Kazimir sat in the bath, the warm water lapping against his bronze skin, seeping into his sore muscles, easing the aches of combat.
He leaned his head back against the smooth stone edge, his breath steadying.
But his mind raced.
Everything was happening so fast.
Just days ago, he had been nothing more than a hunter, scraping by in a world that had long since decided he wasn't worth saving.
And now,
He didn't even know what he was anymore.
Bound to a castle that drifts between dimensions. Training under a knight who fought like something out of a legend. Wielding weapons crafted from creatures that should not exist.
His entire purpose before had been survival.
From the streets to the Umbrax ruins, from scavenging scraps to fighting monstrosities, survival had been the only thing that mattered.
Now, for the first time in his life,
He wasn't struggling to stay alive.
So, what now?
What was he supposed to do with himself?
Kazimir let out a slow sigh, watching as ripples spread across the water's surface.
And then his mind drifted,
To her.
To Selis.
The way she had saved him, carrying him into the castle when he was on the brink of death.
The way she had stood guard over him, her pale silver eyes watching him as she bound him to the castle.
The way she had handed him her cloak, shielding him from the bitter cold.
The way she had protected him today, stopping the statue's blade before it could strike him down.
The way she catched him before he fell.
A strange feeling stirred in his chest, It was like a burning fire in his chest. unfamiliar, unshakable.
He had only known her for a few days.
And yet,
He trusted her more than he had ever trusted anyone in his entire life.
He had spent years on the streets, knowing that trust was a death sentence. He had learned to watch his back, to never let anyone get too close.
But now?
With Selis,
He felt like he could trust her with his life.
Why?
Kazimir closed his eyes, exhaling deeply.
Maybe it didn't matter.
Maybe it was enough that she had saved him.
And maybe,
It was enough that he owed her for it.
His fingers curled into fists beneath the water.
"I will repay her."
Not just by staying alive.
Not just by learning to fight.
But by becoming strong enough to stand by her side.
To fight alongside her.
To help her hunt the beasts beyond the castle walls.
He didn't understand why she had saved him.
But he would make sure she never regretted it.
The thought settled something inside him.
He opened his eyes.
The water still shimmered in the dim light, steam curling through the air.
But he felt different now.
Lighter.
As if, for the first time in his life,
He had purpose beyond simply surviving.
Kazimir stood, the water cascading off him as he stepped out of the bath.
He grabbed a nearby towel, dried himself off, and focused on the shadows of his room.
A moment later,
The bathhouse vanished, and he was back in his chambers.
The dim glow of the fireplace flickered against the walls, casting long, shifting shadows across the floor.
He removed his armor, storing it away in the darkness of his cloak. Then he pulled on a set of black silk clothes, embroidered with silver of the crest of the Umbrax royal family, simple, comfortable, yet elegant.
Then, finally,
He sank onto the bed, staring up at the canopy of his bed.
For the first time in years, he didn't have to worry about being murdered in his sleep.
For the first time, he wasn't running.
For the first time,
He felt safe.