The soft, rhythmic sound of steel cutting through the air echoed across the upper floor of Aug's shop.

  Kael moved without pause, his sword slicing through invisible opponents again and again. Each strike was precise and controlled—meant not to kill, but to rebuild his body. Sweat clung to his skin as he forced his muscles to recall strength, endurance, and motion.

  When the last slash faded, he stopped.

  He leaned the sword against the wall and exhaled slowly.

  For the past three days, he had followed the same pattern: training until his body trembled and sleeping until pain dragged him under again. Augs’ ointments dulled the worst of the pain and kept his injuries from tearing him apart, but the work was Kael’s alone.

  Astra and he slept on the upper floor now. Augs had reopened his shop to avoid arousing suspicion. While Astra moved through the city during the day to scout and prepare, Kael stayed behind, allowing his body to heal through repetition and strain.

  He rolled his shoulder, testing it.

  It hurt less.

  A small, fleeting smile touched his lips. Augs's treatments were working. With this, the journey would be possible.

  The smile vanished the moment his gaze fell on the other sword resting beside his bed.

  Black hilt. Turquoise blade.

  He stepped toward it, more out of habit than intent, and reached out. His hand stopped inches away.

  His breath caught.

  For a split second, Zaros’s wide, familiar, alive grin flashed before his eyes.

  Kael staggered back as if struck, forcing himself to look away.

  So much for numbness.

  He straightened just as he noticed Augs standing on the stairs with a bowl and fresh bandages. The old man had seen everything, more than Kael cared to admit, but said nothing.

  Kael stepped closer and pulled his robe aside to allow Augs to tend to his wounds. They worked in a kind of silence that didn’t demand words.

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  After a while, Augs spoke without looking up.

  "Astra said she'll return later than usual. There are some matters she wants settled before you leave tomorrow.”

  Kael nodded, his violet eyes fixed on the opposite wall.

  “Is it all right if I keep training here?”

  Augs smiled, the wrinkles on his face deepening.

  “The customers won’t notice. No one expects traitors in a strange old man’s shop.”

  Kael lowered his gaze and met Augs’s eyes.

  "Thank you. Thank you for everything you’ve done. For us. For me.”

  Augs closed his eyes and shook his head gently.

  "That sounds like a farewell. And I don’t believe this is one.”

  He straightened and met Kael’s gaze.

  "Your past and your future may be clouded, but I am truly glad I met you."

  There was no pity in his eyes, only honesty. Kael felt it hit harder than sympathy ever could. He turned away.

  "I hope this isn't a farewell," he replied softly.

  Augs nodded once and turned toward the stairs.

  "I'm opening the shop now. Your meal is ready.” He winked briefly. "A true delicacy of the Empire."

  Then he disappeared downstairs.

  Kael moved to the table, where a tray of meat and vegetables waited for him. He ate slowly and reluctantly admitted that the food tasted good. His gaze drifted to the empty beam near the window where Ausma usually rested.

  Be useful, he thought briefly. Help her.

  Voices rose from below, but Kael let them blur into the background.

  Then, the bell above the door rang again.

  He froze.

  Augs's hesitant voice followed.

  "Miss Lia. What a pleasure to see you after such a long time."

  There was a pause.

  Then, softer:

  "I'm sorry for your loss."

  Kael's fork nearly slipped from his hand. He clenched it so tightly that pain flared in his fingers.

  Of all moments...

  Lia did not answer at first. When she finally responded, her voice was flat and emotionless.

  "I'm looking for herbs that are difficult to obtain."

  Kael set the tray aside and moved soundlessly to a place where he could see the shop floor without being seen.

  The girl below barely resembled the one he knew.

  She stood without her hat. Her hair was uncombed, her fingers were scratched raw, and her skin was pale. Dark shadows clung beneath her eyes and were reddened by sleepless nights and tears.

  And yet, there was determination there. Sharp. Unyielding.

  Kael looked away.

  He couldn’t bear it.

  He slid down against the wall, resting his arms on his knees and closing his eyes.

  Lia listed the herbs she needed.

  Silence followed.

  Then Augs’s voice, no longer warm or gentle, spoke up.

  "I will never sell those herbs. Their use is forbidden.”

  Lia exhaled a long, exhausted breath.

  "I see."

  Footsteps turned toward the door.

  Augs spoke again, his voice heavy with regret.

  "The herbs you seek will not bring back what you lost. They only lead you further away."

  Lia stopped.

  For a moment, nothing moved.

  Then, her voice steady and hardened by resolve, she turned back.

  "I'm willing to pay that price if it means waking up from this nightmare."

  The door opened.

  She was gone.

  The bell rang softly behind her.

  Kael remained where he was, head bowed and arms locked around himself. Augs stood motionless below.

  Above them both, the shop fell silent.