Kaiden stirred awake, the dim light of morning slipping through the curtains and falling across his face. His body ached with a dull throb, the events of the past few days pressing on him like a heavy weight. He blinked slowly, his vision coming into focus.
Elira sat beside him, her knees drawn up to her chest. She wasn't looking at him, her gaze instead fixed on the floor. Her face was pale, her red-rimmed eyes a testament to a sleepless night.
Kaiden tried to sit up, wincing at the sharp pain that shot through his ribs. The sound made her glance over.
"You're awake," she said softly, her voice tight with emotion.
"Yeah," Kaiden muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "Barely." He looked at her, unsure of what to say. "You've been here all night?"
Elira shrugged. "Couldn't exactly leave you alone, could I?"
Kaiden chuckled, though the sound was weak. "You could've. I've been through worse."
Her expression darkened, and she turned fully to face him, her fists clenched on her knees. "You shouldn't have to, Kaiden. Not like this."
The Conversation
Kaiden felt a flicker of embarrassment under her gaze. He looked away, his mismatched eyes landing on the blanket covering his legs. "I just... I wasn't strong enough. If I were, none of this would've happened."
Elira's jaw tightened, and she stood abruptly. Her sudden movement startled Kaiden, and he looked up at her, confused.
"Stop saying that," she snapped, her voice trembling.
"What?"
"'If I were stronger.' 'If I were better.' I'm so sick of hearing it," she said, pacing the room. Her hands waved as she spoke, her frustration spilling out. "Do you have any idea what you've done? What you've been through? You saved me, Kaiden. You freed all those people. And you're sitting here acting like it wasn't enough?"
Kaiden stared at her, stunned by her outburst. "I just—"
"No, you don't get to talk right now," she interrupted, pointing a finger at him. "You've done more than anyone should ever have to. But you're so caught up in your stupid idea of strength that you can't even see it."
Her words hit him like a punch to the gut, leaving him speechless. She took a deep breath, her shoulders trembling.
"You're free now," she said, her voice softening. "Take a break. Stop carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders."
Kaiden opened his mouth to respond, but she shook her head, cutting him off.
"I can't do this with you right now," she said, turning toward the door. "Rest, Kaiden. You deserve it, even if you don't think so."
She left without another word, the door clicking shut behind her.
Kaiden's Thoughts
Kaiden leaned back against the headboard, her words swirling in his mind. His fingers ran through his hair as he let out a frustrated sigh.
"Is this the thanks I get for saving you?" he muttered under his breath, though there was no real anger in his voice. Just confusion and exhaustion.
The door creaked open again, and Kaiden looked up to see Garin stepping in, casually counting a stack of money.
Garin's Information
"What are you counting?" Kaiden asked, his tone flat.
Garin smirked, not even looking up. "Thirty thousand."
Kaiden raised a brow. "Why?"
"Because you left it in my pocket," Garin said, finally meeting Kaiden's gaze. "You dumped so much money on Lady Seris, I guess you forgot about the leftovers. Figured I'd help myself."
Kaiden frowned. "You're joking, right?"
"Not a bit," Garin said with a grin. He pocketed the money and pulled up a chair beside Kaiden's bed. "And since you've been so generous, I figured I'd give you something in return. A little key information."
Kaiden narrowed his eyes. "What kind of information?"
"In a week, someone from the empire is coming here," Garin said, leaning back in his chair. "Every year, they take anyone between the ages of fourteen and eighteen for an examination cycle. Tests their abilities, decides which academy they go to."
Kaiden's brow furrowed. "The empire? You mean the big one? The one we're nowhere near?"
"That's the one," Garin confirmed. "They're the real deal. And here's the fun part—they've got rules. Strict ones. Kasir can't touch you while you're there."
Kaiden sat up straighter, wincing at the movement. "Why are you telling me this?"
"Because I think you should go," Garin said, his expression serious. "I don't say this often, but you've got potential, kid. Real potential. I'd love to see you go in there and blow them all away. First master of the best in the cycle? That's something I could get behind."
Kaiden stared at him, his mind racing. The idea of leaving—of testing himself against others like him—was daunting, but it was also exciting.
"And," Garin continued, standing up, "the timing works out perfectly. Kasir's son will be arriving at the same time. You two might even cross paths."
Kaiden's jaw tightened. "Kasir's son..."
"Don't do anything stupid, though," Garin warned, heading for the door. "You're free to make a scene at the examination, but not before. Those empire folks don't mess around."
As Garin reached the door, he turned back, a rare smirk playing on his lips. "Oh, and kid—glad you're not dead."
Kaiden blinked, caught off guard by the comment. "Your technique helped, so… thanks."
Garin laughed, his deep voice echoing through the room. "Don't mention it. Seriously. Don't." With that, he left, the door creaking shut behind him.
Seris's Parting Words
Kaiden sighed, leaning back against the headboard again. His body ached, his mind was spinning, but for the first time in days, he felt a faint glimmer of hope.
As he closed his eyes, the door opened once more, and Lady Seris peeked in.
"No conversation with me?" she asked, her tone light and teasing.
Kaiden opened one eye, giving her a tired smirk. "Not tonight."
Seris chuckled softly. "Rest up, Kaiden. You've earned it."
She closed the door gently, leaving Kaiden alone with his thoughts.
End of Chapter 41
Kaiden's journey takes another turn as he learns of the empire's examination cycle, offering him a chance to escape Kasir's shadow and prove himself. But as he prepares for the trials ahead, he begins to realize that freedom is only the beginning of his fight.
To be continued...