Bonk Bonk

Everything was going perfectly.

The battlefield was chaos.

Screams, explosions, and the occasional sound of someone getting absolutely yeeted across the arena filled the air. I had woken up from my very peaceful nap on top of a sturdy tree, feeling refreshed, only to have Cyrus land on my stomach like a tiny furry boulder.

I groaned, cracking one eye open. "Cyrus, buddy, I appreciate the dramatic wake-up call, but I was dreaming about victory speeches."

Cyrus just flicked his tail and stared at me like I was the dumbest creature alive. Then, he let out a growl.

Not a normal growl. The urgent, 'your-crush-is-about-to-die' kind of growl.

I immediately sat up. "What—who—Lyra?"

The shadows around us stirred. My instincts screamed danger.

And then I saw her.

My deearLyra Castor, daughter of Apollo, wielder of divine archery, golden-eyed warrior of doom, and current queen of stubbornness, my beloved and was currently fending off ten opponents.

I blinked.

Then I blinked again.

"Okay, that's a lot of people," I muttered, rubbing my chin. "I feel like there's a moral obligation to help."

Cyrus gave me an "You think?" look.

I melted into the shadows, slipping behind Lyra as she took down another opponent with a well-placed shot.

Now, I could've done the smart thing—stealthily taken out some enemies without making a scene.

But where's the fun in that?

Instead, I rose up dramatically behind her, a shadow in the midst of battle, and whispered:

"Sunshine, you miss me?"

Lyra immediately spun around, drawing an arrow and aiming it straight at my face.

I grinned. "Woah, woah, easy. I know I have a very punchable face, but I'd like to keep it intact."

Her eyes flicked from me to the enemies surrounding her. Annoyance. Frustration. Slight relief.

Then, her expression hardened. "Kael, I do not need your help."

"Sure about that?" I asked, tilting my head as one of the attackers lunged.

She pivoted effortlessly, dodging the strike and slamming her bow into the guy's gut, sending him sprawling.

"Positive," she huffed.

I watched her movements. The way she flowed between opponents like she was dancing through the chaos. Every movement was precise. Sharp. Trained.

She was holding her own.

But that didn't mean I wasn't going to annoy her.

"Listen, Sunshine, I love the whole 'independent warrior' aesthetic you've got going on," I said, dodging an arrow that zipped past me, "but there's ten of them. You're good, but you're not a god yet."

Lyra scoffed. "Give me ten minutes."

The enemy students were getting frustrated.

One of them, a burly dude wielding a spear, glared at us. "Are you two seriously flirting right now?"

Lyra froze. I froze.

Then I turned, eyes wide with mock horror. "Wait, is this flirting? Lyra, you never told me we were flirting!"

"I will end you," she muttered.

The audience—yes, the entire **colosseum of spectators watching this battle royale unfold—**burst into laughter.

Even some of the students attacking Lyra looked unsure now.

The guy with the spear groaned, rubbing his face. "You're embarrassing us in front of the gods."

Lyra shot me a look that screamed Leave. Now.

I smirked. "Fine, fine, I get the hint. I'll let you have your dramatic solo moment."

And just like that, I melted into the shadows.

Honk.

See, normal people would leave.

I am not normal.

Lyra was doing great. Really. But I never said I wouldn't have fun with this.

From my hidden position in the shadows, I waited.

Every time one of her attackers turned their back—BAM.

I popped up, honked them on the head with the blunt end of my dagger, and vanished before they could see me.

It was beautiful.

One dude yelped and turned around wildly, swinging his weapon at nothing.

Another tripped over himself, looking around in panic.

A girl with an axe actually screamed, spinning in circles like she was being haunted.

Lyra, bless her soul, tried to ignore it.

She was still taking them down with her arrows, dodging strikes and delivering precision headshots, but she knew what I was doing.

And she was fuming.

"KAEL!" she finally snapped, eyes flashing.

I popped out of the shadows next to her and gave my most innocent look.

"Yes, dearest Lyra?"

Her eye twitched. "STOP HAUNTING MY ENEMIES!"

"Aw, but it's fun!" I protested.

One of the students immediately dropped their weapon and ran.

I smirked.

"SEE?" I gestured. "Look! They're eliminating themselves. This is tactical strategy, Lyra. Brain over brawn."

She let out a deep breath. "If I let you stay, will you at least fight properly?"

I grinned. "Oh, Sunshine. I thought you'd never ask."

The fight was over in minutes.

With Lyra's arrows and my perfectly-timed bonks, we cleared out the attackers like it was nothing.

As we stood over the fallen students, Lyra turned to me, expression unreadable.

"…Fine," she said. "You're useful."

I gasped, clutching my chest. "Are—are you saying I've won your approval? Is this what victory feels like?"

She rolled her eyes. "Don't get used to it."