Far away from Eyrx...
Far away from Hazel...
Six months earlier.
The mountain peaks stood high above the clouds, their jagged cliffs bathed in the crimson glow of the setting sun. Cold winds swept across the rocky hills, carrying the distant cries of hawks soaring through the endless sky.
Two figures faced each other on a narrow cliff.
Grace tightened her grip around her sword.
Across from her, Kael rested his blade upon his shoulder.
His calm blue eyes never left her.
"Open your power," he said. "Then fight me."
Grace nodded.
"I'll try."
The next moment—
Clang!
Their swords collided, sending sparks into the air.
Grace lunged forward again and again, but every strike was calmly blocked.
Kael barely moved.
He simply redirected each attack with effortless precision.
Grace gritted her teeth.
"I won't lose that easily."
She swung once more.
Kael stepped aside.
Grace's footing slipped on the loose rocks.
Her eyes widened.
Behind her...
Nothing but a deep ravine.
She nearly fell.
Before gravity could claim her—
Kael grabbed her wrist and pulled her back onto solid ground.
"You alright?"
Grace caught her breath before nodding.
"...Yeah."
A few scratches covered her arm.
Kael rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.
"I've never trained anyone before."
"So..."
"I don't really know the right way to teach."
Grace smiled faintly.
"We'll figure it out together."
After resting for a few minutes...
She stood again.
"I'm ready."
Kael picked up his sword.
"Then let's continue."
Their blades met once more.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The sounds echoed across the mountains.
Kael stepped backward.
"Try opening your power."
Grace frowned.
"But... how?"
"Close your eyes."
"Forget everything around you."
"Listen only to yourself."
Grace slowly closed her eyes.
Silence surrounded her.
The cold wind brushed against her face.
Her heartbeat echoed within her chest.
Then...
A crimson aura slowly emerged around her body.
Red energy flowed like gentle flames.
Kael smiled.
"There it is."
"Now move."
Grace tried taking a step.
Her entire body suddenly felt several times heavier.
"I..."
"I can't move properly."
Kael nodded.
"That's normal."
"Your body hasn't adapted yet."
He lowered his sword.
"Let's switch."
"Hand-to-hand combat."
Grace stretched her fingers.
"I learned martial arts."
"Good."
"Then show me."
Without hesitation...
They charged toward each other.
Grace threw the first punch.
Kael tilted his head.
The attack missed.
She followed with a kick.
He blocked it with one arm before gently pushing her backward.
She refused to give up.
Punches.
Kicks.
Elbows.
Sweeps.
Every attack came one after another.
Kael dodged almost everything without even activating his own power.
By sunset...
Grace could barely stand.
She breathed heavily.
Kael smiled.
"You know..."
"I've been slowing my movements this whole time."
Grace narrowed her eyes.
"So that's your idea of slow?"
Before Kael could answer—
A cheerful voice echoed across the mountain.
"There you are!"
Both turned around.
Larissa climbed the hill carrying a wooden tray.
Three glasses of fresh fruit juice rested beside several homemade snacks.
"I figured you'd forget to eat again."
Grace blinked.
"You came all the way here?"
"Of course."
"You've been training since noon."
"You both need a break."
She handed each of them a glass.
"Here."
Grace took a sip.
The cold juice instantly refreshed her tired body.
Kael smiled warmly.
"You take care of us too much."
Larissa laughed softly.
"I just like taking care of people."
She sat beside them.
"So..."
"How was today's training?"
Grace sighed dramatically.
"My entire body hurts."
"I think he enjoys beating me up."
Kael looked offended.
"I was being gentle."
Larissa giggled.
"I don't think Grace agrees."
The three laughed together as the orange sun slowly disappeared beyond the mountains.
---
Days turned into weeks.
Every sunrise marked another lesson.
Every sunset ended with bruises, laughter, and exhaustion.
Almost every evening...
Larissa appeared carrying snacks, medicine, or fresh drinks.
Whenever Grace or Kael suffered injuries...
She quietly treated them herself.
Neither of them ever had to ask.
---
Sunday finally arrived.
Larissa stood outside the house wearing a light blue dress, happily fixing her hair.
She looked toward Kael.
"Today's the day!"
"The traders from other realms finally arrived."
"I've been waiting all week."
Kael smiled.
"You're more excited than the traders themselves."
"I know."
"And I don't regret it."
She looked toward the kitchen.
"Emily!"
"Come with us."
"It'll be fun."
Emily lazily stretched from her chair.
"I'll pass."
"But bring me something delicious."
Larissa pouted.
"You could just come and eat it there."
Emily shook her head.
"I don't have the energy."
"You two go."
"Fine."
Larissa laughed.
"As you wish."
Just then...
Grace stepped outside.
"Where are you going?"
Kael answered,
"To the city."
"Traders from different realms arrived."
"They always bring unusual things."
Larissa smiled brightly.
"You should come with us."
"It's really fun."
Grace crossed her arms.
"No thanks."
"I've never been interested in antiques or strange collectibles."
Larissa nodded kindly.
"Alright."
"Maybe next time."
She and Kael started walking toward the city together.
After they disappeared...
Emily looked toward Grace.
"You know..."
"It actually is fun."
Grace shrugged.
"I still don't feel like going."
After a brief silence...
She quietly spoke again.
"I don't really like Larissa."
Emily looked at her in surprise.
"Why?"
"She's one of the nicest people I've ever met."
Grace stared toward the road where Kael and Larissa had disappeared.
"I don't know."
"She always acts so kind."
"But..."
"It feels fake."
"And she's always attached to Kael."
"It bothers me."
Emily smiled knowingly.
"Grace..."
"She's his fiancée."
Grace slowly turned toward her.
"...His what?"
"His fiancée."
"They've been engaged for years."
"She even left her own brother behind because he became an enemy of our organization."
Grace stood silently.
She picked up the glass of water beside her and took a slow sip.
"...I see."
For some reason...
The water suddenly tasted bitter.
As the afternoon faded, Kael and Larissa finally reached the capital.
The city was far livelier than usual.
Colorful banners stretched from rooftop to rooftop while lanterns swayed gently in the breeze. Merchants from countless realms displayed strange treasures that couldn't be found anywhere else. Music echoed through every street, mixing with the laughter of children and the excited voices of shoppers.
Today was the arrival of the Grand Traders' Caravan.
The largest trading event of the season.
People filled every corner of the city.
Some bargained over rare artifacts, others admired unusual creatures brought from distant realms, while performers filled the streets with songs and dazzling acrobatics.
Kael smiled as he looked around.
"I almost forgot how lively this place becomes."
His eyes suddenly stopped on a brightly lit casino.
A grin appeared across his face.
"What do you think..."
"We spend a little time there?"
Larissa immediately looked at him.
"Absolutely not."
Kael sighed dramatically.
"But I only come here once a week."
"And every week you lose all your money."
"You never learn."
Kael rubbed the back of his neck.
"...Fair point "
Larissa laughed.
"Come on."
"There's much more to see than gambling."
Kael bowed playfully.
"As you wish, my queen."
They continued through the crowded streets together.
Larissa stopped at a jewelry stall, admiring handcrafted necklaces carved from pink crystals native to the Third Realm.
After choosing one she liked, she happily paid for it.
Further ahead...
Street performers amazed the crowd with impossible tricks.
A traveling circus balanced on ropes stretched between buildings.
Musicians played cheerful melodies that filled the evening air.
Nearby, traders proudly displayed artifacts collected from distant worlds.
One elderly merchant carefully lifted an ancient sword from its velvet case.
"This blade was forged in the Fifth Realm."
"Over four hundred years ago."
Its silver edge reflected the fading sunlight.
Larissa examined it curiously.
"How much?"
The merchant named his price.
After a brief negotiation...
Larissa smiled.
"I'll take it."
Kael chuckled.
"You really do enjoy collecting unusual things."
"I do."
"And this one's beautiful."
As the day continued...
They tasted different foods from various realms, played festival games, and wandered through countless decorated streets.
For a moment...
Neither of them thought about war.
Or missions.
Or the organization waiting for them.
They simply enjoyed being ordinary people.
---
As evening approached...
They sat beneath a large cherry blossom tree while Kael went to buy dinner from a nearby food stall.
Larissa quietly watched the people passing by.
An old beggar slowly approached her.
His clothes were worn.
His beard was long and untidy.
"Child..."
"Could you spare a few coins?"
Without hesitation...
Larissa placed several coins into his trembling hands.
The old man looked at her carefully.
His cloudy eyes suddenly narrowed.
"You possess a kind heart."
"But..."
"Your fate is unfortunate."
Larissa blinked.
"...What do you mean?"
"A betrayal."
"One close enough to shatter everything you treasure."
"When that day comes..."
"You'll find yourself standing completely alone."
For a brief moment...
Silence surrounded them.
Larissa smiled gently.
"If we remain humble..."
"And continue treating others with kindness..."
"Then people won't betray us."
The old man slowly shook his head.
"Kindness doesn't stop betrayal."
"It only determines how much it hurts."
He glanced toward Kael, who was returning with a tray full of food.
Then...
Without another word...
The old beggar disappeared into the crowd.
Kael placed the food on the table.
"What happened?"
"What did he want?"
Larissa smiled as though nothing had happened.
"Nothing important."
"Just an old man's strange prediction."
Kael laughed.
"Then let's ignore it."
The two quietly enjoyed their meal.
---
Night settled over the city.
Instead of growing quieter...
The festival became even livelier.
Thousands of lanterns illuminated the streets like stars scattered across the ground.
Music echoed from every direction.
People danced.
Children laughed.
The celebration showed no sign of ending.
Kael and Larissa slowly walked home together.
Then—
Thud.
Larissa accidentally bumped into someone.
"Oh..."
"I'm so—"
She looked up.
Her expression froze.
"...Brother?"
James stood before her.
His sharp eyes briefly softened.
"Larissa."
She instinctively stepped closer to Kael.
"...Let's go."
She gently pulled on his sleeve.
Kael nodded.
They turned to leave.
"Kael."
James's voice stopped them.
Kael looked back.
Larissa whispered urgently,
"Please..."
"Let's just go."
Kael gave her a reassuring smile.
"He called me."
"I should hear what he wants."
He walked toward James.
"Yes?"
James looked directly into his eyes.
"She's my little sister."
"I know."
"If you ever use her..."
"If you manipulate her..."
"If you drag her into your organization's darkness..."
"Remember this."
"As long as I'm alive..."
"She'll never stand alone."
"And if you destroy her life..."
"I'll burn your entire organization to the ground."
Kael remained calm.
"You misunderstand us."
"But remember something as well."
"I would rather die..."
"Than betray Larissa."
James studied him silently for several seconds.
Finally...
He nodded once.
"I hope..."
"You mean those words."
Without another glance...
He disappeared into the crowd.
Kael returned to Larissa.
She immediately asked,
"...What did he say?"
Kael smiled reassuringly.
"Nothing."
"He was just worried about his little sister."
Larissa lowered her eyes.
"He still cares about me..."
"He just chose a different path."
Kael gently patted her shoulder.
"And one day..."
"Maybe those paths will cross again."
Together...
They walked toward home beneath the glowing lanterns.
Neither of them noticed...
From the rooftop of a distant building...
The old beggar quietly watched them disappear into the night.