The night outside Arramaya City was calm, the crackling of the bonfire casting flickering shadows around Kyren and Hiro. The air smelled of charred wood, and a light breeze rustled the nearby trees. The two friends stood, facing each other, their wooden swords in hand, the firelight reflecting in their eyes.

"Hiro, you ready for this?" Kyren asked, his voice steady but with a spark of excitement. He adjusted his left hand on the hilt of the sword, feeling the weight. It wasn't perfect, but it felt right.

"Ready?" Hiro grinned, his voice bubbling with enthusiasm as he swung his wooden sword around like a toy. "I was born ready! Let’s see if you’ve got what it takes, Kyren."

Without another word, they launched into action. Their movements weren’t smooth or polished like seasoned warriors, but there was a raw rhythm to their strikes. They fought with instinct, not knowledge, reacting in the moment. Kyren's stance was more measured, serious, though unrefined. He focused on Hiro’s playful footwork, calculating where his next attack might come from.

"So Kyren, you're left-handed, huh?" Hiro teased as he circled him, his wooden sword swishing through the air.

"Apparently," Kyren replied, dodging a playful strike. "I just started holding it like this, maybe I was in my past." His eyes stayed sharp, tracking Hiro's every movement.

They clashed swords with a loud thud, neither giving an inch. Each swing was met with a quick parry, but neither of them had a real plan—just adrenaline and instinct. Hiro’s strikes were wild, driven by excitement, while Kyren’s were slower, more deliberate, as if he were trying to figure out a puzzle.

"Is that all you got?" Hiro laughed, ducking under a swipe. "I thought you were supposed to be the serious one!"

Kyren didn’t respond, his lips curling into a smirk as he spun around to counter Hiro’s next attack. "Just wait. I’m warming up."

Their wooden swords collided again, sending a dull vibration up their arms. They weren’t fighting like trained knights—they were just two friends testing each other, with no fear of consequences, just a joy in the struggle. Kyren was careful, analyzing Hiro’s reckless but unpredictable swings. He saw an opening and lunged, only for Hiro to sidestep it, almost by accident.

"Close one!" Hiro teased, sticking his tongue out playfully as he swirled around to make a light jab.

Kyren gritted his teeth, impressed but determined. "You’re too hyper."

"And you’re too slow!" Hiro laughed, swinging his sword around with exaggerated flair, barely missing Kyren as they both cracked up, their breaths coming in short bursts.

The night was alive with their laughter and the soft, rhythmic clash of their swords. They were both running low on energy, but neither wanted to stop. Each move felt more comfortable now, their bodies syncing with the rhythm of the fight. Kyren pushed harder, his eyes focused, but something in his peripheral vision made him falter.

A flash—a girl, like the one from his nightmares.

For a brief moment, he froze. The haunting image flickered in his mind like a shadow passing through the flames. Hiro, unaware of Kyren’s sudden lapse, kept up his playful attack. In his enthusiasm, he swung too hard, accidentally landing a blow on Kyren’s head.

"Whoa! Sorry, Kyren!" Hiro’s face shifted from excitement to concern in an instant. He lowered his sword, rushing over. "Are you alright? I didn’t mean to hit you like that!"

Kyren blinked, shaken not just by the hit but by the nightmare's lingering presence. He rubbed his head, feeling a dull ache. "I'm fine, Hiro. Just… got distracted for a second."

"You sure? You spaced out there for a bit," Hiro said, his eyes still wide with concern.

"Yeah, yeah. It’s nothing," Kyren assured him, though his mind was still lingering on that eerie vision. "Just caught me off guard, that’s all."

They walked back to the bonfire, their swords dangling loosely in their hands. The fire crackled softly as they sat down, the heat a welcome comfort against the cool night air. Kyren stared into the flames, his mind still buzzing from the duel and the nightmare.

"You know, you can tell me if something’s up," Hiro said, leaning back, his voice softer now but still carrying that familiar upbeat tone.

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Kyren hesitated, then sighed. "It’s just this nightmare I’ve been having. I keep seeing this girl. It’s weird—every time, she’s there. And tonight, I saw her again, even during our duel."

Hiro’s face turned serious, but there was warmth in his eyes. "Well, nightmares or not, I’ve got your back. You can count on that."

Kyren gave him a grateful nod. "Thanks, Hiro. I needed that."

Hiro flashed a grin. "Hey, you’re not getting rid of me that easily. Besides, I’ve still got to beat you properly in one of these duels."

Kyren chuckled, shaking off the unease from his dream. "Sure, maybe next time you won’t hit me in the head."

They both laughed, and the tension faded, replaced by the easy camaraderie that had been building between them since they met. As the night deepened, they continued to talk, sharing dreams and goals, their bond growing stronger with each word.

Kyren appreciated Hiro's support and offered a small smile before shifting the conversation. "Thanks. Still, I can't believe how much that duel took out of us."

Hiro chuckled, nodding as he reached for a snack. "Well, Kyren, this is just the beginning, isn't it?"

They settled by the crackling fire, the warmth soothing their tired bodies as they took bites of the food they'd prepared earlier. The rhythmic crunch of their snacks blended with the flicker of the flames, and for a moment, silence enveloped them—comfortable, shared, and full of understanding. They exchanged a knowing look, each lost in thought.

"You know..." Hiro began, a grin tugging at his lips. "This duel? It’ll never get old. It’s a reminder of how we started this journey together."

Kyren's smile deepened, eyes soft with warmth. "Yeah, you're right, Hiro. It’s a pretty good way to mark the beginning."

Leaning back, Hiro gazed up at the stars, his eyes reflecting their glow. "You know, this was my first real friendly duel with swords. It's like we were speaking a language beyond words. Every move, every counter—it’s this unspoken rhythm between us."

Kyren nodded, his gaze drifting back to the fire. "It’s rare to find someone who can push you and have your back at the same time, isn’t it?"

Hiro let out a soft laugh, his eyes still skyward. "Exactly. Our duels have taught me more than just skill. They've shown me how important it is to keep challenging ourselves, to never settle. If I hadn't met you that day..." His voice trailed off as he looked to the sky. "I don’t think I’d be standing here now, making this choice—facing this future."

Kyren glanced over, his expression softening. "I'm glad you made that choice, Hiro."

The fire crackled gently as the two friends shared their dreams, their aspirations for the journey ahead. The conversation flowed effortlessly, fueled by the deep bond they had forged through trials and trust. As the night grew deeper, they decided to call it a day.

They doused the fire, watching as the embers dimmed and faded into the night. As Kyren retreated to his sleeping bag, he couldn’t help but feel a profound sense of gratitude. That duel hadn’t just sharpened their skills—it had strengthened their friendship, deepening the connection between them.

…

Later that night, as the world around them grew quiet, Kyren was pulled back into the clutches of his recurring nightmare. The chilling landscape surrounded him once again. From the shadows, the familiar silhouette of the girl emerged, her malevolent presence palpable. This time, the nightmare felt more vivid, more real, as if his mind had fused the recent friendly duel with this haunting vision.

"What do you want?" Kyren’s voice trembled, fear creeping into his bones.

The girl’s voice slithered through the air, her words slow and eerie. "My... sweet... so... sweet..." She charged toward him, her movements mirroring Hiro's from earlier, each strike she made countering his with uncanny precision. Kyren's heart pounded in his chest as he tried to fight back, but his movements felt sluggish, his limbs heavy. Doubt and fear clouded his mind, and with every failed strike, his confidence crumbled.

In the midst of the battle, he caught fleeting glimpses of Hiro, standing by his side, encouraging him. But reality and nightmare blurred into one, and Kyren couldn’t tell where one ended and the other began. The girl’s whispers filled his head, her voice weaving doubts into his soul.

"One day you will... he will... so soon..." she hissed, feeding off his growing uncertainty.

Kyren gritted his teeth, struggling to push through the haze and regain control of the nightmare. But the more he resisted, the tighter the nightmare’s grip became, dragging him deeper into its dark depths.

And then—he woke up.

Kyren’s eyes fluttered open, his heart still racing, the remnants of fear clinging to him. The comforting scent of the campfire still lingered in the air, and the familiar faces of Hiro and Darius reassured him that he was safe.

"Kyren! You’re awake!" Hiro exclaimed, his relief evident in his voice.

Darius, the merchant who had been traveling with them, glanced over with a warm smile. "Ah, it seems our young friend has returned from his journey in dreamland. How are you feeling?"

Kyren rubbed his eyes, shaking off the last tendrils of the nightmare. "I’m alright. Just another one of those nightmares. But I’m okay now."

Hiro gave a sympathetic nod. "Don’t worry about it, Kyren. You know I’m always here for you. And I hope I can count on you too."

Darius chimed in, his tone kind but firm. "Indeed, you’re both lucky to have each other. That kind of friendship is rare. Now, for some good news: the job is complete, and our contract was a success."

Hiro’s eyes lit up with surprise. "Wait, really? Does that mean we’re getting paid?"

Darius chuckled, pulling out a small pouch filled with silver coins, the sound of them jingling as he handed it over. "Absolutely. You’ve both earned it."

As the merchant handed them their payment, Darius looked at them with pride. "You two have been excellent companions on this journey. Your dedication and skill have impressed me. I have no doubt that you’ll go far at Sky Academy. Just remember to represent our town with pride."

Kyren and Hiro exchanged a glance, their gratitude clear in their eyes. "We will. Thanks for everything, Darius," Kyren said with a genuine smile, and Hiro nodded enthusiastically beside him.