Keilan looked terrible. His face was covered in fresh scars and bruises, and his expression made him appear extremely irritated. However, he did soften a bit after analyzing the general situation, understanding that the two were training.

He turned to Crystal.

Keilan: “You shouldn't be so reckless.”

Crystal: “I know, I know.”

She looked down at Sorn, who hadn’t bothered getting up, considering he couldn’t feel his arms and legs anymore.

Crystal: “Um, you okay down there?”

Sorn: “Better than ever.”

He mustered what little strength he had left to sit up. Getting his first truly good look at Keilan, he couldn’t help but admit the guy had good style. He adorned a sleeveless uniform with an armband that showcased his physique. Around his neck was a necklace decorated with three small fangs.

Crystal: “Your face is a mess. Why does Varian stil have you in training anyways?”

Keilan: “I’ll be fine. With all that’s been going on in these recent years, he’s not wrong to be as careful as he truly can. And that brings me to why I’m here.”

He gave a dramatic pause, offering a solemn look to both Crystal and Sorn.

Keilan: “I know that the meeting we had was a coincidence, at least from our perspective. But I also am not stupid. I know you’re going to try to stop my sacrifice. I don’t know what plan you have to do so without making the islands fall, but I want to tell you that it isn’t worth it. Our brotherrs’ actions have ruined the order our people have spent centuries establishing. It is my duty to restore it, so I’ll humbly ask you to please, don’t interfere.”

Sorn expected Crystal to argue, but instead, she walked over to him, slapping her hand on his shoulder reassuringly.

Crystal: “Of course, we’ll do nothing of the sort.”

Keilan clearly didn’t buy this statement as he side-eyed Sorn before returning his attention to his sister, taking a step back while doing so. He raised his fist, stopping it in front of her chest.

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Keilan: No matter what happens, each other first.”

Crystal gave a wide smile, doing the same with her hand.

Crystal: “You bet.”

He walked away, not even offering any sort of acknowledgement to Sorn while doing so. He couldn’t help but feel a bit left out over this. Crystal walked towards him, giving a pitying look.

Crystal: Well, it looks as though you can’t really fight anymore.”

She offered her hand and he took it, letting her pull him back up.

Sorn: “I would’ve got you if your brother didn’t save you.”

This caused Crystal to giggle.

Crystal: “We’ll see tomorrow. Go on now, get some rest. You know how to get back to the Marauder’s right?”

Sorn nodded, and after saying goodbye, he made his way to leave the academy. He wondered what made Keilan so steadfast in his principles. Was he motivated by guilt or some warped purpose? He wondered that if they managed to save him, would he even be thankful or allow it. Both Oden and Crystal had high goals with no plan that he was aware of. They had to have one, after all, they were mere kids going against trained adult soldiers.

As he walked through the hallways and out onto the street, the rate of the stares he received were far higher now that he was alone. On an abandoned street, he saw a boy sitting on the top of the roof, staring at the overarching sunset. Sorn recognized him from the academy. He looked extremely young, he found himself feeling concerned for this complete stranger.

“You know, staring at random people could get you in a fight, and that really wouldn't be good for either of us.”

Sorn turned around abruptly, a bit surprised as his focus was broken so suddenly. There stood Oden, looming over him. He was only about a head’s worth of height taller than him, but his excluding presence fin’s help make him less intimidating than he already was, especially in a scenario like this.

Sorn: “He just seemed so lonely, I couldn’t help but see myself in him.”

There was some truth to this statement, but Sorn felt as though the actual reason might make Oden think less of him. After all, a strong person couldn’t worry about their competition.

Oden: “Well, there’s nothing you can do about it. I’ve lived here and paid attention to everyone my entire life. I’ve never once seen that kid open up to anybody.”

Sorn: “Who is he?”

Oden: “Kaen, Varian’s only son. Despite being the direct blood of the strongest Spear, the rumors are that he can hardly generate even one. This has in essence, made him an outcast for his entire life. He never talks to the other Spears, and I’ve only seen him stand next to his father for very important events.”

Sorn: “So what’s he doing in the tournament?”

Oden: “If I had to guess, it's likely the Spear Elders pulling some strings. There’s no way the people in charge of the ratings don’t include the previous tournament champion’s son. Or it could just be Varian’s backhanded way of getting rid of him. That certainly wouldn’t surprise me.”

As he finished that sentence, the boy noticed they were looking up at him and scowled, vaulting himself over the ledge out of their sight.

Oden: “Well, with that aside, how was your training?”

Sorn: “I’m not too sure. I don’t completely understand my own power, but I know that I just need time to get the hang of it.”

Oden: “Unfortunately, time might be one thing we don’t really have.”

As they walked more, Sorn suddenly realized that Oden likely hadn’t met him by coincidence, but was likely waiting for him. He wondered, if he couldn’t even beat Crystal, why did he continue to have such strong faith in him?

Oden: “That won’t do I suppose. Alright, tomorrow you’re training with me.”

Sorn: “Excuse me?”

Oden gave him a devilish smile.

Oden: “Forget about your little crush for tomorrow. I’ll be making sure you’re beyond ready for this tournament.”

This sounded fine with Sorn, but he was somewhat anticipating another spar with Crystal. Oden’s hands seemed capable however, and he was willing to trust in him. He’d just explain to Crystal tomorrow.

Sorn: “Oh yeah sure.”

He processed the other part of his statement.

Sorn: “Wait, excuse me, my what-“

End.