The airship ride back to Obsidian Crest had barely begun, but peace was already under threat—though not from monsters or tournaments this time.
Zane exhaled deeply as he slumped into a cushioned seat by the window, hoping to get some rest. The skies were calm, the engine hummed smoothly, and for once, everything was quiet.
That is, until she showed up.
With a flick of crimson hair and a confidence that matched a storm, a girl plopped down right next to him. She wore a leather jacket over a sleek black outfit, her green eyes practically glowing with mischief.
"Well, well," she purred, resting her elbow on the armrest between them, "if it isn't Zane. Shadow armor, cool sword, brooding stare—you're checking all the boxes."
Zane blinked. "Uh... thanks?"
"I'm Lyra," she continued, tossing a strand of hair back dramatically. "Top five finisher, fire affinity. But now I'm interested in shadow. Got a thing for mysterious guys."
"I'm not mysterious," Zane muttered.
Lyra smirked. "You just proved my point."
Before Zane could escape—or teleport away—he heard a familiar voice from across the aisle.
"Oh great," Sera groaned softly.
She was sitting beside a tall, lanky guy with sun-kissed blond hair and an effortlessly charming grin. He wore a sky-blue tunic that looked tailored for the spotlight and had eyes that sparkled like he knew exactly how handsome he was.
"Hey, Sera," he said smoothly. "Kai. Big fan. Been watching your matches."
"Congratulations?" Sera replied, eyebrows raised.
"You've got amazing form," Kai said, leaning in. "And I've got this feeling we'd make an explosive team. Elemental synergy, you know?"
"Wow," Sera deadpanned. "You flirt with combat metaphors?"
"Only with the beautiful ones."
Back on Zane's side of the ship, Lyra had somehow moved closer, resting her chin on her hand. "So tell me, Zane, is the brooding act natural or did you train it? Either way, it's working."
Nyx chuckled in Zane's head. Careful, Shadow Prince. "You may have won the tournament, but this is a battlefield you're clearly not prepared for".
Zane sighed and looked toward Sera for help—only to see her giving him a helpless shrug as Kai casually leaned a bit too close.
"This airship needs a no-flirting zone," Zane muttered.
Lyra grinned. "Then I'd just find a loophole." freeωebnovēl.c૦m
And so the skies were peaceful... but the ride home? Not so much.