Chapter 10: A Flicker in the Ashes
Following Morning – Academy Cafeteria.
For once, the sun cast a gentle light over the Academy grounds, filtering through fractured windows and glinting on plates stacked with synthetic bread, vat-grown meat, and overly sweet nectarberries. Despite the grim world outside, the cafeteria buzzed with an almost normal air.
Kairos sat in the farthest corner, a half-eaten berry between his fingers and the rest of his meal untouched.
He wasn't hungry—but he was watching.
"Staring again?" Selene's voice teased behind him.
She slid into the seat across from him, her snow-white hair catching the morning light like frost spun from moonlight. Her eyes, violet and unreadable, sparkled just enough to distract him.
Kairos arched a brow. "You're late."
"I was picking up something... spicy."
She placed a glowing pink vial between them. Whatever was inside shimmered like hot coals trapped in syrup.
"What's that?"
"Liquid courage."
He blinked. "For what?"
Selene smiled, leaned forward. "For surviving another day with you."
Their banter was light, but beneath it, something electric simmered.
---
Midday – Outer Training Grounds.
"Form up!" barked Instructor Vael.
Students rushed into lines. Today's session wasn't about spells or technique—it was about resilience.
"Two rounds. No magic. First to yield or fall is out."
Kairos stepped into the circle, cracking his knuckles.
Opposite him: Garrick, a brute of a boy with fists like hammers and the brains of an ogre.
Selene stood off to the side, arms crossed. "Don't kill him this time."
Kairos grinned. "I'll try."
The match began.
Fists flew. Feet pounded the dusty floor. Garrick swung wide. Kairos ducked low, feinted, struck ribs, chin, knee.
It was over in seconds.
Garrick lay sprawled, gasping.
Kairos turned to Vael. "Next?"
---
Evening – Dormitory Rooftop.
Kairos sat alone on the ledge, legs dangling over the edge. The wind played with the strands of his crimson hair, now longer than when he first arrived.
He heard the soft pad of feet.
Selene joined him, carrying two bottles of old fruit wine and a bag of roasted nuts.
"Dinner for champions," she said.
"Champions? I just knocked out a thick skull."
"Exactly."
They sipped in silence for a while.
Then, without looking at him, she said, "You'll leave, won't you?"
He didn't answer.
She shifted closer, her thigh brushing his.
"I'm coming with you when you do."
He turned, saw the certainty in her gaze.
And something else.
The wind died. The night held its breath.
Their lips met—not like a storm, but like embers meeting dry kindling. Slow. Warm. Inevitable.
Kairos drew her close, hands gentle at her waist. She climbed into his lap, straddling him, their hearts beating in sync as her fingers tangled in his crimson hair.
Moonlight bathed them in silver flame.
But even amidst the heat, Kairos knew...
Soon, he'd have to leave.
And war was coming.