Two months had passed since the dungeon descent, and despite the triumphant return, the scars of battle clung quietly to Gendai like frost on winter glass. The Zasia Vandors, recognizing the effort and strain on all their students, sanctioned a two-week break—one that extended even to Gendai, though she had secluded herself since the Nullity incident.
A knock sounded at her door.
Lilly stood outside, arms crossed, her expression a blend of concern and blunt honesty. "Come on. Time to get out of this room and breathe some actual air."
Gendai hesitated behind the door before opening it slowly. "I… I guess I should. I've just been locked here, scared…"
Lilly's eyes sharpened. "Toughen up. This is part of being a hunter. If you stay like this, you'll never improve. You wanted to know more about Kazimir? You dove into his mind and found out, didn't you?"
"I wanted to make sure he was safe…" Gendai murmured.
"Did you get your answer?" Lilly asked flatly. "Because right now, you look more broken than enlightened. Riah tried warning you—not out of jealousy, but because she knew."
Gendai clenched her fists. "I just want people to value me… even if I'm a demon. Kazimir never treated me like one. Neither did the Vandors."
"Then stop acting like you're cursed," Lilly said, turning. "We leave in thirty minutes. Pack up."
The meeting spot buzzed with familiar voices. Gendai arrived to see Tojo, Raijin, Xavier, Lilly, and Angelly already waiting.
Angelly: "Oh wow, you actually showed up!"
Tojo: "Glad to see you again, Gendai."
Gendai: "Hey… um, where's Kazimir?"
"Tojo** pointed up the road. "With Neve. He'll be here soon."
A burst of flame signaled the arrival of Riah, smirking as she emerged beside Kazimir.
Riah: "Finally crawling out after two months? That's what you get for trying to peek into things you weren't ready for."
Gendai stayed quiet, avoiding their eyes.
Kazimir stepped in gently. "Don't make it sound like her fault. I granted her request. She's here now—that's what matters."
Raijin revved the engine of a sleek black car. "Let's go! I dropped all my points for this ride, we're not wasting a second!"
Kazimir: "You move faster than this thing, and you still spent your points?"
Raijin: "Shut up and get in the whip!"
The ride twisted through mountain roads and misty valleys. Raijin stared suspiciously as the scenery turned to waterfalls and forest cliffs.
Raijin: "Bro this ain't no beach."
Tojo just grinned. "Trust me."
They finally arrived at a towering glass penthouse, built on the edge of a mountain, overlooking the clouds.
Riah: "Holy… okay, Tojo, I take it back. This place is a palace."
Each got their own room. The penthouse had a spa, hot tub, infinity pool, and even a meditation garden. The girls ran toward the spa while Tojo grinned at the guys.
"I got something special planned for us."
Two Hours Later
Raijin screamed. "THIS IS TORTURE! WHY ARE WE BALANCING LOGS ON OUR SHOULDERS IN THE MIDDLE OF FIRE?!"
Tojo, Kazimir, and Xavier sat shirtless, shoulders burning under the weight of logs, flames circling them in a ritualistic pattern.
Kazimir: "…zzz…"
Riah, walking outside after a long soak, stopped dead.
Riah: "What… are you idiots doing?"
Raijin: "DYING."
Riah: sigh "Kazimir."
Kazimir: Still meditating, barely conscious "…zzz…"
Riah: "No way you're sleeping in that."
She stormed over.
Riah: "Come to my room after you clean up. I have something important to talk about."
That evening, Kazimir stepped from the steaming shower, water trailing down his toned body. He dressed in a simple black shirt and joggers, towel slung around his neck. As he knocked on Riah's door, she opened it with an unreadable expression.
Riah: "Come here."
He stepped in. She pushed him gently onto the bed, her eyes smoldering.
Kazimir: "What's this about?"
Riah: (Whispers) "Shut up."
She slid on top of him, her robe falling away, revealing smooth skin beneath. Her lips met his in a slow, deep kiss that stole the breath from his lungs.
Kazimir blinked, heart pounding. "Riah…"
Riah: "You promised me, remember? You'd stop fighting alone."
She traced a finger down his chest.
Riah: "Then let me remind you why you're not alone."
Their bodies moved as one, the night outside quiet and cold, the stars watching from afar. But inside that room, heat bloomed like a phoenix rising from the ashes—fierce, beautiful, and eternal.