Chapter — Morning After Chaos
The morning sun was already high, scattering warm light through the gaps in the trees. Birds chirped lazily above, and somewhere in the distance, a river murmured softly through the rocks.
Kael sat cross-legged on a fallen trunk, sharpening his blade with slow, steady strokes. The metallic sound was oddly calming after all they'd been through. A little ahead, Liora was wringing water from her hair after washing by the stream, her white cloak laid out to dry.
Anay was lying on the grass with his hands behind his head, eyes half closed. "I could stay like this forever," he said with a grin. "No monsters. No fights. Just peace."
Kael looked at him with a smirk. "You said that last time too, right before a demon tried to bite your leg off."
Anay groaned. "You really know how to kill the mood, huh?"
Liora chuckled, sitting down beside them. "He's right though… this feels nice. Peaceful. I'd almost forgotten what that felt like."
Kael put his sword back into its sheath and stood. "Peace doesn't last long for people like us."
Liora looked up. "Then where to next?"
Kael's expression softened slightly. "Nexus City."
Anay opened one eye. "The capital? That's a bit of a trip. What's there?"
"The Yuddha Tournament," Kael said, as if that explained everything. "Every academy, guild, and ranked warrior sends participants. It's not just about fighting — it's where people make their names. And connections."
Anay sat up now, interest flickering in his eyes. "You mean I could fight in it?"
Kael grinned faintly. "That's the plan. You've got talent — might as well show it."
Liora leaned forward, tying her hair into a ponytail. "The Yuddha Tournament… I've heard about it since childhood. People come from all across the realms to watch. The Nexus arenas are massive — they say you can feel the energy of thousands in the stands."
Anay smiled softly. "Sounds exciting… and terrifying."
Kael stretched his arms and looked up at the sunlight filtering through the trees. "Then it's decided. We rest here today. Tomorrow, we move."
The rest of the day passed slower than usual. They cooked simple food — roasted flatbread and wild vegetables they'd picked earlier. Anay tried to make chai over a small fire, but it came out half-burnt and smoky. Liora coughed dramatically after tasting it.
"Is this chai or poison?" she teased.
Anay raised a hand in mock pride. "A warrior must survive any flavor."
Kael laughed — a rare, genuine laugh that made both of them pause for a second. For a little while, it almost felt like normal life again.
When evening rolled in, fireflies danced near the stream. The three of them sat near the campfire, the crackle filling the quiet spaces between their thoughts.
Liora broke the silence softly. "Kael… Nexus City, huh? That's where it all began for you, right?"
Kael's gaze flickered toward the flames. "Yeah. And maybe… where things come full circle."
Anay looked between them, not pressing for more. He could tell there was history there — something unspoken.
Above them, the sky turned deep blue, stars slowly appearing one by one. The air was cool, filled with the scent of forest and smoke.
Anay yawned and leaned back on his pack. "Tomorrow, then. Nexus City."
Liora smiled faintly. "And the Yuddha Tournament."
Kael nodded, eyes reflecting the firelight. "Let's see what fate has waiting for us there."
The fire crackled. Somewhere far away, a wolf howled — not in warning this time, but almost like a farewell.
Tomorrow, their path would lead them out of the forest…
and into the heart of destiny.