The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the academy courtyard, the golden light glimmering on the surface of the koi pond. Zian sat on a stone bench near the water, absentmindedly watching the ripples as he traced a finger along the edge of a scroll. The lesson had ended, but he hadn't left with the others—his mind was too restless.
Yu, of course, had noticed.
"You look troubled," Yu said as he flopped down beside him, stretching his arms behind his head. "Well, more troubled than usual. What's on your mind, scholar?"
Zian hesitated. It wasn't like he was eager to share, but Yu had a way of dragging things out of him whether he wanted to talk or not.
"...Something doesn't feel right," Zian finally admitted, his voice quieter than usual. "I overheard the instructors talking. There's been tension between the sects lately."
Yu let out a dramatic groan. "Oh, great. More politics. Just what we need to make life even more complicated."
Zian shot him a dry look. "You should care. If things escalate, it will affect all of us."
Yu hummed in thought, picking up a small pebble and tossing it into the pond. The ripples spread outward, distorting the reflection of the sky. "Tension between sects isn't exactly new, though. What makes this different?"
Zian glanced around, lowering his voice. "This time, it's not just disputes over land or resources. There are rumors that someone has been moving in the shadows—stirring conflict, pushing things toward something bigger."
Yu frowned, his usual playfulness dimming slightly. "You're saying someone is trying to start a war?"
"I'm saying someone is playing a dangerous game," Zian corrected. "And I don't think we're prepared for what's coming."
Yu leaned back, staring up at the sky. For once, he didn't have an immediate witty remark. Instead, he let out a sigh. "So, what do we do? Just sit here and wait for trouble to knock on our doors?"
Zian shook his head. "No. But we need to be careful. I don't think the sect elders will tell us much, but that doesn't mean we can't pay attention."
Yu smirked. "So basically, you want me to eavesdrop on the important people while you do all the thinking?"
Zian gave him a flat look. "I never said that."
"But you were *thinking* it."
Zian sighed, but a small, reluctant smile tugged at the corner of his lips. Yu was exhausting, but in moments like these, his presence was oddly grounding.
The two of them sat in silence for a while, watching as the sun dipped lower in the sky. The ripples in the water faded, leaving behind an eerie stillness.
A storm was coming.
And neither of them could afford to ignore it.