The forest had grown quieter after the spar. Shadows of trees stretched long across the ground as the sun began to dip behind distant mountains. Calythar had turned, his elegant, deliberate movements carrying him back toward Iris. Erethon hovered just a few steps behind Rayon, his eyes flicking to the horizon as if savoring the tension that lingered in the air.
Rayon remained seated beneath the tree, legs crossed, back straight, hands resting lightly on his knees. Vorthalaxis had curled around a nearby trunk, its eyes half-closed, silent but vigilant. Erethon finally settled beside Rayon, letting a faint hum of power ripple through the air.
"You're not going to sit there all day, are you?" Erethon asked, his voice low, teasing, but threaded with that sharp edge only the Primordial of Insanity could carry.
Rayon's gaze remained fixed on the horizon, indifferent. "I could. Doesn't bother me. You could leave anytime you want."
Erethon chuckled, settling into a comfortable posture. "Funny. You, the so-called Black Primordial, sitting still. Hardly what I expected."
Rayon's lips curled into a faint smirk, eyes narrowing just slightly. "You say that like you're surprised. You've known me long enough. I do what I want, when I want. You're just slow to catch up."
Erethon's laughter, low and dark, echoed in the clearing. "Fair enough, little monarch. Fair enough."
From the edge of the clearing, a faint rustle drew Rayon's attention. Iris Solmek approached, her presence radiant yet calm, every step measured, graceful, deliberate. Her red hair shimmered in the waning light, her gaze sharp yet gentle. She stopped a few meters away from him, her tall frame poised like royalty.
Rayon raised an eyebrow but remained silent, watching her with his usual cool, detached expression.
"I thought I should give this to you," she said softly, her hands holding a small, polished object. Green light reflected off its surface—the faint glow of a jade carved with delicate patterns, almost alive in its texture. "It's nothing much… but when you have time, you should come visit my family. They… they would like to meet you."
Rayon's gaze flicked to the jade, lingering just long enough for a faint curiosity to show. He reached out, taking it with one hand. The jade felt surprisingly warm, almost pulsing faintly against his skin.
"Family," Rayon said slowly, turning the jade in his hand. "That's a… rare invitation." His voice was calm, detached, yet there was a subtle weight behind the words. "Most people I meet don't get to see me again, let alone invite me home."
Iris's lips curved in a small, knowing smile. "That's why I wanted to give it to you. You're… different. I can tell. And my family… they appreciate strength and… honesty."
Rayon's smirk deepened, faintly amused, though he didn't offer a word. Instead, he slipped the jade into a pocket, his hands folding back into his lap. Vorthalaxis stirred slightly, flicking a tail lazily, but made no move to disturb the moment.
Erethon shifted beside him, voice low, almost conspiratorial. "You know, little monarch… that girl isn't giving you a gift out of kindness alone. There's… intent behind it. Be aware. Humans rarely do something without reason."
Rayon tilted his head, eyes narrowing, though the faintest trace of amusement touched his lips. "I've spent my life expecting reason. Sometimes… it's a pleasant change when someone just does what they want."
Iris gave a small bow, her green eyes holding a spark of mischief and respect. "Then… when you're ready, you should come by. No obligations, no pressure. Just… family."
Rayon's smirk didn't fade. "I'll remember."
And with that, Iris began walking away, her steps deliberate, almost floating across the forest floor. Calythar followed silently, his presence a calm but imposing shadow beside her. Erethon watched her go, then flicked his gaze back to Rayon.
"Curious," Erethon said, a low hum in his chest. "You keep everything to yourself, yet you don't push her away. Interesting."
Rayon tilted his head again, voice calm, emotionless. "I don't push people away. I just… don't let them get too close. It's different."
Erethon let out a low chuckle, shifting slightly. "Different… yes. That explains why you can sit through all this chaos and not lose yourself. You're… exceptional, little monarch. Even for your own standards."
Rayon's lips curled in a faint smirk, eyes still fixed on the horizon. "Exceptional, huh? I prefer… accurate."
They sat in silence for a moment, the forest around them alive with subtle movement—the faint whisper of leaves, the distant call of a bird, the pulsing energy of Black Resonance flowing faintly around Rayon, like a barely perceptible aura of authority.
Finally, Erethon broke the silence, voice low, almost playful. "Well… I suppose we should stop lounging. We have work to do, little monarch. Primordial business never waits."
Rayon stood, stretching slightly, the faint shimmer of Black Resonance curling along his body. "Then let's go. But next time, Erethon… remind me to keep you entertained when we're sparring. You're annoying when you're too quiet."
Erethon let out a laugh, dark and musical. "Noted. But don't forget… even I can get bored when you're this predictable."
Rayon only smirked, and with the jade safely tucked away, he began walking deeper into the forest, Vorthalaxis silently trailing beside him. The wind stirred, rustling the leaves, carrying with it the faint echo of a promise: journeys far from over, alliances forming, and the slow, inexorable rise of the Black Primordial across the lands.
And as Iris's figure faded into the distance, the green jade shimmered faintly in Rayon's pocket—a reminder that even in a world of chaos, some things, some connections, could endure.