The capital city still gleamed like a mirage — polished sandstone, curved towers, and slow canals shimmering with illusion-dust. It was paradise on paper.

  Rell hated it.

  "Still no trees," he muttered under his breath. "Still too bright."

  Thessia glanced over, eyebrow raised. "You’ve been here a month. You’d think you’d adjust by now."

  He grunted. “Jungle feel more… real.”

  Neyxa snorted. “You mean muddy, buggy, and full of things trying to eat you?”

  “Exactly.”

  Elven Academy – Upper Circle District

  The gates loomed tall and wide, covered in silver runes that danced when sunlight struck them. Inside, young elves trained in both spell and sword, their uniforms crisp and perfect — even their smiles looked practiced.

  Rell wasn’t smiling.

  He and the girls stood just outside the courtyard, watching through a lattice wall as Lirah finished her archery class. She pulled the string taut, aimed with narrowed eyes…

  Thunk. Bullseye.

  She grinned.

  “Getting scary,” Rell mumbled with pride.

  When the session ended, she sprinted to the gates and waved.

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  They met her at the entrance, where she promptly hugged each of them — Neyxa first (because she brought sweets), Thessia next (because she promised to teach her sword drills), and finally Rell (because he was Rell).

  He crouched and ruffled her hair. “Still strong?”

  “Strong enough to beat you,” she teased.

  He smirked. “One day.”

  Lirah lit up showing them her dorm badge and a school medallion with her name etched in elven script.

  “She’s thriving here,” Neyxa said.

  “Kid’s a star,” Thessia added.

  They talked for a while. Then Lirah was called back inside.

  As she walked away, she turned and raised a hand, pressing her palm to her chest — the traditional elven farewell of respect and affection.

  Rell watched her disappear through the shimmering gates, silent.

  Hillside Grave – Outskirts of the City

  The stone marker was simple and angled slightly forward — as if always leaning into the wind. Zeven’s blade rested in the dirt beside it, polished and clean.

  Zeven

  Brother. Rebel. Fool.

  They stood in silence. No words. No ritual.

  Just presence.

  Neyxa eventually stepped forward, flicking a small silver coin from her sleeve and dropping it next to the dagger. "Debt paid," she whispered.

  Ko Mala stood still, head bowed. His massive arms hung limp like vines in meditation.

  Thessia crossed her arms. “You still owed me that drink.”

  Rell stared at the marker. “Did good… in the end.”

  Then they left.

  Royal Villa – Balcony, Sunset

  The air smelled of roasted fruit and river moss.

  Thessia poured two glasses of wine. Rell stood at the railing, bare-chested, sweat-damp from earlier training. His hair hung slightly over his eyes as the fading light caught the curve of his jaw.

  She walked over and handed him the drink.

  He took it with a nod.

  They didn’t say anything for a while.

  The city below shimmered in reds and golds. Music floated up from the lower markets. Bells chimed faintly in the palace towers.

  Then Thessia broke the quiet.

  “You ever wonder what it’d be like growing up somewhere like this? Where people actually had roofs and titles?”

  Rell turned slightly, eyeing her. “No.”

  “Why not?”

  He thought for a moment.

  “Too clean. Too… planned. No fight.”

  Thessia smiled behind her cup. “Figures.”

  A wind brushed past them. Her free hand found his. They didn’t talk anymore after that.