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Morning sunlight streamed gently through the wooden blinds of the small inn room. The scent of salt from the ocean lingered in the air, mixing with the faint aroma of the previous night's firelight. Soft breathing echoed in the silence, calm and steady.
Kaya stirred beneath the sheets.
She blinked, slowly opening her eyes to unfamiliar warmth pressed against her bare back. Her fingers grazed the firm, muscular arm wrapped loosely around her waist. Then it hit her.
Last night.
The bath. The touch. The heat. The moans. The overwhelming emotions. Her entire body flushed red at the memories.
She lifted the covers just enough to peek, only to confirm what she already felt: she was completely naked. And so was he.
Rael.
Her heart thudded, a thousand questions rushing to the front of her mind, but instead of panic, she felt… peace. Strange peace. His warmth was calming. She wasn't alone. She didn't regret anything.
As if sensing her, Rael stirred and opened his eyes. His amber gaze met hers with calm clarity.
"Morning," he said casually, voice a low rumble.
Kaya's cheeks burned. "D-Don't just say that like nothing happened…"
Rael raised an eyebrow. "Did you want me to scream it to the world?"
Kaya covered her face with both hands, embarrassed beyond belief. "You're impossible…"
He smirked. "You weren't saying that last night."
"Stop!" she groaned, shoving a pillow at him. "You're such a brute!"
But even as she said it, she couldn't help but smile. A genuine smile. Something had changed in her. She didn't feel sick, weak, or fragile anymore. She felt… alive. Complete.
Rael rose from bed and pulled on his pants, his torso glistening in the morning light. "Get dressed. We've got company."
An hour later, outside the inn near the dock, tension hung in the air.
Rael stood calmly, arms folded as he gazed across a semi-circle of marines pointing rifles at him. Among them stood Vice Admiral Garent, heavily bandaged, leaning on a crutch. His presence alone was enough to silence the whispers of nearby civilians.
The Vice Admiral's eyes were cold and focused, the bandages across his chest and arms a testament to the beating he'd received.
"You're as calm as ever," Garent said. "I don't know whether that's confidence… or arrogance."
"I slept well," Rael replied. "You?"
"Barely," Garent said with a dry tone. "You shattered two ribs and broke my shoulder."
Rael shrugged. "You drew first blood."
"I was doing my duty," Garent said. "You've caused chaos across several islands. You assaulted marines, destroyed pirate fleets, and you hold a civilian—Kaya—as your companion. You're a threat, Rael. A growing one."
Rael narrowed his eyes. "I didn't hurt civilians. I punished the corrupt. Pirates and marines alike. Or did your reports leave that part out?"
Garent gave a weary sigh, motioning with one hand for his men to lower their weapons. "Stand down."
The marines hesitated, then obeyed. The tension eased, but the unspoken threat remained.
"I didn't come here to fight again," Garent said, stepping forward slowly. "But listen carefully. You're not just strong—you're unnatural. Headquarters will not overlook this. They've started whispering words like 'Ancient Weapon.' Or worse—'Godspawn.'"
Rael chuckled softly. "Let them call me what they want. I'm not the one playing politics behind a desk."
"That confidence of yours," Garent muttered. "It's going to paint a target on your back bigger than any bounty."
"Let them come," Rael said calmly, his aura flickering briefly. "I don't speak from arrogance… but certainty."
The Vice Admiral studied him carefully. His instincts screamed that this man wasn't just another powerful rogue. There was something else—something ancient and terrifying pulsing beneath his skin.
"If you ever lose control," Garent warned, "there won't be a second warning."
Rael turned, walking away as Kaya stepped beside him.
One of the younger marines barked, "S-Sir! They're leaving! Should we—?"
Garent didn't look back. "No. Let him go."
"But—!"
"I said no," the Vice Admiral snapped. "He beat me clean. If we provoke him again, I can't guarantee this town stays standing."
The marine paled and fell silent.
Garent watched as Rael and Kaya disappeared into the crowd, headed back toward the port.
"Send word to Marine HQ," he ordered quietly. "Tell them… he's not just dangerous. He's a force we don't understand yet."
Back on their small ship, Kaya sat quietly on the deck, her fingers tracing the edge of her book as she watched Rael inspect their supplies.
She finally spoke. "Rael… are you okay?"
He didn't turn. "Why wouldn't I be?"
"You're carrying too much," she said. "This world's people know don't who you are yet , or what you've gone through. But I can tell—it's heavy. You don't even flinch anymore when people point weapons at you."
Rael looked back at her, eyes softening. "If I did, I wouldn't have lived this long."
Kaya stood and approached him. "Then don't carry it alone. I know I'm not strong, but I can walk beside you."
"You're stronger than you think," he said. "You survived illness, betrayal, and now you've sailed into the unknown with a man hunted by gods and monsters."
Kaya smiled, reaching up to brush a lock of hair from his face. "You're my monster."
Rael kissed her forehead gently. "And you're my anchor."
From afar, a cipher-pol agent watched them through binoculars. Hidden beneath a black cloak, he scribbled into a leather-bound journal:
Target Rael. Power level: Unclear. Defeated Vice Admiral Garent. Civilian companion: Kaya of Syrup Village.
He looked up toward the sky, where ominous clouds were gathering.
"HQ won't like this," he muttered. "Not one bit."
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