A week had passed since the Glacier Bear quest. The memory of narrowly evading the bear's powerful swipes still lingered in Kaide's mind, solidifying his resolve to acquire a weapon that would give him an edge — literally and figuratively. His shortsword had served him well, but its limited reach often left him exposed.

The idea of a three-sectioned staff intrigued him. Not only would it provide better reach, but its versatility and the potential to channel magic through its segments made it even more appealing.

Kaide sat in their room, tapping the desk with a pen. Filyn lounged on her bed, phone in hand, immersed in the glow of her game. She glances at Kaide before raising an eyebrow at his determination.

"You know, Kaide," Filyn said, her tone playful but with a hint of seriousness,

"if you're so serious about this three-sectioned staff, you're going to need a lot more dexterity than you have now. It's not just swinging it around — it's knowing how to flow with it."

Kaide smirked, meeting her gaze.

"I'm confident I can master it," he replied firmly.

"Besides, the dimension we're heading to is supposed to be like one of those games you're always watching — where you fight monsters and level up while also getting a chance to obtain skills."

Filyn's eyes lit up, and she bolted upright, her game momentarily forgotten.

"Really?! That's awesome!" She bounced on her bed, her excitement infectious.

"Will it have those big boss monsters with weak points? Or maybe treasure chests hidden in random corners?"

Kaide chuckled. "It definitely has boss monsters, but it wouldn't have any treasure chests."

Filyn sighed, dejected. "Aw man. . ."

As Kaide smiled at her enthusiasm, his vision blurred, and a sudden wave of dizziness washed over him. His surroundings warped, the soft light of Filyn's room giving way to a swirling kaleidoscope of colors. His heart raced as he was pulled into the depths of his own mind.

|←←•→→|

Kaide found himself standing on a barren expanse of white sand beneath a fractured sky — a realm that seemed caught between dimensions. The air shimmered, heavy with an otherworldly energy. He recognized this place instantly. The Superdimension.

"Kaide! Move!"

The urgent voice snapped him out of his stupor. He turned to see Chrome, her violet hair whipping in the wind, holding off a monstrous figure with her dual blades. Her strikes were precise, each movement a masterclass in efficiency.

A flash of green light streaked past him, and he saw Filyn, her gauntlets glowing with ethereal energy, flanking the creature. Her expression was uncharacteristically serious, her usual playful demeanor replaced by sharp focus.

"What are you doing, Kaide?!" 

Filyn shouted, her voice strained but firm. "We can't do this without you!"

Kaide's hands moved instinctively to his sword, but he hesitated. The creature's form was constantly shifting, its appearance a chaotic amalgamation of shapes and colors, making it hard to predict its movements.

"You're thinking too much," Chrome snapped, her tone clipped as she parried another attack. 

"Trust your instincts. You've fought worse than this."

Kaide took a deep breath, steadying his nerves. He lunged forward, joining the fray. The memory of this battle — the coordination, the adrenaline, and the strange bond they had formed in that moment — flooded his senses. It was the fight that had tested them all, pushing their limits in ways he had never anticipated.

|←←•→→|

Kaide blinked, his breath still shaky as he snapped back to the present. The room around him felt distant, a haze clouding his mind as the aftermath of the flashback still gripped him. His heart pounded, echoing the chaos of that battlefield — too real, too close.

"Kaide?"

Filyn's voice cut through the haze, soft yet filled with concern.

"You okay? You zoned out for a second."

Kaide shook his head, trying to shake off the weight of the memory that lingered like a shadow. He forced himself to meet her gaze, hoping the unease didn't show.

"Yeah. . . I'm fine," he replied, but his voice wavered, betraying him.

Filyn studied him carefully, her brows furrowing.

"You sure? You looked like you saw a ghost or something."

Kaide offered her a weak smile, though it didn't reach his eyes.

"Not a ghost. Just. . . a memory."

She tilted her head, her voice softer now, as if sensing the depth of the moment.

"Are you fine talking about it?"

The question hung in the air, heavy with the unspoken. Kaide hesitated, but then he sighed, his expression softening.

"Remember when we took that Desert mission to help me get used to combat? The rush of adrenaline, the feeling of everything moving too fast, and the toll it would take after the quest?"

Filyn nodded, her lips curling into a playful smirk.

"Ah, I remember. It was amusing watching you go into Chromey's room, looking like you hadn't slept in days. . . and then you spent the night sleeping with Chromey."

"Filyn!" Kaide flushed with embarrassment.

"Mind the context of your words! Someone could easily misinterpret it! It was one time Filyn! Just one time! And I slept on the floor even when she insisted I sleep beside her!"

Filyn laughed, clearly enjoying his discomfort. Kaide fought to bite back his frustration, but couldn't resist.

"Then what about that time you tripped while charging into that monster?"

Kaide shot back, a grin tugging at his lips.

"Short stack!"

Her face immediately flushed with mock outrage.

"Hey! That's a low blow, you idiot!"

Before Kaide could enjoy the moment, Filyn lunged at him, intent on tackling him to the floor. But Kaide, still with the sly smirk, raised his good arm, flexing it with an exaggerated flourish.

"Heh, try me. I'm still healing."

Filyn skidded to a halt, her face a mix of frustration and reluctance. She growled under her breath, clearly annoyed, but her eyes narrowed with teasing annoyance.

"Then why don't you heal up faster, huh?"

she snapped, her voice tinged with genuine frustration.

Kaide froze. Filyn noticed immediately, her gaze flickering to his face in that rare moment of vulnerability twice. The first time by accident, the second time to make sure.

"Kaide?"

He let out a frustrated sigh, facepalming at his own stupidity.

"Thanks for reminding me, Filyn. I'm an idiot for forgetting about that."

With a resigned sigh, Kaide activated his magic, his hand glowing as he conjured a small oasis in the room. The water shimmered like a mirage, cool and soothing, as it wrapped around his arm, healing the injury with a gentle, almost effortless flow of magic.

Filyn stood back, watching him with an unimpressed frown as the magic worked its way through his arm. When it was done, Kaide removed the cast with a simple flick of his fingers.

Filyn crossed her arms, tapping her foot.

"Really, Kaide? You wasted our credits on hospital bills. You wasted time when we could have been out questing or. . . maybe you could've been writing your damn story."

Her eyes narrowed with mock exasperation.

"How dumb can you be?"

Kaide let her words sink in. He couldn't help the small chuckle that escaped.

"I guess. . . I am pretty damn dumb."

Filyn rolled her eyes dramatically. "Damn straight."

He shook his head, an apologetic smile tugging at his lips. "I guess I really needed you to keep me on track, huh?"

She gave him a pointed look.

"You're lucky I like you, idiot."

"Yeah," Kaide muttered, turning away slightly, as if to hide the sudden warmth that crept up his neck.

"I'm lucky."

A silence stretched between them, but this time, it felt different — not heavy, but comfortable, like they'd both found a quiet understanding.

"Well," Filyn said, breaking the moment,

"You've healed up. You should thank me for reminding you." She grinned. 

"Now, get your act together and let's go do something fun for a change."

Kaide chuckled. "Yeah, yeah. I'm starting to think you enjoy reminding me of all my mistakes."

Filyn raised an eyebrow.

"Only because you're so damn good at giving me material."

They both laughed, and for a moment, it felt like the world outside could wait.

Moments later, Kaide's lips twitched upward with a bitter smile. Slowly realizing something he did not know about himself.

"I guess I just don't want to be seen as weak."

He paused, glancing down at his now-healed arm, avoiding her gaze for a moment.

"I've seen how people treat others who rely on others too much. I don't want to be one of those people."

Filyn softened, her arms uncrossing.

"You're not weak, Kaide. We're human, and humans aren't meant to do everything alone. If you keep pushing yourself like this, you'll break. And when you break, where will that leave us?"

Kaide let her words settle in. He always thought of himself as someone who had to be strong, someone who couldn't afford to show weakness. But Filyn was right. He wasn't alone in this, and maybe it was time to stop acting like this.

With a sigh, he finally met her gaze, offering a small but genuine smile.

"Alright, I get it. No need to hammer it down to me."

Kaide and Filyn went to do their own thing, relaxing in their room on this nice and cozy afternoon until Filyn decided to speak up.

"Kaide," she began, her voice quieter than usual.

"You've been awfully quiet."

Kaide hesitated, shifting uncomfortably. He'd been wrestling with his thoughts for a while, but now, with Filyn sitting so close, it felt harder to ignore the weight of them. Her presence, always brimming with energy, somehow made the moment feel heavier than it was.

He glanced over at her, his gaze lingering on her face. Filyn had always been a little younger than him — physically, anyway. He'd always seen her as a little sister. But right now, as she sat there, her face full of curiosity and concern, something felt different that made him pause.

"Filyn," Kaide started slowly, his voice surprisingly soft.

"I need to tell you something, and I don't want you to misunderstand."

Filyn tilted her head, her expression turning serious.

He wasn't sure how to phrase this. He had never really put these thoughts into words, at least not in a way that made sense.

"Back when we first met," he continued, taking a deep breath,

"I remember seeing you as this little kid who needed help. And over time, that image stuck. I guess it's just how I've always seen you. . . as someone younger, someone I needed to protect. A little sister."

Filyn opened her mouth to speak, but Kaide raised a hand, stopping her.

"I'm not saying I don't care about you," he went on, though his voice was still measured.

"In fact, I care about you more than anyone other than family. And Chrome. But that's why it's so difficult for me to think of you in any other way."

Filyn's eyes softened, and for a moment, she almost looked like she understood. But her curiosity never left.

Kaide glanced at her again, then quickly looked away.

"If you were my age, maybe I could have seen you differently. But that's not the case. You're my little sister."

Filyn was silent for a long moment, processing his words. The usual teasing energy she exuded was gone. It was rare for Kaide to show this much vulnerability, and even rarer for him to speak with such seriousness about their relationship.

Filyn finally spoke up, her voice gentle but firm.

"I get it. I've always known how you see me. And I don't want to change that. It's not about wanting to be something I'm not. It's about. . . understanding why you care so much. You've always been like a brother to me, Kaide."

Kaide sighed, feeling the tension ease from his shoulders as her words sank in. It felt like a weight he didn't even realize he was carrying had been lifted. Maybe he was overthinking this. Maybe it didn't need to be so complicated.

"Thanks, Filyn," he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

She shot him a playful smile, though there was a layer of understanding behind it.

"What are big sisters for, if not to make sure their brothers don't get all mopey and confusing about things?"

Kaide couldn't help but laugh at that, the air between them clearing as the tension melted away.

"Hey, who said you're the elder one here?" He turned to look at her, his expression more relaxed now.

"Thanks for. . . well, for being you."

Filyn shrugged, her grin widening.

"Anytime, brother. Anytime."

And as they sat there, side by side, Kaide felt something settle inside him. It wasn't what he expected. But it was enough. They were family. And that was all he needed, for now.

But Filyn seems to have different things in her mind. with her posture relaxed now, she adds.

"Good. Now, maybe you can get back to that story you've been putting off. I know you've been struggling with it. Maybe this is a sign you should focus on it more."

He raised an eyebrow.

"You really want me to focus on writing a story?"

"I'm not saying you should drop everything, but we both know that you've been putting it off for too long. Don't let it sit inside you forever."

Kaide looked at her for a moment before looking at his manuscripts. his thoughts drifting from the story he had tucked away. Writing, as much as he loved it, felt like something that could always wait. But Filyn was right.

"Yeah, I'll write more. No need to rush me."

Filyn smiled, proud of him, but with a teasing glint in her eyes.

"Good. But don't make me wait too long for a new chapter, alright? I'm not just gonna read the same one over and over again."

Kaide laughed, feeling lighter than he had in days.

"I'll make sure to finish the next chapter. I'll make it even better, just for you."

Filyn chuckled before patting him on the shoulder.

"Alright, get to work, writer boy. We've got quests and stories to conquer."

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"Crown of Ashes"

The moonlight was pale and cold as it filtered through the broken windows of the crumbling keep. Reina stood before the throne, the heavy silence pressing down on her. The Sword of Eternis, now secured, lay beside her, its blade gleaming ominously in the dark. The air was thick with the scent of dust and decay, yet something in her heart felt heavier than the weight of the world she now ruled.

She clenched her fists, the hard grip of the sword a bitter reminder of what she had just claimed. The power to save the kingdom. . . or destroy it.

"You've done it, my queen," Tristan's voice broke through the stillness, steady and reassuring, but it did little to comfort her. He stood a few paces behind, his gaze never leaving her. His expression was unreadable, but she could feel the concern radiating off him.

Reina's gaze drifted to the shattered windows, where the remnants of a once-thriving city now lay in ruins beneath the night sky. So much had been sacrificed to bring her here. So many lives. And Kael. . .

Her heart twisted. The image of him, charging forward with that mischievous grin and the glint of his twin daggers, was burned into her mind. She had failed him. She should have stopped him, should have found a way to save him.

"Tristan, I. . ." Her voice faltered, and she lowered her sword, her shoulders heavy with grief. "I should've been faster. I should've—"

"You couldn't have known," Tristan said, his voice softer now. "Kael made his choice. And if he were here, he'd tell you to stop blaming yourself."

Reina closed her eyes, swallowing the lump in her throat. She had never felt more alone. The weight of the crown was suffocating, but it was nothing compared to the gnawing emptiness in her chest.

Footsteps echoed from behind, and the others entered the chamber, their faces weary but determined. A reminder of the family she had gained on this journey, yet still, a distant ache lingered in her soul.

"We have the sword," one of the rebels said, "but it's not enough. The kingdom's still fractured. The nobles—"

"I know," Reina whispered, cutting him off. She turned, meeting their eyes one by one. "I know what I must do now." Her voice was steady, but the storm inside her hadn't abated. "We march. Tomorrow, we unite this kingdom, or we die trying."

Tristan stepped forward, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "And you're not alone, Reina. We'll see this through to the end."

Her heart clenched at the strength of his resolve. Yet she knew the truth. Even with their support, the path ahead was uncertain. She didn't know how she could save them all. . . or if she even could. But there was no turning back now.

Reina glanced at the Sword of Eternis, its blade gleaming with cold purpose. The crown it was meant to restore — was it worth the cost? She didn't know. But for the kingdom, for those who had fallen, for Kael, she would fight.

She raised the sword high, its edge shimmering in the moonlight. "For the kingdom of Avoria. For its people. For Kael."

And as the echo of her words resonated in the stone walls, Reina knew this was only the beginning. The crown may be in her hands, but it was the choices she made next that would define her destiny.

The chapter closed with a quiet resolution. The first volume of her journey was over. But the next chapter, the true battle for her heart and her kingdom, was just beginning.

|←←•→→|

Kaide sat back in his chair, eyes scanning the last few lines he'd just written. He let out a long sigh, running a hand through his hair.

Filyn, sitting across from him with a mug of tea, raised an eyebrow.

"So, what do you think of this volume? Pretty heavy, huh?"

Kaide looked up, a half-smile on his face.

"I think it's the most important moment so far. Reina's really at a crossroads. The weight of the kingdom, the loss of Kael... It's a lot for her to bear."

Filyn leaned forward, tapping her fingers against her mug.

"Yeah, I get that. But... the way you left it — what happened to Kael? You didn't really confirm if he's dead or not."

Kaide's smile faltered.

"I wanted it that way. Let the reader wonder for now. It'll keep them waiting for the next volume."

Filyn rolled her eyes.

"You're cruel, you know that? You put her through all this, and then you just leave her hanging about Kael's fate? That's pure torture."

"Story's gotta have some suspense."

Kaide replied, leaning back. 

"This is just the beginning. There's more to come."

Filyn sighed dramatically. "You better not make me wait too long for answers, Kaide. My heart can't take it."

Kaide chuckled. 

"You'll survive. Trust me."

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Chapter 7

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