The Balmount gate stood tall and imposing as days passed, bustling with activity. Traders, travelers, and merchants moved in and out, their footsteps merging with the clattering of wheels and occasional neighs of horses. Two guards, clad in reinforced leather armor with iron-plated accents, diligently checked the papers and cargo of those entering. Their sharp eyes scanned for anything suspicious, exchanging quiet remarks now and then. Nearby, four more guards stood in readiness, hands resting on the pommels of their swords, watching over the gate's interior to ensure peace and order. They would step in at the slightest hint of trouble, their presence a silent reminder of the kingdom's vigilance.
Inside, not far from the gate, Mira walked with her now-grown subordinates, all dressed in their uniforms that bore the mark of their allegiance. Mael's fiery orange eyes blazed with frustration, his expression barely masking his simmering anger.
"I don't see the point in coming back to this forsaken kingdom when they treat us like dirt at the gates," he growled, clenching his fists.
Astrid, ever playful, slipped her arm through Mael's, catching him off guard. "Oh, don't be such a grump," she teased, giving him a coy smile. "You know how much they love to act important. Makes them feel better about their boring little lives."
Mael grunted, still scowling. "They act like they own the damn place."
Nina, walking just behind, snorted. "Technically, they do. Kind of the whole point of being guards, genius."
Takashi, already sensing trouble brewing, nervously tried to intervene. "Guys, maybe we should just—"
But Mael wasn't having it. "Shut it, Takashi. I'm not about to be lectured by a brat who can barely swing his sword without tripping."
Nina couldn't help but laugh at that, stepping closer with a wicked grin. "Big words from the guy who nearly burned down a tavern because someone looked at him funny."
Mael's face flushed with indignation. "That guy was a creep! He had it coming!"
Astrid giggled, squeezing his arm tighter. "Oh, Mael. You're just mad because he called you cute."
Takashi tried to hide his chuckle behind his hand, but Mael shot him a glare. "You too, huh? Traitor."
Mira, who had been walking ahead in deep thought, let out an exasperated sigh and glanced back. "Will you four stop bickering for two seconds? You're giving me a headache."
Nina grinned, her eyes glinting with mischief. "Sorry, Captain. Just trying to lighten the mood. Mael's temper always does the trick."
Mael scoffed. "Like you're any better. Always running your mouth and dragging me into trouble."
Nina flicked his forehead, earning a sharp yelp. "You're just easy to rile up. Not my fault you're so sensitive."
Takashi looked between them, nervously scratching his neck. "It's kind of impressive how you two never get tired of arguing."
Astrid hummed thoughtfully. "Maybe it's their way of flirting."
That earned her matching looks of horror from both Mael and Nina. "Flirting? With her?" Mael barked.
"As if I'd ever stoop that low," Nina shot back, rolling her eyes.
Mira couldn't help but smirk at the chaos behind her. "You two bicker like an old married couple. Maybe Astrid's right."
Mael sputtered, his face going red. "Captain! Don't put weird ideas in her head!"
Nina just grinned triumphantly, folding her arms. "Admit it, Mael. You just can't handle how charming I am."
"You? Charming? That's the biggest joke I've heard all week!"
Astrid nudged Mael's side with a sly grin. "Oh, come on. You secretly like it. You'd miss Nina's teasing if she stopped."
Mael scoffed and looked away, mumbling under his breath. "Like hell I would."
The group continued their banter as they walked through the lively streets of Balmount. Merchants hawked their wares from colorful stalls, selling fruits, fabrics, and trinkets. Children ran past, laughing and chasing one another, while an elderly woman bargained with a fishmonger. The aroma of baked bread mingled with the faint scent of incense from a nearby shrine. Couples, families, and lone travelers filled the cobbled roads, their chatter a steady hum.
Suddenly, Mira's attention was drawn to a figure passing through the crowd. A man with dark green hair and piercing golden eyes walked slowly, his brown robe blending into the sea of people. Time seemed to slow as their paths crossed. Mira froze, her heart skipping a beat.
No… that can't be.
Her head turned sharply to follow him, but he was gone. The bustling crowd swallowed him whole, leaving her scanning desperately for another glimpse. Zephyr… You're in the kingdom, she thought, her anger simmering beneath the surface. Once I find you, I'll kill you with my sword.
"Captain?" Nina's voice pulled Mira from her thoughts. "Is something wrong?"
Mira blinked and looked at Nina, who was still holding her hand. The concern in her subordinate's eyes was mirrored on Takashi's, Mael's, and Astrid's faces. She forced a smile and patted Nina's head gently. "Nothing's wrong. Let's get to our destination and rest."
Nina pouted. "You sure? You've got that scary look again."
Mira smirked and ruffled Nina's hair. "I'm fine. Just keeping an eye out for trouble."
Mael grunted, rolling his shoulders. "Trouble follows us everywhere. Might as well be prepared."
Astrid shot him a playful glare. "Or you could try not picking fights for once."
Takashi gave a small, hopeful smile. "Maybe this time we'll actually get some peace."
Nina snorted. "With this lot? Not a chance."
The others nodded, Mael grumbling, "Finally, I can rest," as they resumed their journey. Mira, however, couldn't shake the thought of Zephyr.
Emerging from the shadows of a narrow alley, Zephyr watched Mira and her group walk away. His golden eyes flickered, his expression unreadable. Without a word, he stepped back into the darkness, his presence vanishing like a wisp of smoke.
Further into the alley, two drunken men staggered side by side, their laughter echoing through the narrow passage. The first man, with unkempt brown hair and dull blue eyes, reeked of ale, his ragged commoner's clothes barely hanging on his gaunt frame. He bumped into Zephyr, almost tripping over himself.
"Hey! Watch where you're going!" he slurred, his words dripping with intoxication.
Zephyr stopped but didn't look back, his posture relaxed but unmoving.
The second man, a burly figure with shaggy black hair and piercing gray eyes, stumbled in front of Zephyr, blocking his path. He sneered, leaning forward, the stench of alcohol heavy on his breath. "My friend's talking to you. Got no respect, huh?"
The first man grinned, his cracked teeth showing. "What's the matter? Cat got your tongue? Apologize!" He shoved Zephyr from behind, and Zephyr barely budged, his expression still calm.
With a bored sigh, Zephyr spoke, his voice low and cold. "Getting drunk at this hour must be the only skill you're good at."
The second man snarled, grabbing Zephyr's robe by the collar. "You think you're funny, huh? I'll teach you some manners!"
Zephyr's lips curved into a faint, almost unnoticeable smirk. "Manners, you say?"
Before the man could blink, his hand ignited with crimson flames, burning flesh and bone alike. The agonizing scream tore through the alley as the man dropped to his knees, clawing at his arm in a futile attempt to douse the fire. The stench of burning flesh mixed with the smoke, suffocating the narrow space.
"AAAAAAH! G-GET IT OFF! HELP!"
Zephyr looked down at him, golden eyes reflecting the dancing flames. "Burn away. Your ignorance was your downfall."
The flames crawled up his arm, devouring his flesh and spreading to his torso. The man thrashed and rolled, trying to smother the fire against the filthy ground, but his efforts only made it worse. His skin peeled, muscles seared, and his screams grew hoarse until they faded into a sickening crackle. In seconds, his body was reduced to ash, blowing away with a faint breeze.
The first man had fallen to the ground, his body trembling violently, eyes wide with terror. He didn't even realize he had pissed himself as he stared at the scorched ground where his friend had been.
Zephyr turned his cold gaze to him, voice devoid of emotion. "Pathetic. Are you not going to avenge him?"
The man shook his head frantically, choking on his sobs. "N-no... please... I didn't mean to... I was just... I-I'm sorry! Please don't kill me!"
Zephyr took a slow step toward him, and the man scrambled back, scraping his hands on the rough cobblestone. "P-please... I can be useful! I-I know things! I can tell you anything! Just let me live!"
Zephyr crouched down, his face inches from the man's. "Useful, you say?" He raised his hand, fingers glowing faintly. "Do you even know what pain feels like?"
The man's throat closed up, his breath hitching as Zephyr touched his forehead lightly. An unnatural heat spread through his skull, and suddenly his eyes burst, blood gushing down his face as he shrieked.
Zephyr watched with disinterest as the man clawed at his own ruined face, blood pooling beneath him. "Disgusting. You scream like a dying rat."
The man's remaining eye looked up at him, pleading. "K-kill me... p-please..."
Zephyr tilted his head. "Kill you? How generous of you to beg for mercy." His hand lowered, and with a single motion, the man's chest caved in, bones splintering and tearing through his flesh as blood spattered across the cobblestones.
A low groan escaped the dying man as his organs spilled out, steaming and glistening in the dim light. Zephyr rose to his feet, his robe untouched by the carnage. "You couldn't even entertain me. How dull."
He snapped his fingers, and flames swept through the alley, incinerating the remains and scorching the walls until they were spotless. The stench of burnt flesh lingered briefly before dissipating into the cool air.
Zephyr's gaze softened as he murmured to himself, a faint smile gracing his lips. "Healthy as always, my love. We shall meet again."
With a final glance at the now-pristine alley, he vanished into the shadows, leaving behind only silence and the lingering trace of ash.