"Ahhh… now this is living," Kael said, arms stretched high, steam still clinging to his skin. A towel hung loose around his waist. Droplets rolled down his chest, tracing paths over muscle and scars. The smirk on his face hadn't moved since they entered the room.
The chamber was more than just a resting place. Polished stone floors gleamed like water. Soft golden light spilled from lamps above, casting a warm glow across velvet couches and carved tables. Everything looked expensive—too expensive. Like the kind of room made for kings, not survivors.
Kael's eyes wandered.
Ash lay on the couch, arm over his eyes, still. His chest rose and fell, slow and deep. Not asleep. Just far away.
Max stood near the wall. His new clothes fit him like they were made for him. He tapped on a wristwatch that glowed blue, its holographic screen full of moving maps, logs, and strange shapes.
Kael tilted his head. "So you finally got Eir to give you one of those, huh?"
Max didn't answer right away. His fingers kept moving, sharp and clean, scrolling through the screen like he'd done it a thousand times.
"Yes," he said. "But it wasn't easy. You know how expensive this tech is? It's military-grade. Eir had to think twice before handing it over."
Kael grabbed his clothes from the corner. "Huh. That's funny."
Max looked up. "What?"
Kael pulled on his shirt. "I got mine earlier. Right after they brought the food."
Max didn't move.
"You mean… for free?"
Kael grinned. "Yup. I mean, it's not like I brought money with me, right? I guess Eir was just… impressed. Maybe it's the charm."
Ash didn't move, but his thoughts spun fast.
Charm, my foot… This idiot made us look like fools. And somehow, he walks out with the best food, softest bed, cleanest clothes... Eir looked like he wanted to kill us and crown Kael all at once.
Max's hand curled into a fist.
"Charm? Or manipulation?" he said. "You used us back there. You humiliated us in front of a political figure, made yourself look like some golden son… and called me arrogant?"
He stepped forward, shoulders tight. "I stayed quiet because I refused to stoop to your level. But maybe I should've said something."
Kael let out a laugh. Not friendly. Not kind. Just loud enough to push buttons.
"Yeah, I knew you wouldn't. You never do. Always so careful, so... tactical. You think you're above all this, like the 'bigger man'. But truth is, you just don't have the guts to face things when they get real."
Ash groaned inside. 'Seriously? We're finally safe, and they're picking a fight?'
Max's voice came low and sharp. "You want real? You don't know half of what I've done just to keep us together. While you were busy charming your way into people's hearts, I was the one watching our backs, calculating risks, fixing your mistakes."
Kael stepped closer, eyes locked. "And what? You want a medal for that? Poor Max, the burdened strategist, always hiding behind his perfect logic and emotionless face. You're not the glue—you're just the mask."
Ash sat up now. His voice cracked, dry and heavy. "Enough."
They didn't stop.
"You think that little tech toy makes you smarter?" Kael said. "It makes you predictable, Max. Eir knew you'd ask for it eventually. That's why he gave me one first."
Max's teeth clenched. "You're not special, Kael. You're just reckless. A smiling bomb waiting to go off. One day, that fake charm of yours will fall apart—and you'll realize no one's laughing anymore."
Kael's grin fell. His eyes sharpened. "At least I'm not hiding like Ash. Tell me, brother—when was the last time you told someone how you really feel, huh?"
Ash's fingers tightened around the edge of the couch.
'Thought so.'
Silence fell like a hammer. Heavy. Loud in all the ways words weren't.
Then came the knock.
Sharp. Metallic. One beat. Then another.
All three turned.
A voice came through the door—calm, cold. "Elder Eir has summoned you all. There's been... a development."
Ash rose first. His eyes were darker than before.
Max adjusted his watch, fingers steady.
Kael pulled the shirt down over his head, and for once, his smirk didn't return.
The peace had ended.
Max reached the door first. It slid open with a soft hiss.
"I'm going ahead," he said, already stepping through. His eyes didn't look back. "Being in the same room as him is exhausting. Ash, you coming?"
Ash pushed himself up from the couch. His legs felt heavy, like they'd sunk into the cushions. "Yeah… I'm coming."
Just as he reached the doorway, he glanced over his shoulder. Kael still stood inside, wearing that same crooked smile like a shield. Something stirred in Ash's chest—tight and bitter.
"You know… what you did back there—yeah, it looked funny. But it wasn't. You made us look like fools." His voice didn't rise. "And for what? A laugh?"
Kael tilted his head like he didn't hear it right. "Wow. You finally decided to talk. Good for you."
Ash stared for a second, then let out a quiet scoff. He turned and walked out.
'What was I expecting? He never listens.'
He caught up to Max without saying anything else.
Behind them, the room sank into silence. Kael stood alone now, the smirk slowly slipping from his face. He turned toward the mirror near the wall. His reflection stared back—wet hair now drying, eyes unreadable.
"So... they hate me now, huh?" he said under his breath. The corners of his lips twitched again. But this time, it wasn't the same grin.
"They don't get it. But they will. I'll push them if I have to. Break them if I must. They have to understand what it means... to be the Son of Flame."
He grabbed his shirt and coat, tossed them on, and stepped out into the hallway.
————
Max's steps were sharp. Every footfall echoed across the cold floor. His eyes stayed locked on the glowing screen floating above his wrist. The data kept shifting, but he barely saw it. His jaw tightened, and his fingers hit the screen harder each time.
Ash followed a few steps behind. His eyes were fixed on Max's back.
'This isn't good. He's cracking. Kael really got to him.'
Ash cleared his throat. "That was... unlike you, Max. I thought you'd hit him with some clever counter and make him look dumb. But he actually got under your skin."
Max stopped. His fingers hovered above the screen for a moment, then he dragged them down his face.
"Yeah. You're right. I lost it back there. I let him get to me. Maybe because I thought he was right."
Ash blinked. "You mean… he was right?"
Max let the screen fade out. "About some things, yeah. I do hide. Behind logic, plans, systems. I built walls because I thought it would protect all of us." He turned his head, eyes softer now. "But lately... I'm not sure anymore."
Ash looked down. His hands curled at his sides. "Maybe he was right about me too. I shut myself off ever since mom died. Not just from people… from myself. I wanted to be better, stronger, but it's like I've been stuck in that same moment ever since."
Max turned his full body toward him now. "You still think about her."
Ash's voice dropped. "Yeah... Every day."
Max didn't move for a while. Then he nodded and walked again, this time slower.
"It hit you hard huh. I know. You never talked much, but after she died, it was like something broke in you. Like you couldn't breathe."
Ash didn't speak at first. Then his voice came, low. "It's been a year, Max. And still, every time I close my eyes, I see her face. I hear her voice. I feel the fire. My body won't rest until I do something."
They stopped in front of a large metal door. The surface was scratched and scarred, like it had survived more than one battle.
Max turned to face him. "Do what, Ash?"
Ash's eyes stared ahead. "Avenge her. Kill every single creature that helped destroy this world. I know my veinflow is weak—but with this upgrade… this new system… I think I can grow. Without relying on the darkness veinflow. With this speed skill, I can outrun anything. Kill anything."
Max's face didn't shift, but something in his voice grew sharper. "Ash… I get it. But don't throw yourself into something you can't come back from. Your speed skill comes with consequences. Overusing it could tear you apart."
Ash's jaw clenched. "Then I'll tear. I'll burn out before I break."
The air between them thickened.
Then a voice called out behind them—light and smooth, like none of it mattered.
"Ohhh, you guys were waiting for me?"
Kael strolled down the hall, now fully dressed, hands stuffed in his coat pockets. His steps were relaxed. His smile was back, like nothing happened.
Neither Max nor Ash spoke.
Kael passed right between them, reached for the door, and pushed it open without pause.
"Hey, Uncle Eir," Kael said with a smug grin. "You called for us?"
"Oh, Kael… you're here," Eir said, lifting his head. His voice sounded calm, but something in his eyes said otherwise.
The room didn't feel normal. The air felt tight, like it had soaked in too many whispers. A long black table stretched down the center. Its surface was flat, dull, and empty—like it didn't want to reflect anything. The lights above weren't bright enough. They threw long shadows that clung to the walls and stretched behind the people already seated.
Mia and Kevin sat near the middle. Both sat straight, like every move was part of a plan. Around them sat others—faces the brothers didn't know—but each one gave off the same thing: strength. Control.
Eir sat at the head of the table, where the power always rested. "Welcome," he said, fingers interlocked. "Where are your brothers?"
Kael glanced back, then frowned. "Huh. Thought they were right behind me."
The doors hissed open again. Max and Ash stepped in.
"Sorry we're late," Max said. His voice was low, the weight from earlier still clinging to it.
Eir gave a small smile—not the kind that meant he was pleased. "No problem. I'm just glad you came. Please—sit."
The three moved in silence. Chairs scraped across the floor. No one else spoke.
Eir broke it first. "Now that we're all here, introductions are in order. I'll begin with the elders."
He nodded to the left. An older man sat there. His skin looked like stone, his stare even harder. "This is Elder Augtin. He doesn't speak often. But when he does, people listen."
Augtin gave a slight nod. His eyes didn't blink.
Eir turned to the next man. "Captain Tim. Head of the guards. Close with the military. One of the best fighters we have."
Captain Tim didn't nod. His lips pressed together like the boys weren't worth his time.
Eir pointed right. "Elder Lane—my second-in-command. Keeps order when I'm away."
Lane's eyes locked onto the brothers. He didn't look away. No smile. Just stillness.
"And lastly…" Eir motioned to a woman in white and silver. "Elder Lucille."
Lucille smiled and tucked her hair behind her ear. "Elder makes me sound ancient."
Eir raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you older than me?"
Ash blinked. 'Older? She looked barely older than him…'
Lucille let out a soft laugh. Her eyes moved to the boys. "Don't let him fool you. Some things are eternal." Her smile didn't fade. It stayed just a second too long.
Kael leaned back slightly. His eyes narrowed. Ash shifted in his seat. Max didn't move, but something in his jaw tightened.
Eir turned to the next pair. "You already know the members of Team RISE—Mia and Kevin."
Mia gave a small wave. Kevin didn't move. His jaw stayed locked, eyes low.
Eir pointed to the far end of the table. "And these are the operatives of Team Galeforce—Hunter and Kai."
They sat like statues—same blonde hair, same sharp eyes. Not a single word came from either of them.
The silence in the room grew thicker. Eyes were on the brothers. No one said it out loud, but it felt clear.
Ash's eyes moved from face to face, then to the walls and corners of the room, as if the answers might be hiding in the silence. His shoulders stayed tight.
'Why would two elite teams be sitting together like this? In a quiet place like Ironhold? Something about it didn't sit right. Unless... a wave's coming?'
Beside him, Max leaned forward in his seat, elbows on the table. "So… what's with the double-team setup? What's really going on here?"
Eir's hands stayed folded, his expression still. Like he'd been waiting for that question. "I'm glad you asked. It's time you understood the state of things here… in Ironhold."
Kael's arms crossed. He didn't look away. "Yeah, everyone outside looks… broken. Like they've already lost."
Eir's lips curved just enough to show something bitter. "That's because they have. A large-scale creature wave is headed our way—bigger than anything we've seen in years."
Ash froze. His breath caught for half a second. 'Knew it. We barely got time to breathe, and already it's back to war.'
Max straightened in his seat. "So… you're asking us to fight alongside you."
Eir gave a small shrug. "I am. But the choice is yours. You're not prisoners here."
Ash's hand clenched under the table.' As if we have a choice.' He looked around again—Team RISE, Galeforce, the elders—every face felt like pressure. 'We owe Ironhold. If we back out now, the Vortex name dies before it even begins.'
Before the silence could thicken, Kael stood fast, his chair scraping back. "Of course we'll help! We're Vortex. We don't run."
Max let out a long breath. "Yeah, of course…"
Eir clapped once, loud in the quiet room. The sound bounced off the walls. "Excellent. With this many capable teams, I have faith that Ironhold will stand. Now, before we conclude—any final questions or concerns?"
A hand lifted from the end of the table. Kai.
Eir turned toward him. "Go ahead."
Kai's voice came steady. "I'd like to ask the current leader of Team Vortex a question." His eyes landed on Max, sharp as a blade. "How did you survive an Apex ship chase… and make it all the way to Dunehaven? Word is, no one makes it out of a direct Apex encounter alive."
Ash's chest tightened. 'Why's he asking that? His eyes darted to Max. Don't tell him anything. Please.'
Max looked like he hadn't slept in days. His shoulders lowered as he pulled in a breath, ready to speak.
But Kael slammed his fist on the table.
"They had me. We fought. What more could any team ask for?" He locked eyes with Kai, gaze cutting. "And besides, where were you when we needed help? Certainly not chasing Apex ships."
Ash's lips twitched. 'Finally, his ego does something useful.'
Max let out a quiet chuckle, shaking his head. "It was a hard journey. We nearly died. A lot. But we made it."
He turned to Eir. "Now… are we done here? There's someone I need to check on."
Eir tilted his head. "And who would that be?"
Max rose from his seat. "Old Man Mark."