The rain came down in heavy sheets, pattering against the wooden walls of the hut as wind howled through the cracks, rattling the lantern that flickered dimly in the center of the table. Every so often, thunder rumbled across the sky. A flash of lightning lit up the single window, casting jagged shadows across the faces of those seated inside.
Zay poured himself a glass of water, the liquid rippling slightly from the trembling of the hut under the force of the storm. Across from him, Kazren leaned back in his chair, pressing a small bag of ice against his lower abdomen, his expression caught in irritation, yet slight amusement.
"So," Kazren grunted, shifting slightly, "if you're not bounty hunters… what the hell do you want from me?" He winced as he exhaled, his breaths uneven from the lingering pain. His voice was rough, edged with both suspicion and exhaustion.
Zay didn't blink. His amethyst eyes held steady, reflecting the flickering lantern flame as he finally answered, his voice calm yet unwavering.
"…I want you to train us. All of us." The rain hammered harder against the roof. "I know how powerful you are, Kazren. I know what you were before you failed the trial."
Kazren scoffed at that, his grip tightening slightly around the melting bag of ice. His chair creaked as he shifted, resting his free hand against the table. Another bolt of lightning illuminated the room for a fraction of a second, followed swiftly by a roar of thunder.
Leaning back, Kazren let out a slow, tired breath before closing his eyes. "Tch," he muttered, shaking his head slightly. "I should say no on principle alone, especially after what that jackass over there did." His gaze flicked toward Lily, who only folded her arms and huffed in response.
"But," he continued, smirking slightly, "I suppose I did jump to conclusions. We all got off on the wrong foot." His voice carried a begrudging acceptance, though it was clear he wasn't about to make things easy.
Zay nodded, unimpressed to say the least about Kazren's attitude. "So… will you do it?" His fingers tapped lightly against the wooden table as he closed his eyes for a brief moment.
'I've already trained under him before. Multiple times, across multiple lives. I could've skipped this entirely. But… there's a reason for everything I do. Besides, this will be a perfect opportunity for those two.'
His gaze drifted toward Renzo and Lily, watching them for a moment before exhaling quietly. The wind howled like a living thing, rattling the hut's wooden frame, while the steady drum of rain echoed through the room.
Kazren sat in silence for several long moments, only the distant rumbling of thunder filling the emptiness of sound between them. Then, finally, he spoke.
"…There's one thing I want in return."
Zay's eyes sharpened. "What is it?"
Kazren let the bag of ice drop onto the table with a soft thud before leaning forward, his elbows resting on his knees. "I want… the Book of Nominations," he said, his tone low and serious. "It's a sacred textbook hidden somewhere in Calderon, inside the temple known as 'The Hollow's Rest.'" He ran a hand through his damp, short brown hair before continuing. "I don't know where the temple is exactly—what city... if it is near a city, what region, none of that. But if you can find it… bring me the book."
The storm outside seemed to intensify at his words, another bolt of lightning illuminated the room. Zay sat unmoving, his fingers curled slightly against the armrest of his chair, he lifted the glass of water before taking a sip and placed it back down.
He met Kazren's gaze and nodded once. "I'll try to find the temple," he said, his voice unwavering. "But will you train us first? Wait for it. When the time comes, I'll get your book."
Kazren studied him, his brown eyes gleaming with something unreadable. Then, to Zay's surprise, he chuckled.
"I've never heard someone that much younger than me try to strike a deal like that," he admitted, shaking his head. The smirk on his lips widened slightly as he finally stood, setting the ice aside. "Fine. I'll accept your deal. Why the hell not?"
As he straightened, the wind outside howled even louder, rattling the hut so violently that the lantern's flame flickered until it faded into darkness within the hut.
Kazren walked over to a window, his gaze distant as rain streaked down the glass in relentless sheets. The storm showed no sign of stopping. Lightning split the sky, illuminating the swirling mass of dark clouds for a brief moment before plunging the world back into shadow. Thunder rolled through like the growl of a slumbering beast. The wind's howl shook the hut's wooden walls and crept in from the cracks, slipping inside and making the lantern's flame flicker.
With a slow sigh, Kazren crossed his arms. "Looks like neither of us will be doing any part of the deal today," he muttered, watching as the rain blurred the landscape outside as it rolled across the window. "Feels like we're staying in damn Pluvialis."
At that, Zay, Renzo, and Lily chuckled slightly in unison.
"Well, we are from Pluvialis," Zay said, leaning back in his chair, his amethyst eyes reflecting the glow of the lantern barely. "Rain and storms don't really bother us."
He turned his gaze toward Renzo and Lily, who sat beside each other, the wooden floor beneath them creaking slightly as the wind rocked the hut.
"Tell me about it," Renzo grumbled, stretching his arms behind his head. "It rains at least thirteen times a damn day. I swear." He leaned back further in his chair, letting the storm's soundscape wash over him.
Lily, absentmindedly rubbing at the white bandages over the cut on her neck, exhaled softly. "Honestly… I missed the rain," she admitted, pushing herself up from her chair. She stepped toward another window, placing a palm lightly against the cold wood as she gazed outside.
Another flash of lightning lit the world in a brief, blinding moment, casting jagged shadows across the interior of the hut. The deep boom of thunder followed immediately after.
Kazren let out a chuckle as he turned away from the window, rolling his shoulders. "I've only been to Pluvialis twice, and honestly? Not the best place," he said, amusement lacing his voice. "Though… maybe that's just personal opinion."
Zay smirked but didn't argue. Kazren shrugged and moved toward the table. "Well, since we're all stuck in here for the night… I do have some cards." He grabbed a small, well-worn deck from a side table, holding it up between two fingers. "Anyone up for a game?"
Zay exhaled and gave a small nod. "Yeah, I'm fine with it."
Renzo stopped leaning back in his chair and sat forward with mild curiosity. "Never played," he admitted, "but sure, why not."
Lily turned her attention away from the window, the storm's wrath still raging outside, and walked back toward the table. The wooden floor let out a faint creak beneath her steps. "I'll just watch," she said, crossing her arms.
Kazren smirked as he lowered himself back into his chair, the wood groaning slightly under his weight. The lantern flickered as another gust of wind battered the hut, but none of them paid it much mind.
"All right," Kazren said, expertly shuffling the deck, the cards making a soft slap slap slap sound as they moved between his hands. "Let's begin."