Chapter:2-Aftermatch And Questions

(Kael groans as he sits up in the castle's medical room, his body still aching. He looks over and sees Hong Sun lying beside him, still unconscious. A sharp pain shoots through his stomach as he remembers the last thing that happened—the warlord's devastating attack.)

Kael (clenching his fists): "Damn it… what the hell happened after that?"

(Just then, the door swings open. A woman steps in—dressed in a healer's robe but with a confident stance that suggests she's more than just a medic. Her name is Elyse, the castle's healer and a skilled fighter herself.)

Elyse (crossing her arms): "Finally awake, huh? Thought you'd sleep through the whole war."

Kael (grumbling): "Feels like I got hit by a mountain."

Elyse (smirking): "More like a warlord. And from what I heard, he wiped the floor with you."

Kael (scoffing): "Tch. You're enjoying this, aren't you?"

Elyse: "A little."

(She tosses him a towel and points toward a small training space near the medical area.)

Elyse: "Since you're up, let's see if you can still move. Get up."

Kael (raising an eyebrow): "You want to fight me now? I just woke up!"

Elyse: "Exactly. You need to shake off the stiffness. Besides, I need to see if you're actually battle-ready or just good at getting knocked out."

(Kael sighs but smirks, pushing himself off the bed. They step into the training space, drawing wooden swords. The sparring match begins, with Elyse testing Kael's reflexes. At first, Kael struggles, but his instincts quickly take over, and he starts pushing back.)

Kael (grinning): "Not bad for a healer."

Elyse (chuckling): "Not bad for someone who got wrecked."

(After several exchanges, Elyse finally steps back, satisfied.)

Elyse: "Alright, you're not completely useless. Now, get cleaned up. You're wanted in the meeting hall."

Kael (raising an eyebrow): "For what?"

Elyse: "The old man wants to talk to you."

(Kael's expression turns serious. He quickly washes up and makes his way to the castle's meeting area, where a group of knights and commanders are discussing battle strategies. At the head of the table sits Master Alden, a respected veteran known for his wisdom.)

Alden (noticing Kael): "Ah, you're finally here. Sit."

(Kael sits down, his mind still clouded by what the warlord had said.)

Kael: "Master Alden... What happened after I blacked out?"

Alden (stroking his beard): "Our forces recovered you and Hong Sun an hour after the battle. By then, the enemy had already pulled back. The warlord didn't stay to finish the job."

Kael (frowning): "Why? He had us beaten. He could've killed us easily."

Alden (nodding): "Exactly. And that's what concerns me."

Kael (clenching his fists): "Before he knocked me out, he said something strange. 'You might be the one.' What the hell did he mean by that?"

(Alden's eyes flicker with something unreadable, but he shakes his head.)

Alden: "That's something you'll have to find out in time. For now, focus on recovering. You'll need your strength for what's to come."

Kael (gritting his teeth): "That's it? You're just telling me to rest after what happened?!"

(Alden gives him a sharp look.)

Alden: "You're not ready for the answers yet. But when the time comes, you'll understand."

(Kael exhales sharply, frustrated but knowing he won't get anything more out of the old man. He stands up and leaves the room, deep in thought.)

---

(Meanwhile, Hong Sun finally wakes up in the medical bay, groaning.)

Hong Sun (blinking): "Ugh... Kael? Where the hell am I?"

(Elyse leans against the wall, smirking.)

Elyse: "Welcome back to the land of the living. Your buddy's already up and causing trouble."

(Hong Sun sighs, rubbing his temples.)

Hong Sun: "Figures."

(The chapter ends with Kael standing on the castle balcony, staring at the horizon, his mind replaying the warlord's words over and over.)

Kael (muttering to himself): "Just what the hell am I caught up in...?"