34

The first pale light of dawn slipped through the cracks in the barracks window, stretching thinly across the room's stone floor. But Aristellus was already awake, muscles taut as he moved through his push-ups, his skin slick with sweat in the cool, dim air. The wooden floor creaked faintly beneath him as he lowered himself down and pushed back up, his breaths steady, controlled. On his back, Gaia perched like a self-satisfied queen, her tail swaying idly as she balanced on his shoulder blades.

"Faster, Stell," she chirped, her tone lilting with amusement.

Aristellus exhaled, smirking slightly. "You're heavier than you look," he muttered, dropping down into another push-up, the hint of a laugh in his voice.

"Excuses," she teased, flicking his ear with her tail. "If you can't handle a little weight, maybe I should find a stronger partner."