Kai didn't sleep much that night. Not because the ground was cold, or because the trees creaked in the wind, but because every time his eyes drifted shut, he felt the Crown. It wasn't heavy. It wasn't even real in the normal sense. But it sat there, humming in the back of his head, waiting for him to laugh again.
When dawn came, it wasn't gold. The light was pale and tinted red, filtering down through the canopy like someone had poured blood into the sky. Lyra was already awake. She crouched by the dead blue fire, checking her knives with movements that were slow and deliberate.
Kai stretched and yawned, grinning. "Morning, boss."
"Keep your voice down," Lyra said without looking at him.
"I whispered!" he said, though his whisper was about as quiet as a shout with manners.
"You're going to get us killed." She stood and pulled her hood over her hair. "We move now."
Kai followed her out of the clearing. The Darkwood didn't look friendlier by daylight. The moss still sighed under his boots, and some of the trees turned to watch them when they passed. He stuck close to Lyra, though every now and then he drifted off to poke at strange plants or step on roots that looked like ribs.
"You never answered me," Lyra said suddenly.
"About what?"
"Why you laugh."
Kai thought about it as they walked. The answer came easy. "Because crying doesn't help. And if I'm going to go down, I'd rather go down smiling. Confuses the bad guys."
Lyra glanced at him from the corner of her hood. She didn't reply, but he thought he saw her mouth twitch for just a moment, as if she wanted to argue but couldn't find the words.
They pressed deeper into the forest. A cold mist rolled between the trunks, and Kai felt the Crown stir in his chest, eager. He cleared his throat, and the mist seemed to lean closer. He grinned, knowing he could probably do something crazy with just one laugh. But Lyra had made it clear: don't. At least not yet.
The chance came anyway.
A shriek tore through the fog. Wraithborn. At least five of them, slipping through the mist like shadows pulled too thin. Their mouths opened, rows of little teeth clicking, and the air turned sharp with hunger.
Lyra drew her knives. "Stay behind me."
Kai cracked his knuckles. "Not a chance."
The first Wraithborn lunged. Lyra ducked and slashed, splitting its seam-mouth open. It collapsed into smoke. Another two came at her from the sides. She spun, fast and precise, her blades flashing. She moved like she'd fought them a hundred times, each strike measured.
Kai wanted to watch, but one of the creatures came for him. He raised his fists, grinning, and let out a laugh.
The sound ripped through the clearing. The ground under the Wraithborn twisted sideways like gravity had gotten bored. The monster yelped, flung into the air, and smashed headfirst into a tree branch. Its body cracked apart, melting into ash.
Kai doubled over laughing harder. "Oh, that's amazing!"
Another one rushed him. He laughed again, sharp and sudden. This time the air rippled. The creature stumbled, and its claws snapped off in its own hands as if they were brittle twigs.
Kai whooped, spinning in place. "I'm a walking joke book!"
Lyra cut down another Wraithborn and whipped her head toward him, eyes wide. "What did you do?"
"Made 'em the punchline!" Kai yelled back. He dodged another swipe and let out a howl of laughter that shook the mist. The Wraithborn froze mid-step, its body stiff as stone. Kai shoved it with one finger, and it shattered like glass.
The clearing went quiet again. The fog curled away as if sulking. Only three piles of dust marked the monsters that had been there.
Lyra lowered her knives slowly. Her breathing was steady, but her eyes burned holes into him. "That wasn't normal."
Kai scratched the back of his neck, still grinning. "Guess not. But it's fun."
"Fun?" She stepped closer, her face tight. "You twisted the air. The ground. You broke their claws by laughing at them. That's not fun, it's dangerous."
"Dangerous for them," Kai said. "That's the point, isn't it?"
Lyra didn't answer right away. She sheathed her blades and turned away. "Keep walking. We're wasting time."
Kai jogged to catch up. He hummed a little tune under his breath, and the dirt at his feet shifted, rippling like water. Lyra shot him a warning glare, and he raised his hands. "Fine, fine. I'll keep it down."
But he couldn't stop smiling.
As they moved, Kai noticed the forest was quieter now. Too quiet. No more whispers, no more hissing. It was as if the Darkwood itself was listening. He wondered if it liked his laugh. He wondered if it hated it. Either way, it didn't matter. He wasn't going to stop.
By midday, they reached a ridge overlooking a valley. In the distance, smoke curled from chimneys. A town. Walls stood tall and crooked, patched with wood and stone. Lyra pointed. "Emberfast. If we can get inside, we'll be safe for now."
"Safe and fed," Kai said. "I'm starving."
But before they could start down, the ground shook. From the far edge of the valley, something massive rose. It wasn't a Wraithborn. It wasn't even close. It was bigger, taller than the trees, its shape shifting as if it hadn't decided what it wanted to be. Dozens of faces opened and closed along its body, each screaming without sound.
Lyra froze. "A Veil Horror." Her voice was barely above a whisper.
Kai tilted his head, squinting. "Looks like it needs a hug."
Her hand shot out, gripping his sleeve. "Don't you dare."
Kai's grin widened. "What if I laugh at it?"
"You'll kill us both."
He looked at her hand, then at the monster, then back at her. "Or," he said, "I'll kill it."
The Horror bellowed, shaking the trees, and the ground split under its weight. Lyra's grip tightened. "Kai, listen to me—"
But Kai was already laughing.
The sound rolled down the ridge, wild and fearless. The Veil Horror shuddered, its many faces twitching. The air bent, and the valley itself seemed to hold its breath. Lyra could only stare as the impossible unfolded, her knives trembling in her hands, while Kai laughed like the world was a joke he couldn't wait to tell again.