Zephyr repeated Ki's words, sitting in a chair by the table while Septh rested in bed. "We're worried about you, you know. Take care of yourself," he said softly.
Septh slowly rose and moved to the balcony, gazing at the bustling city below. "I'll try," she whispered, a hint of uncertainty in her voice.
Ki wants you to act normal, as if you know nothing," Zephyr reminded her gently.
Septh nodded, eyes distant. "It's hard to pretend everything's fine when so much is happening," she admitted. "But I'll do my best—for everyone."
Zephyr noticed the weariness etched on her face. "What's going on? Both you and Ki have been acting strange lately. Is there something I don't know?" he asked.
Septh turned to him, the wind lifting her curly brown hair. "It's a long story."
A knock interrupted them. Zephyr opened the door to find a soldier. "It's time for your training," he informed Zephyr.
"I'll be there in a minute," Zephyr replied. He grabbed his wooden sword while the soldier waited. "Lock the door if you leave," Zephyr told Septh before stepping out.
Alone, Septh sat at the table, staring at the two books: The Lore of Summons and Repento Ka Reviatha, the latter adorned with a serpent biting its tail.
Flashback: Kenji's Memory
Kenji sat in the shadowed forest, waiting for Ki. Smoke rose lazily from the campfire as memories flickered through his mind.
"We can do this, right?" a feminine voice echoed.
"We've got each other's back," Kenji's eyes darkened, like a void.
"Kenji!!! Kenjiii!" The shadows seemed alive, threatening to devour any intruder.
A girl's smiling face flashed before him. "Please, take care of yourself. Stay! Stay!"
Startled by the snap of a stick behind him, Kenji turned to see Ki.
"Oh, it's you," Kenji said, breathing deeply. "Have you made up your mind?"
"I'll kill you if you don't back down," Ki warned, eyes burning.
Flashback: Ki and Kenji on the Dark Street
"And what is it?" Ki demanded sharply.
"Simple," Kenji said, pacing. "I want you to draw attention while we… handle our task. Clear?"
"But that's dangerous," Ki noted calmly as Kenji circled him. Kenji vanished behind him, his voice echoing.
"Of course not. We'll protect you if needed, as long as you attract attention."
Ki closed his eyes, weighing the words. "A win-win… I see."
Kenji's tone made the decision harder.
Finally, Ki spoke. "Alright. I'll draw their attention, but on one condition."
Kenji's serious gaze met his. "What is it?"
"Provide shelter and let me meet the leader you serve—immediately."
Kenji nodded. "Shelter after the escape is fine. The leader? Across the continent, eight days by carriage."
"Then I'll meet him later," Ki said firmly.
"Deal," Kenji confirmed.
Present: Training in the Forest
Kenji noticed doubt lingering in Ki's eyes. "Don't worry. You may know more about me now, but I'm still the same person you met weeks ago," he said, voice lively.
Ki exhaled, the tension in his shoulders easing. "So… training?"
"Sure. Let's play cat and mouse," Kenji replied. He leapt onto a branch; Ki followed, matching his pace.
Ki tackled him, grabbing Kenji's clothes—but Kenji vanished like a bubble. Ki crashed to the ground, breathing hard, a grin tugging at the corner of his lips despite the fall.