The training field was unforgiving beneath the midday sun, the ground hard and unyielding as I stumbled back to regain my footing. Xenos stood before me, his stance sharp and deliberate, the wooden practice sword in his hand swinging with precision. There was no trace of gentleness in his piercing gaze, only a steely determination that dared me to keep up.
"Again," he commanded, his voice cutting through the air like a blade.
I groaned under my breath, my arms aching from the repeated strikes I'd blocked—or tried to block. Sweat dripped down my forehead, but I gripped my own wooden sword tighter, forcing myself to focus. "You do realize I'm human, right?" I shot back, dodging a swift swing aimed at my side.
Xenos smirked, circling me like a predator. "You're more than that, Sage. If you want to survive, you need to fight like it."
He lunged again, and this time, I managed to parry the blow, though the force of his strike sent a jolt up my arm. "No mercy today, huh?" I asked, breathless.
"Not today," he replied, stepping forward to close the distance between us. His movements were fluid, calculated, and utterly relentless. "You've gotten stronger, but the world we're facing won't hold back. Neither can I."
I gritted my teeth, swinging toward him with all my might, but he sidestepped with ease, twisting the blade from my grasp in one swift motion. In an instant, the tip of his practice sword was at my chest.
"You're leaving yourself open," he said, his tone almost teasing as he tilted his head. "You've got to anticipate your opponent's next move, Sage."
"Maybe I would if you didn't fight like a goddamn whirlwind," I muttered, though a small smile tugged at my lips.
Xenos lowered his sword and extended a hand to me. "You'll thank me later," he said, his expression softening as I took his hand and let him pull me to my feet.
"Yeah, sure," I huffed, brushing dirt from my clothes. "If I survive this training, that is."
He chuckled, his thumb briefly grazing my knuckles before releasing me. "You'll do more than survive, Sage. You'll thrive. Now—again."
I groaned but took my stance once more, ready to meet his challenge.
After another grueling round of swordplay, Xenos tossed his practice weapon aside and crossed his arms, observing me with a thoughtful expression. "You've got good instincts, Sage, but brute force alone isn't enough. You have magic—use it."
I blinked at him, still catching my breath. "I thought we were focusing on combat today."
"Magic is part of combat," he said simply, stepping closer. "You need to learn how to use it without making yourself a target. Subtlety can be just as deadly as a sword."
He gestured for me to follow him toward the edge of the field, where a cluster of trees provided some shade. "Show me how you summon your energy," he said, his voice calmer now, more instructive.
I hesitated, glancing around to make sure we were alone, then closed my eyes and let my hands hover in front of me. Slowly, I called on the magic within me, feeling it rise like a warm current in my veins. A soft glow began to form around my palms.
"Good," Xenos said, circling me. "But too obvious. If someone sees you lighting up like a beacon, they'll know exactly where to aim."
I frowned, letting the glow fade. "How do I hide it?"
"Control the flow," he said, stepping behind me. I felt the heat of his presence as his hands gently guided mine. "Don't let it spill out all at once. Keep it contained—like a secret."
His voice was low, almost a whisper, and I focused on the steadiness of his tone. Closing my eyes again, I concentrated on the magic, keeping the energy close to my skin instead of letting it expand outward.
"Better," he murmured, his breath brushing against my ear. "Now, channel it into a single point—something small, something precise."
I nodded, picturing the energy pooling at the tip of my finger. A tiny spark ignited, bright but controlled, like a match being struck.
Xenos stepped back, watching with a satisfied smirk. "That's it. Now, practice making it disappear just as fast."
I waved my hand, and the spark fizzled out instantly. "Like that?"
"Exactly. You're learning."
We spent the next hour working on discreet spells, from creating silent barriers to directing bursts of wind without a single outward sign. By the time we finished, I was exhausted but felt a new sense of control over my abilities.
"Remember," Xenos said, brushing a strand of hair from my face, "your magic is an extension of you. Use it wisely, and no one will see you coming."
I smiled up at him, a mix of pride and gratitude filling my chest. "Thanks, Xenos. I think I might actually survive this crazy world."
He smirked, leaning in slightly. "With me around? You'll do more than survive."
As Xenos turned away to retrieve a practice staff, I decided it was time to lighten the mood. Before he could react, I darted forward and poked his side, aiming for a weak spot.
To my utter dismay, he didn't flinch. Instead, he turned to me, one eyebrow raised, his smirk widening. "What exactly are you trying to do?"
"Tickle you," I admitted, crossing my arms with a pout. "But apparently, you're a brick wall."
He chuckled, setting the staff down and stepping closer. "Ticklish? Me? Not a chance. I've endured demons, storms, and gods—I'm not going to crumble over a few pokes."
"That's no fun," I grumbled, pretending to sulk.
Xenos leaned down, his grin teasing. "And yet, here you are, trying to ambush me. Desperate for some sort of victory, are we?"
I jabbed him again, determined to find a chink in his armor, but he merely caught my wrist in his hand, holding it firmly.
"Admit it," he said, his voice dropping into that low, infuriatingly smug tone. "You're just upset you can't win against me in combat, so now you're resorting to this."
"Resorting?" I gasped dramatically, narrowing my eyes at him. "Excuse me, but tickling is a valid strategy."
He snorted, pulling me closer as he lowered his voice even more. "Good luck using it on an enemy, Sage."
I glared up at him, though a smile tugged at my lips. "You're impossible."
"And you're persistent," he said, releasing my wrist but letting his hand linger on mine. "I'll give you that."
His touch, his teasing tone—it all made my heart race, but I quickly masked it with a playful scoff. "Well, one day, I'll find a way to win."
"Sure you will," he said, smirking as he leaned down just enough for his lips to hover near my ear. "But not today."
And with that, he grabbed the staff and walked away, leaving me standing there, flustered but secretly plotting my next move.
The golden afternoon sunlight streamed through the tall, arched windows of the castle, bathing the corridors in warmth. Despite the pleasant atmosphere, I couldn't help but keep my back to Xenos as we walked side by side. He'd tried nudging my arm, clearing his throat for attention, even casually brushing his fingers against mine, but I refused to acknowledge him.
"Are you seriously going to ignore me all day, Sage?" he finally asked, his voice tinged with frustration yet laced with that familiar teasing tone.
I turned my head slightly, just enough to let him know I'd heard him but not enough to fully engage. "I don't know what you're talking about," I said breezily, though I couldn't hide the smirk tugging at the corner of my lips.
Xenos sighed dramatically, stepping ahead of me to block my path. "You're impossible, you know that?"
I crossed my arms, raising an eyebrow. "Oh? And why's that?"
He leaned in slightly, his eyes narrowing in mock seriousness. "Because you're the only person in this castle who can hold a grudge over losing a sparring match."
I gasped, feigning offense. "It's not a grudge—it's principle! You didn't even let me win once."
"Let you win?" he repeated, his voice full of incredulity. "Where's the fun in that?"
"You're no fun, period," I shot back, stepping around him with my nose in the air.
Xenos didn't let me get far. Within seconds, he was at my side again, leaning close enough to whisper, "I'll prove to you just how fun I can be—if you stop ignoring me."
I bit back a laugh, trying to maintain my composure. "You'll have to do better than that, Xenos."
His smirk widened, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Challenge accepted."
Spotting a flash of Alohi's vibrant outfit near the castle garden, I seized my opportunity. Without a word, I veered away from Xenos and quickened my pace, heading straight for her.
"Alohi!" I called, waving as I approached. She turned, her face lighting up with her signature playful grin.
"Sage! What's up?" she asked, clearly not expecting my sudden arrival.
"Just needed some fresh air... and company," I said pointedly, glancing over my shoulder to see Xenos standing in the distance, his arms crossed and a look of pure disbelief on his face.
Alohi's grin grew even wider as she followed my gaze. "Oh, trouble in paradise?" she teased, lowering her voice conspiratorially.
"Not trouble," I said with a sly smile, "just keeping him on his toes."
She laughed, looping her arm through mine. "I like it. Come on, let's take a walk. I need to fill you in on Cynfael's latest overly dramatic escapade."
As we strolled through the garden, I felt Xenos's gaze burning into my back, but I pretended not to notice. Alohi kept me thoroughly entertained with her wild anecdotes, her laughter ringing out as I finally allowed myself to relax.
Later that night, after an evening filled with Alohi's jokes and Cynfael's dry humor, I gave Alohi a warm hug at her door. "Goodnight," I said softly, earning a sleepy smile from her.
"Goodnight, Sage. Try not to kill Xenos with your stubbornness," she teased, her tone muffled as she closed the door behind her.
I chuckled and made my way to my own room, where I found Xenos stretched out on the bed, a book resting in his hands. The soft light of the lantern on the bedside table cast a warm glow over his features, making him look even more relaxed than usual.
"You're finally here," he said, his voice low and inviting. He set the book down and watched me as I moved about the room.
"I had to make sure Alohi didn't sneak into the kitchens for a midnight snack," I joked, heading to the wardrobe to change into something more comfortable. After pulling on a loose nightgown, I climbed onto the bed and scooted close to him.
Xenos tilted his head, his brow arching slightly as he studied me. "You've got that look," he said knowingly. "What's on your mind?"
I hesitated, twisting the hem of my sleeve. "Smokey wants to talk to you."
His expression darkened immediately, and I could feel the shift in his mood. "No," he said flatly.
I sighed, already prepared for this reaction. "Xenos, please listen to me. I know you hate the gods, and I understand why, but my grandfather is different. He's not like the others."
"Different how?" he challenged, his tone edged with disbelief.
"He actually cares," I said firmly, meeting his gaze. "And he doesn't want to control you or judge you—he just wants to talk. You don't have to agree to anything, but it might help us... help me."
Xenos stared at me for a long moment, his jaw tightening. Finally, he exhaled heavily. "And how exactly do you expect me to have this little chat with your godly grandfather?"
I smiled, sensing his resistance weakening. "It's simple. You just have to hold my hand and close your eyes while I sniff the Brugmansia flower."
He let out a low groan, running a hand through his hair. "You've been thinking about this, haven't you?"
"Maybe," I admitted, my voice light. "But it's worth a try."
He rolled his eyes but extended his hand. "Fine. But if he starts lecturing me, I'm out."
I grinned, taking his hand in mine. "Deal."