Becoming a part of Nova felt like fate handing me a second chance. As I stood in the training yard, watching the recruits spar under the mid-morning sun, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of gratitude. This group had saved me from my circumstances and the despair that had begun to take root in my heart. They’d done more than that—they’d saved my siblings.

I still remember the fear that gripped me when I learned my younger brother and sister were about to be sold as slaves. The helplessness and anger had eaten away at me like a slow poison. Each day I spent toiling in silence, powerless to intervene, I felt another piece of myself crumble. I’d imagine all the horrors that might await Phasos and Alea. It was a torment I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy.

But then came Augustus and Sora. They’d swept into my life like a storm, dismantling the slavers’ operations with precision and ruthlessness. I’d never seen anything like it. One moment, the slavers seemed untouchable—powerful men with connections and an army of enforcers at their beck and call. The next, they were on their knees, their empire of cruelty reduced to ash. Augustus and Sora, with their imposing presence and unyielding sense of justice, had been the hammer.

I’d pledged my loyalty to them that day. I’d looked Augustus in the eye and vowed to serve Nova with everything I had. Every moment since had only solidified my resolve to repay that debt. Nova wasn’t just a group of warriors; it was a family. And for the first time in years, I felt like I belonged.

My siblings had adjusted to life with Nova better than I could have hoped. Alea, ever the curious and lively one, had taken to Silvana almost immediately. Silvana had a way with children. Despite her sharp demeanour and the intimidating air she often projected, she’d always had a soft spot for the young and vulnerable. I’d often find the two of them together, Alea peppering Silvana with questions about her armour, her weapons, or her exploits in the field. Silvana, to her credit, answered every question with patience, her usual edge softening into something almost maternal.

Phasos, on the other hand, had practically idolised Leon. Where Alea was outgoing and full of energy, Phasos was quieter and more contemplative. Yet, in Leon, he’d found a figure to look up to. Leon’s easygoing nature and penchant for storytelling had made him a favourite among the young ones, and Phasos was no exception. He was constantly at Leon’s side, listening wide-eyed to his tales of valour and adventure.

“Leon killed a dragon, you know,” Phasos had said to me just the other day, his voice brimming with excitement. “Before he came to our village! He’s the strongest warrior ever.”

I’d chuckled at the time, ruffling his hair. “Stronger than me?” I’d teased.

Phasos had nodded earnestly, his eyes shining. “I bet he could beat you in a duel!”

Though I’d laughed it off, a part of me couldn’t help but feel challenged. Leon was kind to my siblings, and for that, I was grateful. But the stories of him slaying a dragon? Let’s just say I’d need to see it to believe it. Perhaps I’d challenge him to a friendly duel someday, just to gauge how formidable that “dragon” had been.

In the training yard, “Again!” I barked, as the recruits stumbled through their drills. Sweat poured down their faces, their breaths coming in ragged gasps, but they obeyed without question. “You think the Enemies will give you a break because you’re tired? Again!”

Leon was my right hand in these efforts. Where my methods were harsh and demanding, he brought encouragement and levity.

“You’ll thank him later,” Leon said to a particularly exhausted recruit, clapping the young man on the back. “He’s tough because he cares. Also, he’s old, so he’s got to keep yelling to feel alive.”

I shot Leon a mock glare, but I couldn’t help the grin that tugged at my lips. His presence made the gruelling sessions bearable, not just for the recruits but for me as well.

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As I stood in the training yard, watching the recruits spar, my mind wandered to the days ahead. “You’re distracted,” Silvana’s voice broke through my thoughts. She approached with her usual grace, her silver armour glinting in the sunlight. Her piercing gaze seemed to read me like an open book.

I offered her a sheepish smile. “Just thinking about how far we’ve come.”

Silvana’s expression softened, a rare sight.“And how far do we still have to go?”

Her words resonated with me. Unity was Nova’s greatest strength. We weren’t just a group of warriors fighting for a cause; we were a family bound by shared purpose and unshakable loyalty. And in that moment, I knew I’d do whatever it took to protect that bond.

Later that evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon and the training yard emptied, I found myself sparring with Leon. The recruits had gone to rest, and the yard was quiet save for the sound of clashing steel. Leon’s skill was undeniable. His movements were fluid, almost effortless, and there was a precision to his strikes that spoke of years of experience. And the best thing about him was that even after defeating him a dozen times he still got up and mocked me about either my stance or footwork.

“You’ve got potential,” he said with a grin, parrying one of my attacks. “But you’re too predictable.”

I smirked, stepping back to catch my breath. “Is that so? Care to show me how it’s done, dragon slayer?”

He laughed, a rich, hearty sound. “Still don’t believe me, huh? I’ll have to introduce you to my old friend sometime. His scales make excellent trophies.”

Despite his teasing, there was a glimmer of something in his eyes—pride, perhaps, or –nostalgia. As we continued our bout, I couldn’t help but feel a deeper respect for the man who had so quickly earned my brother’s admiration.

By the time we finished, the stars were out, casting their silvery light over the camp. I glanced toward the barracks where Phasos and Alea were likely fast asleep. The sight filled me with a sense of peace I hadn’t felt in years.

The next day I was informed about the new tasks that our group was about to take on. Our group had been busy lately, completing a string of quests that had kept us all sharp and on edge. But this latest contract was different. The Embers of Flame. Even the name sent a chill down my spine. They were notorious for their cruelty and their fanatical beliefs. The thought of my siblings ever falling into their hands… I couldn’t allow it. This mission wasn’t just another job; it was personal. If eliminating them meant safeguarding families like mine, then I’d give it everything I had.

The harvest was set to begin in about thirty days, and the village we were to protect was only a day’s travel from Danustica. That gave us four weeks to prepare. Augustus earlier had tasked me with training both recruits and experienced soldiers during free time. As a former gladiator, I’d learned the importance of discipline and physical fitness, and I poured that knowledge into every session.

Four weeks without pay was a strain on our group’s resources, and Augustus, ever the strategist, had a plan. There was to be a grand tournament in Onira, the capital of the Southern Empire, just a day’s journey north of Danustica. Queen Rhagaea herself had organized the event, and rumours swirled that Princess Ira would be among the participants.

“A chance to raise our reputation,” Augustus had explained during a meeting in the inn Rusted Flagon. “If we can make a name for ourselves in the tournament, it’ll open doors for bigger contracts. Better pay.”

“And the prize?” Silvana had asked, leaning forward with interest.

“Gold, glory, and a dinner with the royal family,” Augustus replied with a grin.

The Southern Empire was at peace, unlike the war-torn regions of the West and North. Western Empire forces were locked in brutal skirmishes against Brittania, while the Northern Empire clashed ceaselessly with Sturgia. But the Southern Empire? They had occasional border disputes with the Western Empire and Aserai, but by and large, they enjoyed a time of stability. It made sense for them to hold a tournament now, a display of strength and unity. For us, it was an opportunity. Winning even a single event would solidify Nova’s reputation as a formidable mercenary group.

It was decided that I, Augustus, Silvana, and a handful of handpicked soldiers would travel to Onira for the tournament. Leon, Sora, and Abda would remain in Danustica to oversee operations and ensure the village’s protection plans stayed on track...

Standing in the courtyard as the sun dipped below the horizon, I watched my siblings playing with Silvana and Leon. Their laughter rang out, a precious sound that filled me with determination. For them, for Nova, and for the countless lives we might save, I would fight. The Embers of Flame, the tournament… whatever lay ahead, I was ready.