"I still can't believe it. You're really Amara's mother? This whole thing is insane." Lyra broke the heavy silence the moment Kai and Kaida finished explaining.
Kaida tilted her head, a flicker of curiosity breaking through her usual calm. "You know about Amara too? Did Tashi tell y—"
Lyra flashed a mischievous smile before Kaida could even finish the question. "He didn't say a word. Let's just say... I have my ways."
Kai sighed. "She broke into Amara's room."
"Kai!" Lyra snapped, half a second later, her face twisted in mock outrage.
Kaida let out a soft laugh, the tension in her chest easing slightly. "I understand. Lyra, Kai... may I ask for your help?"
Lyra didn't even hesitate. "What kind of question is that?! Of course, we'll help!"
Kai gave her a long-suffering look. She had decided for both of them without a second thought—but truthfully, he would have agreed either way.
He simply crossed his arms and nodded.
"Thank you," Kaida said quietly. Then, turning to Lyra, she added, "And... I'm sorry. For what I did before."
Lyra's grin was pure and bright, like a sudden sunrise after a storm. "It's okay!"
Kaida lowered her head in a bow. ''After all of this is done, I promise to answer any questions you may have for me.''
Lyra nodded firmly, though Kai still looked faintly suspicious.
Just what exactly had happened between these two?
Finally, he asked, "So, what kind of help are we talking about? Are you planning to fight them? And even if we do, it won't solve the root of the problem... Amara's powers."
Kaida looked him in the eye and nodded. "You're right. Fighting alone isn't enough. That's why—"
She drew a slow, deliberate breath. "I have a way to save her."
Lyra straightened, wide-eyed. "Really?"
Kaida's voice was steady, heavy with resolve. "I can seal her magic source. Permanently."
Kai's gaze sharpened. "Seal it? Is that even possible?"
Kaida's hands tightened into fists at her sides. "With enough power, yes. Her ability—like all abilities—is tied to her source. If I cut it off, the dreams will stop. She'll be free."
Kai frowned. "And do you... have enough?"
"Not quite." Kaida raised her hand.
A faint outline of a glowing sigil flickered across her palm—complex, layered, dangerous.
"Whispering Domain," she said. "A unique spell. I can create an invisible field around myself... siphoning magic from everyone inside it."
Kai's expression turned grim. "That's—"
"Ah! So that's what you used on me!" Lyra burst out, pointing an accusing finger.
Kaida lowered her hand, her voice sincere. "Yes, I'm sorry."
Kai exhaled through his nose, letting the apology pass without comment. "How is that related to sealing Amara's powers?"
"Let me explain. Before I cast it, I must declare the duration. If I complete the time without interruption, the stolen magic can be assimilated into my own."
Kai waited, then asked, "So, you're going to steal their magic... to have enough power?"
Lyra leaned forward. "Wait! Then why not take magic from me or Kai? We can share some willingly!"
Here she goes again, dragging me into things without asking.
Kaida gave a faint smile, almost sad. "I wish it were that simple. But no. The absorbed magic has to match my own elemental affinity or its closest kin. If the magic absorbed belongs to an opposing element—particularly the one most distant from my own—the backlash can weaken or even severely harm me."
I figured it was something like that: greater power demands a greater risk. A spell like this is only born when the balance between gain and consequence is perfectly aligned.
"Lyra, your elemental affinity is light. All angels are. Kai, based on what Viper said, yours is Wind, right?"
He said nothing. Just nodded once.
Kaida continued, voice steady. "My element is Fire. I can only absorb magic closely aligned with it—otherwise, the consequences would be catastrophic."
"Then who?" Lyra asked.
Kaida didn't hesitate. "Tafari is Earth. Too distant. Blaze..." she faltered, her voice lowering to almost a whisper. "I don't know what he is. I won't risk it."
Her hand clenched at her side.
"That leaves Rey. His element is Lightning—closest to fire. And Viper." Her tone soured. "Original fire. Just like me. Perfect match."
Kai's eyes narrowed slightly. "You're going to drain them. Without them noticing?"
Kaida nodded once. "I'll activate the domain during the battle. With the chaos... they won't realize. I just need five minutes."
Kai spoke quietly. "And us?"
Kaida turned to them both, her voice low and urgent. "I need you two to keep Blaze and Tafari away. Distract them. Delay them. Buy me the time I need."
Lyra raised a confident hand. "Easy!"
Kai didn't look quite so optimistic.
From what Kaida had told him, Blaze was dangerous. But Kai trusted his own strength—and he didn't believe anyone could bring him down in just five minutes.
And so, he nodded grimly.
Kaida unfurled a rough map and pointed to a spot just outside Eldrida. "We should arrive from this direction tomorrow morning. Wait for us there. As soon as we arrive, we'll begin. The confusion should buy us a little time as well."
She tapped the paper once.
Then she stood. "I need to return to Crimson Peak before anyone suspects."
"Wait!" Lyra called. "Shouldn't you at least see Amara?"
Kaida paused, shoulders tense. "I can't. Not yet. If I see her now, I won't have the strength to leave again."
Her voice cracked slightly.
"When it's over... I'll hold her and never let go."
Lyra's mouth opened to respond—but froze.
All three of them felt it at once.
A pulse of magic tore through the air, a warning written into the very bones of the world.
From the sky, it descended—a monstrous hawk, its wings wreathed in fire and crackling with unnatural lightning.
Kaida's heart dropped.
"No..." she breathed. "They're here!"
Panic surged.
Had Blaze suspected her all along?
But no—something was wrong. The magic felt... twisted.
Kai unsheathed his sword, his eyes locking onto the burning creature.
"I've seen this before," he muttered. "This time I'll completely eliminate it."
Kaida screamed after him. "Kai! That hawk isn't the same as before! Rey's lightning is reinforcing it!"
"Lightning?" he echoed, confused.
Kaida shouted, urgency sharpening her words. "Rey's lightning can strengthen magic attacks! And Viper's hawk is fire—the perfect fuel! It's twice as powerful now!"
Twice? Kai clicked his tongue.
If I can't deflect it, then...
Rather than deflect, he spun a net of razor-sharp winds, twisting them into the sky.
The two forces collided midair.
The sky detonated.
Flames and sparks rained down like a thousand burning stars, roaring through the heavens and rattling the earth.
Kai landed lightly, but a heartbeat later—a leg crackling with electric fury lashed toward him.
He's fast!
Kai raised his arms, barely blocking the kick. He countered instantly, lashing out—but his attacker flipped back with catlike agility.
"Rey," Kaida said, recognition and dread heavy in her voice.
Rey didn't look at her.
His focus was solely on Kai, like a predator sizing up worthy prey.
Then, one after another, they landed—silhouettes emerging from the smoke.
"Viper. Tafari. Blaze."
Four Nullborn stood before them, the air around them warping with raw, lethal magic.
Kaida whispered, "Change of plans. It's today."
A beat of cold fear sank into her gut—only for Lyra to break it with a fierce, reckless grin. "No problem!"
Kai's hand tightened around his sword hilt. His heartbeat was calm. Steady.
Blaze finally spoke, his voice clear and chilling.
"Begin the requiem."