Chapter 66: Eyes on the Throne
Theme: Mutual Growth and Future Roles
The sun was high, casting sharp shadows across the open courtyard where Volundr stood, the air alive with the anticipation of a tactical lesson.
He stood with his arms crossed, his eyes fixed on the three individuals assembled before him—Caelum, Seraphina, and Kuroka.
They were his most trusted, his pieces in training, and today was to be a test of more than just their combat prowess. It was about cohesion, adaptability, and the silent understanding that formed between warriors in the heat of battle.
"You know the drill," Volundr said, his voice steady, commanding, yet not harsh. "We're running a tactical session today. Caelum, Seraphina, you're the main force. Kuroka—you're the wild card. I want you to guide them through the initial stages of this battle, but when the time comes, strike unpredictably. Make them adapt."
Kuroka gave him a short nod, her usual playful smirk in place, though her eyes sparkled with something deeper—respect, perhaps, for the way Volundr had carefully shaped her training. As the others began to move into position, she took a step back, watching her teammates.
Perspective Switch – Kuroka's POV
Kuroka observed Volundr from the corner of her eye as he began explaining flanking patterns to Caelum and Seraphina. There was something different about the way he taught. He wasn't just commanding, wasn't merely instructing.
It wasn't about dominance or control—it was about empowerment. Volundr gave them the tools to think for themselves, never dictating each move, but guiding their instincts.
When he looked at her, there was no command in his gaze. He didn't see her as a tool to be used. He saw her as a partner, as someone who could grow beside him, who could evolve into something much greater than a mere weapon.
That realization settled in her chest like a warm fire, filling her with something she had long been without—trust, and the sense of belonging.
Her respect for him deepened in that moment, as did the bond between them. This wasn't just training. This was something more. Something… meaningful.
Training Match – Kuroka vs. Caelum
The time came for their match, and the air grew taut with the expectation of the test. Volundr stood aside, arms still crossed, his sharp eyes watching every movement closely.
Kuroka faced off with Caelum, her stance loose and ready, while Caelum's massive frame seemed like an immovable force, calm but intense.
"Ready when you are," Caelum said, a quiet challenge in his voice.
"Then let's dance," Kuroka purred, her tail flicking behind her in anticipation.
The moment Volundr's sharp nod signaled the start, Kuroka was a blur of motion, her body moving with a wild, fluid grace. She circled Caelum like a predator, waiting for an opening, testing his defenses.
Her attacks were unpredictable—slashes from one angle, feints from another, always just out of reach, never giving him a chance to predict her next move. She wasn't following any set pattern. She was chaos embodied.
Caelum, however, stood firm, his shield raised in defense, his movements deliberate and heavy. He absorbed the strikes, waiting for the perfect moment to counter. But Kuroka wasn't playing by the rules. Her movements were erratic, forcing Caelum to react rather than lead. She wasn't trying to overpower him—she was trying to wear him down, break his rhythm.
Seraphina, who had been watching from the sidelines, spoke up. "I've never seen them work like this before."
Volundr nodded, his eyes never leaving the fight. "Their chemistry is already impressive. A predator and an anchor. Caelum's role is to protect, to be the pillar, and Kuroka's job is to break that pillar down."
Kuroka lunged at Caelum, her claws flashing in the light, but just before they made contact, she disappeared into a swirl of shadow, only to reappear on his blind side.
Caelum spun to block her, but she was already gone, reappearing again, her strikes never giving him a moment's respite.
Finally, Kuroka struck with a controlled precision, landing a blow that pushed Caelum back for the first time in the spar. He grinned, impressed, despite the fact he was on the defensive.
"I didn't know you had that in you," Caelum said, his voice steady even as he adjusted his stance.
Kuroka smirked, eyes glinting with the thrill of the fight. "I'm not just claws and spells, ya know."
Volundr stepped forward then, a quiet smile forming as he evaluated their performance. "Impressive. But Kuroka," he said, locking eyes with her,
"you need to learn when to use your speed to overwhelm, not just to evade. Caelum—good work anchoring her. You're more than just a tank. You're a thinker in combat, just like her."
Seraphina blinked, clearly impressed by the synergy she had witnessed. "That synergy... it was natural."
"I've been training them to be just that," Volundr said. "A true team. Every piece working in harmony."
Aftermath – Volundr and Kuroka Walk Through the Garden
As the match ended, Volundr and Kuroka walked side by side through the training grounds, their footsteps quiet on the grass.
The sun hung low, casting long shadows as they strolled through the peaceful garden, the scent of flowers and earth mingling with the faint traces of sweat from the spar.
"I see it now," Kuroka said softly, her eyes scanning the garden.
"You don't just want a powerful peerage. You want a family."
Volundr's gaze softened. "The strength of a family doesn't come from shared blood. It comes from shared purpose. From trust. From loyalty."
He paused for a moment, his eyes distant as he recalled a lesson from his past.
"Jia Xu,"was a man who valued chaos, the unpredictable nature of the battlefield. But what he also understood was how to shape that chaos. He believed in harnessing it. Shaping it into something greater than what it was. "
Volundr continued, his voice low and thoughtful, "That's how I see you, Kuroka. You're not chaos. You're potential. Raw, untamed, but with the right guidance… you could shape the future."
Kuroka's eyes softened, the playful edge in her voice replaced by something more vulnerable. "I'm not there yet."
"No," Volundr said, his tone quiet but sure.
"But you're on your way. And when you join me, you'll make it worth the pieces."
She tilted her head, meeting his gaze with a rare sincerity. "I'm starting to believe that."
End of Chapter 66