Glass and Fire

Episode-- 15

Dawn spilled grey light over the ruined courtyard, glinting on puddles left by the night's rain.

Lina wrapped her arms around herself, breath clouding in the morning chill. Sleep had been impossible — thoughts tangled with shadows and the cold certainty of danger.

She needed air. Needed to see something that wasn't rotting stone and whispered threats.

Then she saw him.

Ayan stood in the courtyard, blade in hand, moving with a grace that startled her. His black shirt clung to sweat-slicked skin; every shift of muscle was deliberate, sharp as the steel he held.

She watched, unable to look away.

There was violence in his movements, yes — but also discipline, control born of something deeper than rage.

A blade could kill. But here, it seemed almost to keep him alive.

His final stroke cut through empty air. Then he stilled, eyes lifting to meet hers. Storm-dark, unreadable.

"You shouldn't be here," he said, voice low, not quite cold.

"Then teach me," Lina blurted. Her own voice surprised her. "To fight. To survive."

Ayan blinked once. Surprise flickered and vanished. "No."

"Why not?" she challenged, stepping closer. "You think I can't handle it?"

"It's not about strength," he said, softer now. "It's about what it does to you."

Lina swallowed. "Better to change than die afraid."

A muscle in his jaw twitched. "Once you see what your hands can do… you don't forget. And when the choice comes, you'll lose something you can't get back."

Their gazes locked. For a moment, the broken courtyard felt charged with something fragile — heat, fear, stubborn will.

"I've already lost enough," Lina whispered. Her voice cracked, but she held his stare.

Ayan's hand lowered, blade resting against his leg. "Go back inside, Lina," he murmured. His tone was gentle, but final. "While you still can."

"I'm not as fragile as you think," she shot back.

His expression changed — barely, but enough for her to see. Regret? Admiration? Fear?

"You're not," he agreed, almost too quietly to hear. "That's what scares me."

For a breath, the air between them felt thin, electric — glass about to shatter.

Then Ayan turned away, lifting the sword again. The spell broke.

Lina forced herself to leave, heart pounding.

Why did his words matter so much?

And why, behind those iron walls, did he look… afraid?

In the distance, thunder growled — as if the villa itself knew storms were coming.

---see you in next episode.....