The heat from the fire was the first sensation Kris remembered as awareness returned. Flame burned its way through his arms and chest like a hot coal, but that he was capable of feeling pain. was proof that he was alive.
His lids quivered open.
A quiet cave. Shadow-shrouded rock walls. Jessica sat next to a soft fire nearby, her arm wrapped. Zagan was still but alive, his chest expanding and contracting normally.
And there, beside the fire, sat a youth not much older than they were, yet behaving like one a century his age.
Vinam.
His dark and frayed cloak was thrown negligently over his back. He was neither cold nor thoughtful — merely quiet, as if he was a part of silence. The fabled sword — the Blooming Destroyer — lay beside him, blue and silver blade dimly shining with the light of the flames. But it was Vinam's peaceful face that disturbed Kris more than the sword.
He appeared calm. Not because he didn't care… but because he was used to unrest.
KRIS
(grimacing)
Where… are we?
Vinam glanced over his shoulder, a gentle smile on his lips.
VINAM
You're awake. That's good. Thought I might have brought you here for nothing.
Kris blinked. It wasn't her cold warrior or renegade swordsman's voice. It was soft — low, but not menacing.
JESSICA
(sitting upright)
He saved us, Kris. Carried all three of us here alone. He… patched us up, too.
Vinam poured a small wooden cup full of something and presented it to Kris.
VINAM
Herbs. They will not taste good, but they will prevent the pain from traveling. Drink.
Kris took it hesitantly.
ZAGAN
(voice dry, groaning awake)
You're too laid back for a guy who just tore apart a Cromos commander.
His gaze turned to the Blooming Destroyer.
ZAGAN
That sword… it is not of steel, is it?
VINAM
(pause)
It's a memory. And a warning. That's all.
Kris glared at him.
KRIS
You could have let us die. Why assist?
Vinam gazed into the fire once more, face inscrutable.
VINAM
Because I've watched too many people die. And sometimes. you just get sick of seeing it happen.
There was a long silence before he rose.
VINAM
Rest as long as you can. Training at dawn.
---
[Scene: Morning – Outside the Cave]
The jungle fog wrapped around the cliffs. In the distance, the broken skies of Solareth loomed above a sea of floating islands.
Vinam stood at the precipice, with arms crossed, watching the clouds roll beneath.
Zagan approached him.
ZAGAN
You fight as if you have already lost. But you continue to fight. Why?
VINAM
(gently)
Since forward is the one direction that doesn't make things worse.
ZAGAN
If you truly wish to end this with Cromos… train us.
Vinam glanced over his shoulder, smiling faintly.
VINAM
Watch what you wish for. I won't hold anything back on you just because you're alive.
KRIS
(step alongside them)
We don't need easy. We must survive.
VINAM
Then let us see whether you can stand me.
---
[Training Begins]
The clearing outside the cave was fought over.
Day 1: Pain.
Jessica threw a bubble shield. Vinam didn't even get his sword out — he poked it with a stick. It snapped right in two.
Zagan attacked head-on. Vinam dodged and used the momentum of the boy to spin him over his shoulder.
Kris battled with passion, fury, and instinct. He was able to get in a good punch — only to be disarmed in the same motion by Vinam and whacked on the side of the head with the handle.
VINAM(flattly)
Anger is loud. True strength is quiet. Learn the difference.
---
Day 2: Discipline.
They woke up with sore bones, stiff limbs, and questions.
Vinam didn't say much. He didn't dissect each move, and he didn't baby their errors. But when one of them improved — barely at all — he watched.
Kris started to advance more deliberately, alternating his stance between attacks.
Jessica also perfected her timing with her spells to the point of actually creating a five-second barrier.
Zagan stopped relying on brute strength and started observing Vinam's movement — something no one had ever done before.
Stepping aside, the three rested while Vinam sipped from a small wooden cup he had made for himself.
JESSICA
You're tough but you're unlike anyone we've ever met. You're. calm.
VINAM
Peace doesn't mean I'm not angry. It just means I'm not letting it get the best of me.
ZAGAN
You fight like a man who once had it all. and lost it.
Vinam did not respond immediately.
VINAM.
Some things are better left unsaid. Particularly those which still hurt.
KRIS
Whatever you experienced… it didn't shatter you.
VINAM
(smiling weakly)
That is what I tell myself every morning.
---
[Later That Evening – Campfire]
The group sat around the fire once more. This time, it was not awkward. Vinam sat before them silently, polishing his sword. The Blooming Destroyer rested beside him — harmless-looking now, as if it never emitted divine energy.
KRIS
We're thankful. For all.
VINAM
No thanks. Just survive. That's all the thanks I need.
Jessica looked at the sword again, hesitating.
JESSICA
That blade… it shines like it's alive. Is it magic?
VINAM
It's a great many things. Magic is likely the least of them.
ZAGAN You're just not going to say anything, are you?
Vinam smiled, but it didn't quite make it to his eyes.
VINAM
Trust is not built through doubt. It's built over time.
--- [Last Scene – Kris's Reflections] Subsequently, after the others had slept, Kris lay awake gazing up at the ceiling of the cave. He could hear Vinam humming to himself softly outside. The melody was unknown — not of this world. Bittersweet, lovely… distant.