Zane had faced monsters, rogue adventurers, and near-death quests...
But nothing prepared him for this:
Dinner with Sera's family.
The dining room was warm and elegant, lined with old portraits and carved lanterns. Delicious aromas floated from the table—stormfin trout drizzled in glaze, golden moon potatoes, and soft-baked butterbread. It would've been perfect, if not for the intense interrogation vibes coming from across the table.
Lady Alina Windswept—graceful, stern, and utterly unreadable—sat like a judge on the throne. Beside her was Lord Daren Windswept, a man of few words and big muscles, silently sizing Zane up like he was analyzing a weapon. And, at the far end of the table, was Kael. Younger than Sera, yet already a world-class menace.
"So..." Lady Alina began. "Zane, was it? Kael tells me you're... close with my daughter."
Sera's entire face turned the color of molten fire.
Zane awkwardly smiled. "Define close?"
Kael leaned in with the grin of doom. "They kissed!"
"KAAAEEL!" Sera nearly dropped her fork.
Zane held up his hands in surrender. "Uhh, okay, technically, that did happen. But—emotionally intense moment, high adrenaline, totally unplanned."
"Still a kiss," Kael said, shoveling food into his mouth. "I'm telling Mom."
"You just did," Sera hissed.
Lady Alina remained calm. "I see. So you're the one who uses... shadow magic?"
Zane blinked. "That's what people say, yeah."
Kael's eyes lit up. "Can you show us?! Just a little! Please, please, pleeease!"
Zane glanced at Sera, who rolled her eyes but gave a small nod.
With a sigh, he stood up and stepped back from the table. "Alright. Just don't freak out."
He closed his eyes, drawing in the familiar surge of energy. Shadow leaked from his fingers, coiling around his arms like smoke. Then—
In an instant, Shadow Armor flared to life around him. Dark, sleek plating wrapped around his body, flickering with hints of purple. The room's lanterns dimmed, casting everyone in an eerie, flickering twilight. The shadows seemed... thicker. Alive.
Kael's jaw dropped. "COOOOOL!"
Lady Alina leaned slightly forward, brows narrowed. "Impressive control."
Zane let the armor dissolve, the light returning to normal. "Thanks. Took a lot of practice."
Lord Daren gave a quiet nod, eyes briefly flickering with something like respect.
Then Kael asked, loudly, "Sooo... are you gonna marry my sister now or later?"
Sera choked on her drink. Zane almost tripped over his own foot.
"Let's get through dessert first," Zane muttered.