The sun hung lazily in the sky, casting a golden hue over the rolling fields surrounding the base. For the first time in what felt like forever, there was no looming threat, no battles to fight, and no strategies to plan. The teenagers, despite their incredible powers and responsibilities, were simply…kids
"Hey, Taiyou!" Fumiko's voice rang out sharply, an arrow already nocked and glowing with flames.
Taiyou barely glanced back before diving into a low sprint. "Can't you pick on someone else for once?" he called, his tone more amused than worried.
The arrow streaked past him, searing the air before embedding harmlessly in the ground. Fumiko grinned, her fiery bow already drawn for another shot.
Meiko watched from nearby, clutching her book tightly, her heart leaping every time Taiyou narrowly dodged. "Doesn't she think that's a bit much?" she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.
"She never does," Aya replied without looking up, conjuring a soft illusion of glowing butterflies that floated lazily between them.
Meiko forced a small smile. "That's nice, Aya," she said, her eyes still tracking Taiyou as he ducked and weaved around Fumiko's fiery projectiles.
Finally, Taiyou skidded to a halt near their group, his black hair slightly singed but his grin as wide as ever. "Survived again," he said, brushing soot off his shoulder.
"You're lucky Fumiko's holding back," Aira commented dryly from a few feet away.
Taiyou shot her a playful wink before his gaze fell on Meiko. "Hey, Meiko! What's up?"
Meiko froze, the edges of her book biting into her fingers as she struggled for words. "Uh… just watching," she managed, her voice almost breaking.
"Cool." Taiyou stretched his arms, his grin never faltering. "You should team up with me next round. We'll destroy Ren and Aira."
Meiko blinked, her cheeks warming. "You… want to team up with me?"
"Of course!" Taiyou said easily. "You've got that determined look. Bet you'd be unstoppable."
Meiko's heart raced, but before she could respond, Fumiko's voice interrupted.
"Taiyou! Heads up!"
A blazing arrow streaked toward them. Taiyou sighed dramatically and sprinted off again, his laughter echoing behind him.
Meiko watched him go, her chest tightening. She pressed the book against her lips, whispering softly, "Maybe someday."
Aya glanced at her but said nothing, her silver eyes calm and knowing.
By lunchtime, the field had become a vibrant battleground of playful chaos. Students sprawled across the grassy expanse—some resting under the shade, others engaged in sparring or impromptu competitions. The air hummed with laughter, shouts, and the clash of practice weapons.
Under a sprawling tree, Hanae sat with her back against the bark, quietly carving a crystal wolf. Her fingers moved with practiced precision, the sculpture catching the light with a faint glow. Nearby, Sora lounged with his hands behind his head, lazily watching her progress.
"Is that supposed to be a flower or—" he began, smirking.
"A wolf," Hanae interrupted without looking up, her tone flat.
"Right, right, I see it now. Totally a wolf." Sora tilted his head, pretending to examine it. "Though, if you squint, it could be a really angry squirrel."
Hanae rolled her eyes but didn't respond, her focus unbroken. A breeze rustled the leaves above, carrying the sharp clatter of wooden blades from across the field.
There, Kenshin and Ryosuke were locked in a fierce drill, wooden swords flashing in the midday sun. Kenshin's movements were precise, each strike measured and deliberate, while Ryosuke's style was faster, fluid, and unpredictable. Kenshin countered a flurry of strikes with a calm parry, his face focused, while Ryosuke grinned smugly, enjoying the intensity.
"You're stiff," Ryosuke remarked mid-strike, his tone laced with arrogance. "Predictable too."
Kenshin ignored the jab, adjusting his stance and deflecting the next strike with ease. "Focus."
Nearby, Yuna and Emi watched the match intently, whispering observations.
"Kenshin's discipline gives him the edge," Yuna said, adjusting her glasses with a confident nod.
"Maybe, but Ryosuke's adaptability could overwhelm him," Emi countered.
Before their debate could deepen, Naomi sprinted past, her laughter ringing out as she waved a notebook high above her head.
"Naomi, give it back!" Shinji yelled, chasing after her, his face flushed with exertion and embarrassment.
"Catch me first!" she called, narrowly dodging a startled Kenshin, who sidestepped with an annoyed grunt.
"Watch where you're going," he muttered, glancing at Ryosuke, who shrugged, clearly amused.
Naomi dashed through the field, weaving between groups of students. Shinji groaned in frustration, slowing as he struggled to keep pace.
From his spot under another tree, Riku watched the chaos unfold, the steady scrape of whetstone against metal punctuating the scene. He smirked as Naomi juked left, sending Shinji stumbling.
"She's going to trip eventually," Riku muttered, setting aside his sharpened blade to inspect its edge.
Back at the sparring match, Kenshin and Ryosuke stepped back, their breaths heavy. Kenshin sheathed his practice sword with quiet composure.
"You're getting better," Kenshin said, his tone even.
"And you're still predictable," Ryosuke replied, grinning as if he'd already won.
Kenshin raised an eyebrow but didn't respond, his silence a quiet rebuke.
"Again after lunch?" Ryosuke asked, confidence brimming in his voice.
Kenshin nodded once. "If you can keep up."
As the sparring pair parted ways, Hanae held up her completed sculpture, the wolf's sharp features glinting in the sunlight. Sora tilted his head again, this time genuinely impressed.
"Okay, I admit it. That's a wolf," he said. "But next time, try an angry squirrel. Just for me."
Hanae exhaled softly, suppressing a smile as she turned back to her work. Around her, the field buzzed with a symphony of energy—a perfect blend of order and chaos, camaraderie and competition.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink, the group gathered around a crackling bonfire. Conversations overlapped as laughter filled the air, a brief respite from the weight of their journey. Aya stood near the flames, weaving shimmering illusions that danced in the firelight—ethereal shapes of animals, constellations, and distant dreams, captivating everyone's attention.
Away from the warmth and revelry, Ryojin sat alone on a small hill overlooking the field. His figure was shrouded in shadow, a solitary silhouette against the fading light. His dark eyes, as still as the evening breeze, stared into the horizon, unblinking, as though searching for something far beyond sight.
Noticing his absence, Taiyou quietly slipped away from the group. His steps crunched lightly against the grass as he jogged up the hill. "Yo, Ryojin," he called out, his tone easy but laced with concern.
Ryojin glanced at him briefly, acknowledging his presence with a slight tilt of his head but said nothing.
Unfazed, Taiyou plopped down beside him, the grin on his face fading into something softer. "Why are you sitting here all alone? Everyone's down there having fun."
"I don't feel like it," Ryojin replied curtly, his voice calm and measured.
They sat in silence, the cool night air settling around them. Taiyou glanced back toward the bonfire, the distant laughter mingling with the crackle of flames. He glanced at Ryojin, whose expression remained unreadable, his focus fixed on the horizon.
Finally, Taiyou broke the quiet. "You know, during my fight with Valanor…" He hesitated, his voice unusually serious.
Ryojin's gaze shifted slightly, his attention drawn.
"I wasn't fighting him to prove anything. Not my strength, not for myself, and not just for the mission."
Ryojin raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "Then what were you fighting for?"
Taiyou tilted his head back, staring up at the stars. The faint light reflected in his vibrant brown eyes. "For them. For all of you. The people of Ashenfall… my friends." He paused, exhaling softly before continuing. "And for you."
Ryojin's eyes narrowed, a flicker of surprise breaking through his stoic demeanor. "Why?"
Taiyou looked at him, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Because if I fought for myself, I would've lost. My life… it isn't as important to me as yours. Or theirs. That's what kept me going."
Ryojin's gaze sharpened, his lips parting slightly as though to respond, but no words came. He looked away instead, his stoic mask faltering. "That's… foolish," he muttered.
"Maybe," Taiyou admitted with a shrug. "But it's the truth."
The silence between them grew heavier, laden with unspoken thoughts. After a long moment, Ryojin finally spoke, his voice quiet, almost hesitant. "I don't understand it."
Taiyou glanced at him, his expression curious. "Don't understand what?"
Ryojin's fingers clenched slightly, his gaze distant. "What it means to care for someone. Or to be cared for. I've never known what that feels like. Not truly." He paused, his voice growing even quieter. "I've always thought of people as tools or obstacles. It was easier that way. Safer. But… watching you, seeing how you fight, how you protect… it confuses me."
Taiyou's brow furrowed, and for once, he didn't know what to say. He turned his gaze to the sky again, the weight of Ryojin's words settling in.
After a moment, Ryojin continued, his voice tinged with a vulnerability Taiyou had never heard before. "I've always wanted a family. A brother, especially. But it's just an idea to me. A dream I don't know how to reach. Maybe I never will. But just maybe if I had one I could feel some sort of connection to them"
Taiyou let the words hang in the air before speaking, his tone gentle. "I've never had a family either," he admitted. "But when I'm with you, I think… maybe this is what it's like. To have a brother."
Ryojin's head tilted slightly, his dark eyes glinting faintly in the moonlight. For a moment, he said nothing, the words seeming to strike something deep within him. "Maybe," he murmured at last.
The two sat in a comfortable silence, the sounds of laughter and chatter from the bonfire drifting up the hill, now distant and faint.
Finally, Taiyou stood, stretching with a sigh. "Come on. Let's head back."
Ryojin hesitated, his gaze lingering on the horizon for a moment longer before nodding. He rose to his feet, his steps slow and deliberate as they walked side by side down the hill.
As they approached the bonfire, Taiyou glanced at Ryojin and grinned. For the first time, it felt like the distance between them had lessened, the quiet steps of a solitary man now accompanied by another.