Everything about this trip had been eating at Ezo’s nerves, from the men who came to tell them they needed to report to the Imperium, to how they spoke to Kammon. They had no idea who Kammon was, of the pain he carried for what he’d done in their name, and for walking away when he did. Because Kammon was loyal and good, and no matter how horrible things were, Ezo knew Kammon had hated leaving the War-Sworn.

Listening to them try to belittle his deeds and then besmirch his honor was unforgivable.

Imperator Zera opened her mouth to speak, but Kammon cut her off. “There is no more to say, Zera. I thought you were a friend. I’m sad it ends this way.”

“We’ll have plenty of time to get to know each other again once this is over, Kammon,” she said with a self-assured smile that Ezo wanted to smack off her face.

There was no warning for them when Kammon struck. One moment he was looking sadly at the Imperator, and the next, the hallway blazed with flame. They all jumped backward, falling over one another to avoid the whiplash of fire that Kammon skillfully directed at them.

“I hate it when you’re this impressive,” Ezo complained even as he drew the elements to himself and followed the chaos of their motions by ripping the ground under their feet, causing those still on two legs to fall with the rest.

“You’ll get used to it,” Kammon promised as they started to back away from the others and head towards the University's front door.

“Stop where you are!” Voth was still behind them, and Ezo used their combined strength to throw a bolt of air at him. It hit him mid-chest, and he fell to his knees, unable to keep his footing.

Kammon grabbed Ezo’s hand and pulled him down a hallway away from the others, then broke into a run. “We need to get out of here before they send the whole school after us.”

The others weren’t following, and Ezo was about to mention it when Kammon stopped inside the doorway. “I’m sorry this happened, Ezo. I know you wanted to find answers here.”

Ezo smirked. “I got better books at home anyway.”

Kammon laughed softly, but then he turned serious again. “Are you ready? They haven’t followed us, so that means they’re waiting outside.”

Ezo grabbed Kammon by the collar of his jacket and pressed their lips together in a quick kiss. “Now I’m ready.”

Kammon opened the front door, and nothing happened at first. The street in front of the University was empty, though. A few horses were still tied out front, not yet stabled. It gave Ezo an idea, but he didn’t have time to voice it.

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“Kammon Harbinger,” Imperator Zera’s voice boomed through the dusty street and bounced around the walls, making it hard to locate her. “You have been ordered to stand down. Since you will not come peacefully, we will bring you home to us by any force necessary.”

Ezo felt the flame moving toward them before he saw it, and he placed a wall of air around them, much as he had when they had to fight their way out of Pramas. He could feel the three War-Sworn on the rooftops, looking down at them, ready to unleash their magic. He didn’t know what they planned, but they still underestimated him. They thought Kammon was the only one to worry about, and as the first few volleys came at them, they all focused on his lover.

Nothing was getting through Ezo’s shield, though the elementalists threw everything they could at them. Ezo continued to block it, and Kammon attacked. He wasn’t trying to kill anyone, and Ezo might appreciate that if he wasn’t sure the elementalists weren’t being as kind.

“Come on,” Ezo mumbled, pushing back another wave of earth that tried to warp the street beneath their feet. “What are you guys waiting on?” The War-Sworn on the roof were far more concerning than the elementalists in front of them.

He could see Kammon’s eyes returning to the rooftops as well.

The first elementalist began to tire, and Ezo didn’t hesitate to strike him with a fist of earth, leaving him unconscious on the ground in front of them. A second stumbled, and Kammon lashed out again with the fire whip, and the man stumbled back into a doorway where he could hide.

Ezo could feel the exhaustion beginning to pull at Kammon, but that’s what made them work so well. Kammon had the experience, and Ezo had the brute stamina to get them through anything. He spared a moment to look at Kammon, but his lover was too busy with the attacks to notice. His lips were pulled tight, and Ezo would never wish to be on the other side of that glare.

Ember shrieked from above, and that was all the warning Ezo had as all three of the War-Sworn began their attack. They weren’t bonded like Ezo and Kammon, but he could feel a loose field-bond around them. They were increasing their strength and joining together, hoping to fight Kammon that way.

Fire rained down on the street from above, and Ezo felt Kammon go still beside him. Fire bombarding them from above and elementalists tried to kill them from the street. And Kammon froze.

“Kammon!” he screamed, but Kammon didn’t respond. Even when he grabbed his arm, his lover stared up at the fire lighting the sky around them. The only thing Ezo could do was pull his shield tighter to keep the flames off them.

Ember screamed to get through the barrier, but he couldn’t let it go even for that. He felt her need again, felt the fire that was trying to bury them, and he screamed back in response. There were no words, but power flowed through him, water and air and earth to combat the flames that tried to destroy them. His own lash of fire caught the others with less grace or forgiveness than Kammon’s. Ezo struck in fear and anger and to protect the only damn thing that mattered to him.

He felt Kammon at his side then, his lover returning to him, but Ezo was too far gone to hear his words. Power raced through his veins and followed the only thought that filled his head.

He had to protect Kammon. He would never let them have him. Kammon was his.

He would protect the one thing in this world that he loved.