The moment I left Kael, I glanced back once — just once.
He was still standing there, that stubborn, steady look in his eyes. I hoped he'd make it through. I told myself he would.
Still… a small part of me whispered, don't fall behind.
My Keahi Blossom pulsed at my side, glowing deep blue — guiding me toward my own trial. The air grew cooler as I walked, the path winding through reefs and hanging bridges that shimmered with the reflection of the sea. The sound of waves striking the cliffs below was steady, rhythmic, like a heartbeat. Mine, maybe.
This was it. The second trial.
If the first was about endurance, this one would be about proof.
By the time I reached the arena, the sky had shifted to a bright, cloudless azure. The place was beautiful — too beautiful for combat. The Garden of Tides sat inside a great shell-shaped amphitheater carved from sea coral, water flowing through channels that glowed faintly with mana. The fighting platform itself shimmered with a translucent sheen, as if it was made from hardened ocean spray.
At the far end, Elder Rahea stood in silence. Her hair was bound with strings of pearls, her robes rippling like waves. There was something soothing in her presence — serene but watchful, like the sea right before a storm.
"Welcome, challengers," she said. "The ocean does not yield its blessings to those who only wish to take. It grants them to those who move in harmony with it. May your strength find rhythm here."
As she spoke, a movement caught my eye across the crowd.
The mysterious boy from the first trial.
The one who had handed me his Keahi Blossom as if it was nothing — like passing a seashell to a friend.
He noticed me too. His expression brightened, calm and quiet as always, and he lifted a hand in a casual wave before walking over.
"You made it," he said, smiling faintly.
"So did you," I replied, crossing my arms. "Though I half expected you to vanish into thin air again."
He chuckled softly. "And miss the fun? Not a chance."
We talked for a moment — nothing important, but it felt easy. Natural. His voice was low, steady, like he could speak the world into stillness. He asked my name, I asked his, and when I said "Leilani," he smiled as though the word itself was familiar somehow. His name was Nythrel, it wasn't like any that I heard before… It was unique, like he was.
Before I could finish speaking, Elder Rahea raised her staff, water spiraling around it like glass ribbons.
"The second trial begins now."
Elder Rahea called out,
"Nythrel — step forward."
No title. No family name. The crowd murmured. Some looked confused, others unimpressed.
"Guess that's my cue," Nythrel said.
I gave him a short nod. "Good luck."
His opponent, a broad-shouldered youth with a bronze spear, stomped onto the platform, puffing up his chest.
"Hope you're ready," he growled.
Nythrel tilted his head. "Always."
The elder dropped her hand — and in the same instant, the arena vanished behind a cloud of dust. I couldn't even follow the movement. A sound like a thunderclap cracked the air. When the haze cleared, the other challenger was lying outside the ring, unconscious.
Elder Rahea blinked once. "Winner… Nythrel."
The crowd fell silent for a beat, then erupted in disbelief. I could only stare. He descended the stage as calmly as he had gone up, brushing dust from his sleeve.
I walked up to him as he passed. "What was that?"
He shrugged. "A little trick."
"That wasn't a trick. That was—"
He smiled faintly. "Efficient?"
I would've pressed further, but the next two fighters were already called up. We stood near the edge of the stage, chatting idly as they fought. He asked what my favorite color was.
"Blue," I said. "Obviously."
"Predictable," he teased. "Mine's silver."
We talked about animals next. I said geckos. He said hummingbirds.
I didn't realize how much I was smiling until I caught myself.
Then Elder Rahea called, "Leilani of the Shimmering Leaf — step forward."
My turn.
My opponent was tall, quiet, and respectful. We bowed to each other before the fight began. He fought with calm precision, but my spirit stirred beneath my skin, the familiar warmth spreading up my spine. Runes flared to life across my tail, my eyes shifting — reptilian, glowing faintly blue.
My spirit answered my will.
The world sharpened — faster, clearer, every motion a ripple through still water.
We exchanged blows like dancers in rhythm. His strikes were heavy, but I flowed around them, scaling momentum, using agility over force. When I swept low, tail flicking for balance, he stumbled — and I landed the finishing palm to his chest, sending him sliding backward across the coral floor.
Elder Rahea raised her staff. "Victory to Leilani."
The cheers were polite but warm. I helped my opponent up, bowing again.
"Well fought," I said.
As I stepped down, Nythrel clapped lightly. "Graceful and deadly. I'm impressed."
"Graceful and deadly is kind of my thing," I said with a smirk.
We lingered side by side through the next match, which neither of us fought in. The fighters were skilled, but my focus kept drifting to him. His calmness was strange — not arrogant, just… quiet. As if he'd already seen how every fight would end.
Then came his turn again.
The other fighter snarled as Nythrel simply evaded, letting each strike miss by inches. The frustration showed. "Fight back, coward!"
Nythrel sidestepped one more wild swing and said softly, "Fine."
He redirected the man's momentum with a flick of his wrist — and the challenger went sailing straight out of bounds.
"Winner, Nythrel," Elder Rahea announced, a hint of disbelief in her tone.
I met him halfway as he returned. "That was impressive."
He gave a small nod. "Looks like we'll be fighting each other next, unless you get eliminated."
I grinned. "Huh! Please, as if I'd lose."
He smiled back, barely — the kind that said I'd like to see you win.
My next fight wasn't easy. My opponent was stronger than before, his strikes crackling with raw power, but I didn't back down. My spirit flared brighter, tail glowing as I vaulted over his attacks and pinned him to the ground. My chest heaved, but I was still standing.
Elder Rahea raised her staff once more. "Victory to Leilani."
Which meant it was time.
The finals.
"Nythrel versus Leilani."
We stepped onto the stage. The air grew still. Even the waves seemed to quiet down, waiting.
"You don't have to go easy on me," I said.
"I wasn't planning to," he replied softly. "Though… I wish we didn't have to fight at all."
"Scared?" I said, smiling. "But don't you dare hold back."
"Ladies first."
I charged.
He moved like wind through leaves — effortless, fluid, untouchable. Every strike I made, he redirected or swatted aside like a musician keeping tempo.
"You're not even bringing out your spirit," I said through gritted teeth. "Take this seriously!"
He caught my wrist mid-swing. "If I did," he said quietly, "you'd get hurt."
I pulled free, backing up, my tail flaring with light. "Try me."
He hesitated. Then his expression softened.
"Tell me, Leilani. Is your dream still the same?"
I frowned. "Of course. To become a warrior worthy of protecting this island — my home."
He smiled sadly. "Admirable… but basic."
"Oh? And what's so great about music that it's better than that?"
His gaze drifted to the horizon. "Music gives shape to what words can't. It's how the heart speaks without needing to shout. It's chaos, made beautiful." He looked back at me, eyes faintly bright. "Kind of like you."
My face heated; my pulse stuttered. "What—"
He lifted his hand, palm open. I tensed, ready to counter —
"I forfeit."
The words struck harder than any blow. "What?! You— what are you talking about?!"
"I forfeit," he said again, calm as ever. "You win."
Elder Rahea's staff struck the ground. "Winner — Leilani."
The crowd cheered, confused but obedient. I stood frozen.
He bowed once, then turned to leave. I darted after him.
"Why? You were winning! You could've—"
He stopped, not facing me. "Maybe I just felt like letting the wind change course."
"That's not an answer!"
He half-turned, smiling faintly. "Then I'll owe you an answer."
He started walking again.
"Fine!" I shouted after him. "Then I'll beat you for real next time! No forfeits!"
He raised a hand without looking back. "I'll look forward to it."
The wind carried his words across the air, soft and sure.
And for the first time that day, I wasn't sure whether I'd won or lost.