Just beyond the steps of the Temple of Zhaoyan, near two weathered stone lanterns and the wide roots of an old pine, was a small stone platform with a few flat benches arranged in a half-circle. The area was quiet, lit by soft spirit-lotus lanterns that glowed faintly in their iron holders.
The group was seated there, resting after the long night—everyone quiet, except for Shion.
He hadn't stopped talking since they sat down.
"Where did you even go?" he snapped, arms flailing with dramatic energy. "Do you have any idea what we went through while you were off—who knows where? We got punished because of you! We had to kneel outside all day under the sun! My knees still hurt from the damage!"
Astra blinked, unsure whether she should apologize or just let him keep going.
"And just when, exactly, did you wake up and vanish without anyone noticing?" Shion continued, eyes wide with exasperation. "We were right there! How did you even slip past us?! And where have you been until now? We searched the entire southern district!"
By this point, Seiya and Seirou were seated on either side of the bench, both with their hands clamped tightly over their ears.
"It's been an hour," Seiya groaned. "An actual hour."
"I swear I've lost hearing in my left ear," Seirou muttered. "He hasn't even stopped to drink water."
"How can someone talk that much?" Seiya added, rubbing his ears. "Does he even need to breathe?"
Astra looked between them helplessly, lips parting to say something—when Kaen finally raised a hand in Shion's direction.
Just a single, open-palmed gesture.
Shion went silent at once, scoffing under his breath as he folded his arms and turned away.
Kaen shifted his gaze to Astra, his voice calm and steady. "Are you feeling better now?"
Astra gave a small nod, her eyes drifting toward Shion. "Yes. Now that he's finally stopped scolding me, I feel much better."
Shion scoffed again, louder this time, still facing away. "He didn't mean that, you idiot. He was asking about your wounds."
Astra blinked. "Oh." She glanced down at her arm now properly bandaged, the earlier torn wrappings replaced with clean silk gauze and the faint scent of herbal salve clinging to her skin. Kaen had tended to her injuries silently, with quiet care, just moments earlier. "Right… yeah. I'm better."
Later, The three sat on the edge of the stone platform, her voice low but steady as she recounted everything. Seiya listened with wide eyes and a furrowed brow, while Seirou remained quiet, arms folded, his sharp gaze never leaving her face.
Not far from them, Ryoma stood with Kaen beneath the twisted shadows of the old pine, watching the three from a distance.
For a long moment, neither spoke.
Then Ryoma broke the silence, his voice like a blade pulled from its sheath.
"She was with him, wasn't she?"
Kaen didn't answer immediately. He followed Ryoma's gaze to Astra—her hand brushing her bandaged arm, the way she leaned ever so slightly toward Seirou and Seiya as she spoke. He gave a small, reluctant nod. "She was."
Ryoma's fists clenched at his sides. "Just as I thought." His voice was quiet, but the fury beneath it was unmistakable.
Kaen shifted slightly, catching the edge in Ryoma's tone. "Ryoma… don't give me that look."
Ryoma turned his back, jaw tight. "Are you really doing this again, Kaen? Taking his side?"
Kaen's eyes narrowed. "I'm not taking anyone's side. I know it's dangerous—"
"But what?" Ryoma snapped, spinning back to face him. "You're saying it's okay? That we let them get close? Kaen, this isn't just about protecting her from the world. We're hiding her from him. And you know exactly why."
Kaen stepped forward, blocking Ryoma's path, his voice lowered but firm.
"I know. I haven't forgotten what's at stake. If her memories come back if the seal breaks everything changes. It won't just be a risk to her." He paused. "It will be a risk to both of them."
Ryoma's eyes darkened. "Both?" He scoffed, the sound low and bitter. "I couldn't care less what happens to him. What I care about is her. And what terrifies me, Kaen—what keeps gnawing at the back of my mind is that we still don't know where the power is sealed."
His voice dropped, rough and raw. "And I'm afraid… Astra will be the one controlled by it, if the seal breaks." He paused, breath shaky. "That's why we can't let anything or anyone get too close. Not if there's even a chance it could trigger her memories."
Kaen's gaze stayed fixed on Ryoma, but there was something unreadable behind his eyes.
"What if…" he said slowly, "it's not her?"
His voice was quieter now, cold with implication.
"What if Akira ends up being the one controlled again?"
Ryoma didn't hesitate. His jaw tightened like a trap snapping shut. "That doesn't change anything." His voice was fast, sharp, and laced with fury. "He's already cursed. Already tainted. If that thing awakens in him again—who knows how much destruction he'll bring… how many lives he'll shatter." He exhaled harshly, eyes narrowed. "He's a disaster… a curse in human form."
"Ryoma."
Kaen's voice suddenly snapped like a whip. grabbed Ryoma's arm and pulled him aside, away from the others. His grip was firm, and though his voice lowered, the fury in it hadn't faded.
"How can you say that?" he hissed. "Don't forget—he was just a child back then. And still, he chose to take the curse. He took it so she wouldn't have to. From that moment on, he's lived in the dark, carrying something no one should."
Ryoma jerked his arm free, eyes blazing. "He had to take it. Because it was his fault. Everything started because of him. He crossed the border even after the warnings. She followed him, she followed him and ended up in that place."He stepped forward, voice breaking into a snarl.
"He was the reason it happened in the first place."
Kaen didn't flinch. His voice turned colder. "And what about Astra?" He stepped in close, grabbing Ryoma's sleeve now, holding it tight. "Tell me, Ryoma—shouldn't she be punished too? Why was it him alone? When she was the one who—"
He stopped.
Both of them froze at the sound of footsteps above.
"Kaen?"
Shion's voice drifted down from the twisted branches of the pine tree. Kaen quickly released Ryoma and looked up. Shion landed lightly beside them, brows furrowed, arms crossed.
"Ryoma?"
Neither of them answered. The silence stretched heavy between the three of them.
Kaen turned away first, jaw tight. Ryoma followed a moment later, his face unreadable, eyes fixed on the shadows beyond.
Noticing the tension, Shion didn't push. He gave them both a curious glance, then wordlessly turned and walked away, disappearing into the trees.
Kaen stood there alone, exhaling sharply as he ran a hand down his face.
"I'm sorry…" he muttered, barely audible even to himself.
His hand dropped slowly. Then, under his breath, more to the night than to anyone else. "…it's not the sealed power I'm afraid of. It's the choices we'll have to make when it finally breaks."
From behind, Ryoma's voice came low but steady. "No matter what those choices are… I'll make mine clear." He stepped forward, eyes hard. "If it happens, I'll choose to stand by her. Every time."