Ronan to join them. They'll do whatever it takes to make that happen."
Garrick frowned, confused. "But isn't that a good thing? He'll get better resources, more support to grow stronger."
Kael growled, his voice rising with frustration. "Are you an idiot? Those families don't offer help—they take what they want. Why would they waste resources on Ronan when they could extract Fira and give her to one of their own precious prodigies?"
Garrick and Darius exchanged a glance, stunned. Kael's composure, usually unshakable, was slipping. They'd never seen him like this.
With a bitter laugh, Kael muttered, "Sometimes I think it would be better to be a commoner. The great families are selfish and ruthless. They wear morality like a mask. But I consider Ronan my younger brother. I won't let him get hurt."
He turned to the others with fierce resolve. "So, you'll swear an oath with me... or I'll make you."
Garrick and Darius narrowed their eyes. "And who are you to force us?"
Kael clenched his fists, ready to argue back—but Darius spoke again, his tone softer. "We may not be as knowledgeable or powerful as you, but Ronan is our friend. We'd protect his secret even without an oath."
From the side, Sylphie watched quietly. Fira, small and glowing, sat on her palm, swinging her tiny legs playfully.
Sylphie smiled gently. "Ronan... you really shine brighter than the sun when it comes to those you love."
She glanced at her palm, only to see Fira mimicking her smile. Sylphie blinked, astonished. Their bond was growing stronger with each moment.
Kael stepped forward again, his tone resolute. "Then repeat after me. This oath is bound by blood and soul. If we ever reveal Fira's secret, may death be our end."
The four of them—Kael, Sylphie, Garrick, and Darius—cut their fingers. Drops of blood floated into the air, shimmering with mana.
Kael looked at Ronan. "Now, you must place your blood into ours."
Ronan hesitated, then nodded. He cut his finger and let a single drop fall. It merged with the others and descended slowly to the ground. A large, ancient magic circle blazed under their feet, glowing for a few seconds before fading into the night.
The oath was sealed.
Fira, who had been flying around curiously, floated with wide eyes, clearly fascinated.
Kael raised his hand and activated a hidden magic formation embedded in the flying ship. A faint hum echoed as the ship shimmered. "No one outside can see or hear what happens within this ship now." He turned to Fira. "Come here for a moment." Fira hovered before him, inquisitive.
Kael said, "Fira, listen. If you come out of Ronan without warning, it might hurt both you and him. So from now on, always ask Ronan first. Do you understand?"
Fira looked at Ronan, then turned to Sylphie, Garrick, and Darius with a sorrowful expression, as if asking, "Can I not play with you anymore?"
Kael chuckled softly, his voice warm this time. "Of course, we'll still play with you. Just be careful."
Fira nodded and smiled, copying Sylphie's earlier expression, and flew back to sit on her shoulder. Sylphie gently reached up and patted her tiny head.
"At least she's happy," Ronan said with a small smile.
Fira glanced at him, then turned her face away with a huff.
Ronan blinked. "Hey? Hey! What's that supposed to mean?!"
He scratched his head. "Maybe a flame core will cheer her up…"
He pulled out a glowing flame core and held it out. Fira perked up and stood, but didn't move closer. Instead, she crossed her tiny arms and looked away.
"This isn't enough?" Ronan asked, bewildered.
Kael, smirking, took out an identical core. Fira immediately darted toward it, circling with glee as she absorbed the flame.
Garrick laughed. "What did you do to anger our little princess, huh?"
Darius joined in, teasing. "She's got standards, Ronan!"
Ronan sighed, defeated, watching Fira joyfully absorb Kael's gift.
As the night grew darker, Darius, Garrick and Sylphie were still playing with Fira. Ronan looks at Kael and asks, "Kael, I am not sure if you are right or wrong. I am not eligible to take a god's trial, so where would the blessing come from? How come Fira and your uncle's Flame Spirit are the same? I doubt Fira has any remarkable ability, as you said."
Kael turns around and looks at the sky, gripping the ship's railing, and says, "I know, I may be entirely wrong, but still, I don't have enough courage to tell this to anyone. I know what those greedy people can do. They don't even spare their own child, let alone others. I can not take the risk. I will tell the whole story someday, but not today. As he turns to Darius, Garrick and Sylphie."
Ronan did not pursue rather said, "I trust your judgement and will follow it."
Several days passed, filled with laughter, training, and growing bonds. Eventually, the skies darkened, and a strange mist covered the horizon.
Kael stepped to the edge of the ship and pointed ahead. "We've arrived—Voidedge."
Everyone gathered and gazed at the eerie land stretching before them.
With a wave of his hand, Kael shrunk the flying ship into a small crystal and slipped it into his storage ring.
Ronan stood at the edge of the vast forest, eyes fixed on the towering mountains in the distance. His brow furrowed slightly as he muttered to himself, "This is not what I had expected."
Beside him, Sylphie gave a half-smile and nudged his shoulder. "Not what you expected, right?"
He blinked, then chuckled softly. "Yeah. I thought it would be more deserted. This was a battlefield, wasn't it? I imagined scorched earth and ruins."
He turned to her, puzzled. "Wait a second, how did you know what I was thinking?"
Sylphie grinned, proud and mischievous. "A few days ago, I learned mind-reading."
Ronan recoiled, face contorting in mock disgust. "Eww! You're becoming a pervert!"
"What did you just say?" Sylphie's eye twitched. She raised her fist and swung at his head.
Ronan ducked, laughing as the two erupted into a playful scuffle. Like true siblings, their banter filled the forest with life.
Kael, walking a few steps behind them, sighed and said dryly, "She didn't learn mind-reading. She just guessed. She also had the same thought when she first saw this place."
Sylphie turned Kael with wide eyes and a betrayed look. "You betrayed me, Kael!"
Kael only shrugged, amused. Ronan rubbed his head and asked, "By the way, why are so many people heading that way?"
Kael looked to the left, toward a stream of figures in the distance. "Remember Orin and the others? They will be here too. They're all after the mana pond."
Ronan squinted. "Ooh, there are—"
Smack! Sylphie landed a slap on his head.
"Ow! What was that for?!" Ronan cried, grabbing his head.
Sylphie puffed her cheeks, eyes narrowed. "Calling me a pervert, huh? Well then, you're the pervert!"
Still rubbing his head, Ronan muttered, "Geez..."
Kael pointed to their right. "Let's go. Our mission lies that way."
The group—Kael, Sylphie, Garrick, Darius, and Ronan—set off. After nearly three hours of trekking through uneven terrain and dense underbrush, they finally arrived at their destination. Before them loomed a cave entrance, dark and quiet.
Kael glanced back at the others. "We're here to mine spirit-imbued ores. Stay close and be cautious."
They entered the cave, torches flickering to life. Though they encountered a few monsters along the way, they were weak and easily dispatched. After an hour of navigating winding tunnels, they reached the mining site.
Kael, Ronan, and Darius began mining. As sparks flew from pickaxes clashing with stone, Ronan asked, "Kael, why is this mine abandoned? Doesn't seem dangerous."
Kael's expression darkened as he worked. "The monsters aren't the problem. It's the teleportation anomalies. Strange circles appear and send people to random places... and most never return. Seventy to eighty per cent just vanish. That's why the mine was sealed."
They mined until evening, and Kael eventually said, "That's enough. Let's head back."
They packed up, storing the ores in a storage ring. Fatigue clung to their bodies despite the magic healing their muscle strain. Their steps were sluggish.
Darius groaned dramatically. "I'm gonna die today. Aaa!"
Ronan joined in, stumbling with exaggerated pain. "Leave us behind! Tell our stories!"
Sylphie glanced over her shoulder, annoyed. "Will you two stop being so dramatic? Keep up, or you'll end up teleported somewhere!"
Ronan and Darius looked at each other and burst into another act, hugging and wailing. "Sylphie's cursing us! She doesn't want us anymore!"
Sylphie rolled her eyes hard. "Do these two ever take anything seriously?"
Suddenly, Kael raised his voice, urgent and sharp. "Fall back!"
They all jumped back just in time as a glowing magic circle appeared where they'd been standing. Light flared for a few seconds before the circle vanished.
Kael's eyes widened. "Run! Don't stop!"
They sprinted toward the exit, breath heavy, dodging sudden bursts of magic circles that lit up the cave floor. Ronan and Kael began to slow, exhaustion dragging at their limbs.
"I can't keep up!" Darius gasped.
A magic circle formed beneath his feet.
"Darius!" Ronan dashed toward him, grabbed his arm, and with a grunt, hurled him forward. "Garrick, catch!"
Garrick caught Darius just in time, dodging another magic circle.
They were so close. The exit was in sight.
Another magic circle formed—this time beneath Ronan.
He couldn't move.
Kael's voice rang out. "Don't stop moving!"
He launched himself back and reached for Ronan.
"Sylphie! Now!" Kael shouted.
Sylphie reacted instantly, summoning vines that wrapped around both Kael and Ronan. As the vines pulled, the magic circle activated.
Time froze for a breath.
"Wait for us!" Kael shouted.
And then—
They vanished in a burst of light.
Sylphie stared at the empty space where Ronan and Kael had just been. Her heart plummeted. Her chest ached. Her breath caught in her throat.
"No... Ronan... Kael..."
A new circle appeared—under Garrick and Sylphie.
Garrick, carrying Darius, turned to her. "We have to go! They'll be fine. They're the strongest of us. But we have to wait outside, in case they return."
His words pierced through the haze of fear. Sylphie clenched her fists. With tears in her eyes and a heavy heart, Sylphie nodded. Together, they dashed toward the exit.
With heavy hearts and burning lungs, they burst out of the cave—just as the circle behind them flared and disappeared.
They were safe.
But Ronan and Kael were gone.
And Sylphie's world had just become a little darker.