Back at Orynn's home…
"Did you fail again~?" His sister's voice was laced with playful mockery, yet the glint in her eyes carried a familiar warmth.
Orynn exhaled softly, disappointment lingering in his chest. He had wanted to be the one to succeed, to rise in status, to finally stand where he knew he belonged. Yet deep down, he understood—there was no true failure. This was merely another step in the path laid out for him.
Just a little longer. That was all he needed.
Just a little longer, and he would be strong enough to save Lef, just as she had once saved him.
"I never fail, sister." His tone was unwavering, as if speaking an undeniable truth. "All my actions are guided by my goddess."
His sister's lips curled into a teasing smirk. "Is that so? I thought you'd just cry like you always do."
Orynn gave her an unimpressed look. "I don't remember ever crying. But if I ever do, I hope you'll be there to cheer me up." His gaze softened. "The future will be by our side, sister. I can feel it."
For a moment, she said nothing. Her smile wavered, and her eyes darkened.
"Future, you say?" She lowered her gaze, staring at the wooden floor beneath them. A shaky sigh left her lips. "…I don't know how much time I have left."
The admission made Orynn's stomach tighten.
Her voice wavered, thick with an emotion she rarely allowed to surface. "I wish I could've at least seen you become a Righteous… You would've looked great in those robes."
Orynn took a slow breath, forcing down the rising weight in his chest.
She had always been so talkative. Annoying, even. But now… now she was growing quieter.
"…I would've looked great in them." He turned toward the mirror, flexing his muscles with a confident smirk.
His sister huffed. "If faith and confidence were the same thing, you would've already become an Exalted."
Her voice was lighthearted, yet tired. Slowly, her eyes drifted shut.
Orynn sat in silence, watching her breathing steady. She looked peaceful. At least she didn't feel pain when she slept.
He sighed, running a hand through his hair as he stood.
"No…" His voice was barely a whisper. "My confidence faltered." His fingers curled into fists at his sides. "The final test was to bless food. Something no Blessed has ever done. And I… I didn't believe in myself."
The weight of the day pressed down on him.
Would Lef even like his cooking?
The thought lingered in his mind as he retreated to his room, his body heavy with exhaustion.
His world was crumbling, and for the first time, he wasn't sure if he had the strength to hold it together.
'That guy sure was great though, to impress that giant and the fire woman with his faith like that...' thinking that, he didn't feel any jealousy, just confused. 'Just how much does he believe in himself and his goddess to achieve something like that?'
Back at Baro's new house
The dusk set in, It wasn't the kind of darkness that swallowed the world whole. No, this was something softer, something inviting. Like a warm blanket draped over the sky, coaxing everything into quiet rest, outside was cold, yet, inside was a cozy atmosphere, Furfur rolled into a ball on top of the bed.
"Who's the fluffiest of them all?" Baro tilted his head, a playful glint in his eyes.
His finger shot forward, as if crowning a champion. "You are! Yes, you are the biggest ball of fluff!"
Furfur let out a slow, exaggerated yawn, his ears twitching lazily. Being pet all day was exhausting work. But ever since that fire woman had blessed Baro, his touch had changed—warmer, softer, almost like the gentle grooming of a mother. It wasn't so bad anymore. In fact, it was… comfortable.
Baro had gone quiet.
His gaze was locked onto Furfur's stomach, watching it rise and fall in slow, steady breaths. He wasn't speaking, wasn't moving. Just staring, as if entranced by the simple rhythm of life itself.
As time passed and the sky darkened. Then, without warning, the first raindrop fell. it started raining.
Baro soon went to bed and covered himself with some blankets, careful as to not wake up the sleeping ball of fluff next to him.
'I wonder what job should I take until the next ascension...' he thought carefully, a smirk appeared on his face and remaining there until he finally fell asleep.