Ayo could barely contain her horror. Her gaze was distant, her silver eyes swirling with the chaotic storm of memories that raged inside her head. The recent assault by House Redwood was still fresh in her mind, a creeping shadow that darkened all her thoughts. As she soared above the grassy fields of An Solidan, returned to green vibrance now that essence was restored to the island, Ayo felt a pang of guilt pierce her heart. How many people had died on that battlefield? How many souls had been lost simply because their superiors did not particularly care if they lived or died?

Beneath her, Zuberi let out a low rumble and craned his great head back to look at her. His pearly white scales shimmered like diamonds and she ran an affectionate hand through the explosion of dark blue feathers on his back.

"I'm okay," Ayo reassured him. "I know we did what needed to be done. I just… wish it could have been resolved more peacefully."

Zuberi snorted softly, his wings cutting through the air with grace and precision, and a spike of affectionate exasperation whispered into her mind.

Unlike their True counterparts, crested dragons did not possess the ability to physically speak, instead communicating through the sharing of emotions. Only a select few soul beasts possessed the intellectual capacity needed to do even this, and Ayo was grateful for the effort to uplift her spirits.

Sending back a burst of affection, she leaned forward and they ascended higher, joining the formation of the other Inner Disciples.

"Steady now!" commanded Elder Oneshi, his voice echoing through the sky. He rode upon Sanaa, an emerald dragon so enormous Ayo's eyes seemed to refuse to take her all in. Her scales glistened like polished malachite and her vast wings were a blanket smothering the world.

Ayo allowed herself a small whoop of happiness, her soul alight as Zuberi's powerful wings carved through the air. The other Inner Disciples of House Whiterose soared around her, each a piece of the ballet choreographed by the will of Elder Oneshi.

"Today, we will refine our techniques. Remember, the sky is both your domain and your challenge," announced the elder and Ayo nodded, her silver hair streaming behind her like a comet's tail. Lately, training had become a refuge, a way to silence the screams that haunted her memories, the acrid scent still clinging to the inside of her nostrils. She focused on the fluidity of Zuberi's movements, the synchrony of spirit and scale that was their bond. Together, they performed precise manoeuvres of dives and ascents, their movements perfectly coordinated with the other disciples. Her heart raced not from fear, but from the rush of flying and the sheer joy of being a part of the skies.

"Excellent form, Ayo," Elder Oneshi praised. "But don't forget to lean into your dragon. You want to be part of his body as he flies, not a break slowing him down."

Ayo nodded her assent and adjusted her posture, aligning herself more closely with Zuberi's sleek form. As their movements synchronized even further, she felt an indescribable connection with him, as if they were truly one entity soaring through the heavens.

The other disciples were equally mesmerizing to watch. Mairo, with his fiery orange hair, resembled a flickering flame as he effortlessly manoeuvred through the air on his dragon, Ramisami. Wole was close by, a laughing streak that weaved through the sky on the back of his cyan dragon, Hakir. Narai was a shrieking, giggling mess atop the black shadow that was Rahl and Luan was the very picture of quiet confidence, radiating an aura of tranquillity as he danced with elegance with his partner, Alara.

"Disciples of Whiterose," Elder Oneshi's voice boomed again and Ayo and the others twisted around to hear him. "You have all done well! It is clear that the years of absence have not dulled your skills in the slightest. Ayo, you continue to amaze me with your quick learning and unwavering spirit. We were truly lucky the day Mairo and Wole found you."

Ayo flushed, ducking her head in embarrassment and ignored Narai and Wole's teasing hoots. Instead, she focused on Zuberi's reins and on guiding them through the air.

The Elder's command to descend came soon enough and everyone hurried to obey, the dragons gracefully diving towards the earth below, wings outstretched like leaves on a branch.

"And yet," Elder Oneshi continued, once everyone, both men and dragons were safely landed and dismounted, "things are not all good for us. We cannot forget the attempt on the crested dragon nest. The ambition of the Redwoods remains strong still. It was only providence that we had a patrol passing by at that moment."

A murmur rippled through the group at this and Ayo shared a look with Mairo and Wole, who stood by her side, their faces a mix of frustration and annoyance. While it was true that they had managed to relocate what was left of the nest to one of the newly reestablished hatcheries close to the city, Ayo still shared their misgivings. That House Redwood had been brazen enough to go after their House's signature soul beasts so soon after their defeat was disconcerting.

"It is an alarming development to be sure," Mairo said, a frown crossing his brow.

"I'll say," Wole added, his eyes narrowing. "If the Redwoods have the audacity to strike at our dragons, what's to stop them from launching further attacks on the city itself?"

Ayo nodded, her mind racing. She didn’t yet know what had started the feud between the two Houses but she did know that it was a long one; what few surviving records in An Solidan had called the conflict old and those were over three hundred years old. But to launch an attack on their dragons, to attempt to steal their most sacred and cherished companions? It was a direct challenge, a bold move that could not be ignored. Ayo had only had Zuberi for a little over two weeks now and even she was infuriated by the audacity.

And yet, as the group gathered around Elder Oneshi, Ayo’s emotions were still all over the place. The truth was she was scared. She was the one who had rediscovered the dragons. She was the one who had told Elder Oneshi and subsequently the rest of the House about their continued existence and where to find them. Which meant, ultimately, that she shared some blame for what had happened. Her rational mind whispered that she was being ridiculous but it was only a whisper and the other part of her screamed her failure. It didn’t help that the decision she’d taken that day still gnawed at her like a rat.

Narai's dark purple eyes met Ayo's, her gaze filled with something undefinable and the anxiety deepened. Narai had seen her sparing Sebel, Tolu, and Salim—the three Redwood cultivators she had come upon during the skirmish and had promptly told everyone the moment the battle ended. It hadn't gone down well.

"Still no explanation for those Redwoods?" Narai demanded, disbelief edging her voice. "They attacked us without hesitation. We came here to steal our soul beasts. And you just let them live?"

Ayo took a deep breath. "Yeah, that’s true. They did attack us," she began, her voice steady. "But killing them would not have solved anything. It would only perpetuate the cycle of violence and revenge between our Houses and could have escalated the situation further."

Narai crossed her arms, skepticism etched across her face. "And in what way could the situation escalate exactly? They're Redwoods, Ayo. Our sworn enemies. They've shown time and again that they will stop at nothing to bring us down."

Ayo nodded. “I understand.”

“Do you?”

"I do," she said. "But I think as cultivators, our duty above all else is to protect and preserve life. It is not our place to play judge, jury, and executioner. Right then, we… I… had the power to defend ourselves without resorting to unnecessary violence. By sparing those Redwood cultivators, I hope to show that we are not like them. We are not driven by blind hatred or a thirst for bloodshed. We fight to protect our people and our soul beasts, yes, but we also fight for something greater."

She glanced again at Mairo and Wole who stood beside her and saw the expressions on their faces. Saw the tightness in their pursed lips, the frozen blame in their eyes and felt the sting of their disapproval like a physical blow.

But before she could respond, Elder Oneshi intervened. "Ayo is right. Cultivators are the lifeblood of any House. And right now our numbers are not as they should be. We cannot afford to let potential allies slip through our fingers."

Narai frowned and opened her mouth but ultimately fell silent at the authority in his tone. He turned his gaze skyward, where Sanaa, his emerald dragon, soared effortlessly. "Moreover," he continued, "we must remember that we are not the only ones facing the threat of House Redwood. The mortals that have been steadily emigrating here will also be targeted by them. We will need more cultivators to ensure their protection."

He inclined his head towards the road, where one such group of arriving hopefuls were making their way up. There were mortals, all weary eyes and dust-covered clothes, their expressions a mixture of fear and awe as they took in the grandeur of the city before them. Three unaffiliated cultivators, their robes adorned with symbols of their respective elemental affinities, stood at the forefront of the group, their vigilant gazes scanning their surroundings for danger.

Ayo and the others watched curiously as the guards from her first day, Yemi and Femi, approached the mortal group. They were some distance away but she still saw Yemi's stern face soften as he exchanged a few words with their leader, a middle-aged man with greying hair and a determined glint in his eyes. The man nodded, gratitude etched across his weary features and soon he and his people were trailing after the guards like lost chicks.

Ayo observed them with newfound clarity, her new Sigil senses allowing her to see deeper and further than before. They were so fragile, these mortals. So weak. Was that really how she had been, before her transmigration?

Ayo followed the group's ascent up the staircase, rebuilt wider and stronger to hold the weight of the ever-increasing influx. Elder Nuru had ordered its reconstruction, saying something about a physical testament to change and new growth and the new one was a thing of beauty.

Let them come, she resolved silently, her heart firm. We will shelter them, nurture them, and in turn, they will help us crush House Redwood.

Together, they watched the newcomers vanish into the city, their footsteps echoing against the polished stone floor and stood there for a moment in thoughtful silence.

Then, just as they were about to continue their conversation, a sudden interruption filled the air. Ayo blinked in surprise as a blue screen materialized before her, hovering in mid-air, then blinked some more as other System prompts popped up before Wole, then Mairo, then everyone else.

The world seemed to pause, the air vibrating with a tension as a suspicion had her turn to look at An Solidan. It was daytime, the sun glaring down with radiant light, but even at the distance, the city was alight with the blue glow of open status screens. Whatever this was, it was affecting everyone.

[GLOBAL SYSTEM NOTICE!]

[ALERT! Citizens of Vestige! A Harvest Trial has been initiated by House Redwood of An Layan against House Whiterose of An Solidan. As the challenged, House Whiterose's participation is mandatory. Competing disciples must report to An Layan for the Trials by the first day of the next month.]

[Prepare yourselves, citizens and may the Father's smile remain ever upon you.]

The words on the blue screen flickered before Ayo's eyes, in time with her heart’s sudden skipping heartbeat. The Harvest Trials? Initiated by House Redwood against House Whiterose? She clutched at Nightshroud, feeling a surge of unease settling in her stomach. None of her prior research had prepared her for this most sudden of developments. What was going on?

She turned her gaze towards the others but was met with a wall of confusion. To her shock, she realized they didn't know what these Harvest Trials were either.

Elder Oneshi, perhaps sensing the growing unease among his disciples, took a graceful step forward and silenced the murmurs with a raised hand.

"My disciples," Elder Oneshi began. "I understand that this news has caught us all off guard. But I don't think this is a challenge we cannot surpass. The Harvest Trials, though unfamiliar to us, must be something new that has emerged after we retreated from the world. I'd prefer to think of it as an opportunity for us to prove ourselves."

He shrugged. "We have always been adaptable. I like to think of it as one of our greatest strengths. We have faced countless trials in the past, emerging victorious each time. This shall be no different. But first, let us ascend to the city and seek answers from the newcomers. They would know better than us what this all means."

A chorus of agreement rippled through the group and without further hesitation, they moved as one, their steps quickening as they hurried to their dragons. There wasn't a moment to waste.

***

It didn't take them long to reach the city. From her vantage point in the sky, Ayo could see the scattered mess of buildings sprawled out before her like a labyrinth. The great branches of the iron tree reached out to her, like grasping fingers and the streets below boiled with activity. Stall vendors haggled with customers over shining goods, children played in alleyways and there were even street performers entertaining passersby with mesmerising displays. Despite everything happening, it lifted Ayo's spirits to see An Solidan looking so vibrant and full of life.

They descended from the sky, a force of rushing wind, and people let out alarmed yells and scrambled to get out of the way. But Ayo had been drilled relentlessly on this procedure and she and the others landed gracefully on their feet, the dragons disappearing back into their soulspaces just before they hit the ground. There was an eruption of awed whispers and more than a few heads bowed in greeting but she saw none of them as they were hurried deeper into the inner city. It was odd, seeing it so occupied and filled with people and as she scrambled to keep up with Elder Oneshi's long strides, she began to catch snatches of the worried chatter of the people around her.

It quickly became apparent that the global announcement had sent waves of uncertainty through the city's inhabitants. Whispers filled the air as people shared their fears and speculated about what lay ahead, casting concerned glances at every passing cultivator. Even the sculptures adorning the buildings seemed to watch with apprehension, their cold stone eyes following Ayo's every step.

Elder Oneshi led them through the bustling streets, his presence alone effortlessly carving a path through. Ayo noticed the curious glances of the city dwellers as they passed, their eyes lingering on her and her fellow disciples. She understood their curiosity; after all, it had been centuries since anyone had seen a Whiterose Sigil let alone a Legend ranker.

As they approached a large building nestled between two towering structures, Ayo's attention was drawn to the distinct energy pulsating from within. It emanated a sense of strength and unity, a stark contrast to the anxious murmurs echoing through the streets. This was the Training Hall, a place for the outer disciples and elders to stay until a proper ring system could be re-established in the city. Elder Oneshi arrived and pushed open the heavy door with little effort, revealing a spacious lobby filled with bustling activity.

The room itself was a sight to behold. The walls had been adorned with beautiful tapestries depicting scenes from ancient battles and heroic cultivators who had once served under the Whiterose banner. The air was thick with the scent of sandalwood incense, enveloping the room in a soothing aura. And in every corner, groups of outer disciples huddled together, talking animatedly with one another.

Eyes followed Elder Oneshi as he weaved through the crowd, the disciples parting in reverence as he passed. As they reached the centre of the hall, Ayo's gaze fell upon a trio of familiar faces: Sebel, Tolu, and Salim. Curiosity burned within her once she realized they were headed straight for them then concerned once she noticed that the trio seemed to be isolated from the others. The other disciples conversed in hushed tones, casting occasional glances in their direction and it quickly became clear that they were being shunned, ostracised by their peers. A wave of sympathy washed over Ayo as she approached them. Their eyes met and Ayo saw a glimmer of vulnerability and fear in their expressions. She couldn't help but see herself reflected in them, remembering the days when she too was an outsider at the House of Knowledge.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

"Sebel, Tolu, Salim," Ayo greeted them warmly. "It seems you're settling in well. Despite everything."

She sensed their guarded expressions soften a fraction and felt her smile grow larger. She understood the pain of being on the fringes, of feeling like an outcast, unloved and unwanted. It hurt. A lot.

Sebel, in particular, still wore a mask of indifference, but Ayo recognised the flicker of vulnerability behind those stoic eyes. Those eyes had once been hers.

The boy, however, merely shrugged nonchalantly, as if dismissing the situation as inconsequential. "We didn’t really expect anything else, my Lady. A few days ago we were part of the enemy. And now House Redwood has called for a Trial. The real surprise is that there aren't any voices calling for our heads to be honest."

Mairo, who had been silently observing the interaction from a distance, jumped in before she could say another word.

"What are the Harvest Trials?" he said, ignoring the affronted look Ayo shot him. "The System was vague about it in the announcement. What are they exactly?"

"Well...The Harvest Trials are a series of games and challenges set in place shortly after the Wars to prevent such a calamity from befalling the archipelago ever again.," Sebel started, choosing his words carefully. "You guys probably don't know this but the islands were a ruined mess for decades after the final battles ended. What was left of the Houses came together and with the blessing of the System, instituted a less... destructive way of settling grievances between themselves. The Trials can be initiated by any House, great or small, against any other one and are hosted by a neutral party, unaffiliated with the quarrelling duo."

Elder Oneshi's emerald gaze was sharp. "What rules govern these Trials?"

Salim gulped, his demeanour remarkably like that of a man who had suddenly found himself straddling the line between life and death. It didn't help that he probably was. "Each of the two participating houses must present a team of their finest cultivators, composed of three team leaders and five subordinates for a total of eight participants. These must all be below the rank of Icon and under the age of 30. Icon-ranked Elders from the Houses can take part, but only in the roles of mentors. The battlegrounds vary and the exact challenges of a Trial are undisclosed until the moment of commencement." He hesitated. "Other Houses can also participate in the Trials if they want to and so alliances are as important as strength and power. An allied House's team is considered part of their vassal House's total force. You can see why that is important."

Ayo and the others exchanged glances. She could already see how this entire thing could quickly shift in favour of one side. Sure, a Great House might have the advantage of being able to field all Sigils on their team, but it meant nothing if the opposing House joined forces with other participants and bolstered their own team exponentially. Ayo knew her own strength better than anyone else. As a Sigil-ranked cultivator, she would demolish any singular Sign with ease. However, that dynamic changed when facing twenty other Signs at once. Alliances were going to be crucial in this game.

Ayo let out a long, drawn-out sigh. Politics, she thought. Great.

Tolu added in a quiet voice, "Another crucial affinity is that the consequences of losing stretch far beyond simply being defeated. Before each Trial begins, both Houses must establish and consent to a list of demands and consequences. And the System will enforce the agreed-upon consequences. Losing Houses have historically fallen from grace, their names erased from history because the price they paid was too high or they couldn't pay at all and the System retaliated."

"What did it do?" Wole asked with morbid curiosity.

"A bunch of things. The removal of the ability to cultivate is one of the more minor punishments," said Sebel matter-of-factly.

Well...

"What do you think House Redwood would demand of us?" asked Luan, speaking up for the first time.

"I... I don't know, my Lord." Salim looked distinctly unwell. "The three of us were nothing before this. Among the lowest of the outer disciples. I can't tell you what they'll ask for... only that it'll cost you. And it'll hurt.

As the weight of Salim's words settled on Ayo and her companions, a heavy silence enveloped the room. The implications of the Trials were far more dire than any of them could've anticipated. Ayo could feel the unease growing within her, gnawing at her insides like an insatiable hunger.

Elder Oneshi’s hands moved into position behind his back, his expression grave. "We must tread carefully then," he said. "House Redwood will undoubtedly exploit any weakness they perceive in us. We cannot afford to underestimate them."

Ayo and the others nodded and her gaze drifted to the window, where the sun cast long shadows on the ground. The day seemed less bright now, as if the weight of their predicament had dimmed its radiance. She clenched her fists, determined not to let fear consume her.

"We need more information," Ayo declared, breaking through the heavy silence. "If we're to understand House Redwood's motives and weaknesses, then we have to know more."

The others nodded their agreement. Whatever their quarrel with her, they were still a team, bound by a shared goal.

"We should start by speaking to the former residents of the other cities," Mairo suggested thoughtfully. "We need to know who we can trust and who might be willing to form alliances with us against House Redwood and they would best know the other cultivation Houses."

There was a smattering of agreement at this and with Elder Oneshi's permission still fresh in their minds, they made their way out of the Hall and into the bustling streets of their city. Scattering like leaves once they were out the gates, Ayo sighed and selected a shifty-eyed merchant selling bales of cloth. This was going to be hard.

***

Sunset found Ayo sat in the vast grasslands below the city, her slender frame silhouetted against the moonlit sky. Above her, the sprawling metropolis of An Solidan loomed like a hunting spider, its towering spires and shimmering lights painting a mesmerising spectacle that seemed to touch the very heavens. The distant hum of life within the city walls reached her ears as she gazed up, expression complicated.

A little distance away from her, Zuberi, her magnificent white dragon, tore noisily at the corpse of an Ichisonga. The once fearsome creature's massive form sprawled on the ground along with a few other soul beasts who had foolishly attempted to challenge them as night fell. They had been swiftly dispatched by the dragon's mighty claws and cold breath and now, Zuberi indulged himself in the spoils of his victory, feasting upon the rhinoceros-like monster with animalistic enthusiasm.

Ayo watched Zuberi with a mix of admiration and concern. She knew that he didn't truly require sustenance from the soul beasts; he was fueled solely by her own strength and the steady flow of essence she provided that allowed him to grow to his impressive size in the first place. But she also understood the dragon's need for the satisfaction of a hunt, the thrill of the chase. As his companion, she respected his desires and wouldn't begrudge him the pleasure it gave him.

Instead, she focused her attention back onto the city, taking in the hustle and bustle of everyday life above her. The people of An Solidan moved like ants, scurrying about their daily tasks, going about their business as though without a care in the world. As if they were completely unaware of the looming threat of the Trials, the deadly games that would soon wreak havoc upon their lives.

Yet in spite of it all, Ayo felt a strange sense of peace wash over her. The wind blew gently through her hair as she allowed herself to feel content and her eyes closed for a brief moment of tranquillity.

A deafening roar shattered the peaceful night, startling her out of her thoughts and she frantically scanned the sky for the source of the sound.

That's when she saw them - two more dragons barreling down from above, their huge wings beating against the darkness like vast blankets. Mairo and Wole clung to their backs, their faces glistening with sweat. As Ayo recognised Ramisami and Hakir, her panic subsided, replaced by a sense of relieved annoyance. The dragons descended gracefully, landing next to Zuberi with a resounding thud that echoed across the open grasslands.

Her silver dragon hissed at the newcomers, clearly irritated as well by their intrusion into his territory. But his piercing blue eyes flickered with a mix of caution and curiosity as he inspected the unexpected guests. After a moment of contemplation, Zuberi lowered his head in a sign of acceptance, and the other dragons joined him in devouring the carcass of the Ichisonga.

Mairo and Wole dismounted and approached Ayo, leaving the dragons to their gruesome feast. Ayo found her annoyance giving way to something else as she saw the concern etched on their faces.

"Hello Ayo," Mairo began hesitantly, "what are you doing out here?"

"Just thinking," Ayo replied shortly. A gentle night breeze whispered through at that moment, causing her silver locks to dance lightly in the air.

The two boys sat down on either side of her, leaving her in the middle and for a long moment they sat there in silence, watching as the dragons tore through their meal. In the midst of darkness and impending danger, an unusual sense of calm washed over her, one reinforced by the night sky which was painted with a thousand stars, each one seemingly looking down on the trio and observing their silent vigil.

It was a full twenty minutes before Ayo broke the silence, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Are you still angry with me?" she asked softly, her eyes downcast. The dragons, sensing the change in atmosphere, ceased their feeding and looked up at the trio.

Mairo sighed, looking away from her and cast his gaze towards the horizon. "No, not anymore," he replied, his voice also low. "We've had time to think about it, and we get it now. We... I understand why you did what you did."

Wole nodded in agreement. "It's not easy. Making those tough choices," he said, his gaze never leaving the carcass. "We all understand what that's like. It's been years since we took our first lives, and it wasn't easy for us then either."

Ayo's heart skipped a beat at Wole's words. She had always sensed a darkness within them, but she had never dared to ask about it. Their pasts weren't exactly something the men were eager to talk about. Now though, it seemed that the weight of their secret was finally ready to be shared.

Mairo cleared his throat, his voice filled with a mix of regret and resignation. "The first time I took a life," he began, his eyes distant, "I was fourteen. We were living on the outskirts of the city of An Hiri and struggling to survive each day."

Ayo listened intently as Mairo painted a vivid picture with his words. He described the barren wasteland they called home, where scarcity was the only constant. But amidst the struggles, an opportunity presented itself—an opportunity to change their fate.

"We stumbled upon a group of bandits who had stolen precious supplies from the nearby villages," Mairo continued, his voice trembling slightly. "Food, clothing, stuff like that. These ones were particularly ruthless and had left much destruction in their wake. We knew we had to do something about them or we would be next. So we set out to do what we thought was necessary to protect our home." He worried at one of his braids. "The ‘bandits’ turned out to be a group of starving villagers, one that had fallen to the Aberrations. Not that we found out until much later. The girl I killed was barely older than me. In a different life, she could have been my sister or a friend, someone I would have cared deeply about and I ended her life with ease." He shrugged. “Didn't even keep me up at night after it happened.”

"In mine, I was sixteen when it happened,” said Wole, picking up where Mairo left off. “We were on a mission to find food and supplies and scoured the wilderness for anything we could find."

"We were ambushed by a pack of Cloud Wolves," Wole continued. "They attacked without warning, and our weapons were no match for their numbers. I was still mortal then and without a cultivator, fighting most soul beasts is almost always a bad idea. It was a desperate struggle, and by the time it was all over, there were hardly any of us left."

He paused for a long beat.

"There was this man," he added, his voice barely above a whisper. "We called him Father Inda. He took in those of orphans and functional orphans and gave us a home. Gave us love." He let out a heavy sigh. "One of the Wolves had gotten to him pretty badly. Given him this gash on his throat. Not enough to kill immediately you understand, but enough to cause a slow and agonising death. If I had allowed it. So I didn't."

His eyes grew dark. "I knew I had to make a choice. Either let him slowly die or end his pain. I made the decision to end his life with my own hands. Even now I'm not sure which was the right thing to do, but at that moment I had to choose between sparing him or sparing myself from pain."

Mairo nodded solemnly. "I've been through the same thing," he said. "I've had to make choices that I would never have thought possible. We all have. But it's that same darkness that makes us strong, that gives us the strength to continue fighting for what we believe in. And so we continue, Ayo. We continue even when we are mocked and labels are placed on us by people who could never understand."

Mairo leaned back on his elbows and chuckled softly, breaking the tense silence that had settled between them. "Kinslayer," he said, his voice tinged with a touch of bitterness. "That's what they called me."

Ayo blinked and hesitated, her eyes searching Mairo's face for something hidden. "Why?"

Mairo shrugged, a deep sadness creeping into his voice. "It's not a complicated story, Ayo. There was a time when we were on a mission to stop a powerful Aberration that had been causing havoc in our territory. A Diremaw, I think. One of those Aberrations that can get massive without necessarily increasing in strength.

"It was supposed to be a routine mission, something to be knocked off in exchange for some easy clout. So you can imagine my surprise when I got there and immediately encountered my sister. She had brought the Aberrations, you see. Had carved open the rift to the void herself. Apparently, after running away from home she'd risen to become one of the leaders of a cult called the Children of the End." Mairo let out a heavy sigh and collapsed onto the ground, his eyes tightly shut. "Sitka and I were never close. None of us siblings were. Our parents believed in the philosophy of every man for himself, so we learned to fend for ourselves early on. It still hurts though, killing her. Not that I had much of a choice, mind you. I don't know if you're familiar with the cult, but they were a major problem back then. Once someone joins...I'm not sure what exactly happens to them, but they become lost forever. There's no saving a Child of the End." He paused, taking a moment to gather his thoughts. "And that's when I was branded as 'Kinslayer'. It doesn't matter that if I hadn't killed Sitka, an entire village would have been destroyed that day. It's my label now. My shame."

Ayo looked at him, heart aching for him, then turned almost hesitantly to Wole who let out a laugh.

"Oh don't worry Ayo. My story isn't as sad as that. It's just... it's just different. The title Breath Stealer was more than just a label. It was a testament to a night I'll never forget, a night when my heart was ripped out and stomped on, leaving only a hollow shell of a man in its wake." He laughed again. "Dramatic I know. But it's true.

"During the Usurpation Wars, there was a boy, not much older than Theti. Miiri. He was never really part of our group, just a kid who hung around the edges, always searching for the excitement of battle. He'd lost his entire family early in the war, and he was all alone. Miiri liked following our battalion around, always at the edge of our camp and after a while everyone started treating him like the House mascot. Mairo had been deployed elsewhere and I guess I was feeling lonely because, well, I got attached to him." He joined Mairo on the ground. "I've always wanted a brother and for a time Miiri was that for me, in a way. With Mairo gone, he was practically the only family I had left. Even with everything going on, even with the wars and danger, I was actually happy."

His laugh this time was derisive. "Should have known better, right? It happened one night, a raid on a village we were camped in by House Stoneward. We barely won that fight and in the midst of the chaos, Miiri was separated from me. I searched everywhere for him, hoping against hope that he was safe and praying to all the gods dead and alive. But then I found him and the world ended. Miiri was gone, lying cold and lifeless on the ground, his body punctured by enemy arrows. This war had already taken so much from me, and now it had claimed another.

"My memories of the days that followed aren't... clear. I remember my commander shouting in my face, saying useless things about grieving and regrouping. I remember screaming something back and having to be held down by people. I remember watching and waiting and stealing away in the night and tracking down... something. It's all hazy, even now. What I do remember clearly is that night, when I found myself alone in the enemy camp, with everyone asleep and vulnerable."

Wole's brows furrowed in thought. "It's ironic. They call me the Breath Stealer, which, you know, evokes a certain kind of image. But I don't have a wind affinity. I didn't steal their air. I couldn't have. I took their water instead, right out of their very lungs."

Mairo's voice was as dry as a Harmattan wind. "You see, Ayo? When you really think about it we have no right to judge you," he said, his words dripping with shame. "You're a good person. But we...we are not. Our hands are stained with blood that will never wash clean. It's commendable that you want to fight against it and who knows? Maybe you'll be a better cultivator than any of us could ever hope to be." Mairo's eyes burned with self-loathing as he spoke, and Ayo could see the weight of their past sins weighing heavily on his shoulders.

She felt them watching her, waiting to see how she would react. Waiting perhaps for her to shun and reject them. And for a moment, she too felt the guilt and shame that seemed to radiate from them, as if from a furnace and considered her reaction.

But then, after a beat, she began to hum quietly to herself, her voice a soothing melody that seemed to calm the tension in the air. Her hands, gentle and nimble as always, began to weave a great silver blanket, creating an intricate pattern that shimmered with an otherworldly glow.

"I need to remember to add a dyeing mechanism to this art," she murmured as she worked, paying no attention to the bewildered glances Mairo and Wole exchanged. "It's long overdue."

As the intricate silver blanket finally completed its growth, she lay down on the ground with the two men and enveloped them all in its warmth. Ayo held on tightly, her arms encircling them protectively. At first, they resisted, perplexed but eventually relaxed into her embrace with a sigh, heads pillowed against her chest. The three of them lay there for what felt like an age, basking in each other's company and gazing up at the softly twinkling stars up above.

Time seemed to slow as the weight of the world was forgotten at that moment, replaced for a fleeting instance by the warmth of the silver blanket and the heavy, comforting presence of each other. Ayo cleared her throat and when she spoke, her voice was soft and soothing.

"I think that we need to remember that we all make mistakes. It's human nature to judge and find fault in others. But I also think our true character is showcased in the choices we make, and in the power we choose to wield. Besides, if I judged you for your actions, I'd be nothing but a hypocrite. During my Sigil tribulation, I made a promise to myself and the Adjudicator not only to match my father's level of power but to surpass it. And I don't think I can do that without being at least a little merciless, a little ruthless." She began to run fingers through Wole's curly hair, smiling when he hummed with pleasure. "I just don't know if I'm up to it though."

"You are," said Mairo at once. "Ayo, you have no idea how strong you truly are. You can achieve anything you set your mind to. I believe in you."

"So do I," concurred Wole and Ayo's heart swelled with something strong and fluffy and almost overpowering. That thread connecting them, that soulmate bond flared with power and Ayo was seized with a sudden, mad urge to kiss them both. She only just managed to resist it.

"So," she said, hoping her boys would not notice the gooseflesh suddenly covering her entire body. "What do we do now?"

"Now?" Mairo mused. "Now, we figure out how we want to approach the Harvest Trials." He shifted his head slightly to look at her. "What would your father do in our situation?"

Ayo pondered the question for a moment, her eyes drifting to the swirling patterns in the black sky above them. She could feel the warmth of her friends' bodies against hers, the comforting beat of their hearts in sync with her own. It was a pleasant and lovely distraction, but a distraction still and she pushed it out of her mind with reluctant effort.

Instead, she refocused and as she considered her father's approach, she saw him in her mind's eye - the stern expression, the steady gaze, the unwavering conviction. He had always been a man of strategy. Of thoughtful planning and calculated risks. She knew he would never rush into battle unprepared or underestimate the power of their enemies. And if he was part of an ancient group looking to make a return after centuries of absence, he would make sure no one would be able to look away as they did.

It came to her then, a stroke of sudden, blinding brilliance and for the first time in a long time, she muttered words of gratitude to her father.

"I think have it," she said after a moment. "Let us begin."