The morning sun rose over the snow-dusted stone ramparts of the citadel, melting mountain frost into glistening droplets.
Sagiri walked along the peaceful garden terrace, breathing in crisp pine air and listening to distant laughter from the banquet halls.
The Five Relics within his bloodstream pulsed in steady harmony, no longer generating friction against his mortal vessel.
He stopped beside a low granite balustrade overlooking northern pine valleys, enjoying the rare solitude after days of negotiations.
A soft, rhythmic rustling sound broke the morning quiet from the stone walkway behind him.
Sagiri did not need to reach for Nokai; the familiar scent of mountain predator scales announced his visitor.
Walking out from the shadow of the stone arches was Gavina, the niece and direct chosen heir of Kun Nakia Zawadi.
She was dressed in the sleek red-and-black combat uniform of Kafika Academy, with dark predator-scaled bracers bound along her forearms.
