Chapter:10-Silent Before The Storm

(On the Road—Kael and Liza Walking Toward Liza's House)

(The evening sun casts long shadows as Kael and Liza make their way through the town. The streets are quieter at this hour, the air carrying the faint scent of baked bread and burning wood from nearby homes.)

Kael (stretching his arms): "Four days in bed... I feel like I forgot how to walk."

Liza (smirking): "Considering how reckless you are, I'm surprised you haven't forgotten how to breathe."

Kael (grinning): "Oh? So you were really that worried about me, huh?"

Liza (rolling her eyes): "Don't flatter yourself."

(Despite her words, Kael notices the way her lips twitch as if holding back a smile. He chuckles, shaking his head.)

(They reach Liza's house—a modest but well-kept home with a small garden in front. The warm glow of lanterns flickers from the windows.)

Kael (leaning against the gate): "Well, guess this is where we say goodbye."

Liza (crossing her arms): "For now."

(An awkward silence lingers. Kael rubs the back of his neck, searching for something to say. Liza shifts on her feet, her eyes flickering toward him, then away.)

Kael (teasing): "I know you'll miss me, but try not to cry too much."

Liza (deadpan): "I'd rather cry over spilled milk than over you."

Kael (mocking hurt): "Ouch. My fragile heart."

(Liza sighs but smiles softly. For a brief moment, the air between them feels lighter, as if the worries of the past days don't exist.)

Liza (softly): "Take care of yourself, Kael."

(Kael blinks at the sincerity in her tone but quickly recovers.)

Kael (grinning): "Of course. Someone's gotta keep an eye on you, right?"

(Before Liza can respond, Kael turns on his heel, raising a hand in a casual wave as he walks away. She watches him go, her expression unreadable.)

---

Back at the Castle—Sun's Fury

(Kael barely steps onto the castle grounds before—)

(THUD—!!!)

Kael (startled): "What the—?"

(A familiar figure rushes toward him at full speed, eyes blazing with fury.)

Hong Sun.

Sun (yelling): "KAEL—!!!"

Kael (eyes widening): "Oh sh—"

(Sun lunges at him, fists clenched. Kael barely dodges, stumbling backward as Sun continues his furious charge.)

Sun (raging): "WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN?! FOUR DAYS! FOUR DAMN DAYS!"

Kael (laughing nervously, dodging another swing): "Easy, easy! I was—"

Sun (ignoring him, still swinging): "No messages! No warning! You just disappeared like a damn ghost!"

Kael (grinning, dodging again): "A ghost with good reflexes!"

Sun (gritting his teeth): "Hold still so I can punch you!"

(Kael dashes into the castle's eating hall, skidding to a stop near one of the long tables. Just as he's about to catch his breath—)

Elyse (deadpan): "Took you long enough, you bastard."

(Kael turns his head slowly. Sitting at the table, arms crossed, is Elyse. And she does NOT look pleased.)

Kael (nervously laughing): "Oh... hey, Elyse. You look... uh... lively?"

(Sun and Elyse exchange a look. Then—)

Sun: "You're dead."

Elyse: "Agreed."

(Kael immediately bolts, but Sun catches him in a headlock, dragging him back to the table. Elyse leans in, eyes narrowed.)

Elyse: "Four days. No message. No clue where you were. I thought you were dead, Kael."

Kael (wincing): "Well, technically, I almost was."

(The room goes silent.)

Sun (frowning): "...Explain."

Kael (sighing, rubbing his temples): "It's a long story."

Elyse (crossing her arms): "We have time."

Kael (grumbling): "Great, storytime while I still have a headache..."

(He takes a deep breath before recounting what happened. The strange beast, the blade, the abyss, and then waking up in the medical hall.)

(Sun and Elyse listen in silence—until Sun frowns deeply.)

Sun: "First, that dark monster... and now this? Kael, what exactly are they?"

Elyse (serious): "More importantly, why do they keep coming after you?"

(Kael opens his mouth to answer, but deep down, he doesn't know. He feels like a puzzle piece being forced into a picture he doesn't understand yet.)

Kael (thinking): Just what the hell am I caught up in...?

Next Day

Liza Visits The Castle

Kael: "What's that?"

Liza (smirking slightly): "A gift."

(Kael watches as she carefully unwraps the cloth, revealing a beautifully crafted sword—the Blade of Frost and Fire. The metal glows faintly, one side radiating a chilling blue aura, the other flickering with embers of red flame.)

Kael (eyes widening): "Whoa... that's—"

Liza (serious): "It's yours. The sword chose you, and after what you did for me... I wanted you to have it."

(Kael stares at the blade, hesitating before slowly reaching out. As his fingers wrap around the hilt, he feels an immediate pulse of energy, like two opposing forces perfectly balanced.)

Kael (softly): "This is... amazing."

Liza (crossing her arms): "Try not to break it."

Kael (grinning): "No promises."

(Before Liza can respond—)

Sun (loudly): "OHHH? WHAT'S THIS?"

(Kael stiffens as Sun and Elyse appear, both wearing matching smug expressions.)

Elyse (mock gasp): "Is our Kael receiving a romantic gift?"

Sun (grinning): "Looks like Liza's got a soft spot for you, huh?"

(Liza immediately turns red.)

Liza: "W-WHAT?! That's not—"

Kael (raising his hands, flustered): "Oi, shut up! It's a sword!"

Elyse (leaning in, smirking): "Oh, so if it were flowers, you'd admit something?"

(Kael groans, running a hand through his hair as Sun laughs loudly. Liza turns away, muttering under her breath, clearly embarrassed.)

Liza: "This was a mistake..."

Kael (sighing, but secretly enjoying the moment): "You guys are the worst."

(As the teasing continues, the weight of everything momentarily fades. But deep down, Kael knows this peace won't last forever. Soon, he'll have to face the truth about himself—and his enemies.)