Kael's legs trembled as he stumbled out of the wreckage, blood still streaked across his face. Maverick followed swiftly, now back in his human form but his aura subdued, carefully supporting Kael.
"You… you saved me," Kael whispered, tears streaking his cheeks. His small hands clutched Maverick's arm, voice breaking. "Thank you… I don't know what I would've done…"
Maverick's eyes softened, but his stance remained alert. "You would have survived, boy. But you needed guidance. And now, you will live to fight."
Kael turned, running through the smoking ruins of his village toward the remains of his home. There, crumpled beneath shattered beams, lay his mother. Rain had begun to fall, mingling with the smoke and ash, soaking his clothes and streaking his face with mud and tears.
"Mother!" Kael cried, falling to his knees beside her. His hands shook as he touched her still body, trembling with grief. "I… I failed you. I couldn't protect you…"
The rain fell harder, pounding the ground like sorrow made visible, hissing as it hit the burning remains. Slowly, the fire around the village died beneath the relentless rain, leaving only smoke and charred wood.
Kael pressed his forehead against his mother's chest, shaking, sobbing. "I swear… I will avenge you. I promise. Father… he is not here yet… but when he comes, we will strike together. We will hunt down the one who did this. I… I will make them pay."
With heavy hands, he dug a small grave beneath the old plum tree in the courtyard. He lowered her gently, placing flowers on her chest. "Rest now, Mother… your Blood Tiger will not fail again."
Maverick, watching silently, crouched behind Kael. Slowly, his form shifted, shrinking, fur sprouting, and he became the familiar cat once again.
Kael looked back, startled. "You… turned into a cat again? Are you a cat or a human?"
Maverick yawned lazily, tail flicking. "Of course I'm a human. Have you ever seen a cat wearing armor and carrying swords?"
Kael frowned, still staring. "But… look at you. You're a cat!"
Maverick's golden eyes glimmered, serious now. "I am a human. But… due to a past battle with an organization, I have exhausted most of my power. They are searching for me even now. That is why I suppress my aura… hide in this form. To survive. To stay unnoticed."
Kael's tears mixed with his anger and awe. "But… you're this strong. Who could be the enemy?"
He laughed bitterly, shaking his head. "The world… it's too big. And it's not that I lost because I was weak. No… I was stronger than anyone. I lost because I was betrayed."
Kael's gaze hardened, voice low and dangerous. "If you are this strong… can you not kill them?"
Maverick's tail flicked, eyes sharp. "This… was not even ten percent of my true strength."
Kael froze, jaw dropping. His eyes widened. "What…? Ten percent?!"
Maverick crouched low, his voice calm but heavy. "I was only able to draw this much power, and transform at all, because I borrowed a portion of your power when we formed the blood pact."
Kael's curiosity burst through his grief. "Maverick… who is this organization? How strong is their leader? I need to know—so I can be ready!"
Maverick's eyes darkened. His voice turned firm, almost cold. "I cannot tell you. Not yet. If I reveal too much… you would be in danger. This is my fight. If, in the future, you grow strong enough… then I will tell you everything."
Kael's jaw tightened, but he nodded slowly, understanding the weight of Maverick's words. Rage and determination burned in him, intertwining with grief. "I will grow. I will be ready. And when the time comes… I will finish this, no matter what."
The rain continued to fall, washing the ashes from the village. Kael stared at the horizon, crimson sparks faintly glowing from his palms, the Blood Tiger's vow echoing in his heart .
As the last of the smoke and ash settled, Kael walked through the charred remains of his village. Rain still fell in gentle sheets, washing away the soot, leaving a quiet melancholy in its wake. His mind raced. So much has happened… why hasn't Father come yet?
He shook his head, anger bubbling beneath his grief. Forget Father… where is the commander of the mansion? Shouldn't he have been protecting it? And my mother… I still can't understand…
Suddenly, a clatter of armor and hooves reached his ears. A battalion of knights appeared on the horizon, disciplined and resolute, led by a tall figure in polished silver armor. The young man's helm shone even in the gloomy skies. Kael recognized him at once: Sir Alaric, Silver Knight of the city.
Seeing Kael, Sir Alaric dismounted, concern etched across his face. "Young master Kael… what happened here?"
Kael's voice trembled as he told him everything—the attack, the masked captain, the burning of the village, and the loss of his mother. His fists clenched at the memories, sparks of red fire flickering faintly at his fingertips.
"I am… sorry for your loss," Sir Alaric said quietly, bowing slightly. "And I am sorry I was not here to help. I… I should have protected the mansion, your family…"
Kael's eyes narrowed. "Then where is the commander? Who was supposed to defend the place?"
Alaric's face hardened, but he shook his head. "I do not know, young master. Many things… happened too quickly."
Kael swallowed hard, then asked the question that burned his chest most. "Where is my father? Do you know why he hasn't come yet?"
The Silver Knight hesitated, then finally said, "Let us first return to the mansion. Wait there. Perhaps… he is on his way."
Days passed. Outside, the city slowly rebuilt itself. People received aid, and the blackened streets began to see life again. But within the walls of the Xuè mansion, Kael could only wait, pacing the halls, restless and tense.
He turned to Maverick, whose form was once again the small, sly cat perched atop the table. "You are so powerful… can you sense where Father is?" Kael asked, eyes searching, hope mingling with fear.
Maverick's golden eyes narrowed, tail flicking slowly. "I am a knight, boy… not a saint. Who knows everything? Some things even I cannot see."
Kael clenched his fists, frustration tightening in his chest. Determined, he called for Sir Alaric. The Silver Knight arrived promptly, bowing to the young master.
"Sir Alaric… I want a letter sent to His Majesty. Ask him… ask him where my father is. I must know."
Alaric nodded solemnly. "Yes, young master. It shall be done."
Kael watched him leave, the mansion eerily quiet except for the distant sounds of the city being rebuilt. His red sparks flickered faintly, reflecting the storm of worry and tension within him.
Father… where are you?
The question lingered in the air, unanswered, as Kael stared out the window, the sky darkening with clouds that mirrored the unease settling in his heart.