The map room was lit only by torches and tall candles. The light flickered over the enormous parchment of Ventos's world map, spread across the central table. Tifa, regal and imposing, had her gaze fixed on the center of the map: Azoth. Half of the territory was already marked in a dark shade, like a wound slowly spreading.
Blair entered quietly, her boots echoing against the stone. She pulled back her hood and sighed.
—Aunt…
—You're late, —Tifa said without lifting her eyes from the map.
—I'm sorry.
The queen gestured sharply toward the table. Blair stepped closer and saw how, aside from Azoth, there were symbols painted on the other kingdoms: Donner to the east, Caldus to the south, Nifelheim to the north, and Veltramar to the west.
—Zeknier controls half of Azoth, —Tifa said, her voice low but steady—. If we let him advance, he'll take the whole kingdom, and then he'll move on to the others. Before that happens, we must move our pieces.
—Strike first? —Blair asked.
Tifa nodded.
—It's risky, but if we secure allies in Donner, Nifelheim, and Caldus, we can corner him before he extends his reach to Veltramar. War is inevitable. Better that we start it than wait for him to decide.
Blair lowered her gaze.
—And the tournament?
—The tournament is part of his plan, —Tifa said, finally locking eyes with her niece—. Zeknier wants to measure us. To see who dares show up, to study their abilities. And if he can break one or two bearers, all the better for him.
Blair pressed her lips together.
—Then we shouldn't go.
—On the contrary. —Tifa placed a finger on the map—. We must go. If we don't, everyone will believe Azoth is already dead.
The silence that followed was heavy. Blair drew a deep breath.
—Aunt… what if Asori isn't ready to face this yet? I know he's changed since what happened with Lira, but what if it's only temporary…?
Tifa raised a brow.
—You worry more about him than yourself?
Blair felt her cheeks grow hot.
—It's just… he's different. Jason has always been strong, sure of himself, even arrogant. But Asori… he's clumsy, doubts everything, complains constantly. And yet, every time he gets back up after falling, I feel like he does it because he wants to protect, not because he seeks power.
Tifa studied her intently.
—That boy carries a dangerous contradiction. Pacifists forced to fight… are the ones who can change history the most.
Blair clenched her fists.
—But if I lose him…
—Then make sure you don't, —Tifa said firmly—. As a princess, as a warrior… and as his companion.
The girl lowered her gaze. In her chest, the Sweet Kiss vibrated faintly, reminding her of every moment with Asori: their silly arguments, the laughter by the fire, the silent tears, and that farewell kiss that still burned on her lips.
Later, in her chambers, Blair collapsed onto her bed with a long sigh. Mikan was sprawled on hers, tossing a dagger into the air and catching it like a toy.
—You've got the face of a funeral, —the ninja remarked—. Did the queen scold you?
Blair glanced sideways at her.
—We talked about the war… the tournament… and Asori.
Mikan's smile appeared instantly.
—Ha, I knew it. That boy has you more tangled up than your aunt's maps.
Blair rolled her eyes.
—It's not like that.
—Sure, sure. —Mikan let the dagger fall onto the pillow and sat up—. Look, I'll put it this way: Jason has more technique, more strength, probably more stamina. In a serious duel, Asori is far behind.
Blair tensed.
—…
—But, —Mikan continued with a crooked grin—, Asori has something Jason doesn't. That kid fights like every wound he sees hurts him. He doesn't fight to win; he fights so others don't lose. If he faces Jason again, he might still fall… but at least he'll give more of a fight.
Blair's heart thudded hard. She lowered her gaze, biting her lip.
—He's already shown me he doesn't give up. And I…
Mikan watched her, sharpening her smile.
—And you… what?
Blair pressed a hand to her chest.
—Every time I think of him, I feel like I should tell him… what we really are. Friends, companions… or something more. I don't want him to think that farewell kiss was just because of the Sweet Kiss or out of duty.
Mikan raised a brow.
—Then tell him. Before someone else does.
Blair blushed.
—Someone else?
—Me, for example. —Mikan shrugged with playful mischief—. He's charming, he listens, and he makes me laugh. Why not?
—Mikan! —Blair exploded, red as a tomato.
—Relax, relax. —The ninja raised her hands, though her grin remained—. I'm just saying: if you don't clear up what you feel, others will do it for you, and you need to start deciding for yourself.
Blair gripped the sheets. Her thoughts returned to that kiss, to the warmth on her lips, to the way Asori looked at her as if he truly wanted to protect her and be by her side always.
"I must talk to him… soon."
Meanwhile, in the map room, Tifa was listening to one of her advisors.
—My queen, Nifelheim's envoys await your response. They offer military support, but demand shared control of the Astral routes.
—I know, —Tifa replied, frowning—. And if we accept, we lose part of our independence. But if we refuse, we fight alone.
The advisor lowered his voice.
—And what of Jason? The kingdom of Donner backs him. His return has sparked rumors: they say he could be Azoth's true trump card, the one to face Zeknier.
Tifa closed her eyes for a moment. Jason was strong, yes, but cold. And in that coldness, perhaps there lay a hidden danger.
—Jason may be a weapon. But Asori… —she whispered— Asori could be our hope in this war.
The wind stirred the candles as if to confirm her words.