The midday sun fell softly on the cobbled roads of the Argen Empire, a vast and powerful realm that had unified the other kingdoms of the continent under its rule.
Banners fluttered proudly on every tower, bearing the symbol of a phoenix rising from ashes—a sign of their perseverance.
The breeze carried scents of spices, fresh ink, and hot metal, fitting for a lively and strategic border city like Black Iron City.
Walking among the bustle, three figures stood out despite themselves.
Akasha observed the city with an empty gaze, alternating his attention between the street vendors. His spiral blue eyes seemed to trap light itself, and his movements were fluid, silent, as if he didn't touch the ground.
He wore a dark tunic with white details. Beside him, Hou Yi carried a large axe on his back and walked with a calm step. He wore a simple linen shirt and reinforced pants—worn but clean.
He could pass as just another traveler, if not for the way his eyes scanned everything with instinctive precision. Fou moved between them, sniffing curiously at every stand and shop. More than one child mistook him for a magical pet, and some even tried to approach.
"Too quiet for a border city, don't you think?" Hou Yi muttered without looking at Akasha.
"Mmm. I expected more people in the streets, but then again, this is better," Akasha replied, emotionless, as if commenting on the weather.
"Fou!" The little creature leaped onto a cart full of freshly baked bread. The vendor yelped and tried to shoo him away, but the critter had already jumped down and was running off with laughter in his eyes.
A metallic sound interrupted the scene: a group of imperial soldiers approached, patrolling the central market area. Leading them was a young woman with long silver hair tied in a braid down her back.
She wore light armor in bluish tones—more decorative than practical—but the way she walked and scanned the area showed she was more than a pretty face in uniform.
"Stop!" she ordered as she approached. "What are you doing with that creature? Does it belong to one of you?"
Fou hid behind Akasha. Hou Yi raised an eyebrow, amused.
"We didn't steal any bread, if that's your concern," he said, folding his arms. "Though I'll admit I can't control him when he's hungry."
Akasha said nothing. He simply looked at the young woman with that void gaze—not hostile, but certainly unsettling.
She blinked, a bit thrown off. She coughed and nodded.
"I am Lysandra Valenheart, princess of the Argen Empire. This city is under my supervision. I must ensure there are no... disturbances."
"There are none," Akasha said in a neutral tone. An awkward silence followed his words. Lysandra was about to speak when Akasha added:
"Interesting."
That caught not only Lysandra off guard but also Fou and Hou Yi, who looked at him strangely.
Lysandra looked into Akasha's eyes and asked, "What's interesting, sir...?"
"A princess. It's... quite unusual to find one who enjoys guarding a city like just another soldier."
A tense silence settled in. The soldiers behind her narrowed their eyes, taking his words as potentially disrespectful.
Lysandra, however, just smiled tightly and clapped.
"Right? But honestly, I can't stand those tea parties, etiquette lessons, or how to behave like a proper lady."
"Not that manners are bad, but I'm not a fanatic either. Besides, since I was a child, I've dreamed of becoming a general of the imperial army," she said as she casually invaded Akasha and Hou Yi's personal space.
"It shows," Hou Yi muttered, noticing her clinginess.
Fou, meanwhile, looked at her with interest before going back to munching on the bread he had stolen.
Lysandra smiled awkwardly, realizing her excitement, and fake-coughed again.
"Alright, I like you strangers. So tell me—do you have a place to stay?"
"No. We just arrived from the empire's outskirts. We were planning to find something to eat," Hou Yi replied.
Lysandra frowned, then looked at Akasha again and nodded.
"Very well, then allow me to take you to the best restaurant in the city. You'll love it, I'm sure."
"Fine. We'll accept your suggestion," Akasha responded, a bit intrigued by what she considered the best.
Fou jumped onto his head and let out a soft "kyu!" as if reinforcing the point. Lysandra couldn't help but laugh.
"Hey girl, don't you think you're treating us a little too well for complete strangers?" Hou Yi asked, raising a brow. Strangely, Akasha paid more attention to Lysandra's reply.
She smiled, dismissing the question with a wave.
"It's fine. You don't seem dangerous... and my gut says you're not here to cause trouble.
Besides, you didn't care when I said I was a princess. Everyone gets nervous when they hear that. So... yeah."
Hou Yi and Akasha looked at her like she was a strange creature, making Lysandra visibly nervous under their stares.
"Okay, okay, let's go before the restaurant gets crowded."
With that, she turned to her soldiers with a serious face and commanding voice.
"I'll escort my guests to Pearl of Jade. You patrol the city. If anything happens, contact me. Understood?"
The soldiers saluted and left without question.
"Strong and well-trained. More importantly, they follow your orders without hesitation. That's impressive, girl," Hou Yi commented as he watched them go.
Lysandra's face lit up. She puffed out her chest with pride.
"Of course. I trained them myself. Molded them into men with backbone. They obey me and only me."
Akasha raised an eyebrow.
"You don't look older than twenty. Their training must've lasted at least fifteen years."
Lysandra huffed, clearly offended.
"It's rude to guess a lady's age out loud, but..."
"But what?"
"I'm thirty-one."
Hou Yi, Akasha, and Fou looked confused. "Thirty-one what?"
Lysandra glared at Hou Yi before turning around and starting to walk.
"I'm thirty-one years old, okay? I just look young thanks to my ability."
Hou Yi whistled. Fou did the same while chewing bread. Akasha ignored them and followed after her.
---
"So tell me—what brings you to the empire?"
"We just wanted to see it. To admire it. They say there are wonderful places here," Hou Yi replied.
"Well then, since you're my guests, I'll be your guide during your stay," she declared more relaxed now.
"You're volunteering?" Hou Yi smiled.
Lysandra nodded with conviction.
"Indeed. As heir, it's my duty to show the best of our home to visitors. Plus, I need a break from war meetings and treaties."
And so began an unexpected tour.
They walked the broad cobbled streets, passing through the artisan district where the forges roared nonstop.
Akasha silently observed every process, analyzing the movements with scientific precision. At one stand, a girl offered them fruit candies with a bright smile; Hou Yi bought all of them.
Fou jumped from stall to stall, stealing both candy and hearts.
"I don't usually do this," Lysandra commented as they passed a lotus pond. "But there's something about you... something out of place—but not in a bad way. What are you?"
"It'd be easier to say what we're not," Hou Yi replied, chewing a sweet.
"And you?" she asked, looking directly at Akasha.
He stopped in front of the water. His reflection seemed to shimmer, as if unsure what shape to take.
"A fixed point in a world that never stops moving," he said simply.
Lysandra looked at him for a moment, then smiled, intrigued.
"Well. I like enigmas. Though I haven't decided if you're the interesting or the dangerous kind."
"Both, maybe. In the end, everything is subjective."
After a hearty meal at the restaurant she recommended, the afternoon passed in stories, cultural exchanges, and minor incidents Lysandra swiftly handled.
At sunset, they sat beneath a large tree near the main market. Lysandra pulled out a small bottle of fruit liquor and offered them some.
"So, what's next?" she asked while they drank.
Hou Yi looked at Akasha, who closed his eyes for a moment.
"We'll look for a place to sleep. Then we'll see."
"I hope you do," the princess said, her tone softening. "I'd like to learn more about you."
"Especially you," she added, looking at Akasha with a mix of curiosity and challenge. "So, if you'll accept it, I'd be happy to host you at my castle."
"You'd let strangers into your home?"
"Of course. Besides, you're not strangers anymore. Not since we had fun and you accepted being my guests."
Night fell, bringing a sense of calm. But somewhere in the empire, unseen eyes watched from the shadows, taking note of visitors who didn't quite belong in this reality.