Dusk swallowed the shore as the army of the Pyra Solinaris Empire set up camp. Tents were being erected, guards were being posted, but the sea… the sea was too calm.
Vex stood a little way from the others, on a wet rock above the shallows. The mask of a fox looked out over the water.
Then the shadow moved.
Not from land.
From the sea.
The water rose into human form—a thin, tall warrior, his body wrapped in a dark blue cloak that moved like the living sea. He radiated not chaos, but control.
His voice was low but clear.
"The Empire has sent a true monster."
Vex does not turn.
"If you have come to die—you have faced the wrong fire."
The water warrior smiles.
"My name is Kael Thryon.
In Thalassi they call me Water Shadow."
The water thickened around his hands, forming thin blades.
"I wanted to see…
is Ostrica without a heart just a story."
Without warning — impact.
Kael disappears in a stream of water and appears behind Vex. The water blade cuts through the air, but Vex turns at the same moment—the katana parries the blow.
STEEL vs. WATER.
The ground cracks. Steam is rising.
The Vex responds with a flame — a thin stream of fire, precise. Kael takes a step back, the water rises like a wall and extinguishes the flames with a hiss.
Their eyes meet.
There is no hate.
Measurement only.
Kael circles, the water following his steps.
"Your fire is not wild…but there is darkness in it."
Vex rushes.
The katana cuts in an arc, fire follows the blade. Kael responds with a maelstrom—the sea rises and both are thrown backwards.
The shore is shaking.
The guards are shouting in the distance, but no one dares to approach.
Another crash.
Another one.
Neither one gives in.
At the end — silence.
Kael slowly retreats towards the water. The sea welcomes him as if he had never left.
Before he disappears, his voice echoes from the darkness:
"I can't wait to clash again…
Blades without a heart.'
Vex stands alone, katana lowered.
The flames around him are dying.
Say softly, more to yourself than to the sea:
"Next time—you won't go."
The waves hit the shore.
A rivalry was born.
Smoke and truth
Night fell over the camp.
The fire crackled softly, the sea roared in the distance. Most of the soldiers were asleep, but at the edge of the camp, behind the stone barriers, Arden sat alone.
The fox mask lay beside him.
He lit a cigarette. The flame briefly illuminated the scar over his left eye.
The smoke rose slowly.
Rin came over without a sound, sat down beside him, and lit his own.
A few moments—silence.
Then Arden spoke, his voice calm but heavy.
"He came out of the sea."
Rin wasn't surprised.
"I knew it."
Arden looked at him.
"You knew about him?"
Rin exhaled, his gaze lost on the water.
"Not personally. But the name… yes."
A short pause.
"Kael Thryon. In Thalassa's files, he's listed as Water Shadow. Interception operative. He doesn't command an army—they let him go where something… shouldn't go."
Arden set his jaw.
"He was my equal."
Rin nodded, gravely.
"That's what's bad."
Arden laughed, without warmth.
"He said he can't wait for the next time."
Rin looked at the scar.
"I would… if I were him."
Smoke envelops them.
Rin continued more quietly.
"Kael doesn't kill out of anger. He watches. He learns. And then… he's done."
Arden stomps on his cigarette.
"Let him learn."
He took the fox mask and stood up.
"Next time—it won't go in the water."
Rin remained seated, staring into the darkness.
The sea moved.
It's like he's listening.