Chapter 10, Part 2: Five at the Fire

The fire was low.

Not real fire, but Brix's—contained in a spiral of heat and soft orange, flickering gently in a basin lined with ash-drawn runes.

Five sat around it now.

Not just four.

Veyle—no longer Envy—sat slightly apart. Not distant. Just cautious. Like someone who knew what it meant to be near warmth and wasn't sure he deserved it.

Kairon stood at the edge, barefoot, cup of tea in hand, hair a mess.

He didn't speak for a while.

Just watched them.

Brix sat cross-legged, still shirtless, sweat-damp and soot-streaked, stirring the coals with one knuckle.

Nair leaned against his side, eyes closed, breathing in the scent of stale warmth and not-quite-burned bread.

Mav reclined on his back, arms folded beneath his head, humming something tuneless.

Lio sat closest to Kairon.

He didn't speak, either.

But his eyes flicked up when Kairon finally stepped forward.

"Pride," Kairon said, voice soft but firm.

Lio rose.

Mav sat up slightly.

Brix looked over, but didn't interrupt.

Kairon held out his hand.

Lio extended his own.

The moment their palms met, the System lit up.

[EXP Transfer Initiated: Kairon → PRIDE]

[EXP Delivered: 880,000]

[Skill Tree Update: Blade of Intent – Rank D → Rank C]

[Passive Trait Evolved: Presence of Poise → Edge of Principle]

[Mission Assigned: Investigation – Missing Candidate. Codename: "Sloth."]

[Target: Westfield Mausoleum Complex – Spiritual Lock Registered]

[Permission: Lethal Response Authorized Only on External Threats]

Lio blinked once.

His aura pulsed—not bright, not loud, but sharp.

A thin line of presence now extended from his shoulders like a well-honed thread pulled tight.

"You'll go alone," Kairon said.

Lio nodded. "Understood."

"No violence unless provoked."

"I trust you to know what's needed."

Lio lowered his gaze slightly.

"I won't disappoint you."

Kairon reached up with his other hand and rested two fingers against Lio's temple.

"You haven't yet."

Then Kairon turned.

He walked past the others, muttering about pillows.

Brix half-smiled.

Nair whispered, "Will he rest now?"

Mav tilted his head. "That was his most awake hour this month. He'll hibernate."

Lio returned to his place at the fire, sitting calmly.

And as Kairon sank into the heap of scrolls again, already half-snoring, the archive dimmed once more.

But something new had changed.

Five sat in a circle now.

And no one was afraid of the warmth.