Morning came quietly to Selam.
Sunlight spilled across the lakes and stone paths, cutting through the haze of the night before. Music still lingered in the streets, softer now, carried by the breeze along with the smell of bread and wine.
Laxyie woke early.
He sat on the edge of the bed, already dressed, staring at nothing in particular. The name from the night before still sat in his chest, unmoving.
Aîiurh.
He hadn't slept much after that.
Outside, Selam looked the same as it always did—merchants setting up stalls, laughter echoing across bridges, people moving without worry. The world hadn't changed just because a buried name had surfaced.
Tyke stirred behind him. "Morning," the boy muttered.
"Get up," Laxyie said. "We're moving."
They stepped outside just as Lyla emerged from the inn across the street. She looked different in the daylight—less wild, less broken. Still rough around the edges, but steadier. Her armor was simple, worn. A warrior's gear, not decorative.
She noticed Laxyie immediately.
Neither of them spoke at first.
"Didn't think you'd still be here," she said finally.
"I don't leave towns at sunrise," Laxyie replied. "Too predictable."
She snorted. "Figures."
They walked for a while, side by side but not close, the sounds of Selam filling the silence between them. Tyke trailed a few steps behind, watching both of them carefully.
After a moment, Lyla spoke again. "About last night…"
"Don't mean anything to me," Laxyie said.
"I know." She glanced at him. "Still. I don't usually talk that much."
He didn't respond.
They stopped near one of the lakes, water reflecting the sky like polished glass. Lyla rested a hand on the stone railing.
"That name," she said quietly. "Aîiurh. You reacted like you knew him."
Laxyie's jaw tightened. "I do."
She didn't press further. Didn't ask how.
"That man ruins lives,He came to the province of Zorka 10 years ago" she said instead. "Leaves people behind him like scraps."
"Yes," Laxyie replied. "He does."
The silence that followed wasn't awkward. It was heavy—but shared.
Tyke broke it. "So… what now?"
Laxyie looked out over the city. Selam was peaceful. Safe. But he knew better than to mistake calm for the end of the road.
"We work," he said. "We get stronger. We move when it's time."
Lyla studied him for a second, then nodded. "Sounds better than drinking myself numb."
She watched him closely now.
"I'm going after him," Laxyie said. "Not today. Not tomorrow. But someday. And I won't do it blindly."
Silence stretched between them, filled only by the sound of water and distant voices from the city.
"You want revenge," Lyla said.
"Yes."
She didn't flinch from the word. "So do I."
Laxyie nodded once. "Then don't walk alone."
She frowned slightly. "You mean… an alliance?"
He shook his head. "No."
He hesitated—just for a moment. Then, quietly, "Become my friend."
That surprised her more than anything else he'd said.
"A friend?" she repeated, almost laughing. "You're terrible at this."
"Probably," he admitted. "But I don't trust easily. And I don't walk with people I don't trust."
Lyla studied his face, searching for deception, bravado—anything false. She found none. Just someone carrying something heavy, same as her.
After a moment, she exhaled slowly.
"Alright," she said. "Friends, then."
She extended her hand again, not like before. This time, firm. Certain.
"For revenge," she added.
Tyke, watching from a few steps back, felt the air shift. He didn't fully understand what had just been decided—but he knew it mattered.
The city of Selam moved on around them, unaware that two broken paths had just merged into one.