We're in the wrong bath!

Steam filled the air, curling lazily around the tiled walls of the training showers. The soothing hiss of water cascading from multiple showerheads offered a rare moment of calm after the grueling trials of the day.

Arnik leaned against the wall, letting the warm water cascade over his bruised body. Purple splotches marred his muscular frame, and his ribs sent sharp pangs of protest with every deep breath. His knuckles were raw from the repeated impacts of training, but he had learned to welcome the pain—it reminded him he was still standing. Still fighting.

Kai stood nearby, his posture rigid despite the clear strain on his body. His fingers, red and swollen, bore the scars of precision magic. Several nails hung on precariously, threatening to peel away, but his expression remained as composed as ever, save for the faint tension in his jaw. The water trickled down his frame, glinting under the dim lights, masking the toll of the day's efforts.

The two stood in silence for a while, the sound of the running water the only thing between them.

"You look beat up Arnik," Kai finally said, his voice breaking the quiet. His tone was calm, but there was a sharpness beneath it, as if the weight of their circumstances made every word heavier.

Arnik chuckled dryly, running a hand through his damp hair. "Understatement of the century, Kai. I feel like I went ten rounds with a brick wall." He winced slightly as he shifted his stance. "And I lost every round."

Kai smirked faintly. "Well, considering you jumped straight into danger without a second thought, I'm not surprised."

Arnik shrugged, a small grin tugging at his lips. "It's my style. You know that." He tilted his head, eyeing Kai's hands. "What about you? Those hands look like they've been through a shredder."

Kai flexed his fingers slowly, his composure unwavering despite the clear discomfort. "Comes with the territory. Precision magic isn't forgiving."

Arnik let out a low whistle, leaning forward slightly. "Taxing, huh? Looks like it's tearing you apart."

Kai's smirk faded, replaced by a calm, almost clinical expression. "It's a small price to pay for results. Besides," he added softly, "the pain reminds me I'm still alive."

Arnik raised an eyebrow, studying him closely. "That's a little dark, don't you think?"

Kai let out a quiet, humorless laugh. "Maybe. But it's the truth. Every bruise, every ache… it means we're still here, still fighting. Still able to make a difference."

Arnik nodded slowly, the weight of Kai's words settling over him. "Yeah. I get that," he said after a moment of reflection. He ran a hand over his face, the water dripping from his chin. "We've got to get stronger, though. In a short amount of time, too. There's no other choice."

Kai nodded, his expression grim but resolute. "Agreed."

Arnik leaned back against the wall, tilting his head slightly as if something had just come to mind. "That reminds me… What about Markus?"

Kai froze for a moment, his brow furrowing as he turned his gaze toward the tiled floor. He was silent, as though weighing his words carefully.

"Markus…" Kai's voice was quieter now, almost hesitant. "We haven't seen him since…"

"The fall of Earth," Arnik finished grimly, his voice heavy with the memories of that fateful day.

Kai's jaw tightened, his glasses catching the light as he adjusted them. "He's out there somewhere. I know it. He wouldn't just—" He stopped himself, taking a deep breath. "He'll turn up. He has to."

Arnik nodded, though a shadow of doubt flickered in his eyes. "Yeah. Markus is too stubborn to go down that easily." His tone was light, but there was a heaviness beneath it.

The two stood in silence again, the weight of their conversation hanging heavily in the steamy air. The gentle hiss of the water did little to drown out the thoughts racing through their minds.

Finally, Arnik spoke, his voice a little softer. "You know, we're all carrying a lot. We've all lost so much... but we can't let it break us."

Kai glanced at him, his expression unreadable for a moment before he nodded. "It won't. It can't. Not while we still have a chance to set things right."

The sound of faint laughter echoed from the adjacent area, breaking the somber mood. Arnik and Kai exchanged a glance, their previous focus replaced by a sudden, creeping realization.

Their faces dropped simultaneously.

"Kai..." Arnik started, his voice low.

"Arnik..." Kai replied, his tone sharp with rising dread.

"We're in the wrong bath," they said in unison, their voices a mix of panic and disbelief.

Before either could react further, the faint laughter turned into voices.

"What was that noise?" one asked.

"I don't know… Did you hear something?" another replied.

Kai's eyes widened, and he hissed through clenched teeth, "We need to get out. Now."

Before either could react further, Rose and Aika rounded the corner, their towels wrapped securely around them. Their eyes fell on Kai and Arnik, who were pressed against the wall like deer caught in headlights.

For a moment, there was nothing but stunned silence as both sides registered what was happening.

Rose's face contorted into a mix of shock and fury. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TWO DOING HERE?!"

Aika's eyes widened in disbelief before she uttered faintly, "So big..." Her words hung in the air for a split second before she fainted dramatically, her legs giving out as she toppled backward into the bathwater with a loud splash.

"Aika!" Rose yelled, immediately rushing toward her friend.

Kai and Arnik didn't wait to see what happened next.

"RUN!" Arnik barked, already grabbing Kai's arm and dragging him toward the exit.

"I'm trying!" Kai yelped, stumbling as he scrambled to keep up. "Stop pulling me!"

Behind them, Rose emerged from the bath, her soaked hair clinging to her face as she hoisted Aika onto the edge. Her eyes locked onto the fleeing figures, her rage bubbling over.

"PERVERTS! IDIOTS! SLEAZEBAGS!" she screamed, snatching a robe and throwing it on as she bolted after them. "I'LL KILL YOU BOTH!"

Kai glanced over his shoulder, his heart nearly stopping at the sight of Rose barreling toward them like a furious beast. "She's going to kill us!"

"She looks like a demon!" Arnik shouted, his voice tinged with both terror and amusement.

Kai stumbled, his exhaustion catching up to him. "Arnik... I can't make it!"

Arnik skidded to a stop, grabbing Kai by the arm and hauling him upright. "No soldier left behind!"

Rose's voice echoed through the hall, her tone murderous. "YOU WON'T ESCAPE ME!"

Kai and Arnik sprinted down the hallway, their footsteps echoing against the tiled floor. Kai's lungs burned, his exhaustion catching up with him. "Arnik, we're not going to make it!"

"Shut up and keep running!" Arnik growled, practically dragging him forward.

Rose's furious screams grew closer, her voice like a thunderclap behind them. "YOU CAN RUN, BUT YOU CAN'T HIDE!"

The two rounded a corner, their hearts pounding. Kai pointed at a nearby supply closet. "In there!"

Without hesitation, they slipped inside, slamming the door shut and pressing their backs against it. Both held their breaths as Rose's footsteps stormed past, her voice echoing angrily through the halls. "WHEN I FIND YOU, YOU'RE DEAD!"

Kai and Arnik exchanged a wide-eyed glance, their relief short-lived as they heard Rose's voice fade into the distance.

Moments later, they cautiously opened the door and slipped out, quietly making their way back toward the safety of their dorms.