The golden tent buzzed with practice drills, ropes creaking and drums pounding in steady rhythm. Naki adjusted the bandage on her palm, wincing as the rough cloth rubbed her skin. She refused to let pain stop her—every leap mattered now.
She was halfway up the ladder when a familiar voice boomed across the tent.
"NAKI!"
She froze.
Kwesi "Torch" Mensah strode through the entrance, a torch strapped across his back, fire already crackling at the wick. His arrival was like a storm—loud, hot, and impossible to ignore.
Performers gasped. Some whispered. "The fire-breather from Ghana?""What is he doing here?"
Naki scrambled down, wide-eyed. "Kwesi, what are you doing here?"
He crossed his arms. "Looking out for my little sister. You think I'd just let you run off with strangers?"
"I'm not a child anymore," Naki snapped. "I don't need a babysitter."
"You almost burned your hand off last week," he retorted. "Sounds like you do."
Laughter rippled among the veterans, amused by the scene. Madame Rosa's sharp voice cut through the air. "Torch Mensah. You are not part of my troupe. Why are you in my tent?"
Kwesi bowed slightly, his grin cocky. "To keep your star in one piece." He lit his torch and breathed a flare of fire into the air, drawing gasps from the younger performers.
Rosa's eyes narrowed, but a few aristocratic sponsors clapped at the spectacle.
Meanwhile, Sky balanced on a nearby rope, smirking. "Looks like the Flying Star brought her guard dog."
Kwesi's eyes snapped to him, firelight dancing. "Say that again, boy."
"Guard dog," Sky repeated with a grin. "Loyal, loud, and way too protective."
The rope swayed as Naki groaned, pressing her palm to her face. "Oh no."
Kwesi marched closer, fire torch blazing. "You think you can mock my sister?"
Sky swung down effortlessly, landing light as air. "Not mocking. Just pointing out she doesn't need you holding her leash."
The troupe watched with hungry eyes as fire met air—Kwesi's torch flickering dangerously close to Sky's calm poise.
Before it could ignite, Naki stepped between them. Her voice rang louder than she thought possible. "Enough! Both of you!"
Kwesi blinked, startled. Sky raised his hands innocently.
"This isn't about proving who's stronger," Naki continued, her breath shaking. "This is about me. My training. My stage. And I won't let either of you ruin it."
Kwesi's jaw tightened, but he lowered his torch. Sky smirked, giving her a little bow.
The moment passed, but the air was charged, fire and wind still crackling between the two boys.
Naki exhaled slowly, her heart pounding. She had dreamed of proving herself to the world—but she hadn't expected her greatest challenge to be balancing fire and air at the same time.