———Alyse———

I wake to the sound of birds chirping in the nest just outside my window, their melody soft yet persistent. The morning sunlight streams through the curtains, warming the room. I quickly dress, pulling on my training clothes, eager to meet Brenelor for our early session. Usually we would start earlier but tonight is the Full Moon Festival in the city, and she still has some things to get ready. But as I open the door, I nearly run into Red, his hand hovering mid-air as if he were about to knock.

"Red," I say, startled, my heart skipping a beat.

"Hey," he says, his voice softer than usual. "Can we talk about last night?"

I hesitate, my grip tightening on the doorknob. "There isn't much to talk about, is there?"

"Alyse..." he begins, but the guilt in his eyes only fuels the frustration bubbling inside me.

I start to close the door in his face but stop, Domnik's words echoing in my mind. You're stronger than this. You don't need his approval, but he needs to understand.

I exhale sharply and swing the door open again. "Red, I told you months ago that I was tired of being treated like I couldn't handle myself. I trusted you to hear me, to understand me. And yet, you still told me to stay back. Even now, when I have powers and can defend myself, you still—"

"I know," he interrupts, his tone raw and earnest. "And I was wrong. I see that now. I'm sorry, Alyse. I've just been so scared of losing you again."

His words soften the edges of my anger, though it still lingers, unwilling to fade completely. I nod slowly, studying his face for any sign of insincerity, but there is none.

He takes a deep breath, the hesitation clear before he speaks again. "Listen, I've been thinking... Maybe, when Domnik and I head back to the portal, you should come with us."

I blink, the words catching me off guard. "What?"

"But," he says quickly, holding up a hand, "I need you to prove to me that you can handle yourself first."

I cross my arms, my brow furrowing. "What exactly are you saying?"

He steps back, his eyes meeting mine with a newfound determination. "You and I are going to spar. Right now."

The shock on my face quickly gives way to a grin. For once, he's treating me like an equal. "I thought you'd never ask."

-

The training field is quiet, the air crisp as the morning dew clings to the grass. Red and I stand across from each other, the tension palpable but laced with an undercurrent of excitement. Brenelor stands nearby, arms crossed as she watches us, a small smirk playing on her lips.

"Don't hold back," Red says, dropping into his stance. Flames spark to life in his palms, their heat radiating across the space between us.

I nod, electricity crackling at my fingertips as I let the power flow through me. "Wouldn't dream of it."

He moves first, a burst of flame streaking toward me. I sidestep, the fireball dissipating against the ground. I counter with a bolt of lightning, the crackling energy forcing him to dodge.

We circle each other, testing, probing. His attacks come fast, precise, but I'm quicker. I weave through the flames, closing the distance between us. With a sharp thrust of my hand, a pulse of electricity arcs toward him. He blocks it with a fiery shield, the clash of elements lighting up the field.

"Not bad," he says, a hint of pride in his voice.

I smirk. "You haven't seen anything yet."

With a sudden burst of speed, I close the gap, aiming a charged punch at his chest. He catches my wrist, the heat from his hand searing against my skin. But I don't flinch. Instead, I channel the energy into his grip, forcing him to let go with a startled grunt.

"You've been holding back on me," he says, stepping back and shaking out his hand.

"Not anymore," I reply, my voice steady.

We go back and forth, our powers clashing in a display of fire and lightning. Each move feels like a conversation, an exchange of emotions we haven't been able to voice until now. Frustration, fear, determination—they're all laid bare in the sparring ring.

Red draws his blade, the steel gleaming under the sunlight. His expression hardens, and the playful tone that had lingered between us fades into something more serious. "Enough games."

I narrow my eyes, my grip tightening on the hilt of my own sword. The air thickens with anticipation, the weight of the challenge hanging between us like an unspoken promise.

"You sure you want to do this?" I ask, the edge in my voice not so much from defiance but from the readiness to prove myself.

He gives me a small, determined smile. "You've earned it."

With that, he lunges.

The clash of metal rings through the training field as I parry his first strike, the force of it nearly knocking me off balance. His movements are fast, precise, a testament to the past year he's spent honing his skills. But this time, I'm ready.

I shift on my feet, countering his attacks with calculated strikes of my own. The sparks of our blades meeting dance through the air like a storm ready to break. I can feel the electricity within me, crackling just beneath the surface, eager to surge through my arm into the sword's tip. But I hold back. This isn't a fight to unleash everything at once.

Red presses harder, his sword coming down in a fierce arc. I step back, narrowly avoiding it, but the ground beneath my feet gives way. My balance falters, and I stumble.

Before I can recover, Red is upon me, his blade flashing. I barely manage to parry it, the impact jarring my arms. My teeth grit together as I use the momentum to spin out of his range.

"Not bad," Red says, a hint of approval in his voice, but it's quickly masked by the tension in his posture. "But you're still holding back."

I scowl, frustration rising in my chest. "I'm not holding back."

Without another word, I charge forward, my sword aiming for his midsection. Red meets my strike with his own, the force sending shockwaves through both our weapons. But this time, I follow up with a lightning-fast slash that forces him to sidestep, narrowly avoiding the strike.

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We're locked in a deadly dance now, our blades flashing with every movement, the rhythm of the fight matching the rapid beat of our hearts. I can see it in his eyes—he's no longer just fighting me as a teammate. He's treating me as an equal.

And that's exactly what I need.

I feint left, making him anticipate the move. When he reacts, I pivot right, bringing my sword in a wide arc toward his exposed side. It's clean. Fast. Efficient.

But Red is quick, his blade meeting mine once more, blocking the attack with a grunt.

"This is what I've been waiting for," he says between breaths, his eyes alight with something like respect.

We circle each other for a moment, the tension thick. My pulse is pounding in my ears as I focus on his movements, trying to predict his next move, just as he's trying to predict mine.

Suddenly, he surges forward with a powerful strike, aimed straight for my head. I barely manage to duck in time, but as I rise, I feel the blade's edge graze the side of my cheek.

The sharp pain snaps through me, but I don't flinch. Instead, I push forward with a renewed fury.

I'm not the girl I was last year, the one who cowered when faced with danger. I've learned, grown, and now, I'm finally going to show him—show all of them—exactly what I'm capable of.

In one fluid motion, I disarm Red, sending his sword skidding across the dirt. He stumbles back, surprised.

I stand tall, my chest heaving, the electric charge in my hands still humming just beneath the surface, ready to strike. The world feels quieter now, as if the energy between us has shifted.

"I told you I could handle myself," I say, my voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through me.

Red stands there for a moment, his expression unreadable, but then a slow smile spreads across his face.

"You did," he admits, his eyes gleaming with admiration. "You've come a long way in just a week, Alyse."

I lower my sword, the tension draining from my shoulders. For the first time, I feel like I've earned my place. Not just with Red, but with myself.

I stand tall, my chest heaving but a triumphant smile on my face. "So, do I get to go now?"

He nods, his expression softening. "Yeah, you do. But don't think I'm going to stop worrying about you."

"I wouldn't expect anything less," I say, my voice lighter now.

Brenelor claps her hands, stepping forward. "That was... surprisingly well-matched. Alyse, you've come a long way. Red, you're not half bad either."

"Gee, thanks," Red mutters, but there's a glimmer of pride in his eyes as he looks at me.

As we walk off the field, side by side, I can't help but feel a shift between us. For the first time in a long time, it feels like we're finally on equal footing.

Domnik stands at the edge of the field, his gaze focused on us, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "You two finally got that settled then, huh?"

Red chuckles, the tension of our duel still lingering between us, but with a touch of humor. "Yeah, I suppose we have."

I nod in agreement, feeling a sense of relief washing over me. "For now anyway. Wouldn't have been able to do it without your help last night, Domnik. Thanks for that."

He gives a casual shrug, the smile not fading. "Oh, right, yeah. It's nothing. Don't mention it."

I watch him closely, but before I can say anything else, a curiosity lingers in my mind. "What did you end up doing out there after I left? You said you had something to take care of?"

For a brief moment, Domnik's face flickers with unease, his eyes shifting toward the horizon, as if looking for something that isn't there. He shakes his head, trying to brush it off. "Oh, that. Yeah, it wasn't anything important. I just wanted to be sure we weren't—um, you know—being followed or something. By those vampires." He pauses, his voice becoming quieter, like he's convincing himself. "It felt like something was watching us, that's all. But everything's clear. No vampires. No monsters."

There's something off about his explanation, something he's not saying. But before I can press further, Red catches my eye, a silent question on his face. He looks back to Domnik, waiting for a response.

"Right," Red says, his voice returning to its usual casual tone. "Well, I'm going to go get ready for patrol. You coming, Domnik?"

Domnik nods, though there's a momentary hesitation in his movement. "Yeah, sure. Let's get to it." He forces a smile, but it doesn't quite reach his eyes.

I stand there for a moment, watching them walk off toward the barracks, Domnik's steps steady but not as sure as they usually are. There's something he's hiding, I can feel it. But for now, I push it aside. We've got bigger things to focus on—whatever's out there, lurking in the shadows.

Still, my mind drifts back to the unease in Domnik's voice. Something doesn't sit right with me.

As I turn to head back toward the palace, the sounds of the morning—a gentle breeze, birdsong, the distant hum of the city—feel different today, as if the air itself is holding its breath.

Brenelor's words echo in my head: "You need to be ready, Alyse. You're not the same girl you were before. You're more than just a pawn in this fight."

I don't know what's coming, but I'm starting to feel like I'm standing on the edge of something far bigger than I imagined.

For now, I'll follow the path ahead. But there's a nagging sense that Domnik's silence—and whatever he's hiding—will be something I'll have to face sooner rather than later.

I make my way back inside, ready for whatever comes next. But I can't shake the feeling that something's about to break wide open.

———Red———

I walk the halls of the barracks, searching for soldiers to rally and join Domnik and me outside the city walls. My mind is a maze of questions, circling back to last night—what Domnik and Alyse talked about, what he did after she left. Something feels unfinished, but before I can sort through it or confront him, Brenelor steps into the room, her presence cutting through my thoughts like a blade.

"Red, come here," she commands, her voice firm and unyielding.

I step over to the doorway where she stands, her expression sharp. "Is everything okay, Brenelor?"

She nods, her gaze darting briefly down the corridor to ensure we're not overheard. "I've been working my mages and scholars nonstop through the night. They've come up with an idea—something that might work."

"An idea for what?" My voice lowers instinctively, mirroring her caution.

"The portal," she says, her voice hushed. "If it's leaking energy into the air, then it's likely too depleted to power on. That's why it wasn't working for you and Domnik. Somehow, Kylen must've gotten through just as the remaining energy was enough to activate it, but turning it on drained it completely. Now, it's bone dry."

I nod slowly, her words piecing together some of the puzzle. "Okay, so how do we get it more energy?"

Her eyes fix on mine, unwavering. "Alyse."

I take a step back, my head shaking. "You've got to be kidding me."

Her expression hardens. "You already told her she could go. You agreed to that, didn't you? It makes perfect sense. She has lightning powers now, Red. She can electrify the frame of the portal and potentially jumpstart it."

"Brenelor..." I trail off, my hands flexing at my sides. "She's just learning to use those powers. You're asking her to do something dangerous—something none of us can guarantee will work."

She leans in closer, her voice dropping to a near-whisper. "Do you think Kylen has time for us to sit around debating this? Muthos is using that portal's energy to create a nightmare in Valoria. If there's even a chance Alyse can help us get through, then we have to take it. Or would you rather sit here and wait for Muthos to knock down our doors?"

I grit my teeth, frustration bubbling beneath my skin. "And what happens if it doesn't work? What happens if it backfires and Alyse gets hurt?"

Brenelor's expression softens slightly, though her resolve doesn't falter. "I know you want to protect her, Red. But she's not the same girl she was a year ago. You've seen it yourself—she's stronger now. She's ready."

Her words hit harder than I expect, and I glance away, staring down the hallway. Alyse has been proving herself over and over, and maybe she's ready to face this challenge. But that doesn't make it any easier to accept.

"Fine," I finally say, my voice low. "But if we're doing this, I want to be there with her. Every step of the way."

Brenelor nods, a flicker of relief crossing her face. "You will be. I'll call for her to meet us in the council room after the festival tonight. We need to plan this out carefully."

She turns and walks away, her footsteps echoing through the corridor. I stand there for a moment, taking a deep breath. If this plan is going to work, Alyse has to be ready for more than just sparring in the training yard. This is bigger than anything she's faced before.

I walk back toward Domnik, who's still lingering by the barracks entrance. He raises an eyebrow as I approach. "What was that about?" he asks.

"Change of plans," I say. "We need to head to the council room tonight after the festival. Brenelor has a way to open the portal. And it involves Alyse."

Domnik's expression tightens, his usual smirk replaced by a rare moment of concern. "Are you sure about this?"

I shrug, a bitter smile tugging at my lips. "Doesn't sound like we've got much of a choice."

Without another word, we head outside the gates to begin our patrol. Whatever comes next, I can only hope Alyse is ready for it.