Rai used to have a separate wing to sleep in, being the King's biological son, but since he fell out of favor with Vetro, he'd been moved into the shared room with the rest of us. He spent several nights in my room just talking. If I got bored, he'd use his fire to cast shadows on the wall and act out a movie to entertain us. After seeing how it was done, I joined in.
The days blurred together since we were stuck inside with no windows or concept of time outside of when we were summoned for training. I don't know how long it had been when Rai suddenly said,
"I need your help, Zai."
I was taken aback. We had just finished a casual conversation, but his tone shifted the mood entirely.
"How can I help you?" I asked.
His eyebrows furrowed as he said, "I need to break the barrier again. You can come with me this time… or just tell them I did it on my own."
I punched the wall, the sound echoing around the room as I glared at him.
"Is this why you wanted to be my friend?!"
He stared at me, eyes wide, then made a face like he was holding back tears.
"No… I want to be your friend because I feel like you're someone I can respect. No matter what my father puts you through, you never submit. Everyone else has gone passive. They hate him—but they'd never say it to his face."
His sadness killed my anger. I looked down and pouted before muttering, "I don't hate your father… He deserves my hatred, but focusing on it too much was driving me insane. Also… fine, I'll help you."
Rai can't lie, so I trust his words. Even if he could, I'd know.
The next night, after the servants left us alone, I started experimenting with the barrier, increasing the electric charge each time—but nothing worked.
"Do you think they changed the formula?" Rai asked.
I squinted at the door. "No... the rune pattern's the same. I need something else. I think the reaction between Cera's sphere and my electricity broke the barrier last time."
"I guess that means we need to ask for him…" Rai sighed, then reluctantly made his way to Cera's room. I knew he wanted to keep this between the two of us, so bringing in Cera was the last thing either of us wanted.
Somehow, Rai convinced him. Cera stepped out, looking fidgety. I wasn't sure I could trust him to keep a secret, but if he's now involved, there's no turning back.
Without hesitation, Cera created two orbs, the same size as before. Then he asked,
"Where will you be going?"
He looked at me, not Rai. I frowned and said, "Nowhere."
"You can tell me," he insisted.
"Sure, I can. But I'm not going anywhere. Rai is."
Cera raised an eyebrow and turned to Rai, who waved but didn't smile.
"Rai? You two have gotten close," Cera said, his tone tinged with distaste.
"Yeah, Rai is my best friend," I replied without hesitation, shocking them both, and worsening Cera's mood.
Then I focused my energy on the orb, aimed it at the door, and the barrier crumbled.
Rai hugged me. "If they ask, I broke the barrier alone. Please."
I sighed and nodded. I don't know if I'll actually have the guts to sell him out, but since he requested my help, maybe he can handle the blame without breaking his vow to never lie.
"I think… Valin can rebuild the barrier. That'll give him more time outside, too. I'll clean up the evidence we were involved in," Cera offered.
"Smart thinking," I replied, patting his shoulder.
Several high-level Earth users built the original barrier, but Valin is a genius—an annoying genius. He could probably repair it by himself.
I left Cera to handle the cleanup and went to Valin's room. He was the only one with a door, crafted from crystals he'd made himself. I'd wanted to talk to him anyway, so this was a good excuse.
I knocked repeatedly until the door was yanked open. A half-dressed maid rushed out.
"Oh, it's you… What do you want?" he asked, irritated and shirtless.
Valin's hair was long and wavy, his features soft—but he worked out more than any of us. His face didn't match his body at all.
"I need a favor."
"What?" he asked impatiently.
"What's wrong? Too busy to help me?" I teased.
That seemed to trigger a smile. "Not anymore, obviously. Plus… helping my brother is more important."
As expected, Valin had no trouble repairing the barrier. It kept the others from noticing what we had done—or doing the same.
Rai returned after two days. Vetro made an example of him, punishing him personally. This time, he allowed Rai to fight back, just to remind him how powerless he was.
The ceiling was too low for flight, and Rai had to be careful not to burn us in the crossfire. His feet were sealed with glass, and while his flames could melt most of Vetro's attacks, the molten glass was still usable. Vetro manipulated it around Rai's neck and wrists.
Rai looked at us helplessly as the King approached.
"How did you break that barrier alone? Where did you go?"
Rai stayed silent, eyes full of defiance.
"That wasn't a question," Vetro said. "It was a demand." He raised his sword.
"Stop!" I shouted.
Cera was beside me, crying as the King turned our way.
"I'm getting sick and tired of you," Vetro growled. He moved in front of me in an instant, raising his sword—
—But Valin stood, catching the blade in his hand. It shattered instantly, turning to dust. Not a scratch on him.
"You've won! Rai is back! Stop hurting my family!" Valin said firmly.
Everyone was stunned.
The King launched a series of attacks, but Valin blocked them all and even pushed him back. Then Valin stepped forward, eyes shining bright in his fury.
"I said stop."
For the first time, I saw Vetro retreat in fear.
My heart swelled with excitement. I ran to Valin and hugged him. "Thank you!"
He patted my back awkwardly, trying to signal for me to let go, but I ignored it.
"Well... yeah, he was taking things too far," Valin muttered.
"You can beat him! We can finally leave this place! You're incredible! Your understanding of Earth even surpasses the King's! I can't believe—"
He pushed me away and held up a hand to shush me.
"No."
"No, what?"
"I hate fighting. I'm not fighting anyone."
Then he turned and walked back to his room, sealing it shut behind him.
I numbed Rai's pain, and Cera accelerated the healing. Even Insinz helped, filling the room with calming smoke.
I stayed annoyed at Valin for days, but when it passed, I knocked again.
This time, the door opened from a distance. He was embracing the same maid, but when she saw me, she jumped away, buttoning her blouse and hurrying off.
"Is she your girlfriend?" I asked, mostly curious.
"No. I've been winning her over for weeks. She's just a distraction. Not even cute enough to be my girlfriend. Options are pretty limited in here."
Okay, I was no longer curious.
"I understand that you hate fighting… even though your potential is immense," I said carefully.
"Good," Valin replied flatly.
I sighed, forcing myself to stay calm. "Teach me Earth."
He stared at me blankly. "You were chosen by Lightning. You still get to choose an element?"
"Yeah. And I choose Earth."
He groaned. "Teaching sounds sooo annoying."
"Please…" I said, mustering all the charm I could manage.
He rolled his eyes, folded his arms, and after five long minutes of silence, said, "Fine. But you better pay attention. Don't waste my time."
He paused. "And in exchange, do me a favor. I need you to hit me if you catch me being too insensitive. I gave up my empathy... but I don't want to become too strange. It'll help me a lot."
"Deal."
With that, I started studying under Valin in my free time. I wouldn't say I liked it. I would say I disliked it.
There's a reason they say geniuses shouldn't teach.
He skipped the basics and got annoyed if I didn't pick things up right away, even though his element is the exact opposite of mine.
I almost regretted asking.
But I need this.
I need to be able to beat the one who calls himself our father.