> [Quest Timer: 04:27]
Zane raced through the forest, the heat prickling the back of his neck.
A rush of fire surged nearby—trees cracked as Blaise dropped down like a meteor again, grinning wildly through the steam.
"Thought you could shake me?" he called, casually wiping soot from his shoulder. "Not happening, snack thief."
Zane stopped, hands raised again. "Okay, okay. Can we talk for a second?"
Blaise raised an eyebrow, flames dancing in his palm. "Talk? Why not run again?"
"Because I figured you're the reasonable one."
Zane nodded, eyes wide with false sincerity. "I mean, between you, lightning boy, and the golden-eyed murder sprinter—you clearly have the most refined taste. You're the one who actually seasoned the meat at the campfire, right?"
Blaise blinked. "Wait, how did you know I—?"
"Had to be you. The spice mix? Immaculate. That wasn't some standard field ration flavor—that was art."
The flames around Blaise's hand dimmed slightly. "Well... yeah, I did add some smoked root oil."
Zane clapped his hands. "Exactly! Only someone with class would go out of their way to elevate forest food."
Blaise scratched the back of his head, caught somewhere between pride and confusion. "Huh. Thanks, I guess."
Zane took a careful step forward. "Honestly? If we weren't in this whole chase thing, I'd probably ask for your recipe. You single?"
Blaise's eyes went wide. "Wait—what?"
Zane vanished, reappearing in a tree above just as Auri darted into view, trailed by a flicker of lightning.
"He's playing us!" she shouted. "Blaise, snap out of it!"
Blaise turned around, red-faced. "He called me classy!"
Zane, hidden above, whispered to himself, "Man, I am nailing this chaos gremlin thing."
> [Quest Timer: 03:59]