---
The cheers were gone.
The flags folded.
The dust of the Tora Trial still clung to the streets of Hearthshade, but the excitement had faded… replaced with quiet tension.
---
Damon hadn't spoken all morning.
He sat outside the house, wooden sword beside him, watching nothing.
Kael worked in silence, fixing a wheel, his movements sharp.
Lina, cheerful as ever, brought them tea. "Damon… you were awesome."
Damon blinked slowly. "Doesn't matter."
Kael looked up.
"It does," he said softly. "Even if they don't admit it."
Damon didn't reply.
But he didn't walk away either.
---
In the palace, Euphelia stormed down a corridor, her maid Anna struggling to keep up.
"They cheated!" she hissed. "That boy—Damon—he earned it! They humiliated him in front of everyone!"
"Careful, Phia," Anna warned. "You're speaking like a commoner."
"Maybe I should."
---
That afternoon, Euphelia disguised herself again, slipping into Hearthshade. This time, she wasn't looking for Lina and Damon.
She was looking for Kael.
She found him outside a repair stall, shirt dusty, hammer in hand.
"Hey."
Kael glanced up, recognizing her instantly despite the charcoal on her hair.
"You," he said flatly.
Euphelia crossed her arms. "Yes. Me."
They stared for a moment.
She broke the silence. "Your brother was incredible."
Kael exhaled slowly. "He was reckless."
"Maybe. But brave."
Kael paused. "Bravery doesn't matter when you're lying in a grave."
Euphelia stepped closer, lowering her voice. "He deserves another chance."
Kael looked her dead in the eye. "There are no second chances in war."
She didn't know what to say.
But something in her chest ached.
---
Far across the city, Kaizen sat in the Raider archive hall, flipping through registration scrolls.
His eyes stopped at one name: Damon Lancaster.
"Denied on age," the note said.
The boy had scored fifth overall.
Kaizen tapped the scroll.
"…But not denied by merit."
He stood and walked toward the council records.
Something smelled wrong.
And Kaizen was a Raider.
He hunted what hid in shadows.
---
Back in Hearthshade, Kael returned home to find Damon standing.
Wooden sword in hand.
"What are you doing?"
Damon looked at him, eyes clearer.
"Training."
Kael crossed his arms.
"…Then we'll do it right."
Damon blinked.
Kael tossed him a worn pair of gloves.
And smiled, just barely.
---