Bayu felt the weight of responsibility pressing heavily on his chest, a sensation both familiar and daunting. The banquet had been his idea, after all. It wasn't just an event to him; it was a statement, a chance to bring order and grace to their chaos-riddled mission. Having grown up in the world of gilded halls and whispered power plays, he was no stranger to balls, galas, charity soirées, and other opulent gatherings of the super-wealthy and noble. Naturally, the others had looked to him for support and guidance.

Despite his daily duties—strengthening the wards, patrolling, and immersing himself in rigorous research—Bayu had skillfully managed to juggle the banquet preparations. He'd arranged meetings with local florists and caterers, deliberated over seating arrangements, and pored over menus. Strangely, he had found a kind of solace in the planning. In the face of monsters, mysteries, and magic, organising flowers and food felt oddly grounding. It was even a little fun.

The morning dawned earlier for Bayu than usual. The soft hues of sunlight crept through the narrow windows as he made his way to the baths, his mind already swirling with last-minute details. He pushed the ornate door open, stepping into the steamy chamber.

He froze mid-step, surprised to find Tomoya already there, lounging in the misty water. The wolfish air that clung to him even in his human form was subdued in the quiet haze of the baths. Tomoya's dark eyes were closed, his expression distant, but they opened just slightly, narrowing as they fixed on Bayu's lean figure.

Bayu hesitated for only a moment before shrugging off his towel with casual confidence. The nobility in him refused to be self-conscious. He slipped into the water, the heat soaking instantly into his muscles. He let out a low groan as the tension in his shoulders began to melt away.

Tomoya didn't say a word, but his gaze lingered.

Bayu, ever perceptive, caught the look and flashed a teasing grin. "I'm handsome, right?" he quipped, his tone light, though his sharp eyes watched for any flicker of emotion.

Tomoya rolled his eyes, muttering something under his breath, and shifted his position slightly in the water.

Bayu's grin faltered slightly, though he hid it well. There was something about Tomoya that unsettled him. It wasn't fear, exactly, but an instinctive wariness, like sensing a storm on the horizon. Whatever had happened between Tomoya and Kai was a knot of tension Bayu could almost feel in the air, but Kai had been maddeningly tight-lipped about it.

"You three have no sense of boundaries," Tomoya muttered suddenly, breaking the silence.

Bayu raised an elegant brow, but before he could respond, Tomoya stood abruptly, water cascading from his lithe frame in rivulets. Bayu blinked, momentarily caught off guard. He swallowed hard, sinking a little deeper into the bubbles.

"I think having boundaries is the least of our problems," Bayu countered lightly, gesturing to the water with an open hand. "Stay a while. I didn't mean to kick you out."

Tomoya's dark gaze cut to him, sharp and inscrutable. For a brief moment, Bayu thought he might relent, but then Tomoya turned, stalking out of the bath without another word. His bare feet slapped against the wet tiles, each step echoing in the chamber like a final punctuation.

Bayu washed himself quickly then, trying hard not to think too much about the banquet, about the eyelash that got stuck in his eye, about Ratih.

*****

Bayu entered the banquet hall with a confident steady stride. The air inside was rich with the mingling aromas of expertly prepared dishes, each more mouthwatering than the last.

The hall itself was a marvel. Crystal chandeliers hung from the vaulted ceiling, their golden light casting intricate patterns on the polished floor below. The walls were adorned with tapestries depicting the lush landscapes of Antigua: verdant rainforests, azure seas, and rolling hills kissed by sunlight. Long tables stretched the length of the room, draped in pristine white linens embroidered with gold thread. Vibrant bouquets of tropical flowers—hibiscus, orchids, and bird-of-paradise—graced every table, their vivid colors harmonizing with the warm glow of the room.

Plates piled high with Caribbean delicacies lined the center table, the sheer variety enough to make anyone's stomach rumble. There were steaming platters of jerk chicken and pork, their smoky aroma laced with hints of allspice and thyme. Beside them sat bowls of curried goat, fragrant with coconut milk and fresh herbs, alongside fried plantains glistening with a golden sheen. The centerpiece was a whole roasted fish, garnished with lime wedges and sprigs of parsley, its skin crisp and inviting. Ramekins of pepper sauce, mango chutney, and spicy tamarind paste were placed strategically for dipping. The desserts were no less enticing—guava tarts, cassava pone, and delicate sugar cakes, their sweet scents mingling with the savory dishes.

Behind him, Kai followed with a strong, steady gait. Bayu felt a warm, reassuring hand settle on his shoulder.

"You really outdid yourself, Bayu," Kai said, his voice warm and sincere.

Bayu felt a blush creep up his face, though he managed to keep his expression composed. "Thank you—couldn't have done it without your help," he replied, his voice soft but genuine.

Bayu's eyes scanned the room, taking in the array of important figures seated at the grand table in the center. Mildred, the Head Witch, was a vision of poise and authority in her elegant black gown. Her long skirts swished softly as she shifted in her seat. Opposite her sat Jabari, the Chief of the Elves. His son, Maleko, sat stiffly beside him, his face hard.

From the corner of his eye, Bayu noticed Lukas shepherding his squad to their designated seats. The leader of Squad 9 was a study in precision, his every step deliberate, his dark blue gaze scanning the room with cool efficiency. Yet, instead of taking his seat, he strode purposefully toward Bayu, his hands clasped firmly behind his back.

Lukas's sharp eyes flicked over the group—Isaac, Bayu, Tomoya—before settling on Kai. "Was this your idea, Kai?" he asked, his tone even but curious.

Kai shook his head and placed a hand on the back of Bayu's neck, his touch both grounding and comforting. "It was Bayu's idea," he said with pride.

Lukas nodded, his expression softening ever so slightly. "Good. Depending on how this banquet goes, our squad will leave you four to it to resolve the island's disputes."

Kai reached out to shake Lukas's hand, his grip firm. "You can count on it."

The four of them moved to their designated seats. Bayu couldn't help but notice Isaac's expression as he glanced at Tomoya, his face twisted in a grimace as though he'd just bitten into a particularly sour lime. Bayu stifled a chuckle, though the sight was a rare moment of levity. Tomoya, for his part, looked as impassive as ever, his demeanor inscrutable.

Leaning closer to Kai, Bayu murmured, "Isaac looks a little uncomfortable."

Kai twisted his mouth into a thoughtful expression. "Yes, well, Tomoya still hasn't apologized for what he said to Isaac. At least he's human again. I don't know how I'd explain to Lukas why one of the recruits is a wolf."

Bayu chuckled softly, though his attention drifted briefly to Kai. He was dressed in his Aetherwing uniform like the rest of them, but his attire had been pressed and ironed to perfection. A single gold chain hung around his neck, catching the light just enough to draw attention to his broad shoulders and impossibly amber eyes, which seemed to glow even in the dim light.

"Looking good, Kai," Bayu said with an easy grin.

Kai smirked, tilting his head toward Bayu. "And look at you. I saw those maids earlier—they almost fell over trying to offer you a glass of sorrel punch. Must be those long locks of yours, or your dreamy eyes."

Bayu rolled his eyes at the teasing, though the knot in his chest tightened ever so slightly. The thought of looking at another girl, of loving someone else felt like the worst kind of betrayal. He hadn't shared his recent thoughts about Ratih with anyone, but her image lingered in his mind like a phantom. Her long, straight dark hair, her rosy red lips—it all came rushing back with painful clarity. And then, as always, the image of his brother kissing her followed, unbidden and relentless.

As if sensing the storm brewing in Bayu's mind, Kai reached under the table and wrapped a strong hand over Bayu's. His touch was warm.

"Let's enjoy the food, shall we?" Kai murmured, his voice soft.

Bayu exhaled slowly, allowing himself to relax, if only for the moment. "Yes," he said, squeezing Kai's hand in return. "Let's."

The music shifted, a haunting yet melodic tune weaving its way through the air, as a string of forest nymphs glided into the hall. Their delicate forms seemed to shimmer in the soft light, each one carrying a beautifully crafted instrument—a violin, a harp, and other ethereal strings. Their playing was mesmerizing, a sound so pure it felt like it could mend the fractures of the soul. Bayu let the notes wrap around him, their cadence enchanting and calming, softening the edges of his thoughts.

As the music slowed, Kai rose from his seat. The subtle scrape of his chair was drowned out by the nymphs' melody, and when he spoke, his voice carried with a quiet authority that stilled the room.

"My dear comrades," Kai began, his deep amber eyes sweeping across the assembled crowd of witches, elves, and Aetherwing operatives. "We are gathered here today to enjoy a banquet. But this isn't just about feasting on food. This is about fostering conversation. About bridging the conflict between the elves and witches of Antigua that threatens to tear this island apart."

The room stilled further, the tension palpable but slowly melting under Kai's earnest tone.

"I am hoping," he continued, his voice softening into something almost pleading, "in fact, I am imploring, for all of us to find a way to get along. The witches have stated that they are not behind the black magic appearing in Falmouth. My squadron has been operating wards there, dispelling monsters and investigating the source of these dark forces. As of now, we have no reason to believe the witches are responsible. What we do need, however, is cooperation. Trust. And tonight, I hope we can find that—over food, wine, and open conversation."

Kai lifted his glass of sparkling champagne, the golden liquid catching the light as his lips curved into a smile. His gaze swept over the room once more, his amber eyes shimmering with sincerity, his smile revealing a flash of pristine white teeth.

"To peace," he said simply.

A murmur rippled through the hall as the guests raised their glasses in tentative agreement.

Bayu felt something warm bloom in his chest, a sensation he immediately recognized as the bond he shared with Kai, a thread connecting them in ways he was still learning to understand. But it was more than the bond. He felt pride—pride that he could call Kai his friend, that he had someone he could depend on, someone who carried the weight of their shared mission with unwavering steadiness.

His thoughts drifted back to his life in Batavia. He had always been a solitary figure, even among his four brothers. Jaya had been the closest to him, but even that bond hadn't filled the space that true friendship required. His obsession with Ratih had consumed him, a fire that burned away any chance of nurturing connections with others. He hadn't known what it was to spar with someone who challenged him like Kai did in those early mornings, their fights leaving him stronger, sharper. He hadn't known the comfort of a reassuring squeeze on his hand when his mind turned against him.

And he certainly hadn't known what it was to let someone hold him when everything felt like too much. But Kai had held him that day, the day he told him everything—about Ratih, about the jealousy and guilt, about the hole his brother's betrayal had left in him. Kai had held him without judgment, without hesitation.

Now, as Kai stood before the room, commanding the attention of powerful witches and formidable elves, Bayu felt that pride swell in his chest. He was beginning to understand why Isaac was so intense about him—the quiet strength, the unshakable resolve, the ability to bring people together with nothing more than his steady voice and unflinching gaze.

As if sensing Bayu's thoughts, Kai turned his gaze away from the crowd. Their eyes met and Kai's lips twitched into a small, private smile.

"Eat and be merry!"

The hall erupted into cheers.