Ye Kai's Family

I led Lira and Elyra out of the forest, their new village-girl looks making them blend in like they'd always been here. Lira's brown dress swished with every step, her tough field-girl vibe hiding that wild spark I knew was there. Elyra's gray tunic and patched skirt made her look like a shy farm girl, her blonde hair tied back as she kept her eyes on the ground.

My small house came into view—a rickety wooden shack on the edge of the village. My heart thumped as we got closer, but then I froze. Outside my door stood a muscular man, a sword strapped to his back. His broad shoulders and sharp eyes made him look like trouble.

He turned as we approached, his gaze sliding past Lira and Elyra without a second thought. To him, they were just plain village girls. Then his eyes locked on me. "Ye Kai," he said, his voice deep and rough. "It's been a while. Your family's holding the Adult Ceremony in three months. You need to come back to Greenland City. It's tradition."

I swallowed hard, recognizing him now—a guard from the Ye Clan. "Oh… yeah," I mumbled, nodding. "I'll be there." My voice sounded weak, but he just grunted and walked off, his sword clanking with each step. I watched him disappear down the path, my stomach twisting.

Lira nudged me, breaking my thoughts. "Come on, servant, let's see this fancy house of yours!" She strutted inside like she owned the place, flopping onto my bed with a dramatic sigh. The room was tiny—one bed, a rickety table, and a stool. Nothing else. The walls were bare, the floor creaked, and the whole place smelled like damp wood. Elyra followed quietly, her cheeks pink as she stood near the door, clutching her skirt.

Lira looked around, her lips curling into a smirk. "Well, well, Kai, this is it? One bed? And it's not even big!" She stretched out, her dress riding up a bit, and patted the thin mattress. "Three of us are gonna have to squeeze in tight tonight. Hope you don't mind getting cozy!" She winked at me, her tone dripping with mischief.

My heart skipped, a rush of heat hitting me. The thought of being that close to her—and Elyra—made my face burn. I looked away fast, staring at the wall. Elyra let out a tiny squeak, her hands flying to her face. "Oh no… that's… um… too much!" she stammered, her voice soft and shaky. She shuffled to the corner.

Lira laughed, a loud, carefree sound that filled the room. "Oh, Elyra, you're too cute when you're flustered!" She sat up, crossing her legs like a queen on her throne. "So, Kai, what was that family stuff the big guy was yapping about? Spill it."

I shifted uncomfortably, leaning against the table. "I… I'm from the Ye Clan in Greenland City," I started, "I'm the grandson of the clan head, But I don't have Spiritual Veins. No power, no talent. They all mocked me for it, bullied me every day. So I ran here, to this village, to get away. Now the Adult Ceremony's coming in three months. My father and uncle are fighting to be the next clan head that day, and I have to go back. It's tradition."

Lira tilted her head, her smirk fading into a frown. "That's bad, Kai. Real bad. I can't accept my servant being some useless weakling." Her words hit me like a punch. Memories flooded back—kids laughing, calling me trash, elders shaking their heads. My fists clenched tight, nails digging into my palms, but I couldn't say a word. The shame burned in my chest.

Elyra stepped forward, her shy eyes softening. "Lira, don't be so hard on him," she murmured, twisting her skirt in her hands. "He's trying… right, Kai?" Her gentle voice eased the sting a little, but Lira waved her off.

"No, no, Elyra, he needs to hear it," Lira said, leaning forward. "But don't worry, Kai. I'm not the type to abandon my servant. You're mine now, and I've got no choice but to fix this mess." She paused, her red eyes—hidden behind that plain face—glinting with something wild. "I'll give you Spiritual Veins."