The field stretched endlessly beneath a quiet sky.
Grass bent in slow waves, brushing against itself in soft whispers as the wind passed through. Nothing in that place hinted at the violence that had just unfolded—no scorched earth, no shattered ground. Only two figures on the grass, and one standing above them.
Ishimo looked down.
Thomas pushed himself up first.
His arms trembled as he lifted his weight, boots sliding slightly against the soft ground before he found balance. His breathing came uneven at first, chest rising sharply, then slowly settling as he steadied himself.
"wow…..you really are strong…..ISHIMO"
The words came out half-breath, half-laugh. Not mocking. Not bitter.
Just… real.
Ishimo didn't respond immediately.
His gaze shifted.
Subastian rose next.
Not rushed. Not struggling.
Controlled.
Even now.
He brushed a hand lightly against his sleeve, as if removing dust that wasn't there, then lifted his head toward Ishimo.
"indeed you are but then why do you wanna train your enemy"
The wind passed between them again, quieter this time.
Ishimo tilted his head slightly.
"I have no enemies,crap.i probably sounded like shit right now"
Thomas let out a faint breath that almost turned into a laugh.
Subastian didn't.
"but there are only enemies all around"
Thomas repeated it softly, almost under his breath.
"enemies"
The word lingered.
It didn't feel like an argument.
It felt like something that had been lived.
Ishimo exhaled, running a hand through his hair before letting it fall back into place.
"look now I'll train you or I'll kill you and you will die"
The tone didn't rise.
Didn't harden.
It landed exactly as it was said.
Simple.
Certain.
Above him, something stirred.
"prryyyy"
Cuppy shifted slightly, lifting its head just enough for its small metallic eyes to catch the light.
Ishimo glanced up instantly.
"huh! nope I fed you a minute ago"
Cuppy blinked.
"prryyyy!"
The sound came louder this time, more insistent.
Ishimo narrowed his eyes slightly.
"You'll get fat you little Goblin"
"prryyyy"
Cuppy's tail flicked once, unimpressed.
"I'm calling you a goblin," Ishimo muttered, already reaching into his bag. "ok fine I'll feed you"
He pulled out a piece of meat and held it up lazily.
"here"
Cuppy didn't hesitate.
"pryyy"
It snatched the food instantly, curling back into itself as it chewed, clearly satisfied.
Ishimo watched it for a second, then shook his head.
"Fatso"
A small spark—
Then fire.
A quick burst from Cuppy's mouth dropped straight onto Ishimo's head.
Flames flared for a brief second before he casually tapped the top of his head.
The fire vanished just as quickly as it appeared.
A faint curl of smoke rose into the air.
Ishimo blinked once, then looked back at the others.
"sorry about that guys"
Thomas stared.
Subastian didn't move, but something in his posture shifted slightly.
"interesting pet you got there"
Ishimo's expression flattened.
"that's not a pet that's an incarnet"
The word settled between them.
Thomas frowned slightly, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth as he stood fully upright.
"What's that?"
Ishimo glanced at him, then at Subastian.
"It's something you'll be able to do if you become strong enough."
The wind picked up faintly, brushing past them like it was listening.
Subastian's gaze lingered on Cuppy for a moment longer.
Measuring.
Not impressed.
Not dismissive.
Just… calculating.
"interesting," he said quietly. "I've made up my mind you can train us"
The shift was subtle.
But it was there.
Thomas looked toward him, surprised—but didn't question it.
Ishimo smiled.
Not wide.
Just enough.
"good now we start being serious"
The field seemed to settle around them.
Something had changed.
The fight was over.
The real part was beginning.
Subastian took a step forward.
Slow.
Deliberate.
"although it will cost you"
Ishimo's smile didn't fade—but it sharpened slightly.
"huh?"
Subastian stopped a few steps away, the distance between them no longer hostile—but not equal either.
"Yes," he said calmly. "I'll have my demands"
The wind moved again.
Not gentle this time.
Not rough either.
Just present.
Ishimo studied him for a moment.
Then—
A quiet breath left him.
"demands? well that's a first"
No one spoke after that.
Not immediately.
Thomas stood between them, eyes moving from one to the other, the weight of what had just been decided settling in slowly.
Cuppy shifted again, curling tighter as it finished its meal, already drifting back toward sleep.
The sky above them stretched endlessly, calm and untouched.
But below—
Something had begun.
Not an alliance.
Not yet.
Not trust either.
Something thinner.
More fragile.
And far more dangerous.
A deal.