The aftermath of the battle left the fort eerily quiet, the faint rustle of leaves the only sound breaking the stillness. Kazuki leaned against a crumbling wall, his sword still in hand, its edge stained with blood. Around him, his team gathered, their expressions a mixture of exhaustion and relief.
"We held," Shizuka said, breaking the silence as she wiped her daggers clean on a fallen Wraith's cloak. "Not bad for being outnumbered ten to one."
Ayaka, standing a few paces away, sheathed her blade with a sharp click. "We shouldn't celebrate. This was only one skirmish. The Wraiths will regroup."
Kazuki nodded, his gaze shifting toward the horizon. The night had deepened, the moon casting long shadows over the battlefield. "She's right. We sent a message tonight, but it's only the beginning. The Scarlet Wraiths won't take this lightly."
Haru and Ren returned from scouting the perimeter, their faces grim. Haru spoke first, his tone somber. "The Wraiths left in a hurry. But they didn't retreat far. They've regrouped about two kilometers south of here. They're licking their wounds, but they're still dangerous."
Kazuki's jaw tightened. "Which means we don't have long before they make their next move."
Shizuka leaned casually against a broken pillar, her grin lopsided despite the tension in the air. "Let's hope they learned not to mess with us. Otherwise, I'll have to give them a more permanent lesson."
Ayaka shot her a sharp look. "Recklessness won't win us this fight, Shizuka. We need to outthink them, not just overpower them."
Kazuki raised a hand, cutting off their bickering. "Enough. We'll discuss strategy when we return to the compound. For now, we need to secure this area and send word to Soren."
The journey back to the Yamael stronghold was uneventful but heavy with unspoken tension. Each step felt like a reminder of the responsibility Kazuki bore—not just for his team but for the clan as a whole. The weight of leadership pressed on him more than ever, each decision a potential spark in an already volatile situation.
When they finally reached the gates, they were met by Soren, whose piercing gaze swept over the group.
"You returned," he said, his voice calm but edged with curiosity. "And alive, no less."
Kazuki dismounted, meeting Soren's gaze evenly. "The fort is ours, for now. The Wraiths have retreated, but they won't stay away for long."
Soren's eyes narrowed. "And their leader?"
"Alive," Kazuki said, his tone steady despite the weight of his words. "I let him go."
The room fell silent, the tension palpable. Ayaka's lips tightened, but she said nothing. Shizuka raised an eyebrow, her expression a mixture of amusement and surprise.
Soren's face darkened. "You spared him?"
"Yes," Kazuki replied. "Killing him would've provoked the Wraiths further. This way, they know what we're capable of without pushing them into a full-scale war. It was the best move for the clan."
Soren's gaze bore into Kazuki, searching for weakness. After a moment, he nodded, though his expression remained hard. "A calculated risk. Let's hope it pays off."
Later that night, Kazuki found himself alone in the training yard, his sword in hand. The moon hung high above, casting a cold light over the space. He moved through a series of drills, each swing of his blade precise and deliberate, his mind replaying the battle at the fort.
"You're pushing yourself too hard."
Kazuki turned to see Ayaka standing at the edge of the yard, her arms crossed. She stepped closer, her expression softer than usual.
"You made the right call today," she said, her voice quiet.
Kazuki lowered his blade, studying her. "You don't think I should've killed him?"
Ayaka hesitated, then shook her head. "In the moment, I did. But now… I see your point. Mercy can be a weapon, too."
Kazuki nodded, his gaze distant. "It's a gamble. One I hope doesn't backfire."
Ayaka placed a hand on his shoulder, her grip firm but reassuring. "Whatever happens, you won't face it alone. The clan trusts you, Kazuki. So do I."
For a moment, the weight on his shoulders felt a little lighter.
The following morning brought a sense of uneasy calm. Kazuki was in the war room, reviewing reports with Soren when a scout burst in, his face pale.
"Lord Kazuki," the scout said, his voice trembling. "A messenger from the Azure Serpent arrived. They demand an audience."
Kazuki exchanged a glance with Soren, his stomach tightening. "What do they want?"
"They didn't say," the scout replied. "But their tone suggests it's urgent."
Kazuki exhaled slowly, setting down the report. "Where are they now?"
"In the main hall," the scout said.
"Send word to Ayaka and Shizuka," Kazuki ordered. "I want them there, too."
The Azure Serpent's envoy was a tall, elegant woman with sharp features and piercing blue eyes. She stood in the center of the hall, her presence commanding as Kazuki entered. Ayaka and Shizuka flanked him, their expressions carefully neutral.
The woman inclined her head slightly. "Kazuki Yamael. I am Seraphine, an emissary of the Azure Serpent."
Kazuki returned her gaze evenly. "What brings you here, Seraphine?"
Her lips curved into a faint smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. "We've been watching your clan's actions with great interest. Your handling of the Scarlet Wraiths was… intriguing."
Kazuki kept his expression unreadable. "What does the Azure Serpent want from us?"
Seraphine's smile widened, her tone laced with subtle menace. "We wish to discuss an alliance. Or, if you prefer, we can discuss what happens if you refuse."
The room grew colder, the weight of her words settling like a storm cloud. Kazuki's mind raced, but his voice remained steady.
"Let's talk."