The celebration was held in a grand hall overlooking the shimmering lake where their battle had taken place. Golden lights flickered against high stone walls, and banners depicting legendary victories hung from the rafters. Tables were piled high with food and drink, and laughter echoed across the room. Musicians played a lively tune as people danced and celebrated the squad's victory against the parasol.

Velvet grabbed a drink, swirling the sparkling liquid in their cup as they surveyed the festivities. "Not bad. I guess saving the world gets you a decent party."

Leo chuckled, leaning back against a pillar. "Could use fewer fancy speeches, though. I lost count after the fifth toast."

Kouneli was quieter than usual, his eyes flickering between the joyful faces. Ubel, sipping from a glass of dark wine, raised an eyebrow at him.

"Something on your mind?" Ubel asked.

Kouneli hesitated, then sighed. "Just thinking about... Talon."

Velvet's expression softened. "Still hunting you, huh?"

"Always," Kouneli muttered. "He won't stop until I'm dead."

There was a tense pause before Eris, dressed in a stunning black and red gown, joined them. Her wings glimmered faintly under the hall's lights. "Sounds like you've got some family drama," she said, her tone light but understanding.

"That's one way to put it," Kouneli admitted.

Velvet decided to change the subject. "What about you, Eris? Got any family stories to share?"

Eris's confident demeanor flickered for a moment, replaced by a wistful smile. "My father, Amorus Pleektsy. He hasn't been seen in a long time."

Leo perked up. "Pleektsy? The legendary fire sage equal to heaven?"

"The very one," Eris confirmed. Her voice softened as she recalled a distant memory.

The sky was dark, and the ground was scorched. Fires smoldered across the ruins of an island that had once thrived. Amid the chaos, a young Eris, barely old enough to walk, stumbled through the ash and debris, her wings singed and fragile.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

A shadow loomed over her, and she looked up to see a man with golden hair and eyes like twin suns. He knelt before her, his expression softening as he took in the sight of the trembling child.

"Hey there, little spark," Amorus said gently. "You look lost."

Eris blinked, tears threatening to spill down her soot-covered cheeks.

Amorus made a series of exaggerated funny faces — puffing out his cheeks, crossing his eyes, and sticking out his tongue. Eris's fear melted into laughter, a bright, joyous sound amidst the ruin.

"That's better," Amorus said with a grin. He scooped her up into his arms. "Come on, let's get you out of here."

From that day forward, Amorus became her father, her protector, and her guide.

Back in the present, Eris's eyes glimmered with warmth. "He was the best father I could've asked for."

"Sounds like a great guy," Leo said.

"He was," Eris agreed. "Wherever he is now, I hope he's proud."

As the conversation continued, Rajin awkwardly approached Eris, scratching the back of his neck. "Uh... hey, Eris."

She arched an eyebrow. "Yes?"

"So... uh... cool fight back there. You were pretty awesome," Rajin stammered.

Eris chuckled, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "You're interesting, Rajin. But if you want to impress me, you'll have to try harder than that."

Rajin's face turned red. "Right... noted."

Velvet snickered. "Smooth, Rajin. Real smooth."

Before Rajin could respond, a man in a dark cloak entered the hall. His presence immediately set everyone on edge. He moved through the crowd with purpose, his eyes scanning the room until they landed on Kouneli.

"Can I speak with you?" the man asked, his voice calm but unsettling.

The squad tensed. Leo's hand moved to his sword. "Who are you?"

The man ignored him, walking straight toward Kouneli.

"Hey!" Velvet called out, sparks flickering around their fingertips. "Answer the question."

The man didn't respond. Instead, he pulled out a gleaming dagger and lunged at Kouneli.

Everything happened in a blur. Kouneli barely had time to react as the blade pierced his side. Blood blossomed across his shirt.

"NO!" Ubel roared, leaping into action. He thrust his hand forward, a spiraling blast of energy aimed at the attacker.

But the air warped around the man, and Ubel's attack was shot back at him. Ubel barely managed to dodge, his eyes wide with shock.

The man's face began to morph, his features twisting until he became a white-haired Etrean with swirling blue pupils. He held twin daggers, their edges gleaming ominously.

"Ah, there we go," the man said with a grin. "That was messy. Anyway, mind if I take Kouneli off your hands? I'm kinda on a deadline here."

"Like hell you will," Leo growled, stepping in front of Kouneli.

The man sighed. "Figures you'd say that. Look, I'm in a bit of a hurry. If I don't bring him back, Talon Atsáli's gonna freeze me to death. So let's not make this harder than it needs to be, yeah?"

Before anyone could respond, two more figures emerged from spirals in the ground. One was a tall woman with jagged scars across her face, and the other was a hulking brute with glowing red eyes.

The Etrean grinned. "So, are we doing this the hard way or the easy way?"

Velvet's body crackled with lightning. "Definitely the hard way."

The room erupted into chaos as the battle began.