Morning came with a bright female voice cutting through Kael Ashvane's sleep like sunlight through curtains.
"Wake up, you lazy bastard. The sun's already warming your ass."
Kael groaned and rolled over.
Then his eyes opened.
Selene Voss stood beside his bed.
Her dark hair spilled over one shoulder. Morning light framed her figure in gold. She wore pale blue robes trimmed in silver thread, and Kael immediately forgot every complaint he'd been prepared to make.
A grin spread across his face.
"Well now," he said. "Didn't expect a goddess to visit my room this early."
Selene rolled her eyes.
"Don't start."
Kael sat up, still half wrapped in blankets. His injuries ached far less than they had the night before.
He blinked at her.
"You're not helping at the mountain forge today?"
He frowned.
"Don't tell me the Earthrend Arbalests are already finished."
"Almost." Selene nodded. "The frames are done. They're only waiting on bolts made from Warding-Vase Bamboo."
That instantly soured his mood.
Kael narrowed his eyes.
"That means Hadrian Corvel is still involved."
Selene's expression changed.
Her brows drew together.
"Why do you always say his name like you're chewing rotten meat?"
"Because the man's rotten."
Kael folded his arms.
"I swear on my future glory, that bastard is plotting something."
Selene stared at him in disbelief.
"He hasn't done anything to you."
"He looked at you."
"That is not a crime."
"It should be."
Her cheeks colored slightly.
Then she huffed and raised a small black vial.
"Look at this."
Kael blinked.
"What is it?"
"Griffin Powder."
Her voice softened slightly.
"Dawnbreaker Hold's finest healing medicine. Hadrian heard someone here was seriously injured and immediately gave this to me for you."
Kael froze.
Then his face darkened.
"Oh, absolutely not."
Selene stared at him.
"What?"
"I'm not taking medicine from that scheming peacock."
Her eyes widened.
"This medicine is made from rare ingredients. Dawnbreaker Hold almost never gives it to outsiders."
Kael pointed dramatically.
"Exactly."
Selene blinked.
"What exactly?"
"If they never give it to outsiders, why did he suddenly hand it over for me?"
He leaned forward accusingly.
"Because he wants something."
Selene crossed her arms.
"And what exactly would that be?"
"You."
The word landed hard.
Selene stared at him.
Then her face turned bright red.
"You ridiculous—!"
"I'm serious."
Kael jabbed a finger toward the vial.
"That man reeks of bad intentions."
Selene's expression hardened.
"Are you taking the medicine or not?"
"No."
Her lips tightened.
"No?"
"I'd rather die dramatically."
She stared at him for three full seconds.
Then turned sharply.
"You are impossible."
She stormed toward the door.
Kael immediately panicked.
"Wait—where are you going?"
"Far away."
She didn't look back.
"Very far away. Somewhere I never have to hear your nonsense again."
Kael leaped out of bed.
Pain shot through his ribs, but he ignored it.
He caught her wrist before she reached the door.
"Alright, alright."
He laughed nervously.
"I'll take it."
Selene stopped.
Her anger softened just enough.
"That's what I thought."
She uncorked the vial.
"Hadrian said it not only heals wounds—it also purges corrupt energy. Since you were injured by that old monster's foul arts—"
Her words cut off when Kael pulled her into his arms.
He buried his face against her neck.
Then kissed her cheek.
Then her jaw.
Then the corner of her lips.
"Kael!"
She struggled.
"I'm trying to tell you something important!"
"And I'm listening."
He kissed her again.
"Very carefully."
"You pig."
"I've been called worse."
"You deserve worse."
He laughed.
"Since you're free today, you should stay with me."
His hands slid around her waist.
"We can spend the entire day in bed."
Selene shoved him back.
Her face burned crimson.
"You shameless animal."
"Then let's go for a walk."
He grinned.
"The mountain paths are beautiful."
Her eyes widened instantly.
She knew exactly what he meant.
The secluded trails.
No witnesses.
No interruptions.
Her ears turned red.
"You are getting worse every day."
"What? It's just a walk."
Kael leaned closer.
"If mountains make you nervous, we can go into Mirekeep instead."
His thoughts drifted briefly toward Peria.
The spirit girl still needed proper clothing.
He really couldn't keep summoning her in scraps of borrowed fabric forever.
Selene narrowed her eyes.
"Keep talking and I'll throw you through that wall."
Kael immediately straightened.
"Understood."
He sat properly on the bed.
Hands on knees.
Back perfectly straight.
"Look. I am behaving."
Selene tried not to laugh.
Failed.
A small smile escaped her despite herself.
Then she bit her lip and looked away.
"I can't stay."
Kael frowned.
"Why not?"
"I have something to do."
"What?"
"I'll tell you tomorrow."
"No."
He stood again.
"You tell me now."
She hesitated.
Then lowered her voice.
"You can't tell anyone."
Kael immediately leaned forward.
"Now I'm interested."
Selene exhaled.
"I'm going to the Great Verdant Vale."
Kael blinked.
Then blinked again.
"The what?"
"The Great Verdant Vale."
She smiled faintly.
"I'm leaving soon. Hadrian is taking me there."
Kael stared at her as if she'd stabbed him.
"You're going where?"
"To retrieve Warding-Vase Bamboo."
"That place borders Sevenfold Dominion territory."
Kael's voice rose.
"Did you not hear Shreve Lyra yesterday?"
Selene shook her head.
"It's safe."
Kael barked out a laugh.
"No place near demon territory is safe."
"Hadrian says his family has traded with the Vale for years."
"That makes him either reckless or a liar."
Selene frowned.
"He knows people there."
Kael shook his head violently.
"No."
Selene's own temper flared.
"I'm going."
"Why?"
She looked away.
"My Jade-Wave Blade is still at Lakeheart Isle."
Her voice softened.
"I'm unarmed."
She met his eyes again.
"He said the Vale produces extraordinary weapons."
Kael's stomach twisted.
Of course he did.
Of course that bastard dangled gifts in front of her.
"And?"
Selene hesitated.
Then smiled faintly.
"My mother once told me the Jadebelt Mere is one of the most beautiful places in the world."
Her voice became softer.
"I want to see it."
Kael went silent.
His thoughts raced like wildfire.
Beautiful scenery.
A handsome noble.
A private journey.
A hundred miles of roads.
He nearly choked on jealousy.
That bastard.
That absolute bastard.
Selene stepped closer.
"I'm not a child."
Kael looked at her.
Then made his decision instantly.
"Then I'm coming."
Selene stared at him.
"What?"
"I'm coming."
"You're injured."
"I'm fine."
"No, you are not."
Kael lifted his hand.
"Watch."
He formed a seal.
Vitae surged through his channels.
Fire exploded from his palm.
A blooming lotus of flame spun into existence.
The Flamebloom Art.
The fiery lotus floated in the air.
Burning.
Spinning.
Living far longer than it ever had before.
Selene stared in shock.
Usually his flames vanished almost instantly.
This one endured.
Ten breaths.
Then fifteen.
Only then did it fade.
Her eyes widened.
"Kael…"
She looked genuinely happy.
"You've improved."
Kael stared at his own hand.
He hadn't expected that.
Not even close.
Something inside him had changed.
Maybe from his recent battles.
Maybe from Lyra's strange teachings.
Whatever the cause—
he was getting stronger.
Still, Selene folded her arms.
"You still need rest."
"I'll rest later."
"It's over a hundred miles."
"I'll survive."
"It could be exhausting."
Kael stepped closer.
"If you go without me…"
His voice lowered.
"I swear I'll chain myself to your door until you return."
Selene stared at him.
Then laughed despite herself.
He really was terrified for her.
And strangely—
that made her heart feel warm.
Traveling beside the man she loved through beautiful lands...
The thought tempted her far more than she wanted to admit.
Finally she sighed.
"I'll ask Hadrian."
Kael smiled.
Then immediately thought:
He'll refuse.
Obviously.
So he asked casually—
"Where is he?"
"He's waiting on the mountain path."
Kael's smile sharpened.
"I'll come with you."
Selene narrowed her eyes.
"You are not allowed to start a fight."
"I'm offended you'd think that."
"You started one yesterday."
"That was different."
"How?"
"He existed."
She glared.
Kael raised both hands.
"Fine. No fighting."
She pointed at him.
"If he says no, you are accepting it."
Kael smiled far too quickly.
"Of course."
Selene clearly didn't believe him.
But she led him anyway.
---
Hadrian Corvel waited beside a winding mountain path behind Mirekeep.
He had clearly been waiting a long time.
The moment he saw Selene—
his entire face lit up.
Then he saw Kael.
And his expression immediately froze.
"…ah."
Selene frowned.
"Don't tell me you forgot him."
Hadrian laughed awkwardly and slapped his own forehead.
"Of course not."
He looked toward Kael.
"My apologies."
Kael smiled pleasantly.
"Understandable."
His eyes sharpened.
"People often forget insignificant things."
Hadrian stared.
Unsure whether he'd just been insulted.
Selene stepped between them.
"Hadrian."
Her voice turned serious.
"My junior frater wants to come with us."
Hadrian's smile faltered.
"That…"
He visibly struggled.
"That may be difficult."
Selene tilted her head.
"Why?"
Hadrian hesitated.
"The Great Verdant Vale doesn't welcome outsiders."
Kael folded his arms.
"Interesting."
Hadrian looked at him coldly.
"If they discover unauthorized visitors…"
His voice dropped.
"They kill first and ask questions later."
Kael smiled.
"Then why bring Selene?"
Hadrian stiffened.
"I can protect her."
Kael stepped forward.
"And me?"
Hadrian's jaw tightened.
"The Vale is filled with hidden mechanisms, territorial guardians, and beasts that tear men apart."
He leaned closer.
"This is not a sightseeing trip."
Kael met his gaze without blinking.
"Then I'll protect myself."
Silence.
Then Selene suddenly spoke.
"That settles it."
Both men looked at her.
"If it's that dangerous…"
She crossed her arms.
"I won't go either."
Hadrian went pale.
"That's not what I meant."
Selene waited.
Hadrian broke first.
He forced a smile.
"One more traveler should be manageable."
Kael nearly laughed aloud.
Victory.
Sweet, beautiful victory.
"Wonderful."
He clapped Hadrian on the shoulder.
"See? We're already becoming friends."
Hadrian looked like he wanted to break Kael's hand.
Instead he forced another smile.
"We should depart."
Kael grinned.
Selene hid a smile.
And together—
they began the journey toward the Great Verdant Vale.
Selene looked around the courtyard, then frowned.
"You said you had some kind of carriage. Where is it?"
Hadrian smiled like a man waiting for applause.
"Right here."
He tapped the storage pouch at his waist and began murmuring under his breath. The words were low and strange—old command-speech threaded with Aether. For several breaths, nothing happened.
Then the air split with a sharp, beautiful cry.
A massive carriage burst into existence before them.
Kael's eyes widened.
Four enormous beasts stood harnessed to it.
They were each as large as war bulls, with sleek white heads, burning red tails, and striped bodies that resembled hunting cats. Their muscles shifted beneath glossy hides as they pawed at the earth impatiently.
They looked ancient.
Dangerous.
Expensive.
Kael stared at them like a starving man staring at a feast.
"What in all burning hells…" he whispered. "You actually own four of these?"
Selene stepped closer, openly gawking.
"White heads… red tails…" She laughed in disbelief. "They're real."
Hadrian's smugness became nearly unbearable.
"Get in," he said smoothly. "They'll take us to the Great Verdant Vale."
Selene climbed aboard first, visibly excited.
"Kael! Hurry up!"
Kael dragged himself into the carriage like a man mourning his own poverty.
Four of them.
He wanted to rob Hadrian immediately.
Hadrian climbed in after them and deliberately moved to sit beside Selene.
Kael's eyes narrowed.
Absolutely not.
He swung himself into the middle seat with all the grace of a falling boulder and planted himself directly between them.
Hadrian's smile twitched.
Selene bit her lip to stop laughing.
Hadrian silently reached into his storage pouch and produced a crystal whip. Blue sparks crawled across its surface like living insects.
He snapped it once.
Lightning cracked through the air.
The four beasts screamed and launched forward.
The carriage exploded into motion.
At first, Kael merely felt impressed.
Then terrified.
The landscape began blurring.
Trees became streaks.
Roads vanished.
Hills disappeared beneath them.
Then the carriage lifted completely off the ground.
Kael grabbed the seat.
"We're flying?!"
Selene shrieked with delighted laughter.
"This is incredible!"
Within moments, they had already left Mirekeep behind.
Wind screamed around the carriage.
Kael stared greedily at the beasts.
"These things are worth fortunes. Their hide, bones, blood—even their hair could be used for forging."
Hadrian looked mildly offended.
"They are not ingredients."
"To poor people," Kael replied, "everything is ingredients."
Selene burst into laughter.
Hadrian inhaled slowly through his nose.
He cracked the whip again.
Lightning flashed across the sky.
Selene leaned forward curiously.
"That whip… what is it made from?"
Hadrian regained some of his composure.
"It's called the Stormbinder Lash. The material itself is rare, but that isn't what matters." He held it up proudly. "Six lightning wards were carved into it. These beasts fear thunder."
Selene nodded.
"You really do own a lot of treasures."
Hadrian gave a modest smile that somehow still looked arrogant.
"Dawnbreaker Hold possesses many relics."
Then he glanced at her.
"Though compared to House Voss... we are hardly worth mentioning."
Selene's smile faded.
Her eyes drifted toward the horizon.
She had not gone home in nearly two years.
The mention of her family hit harder than she expected.
Hadrian immediately noticed.
"Lady Selene?"
She looked away quickly.
"I'm fine."
Kael studied her quietly.
He understood what she wasn't saying.
For once, he kept his mouth shut.
Hadrian mistook her silence for travel sickness.
He immediately began pointing out distant landmarks, speaking lightly, trying to distract her.
Slowly, Selene's mood improved.
Then she turned and glared at Kael.
Why was he being quiet now?
Her hand slid downward and viciously pinched his side.
Kael nearly screamed.
"What was that for?"
She hissed under her breath.
"Why are you just sitting there like an idiot?"
Kael blinked.
"I was admiring things."
"I said I wasn't feeling well."
"Oh."
Kael immediately leaned toward her.
"Then why didn't you say so?"
Before she could stop him, his hands gently pressed against her temples.
He began massaging slowly.
Selene froze.
His fingers were warm.
Careful.
Annoyingly sincere.
"That's not necessary…"
Kael kept going.
"You said you felt bad."
"I said I was fine."
"You were clearly lying."
Her heartbeat sped up.
Across from them, Hadrian looked like he wanted to murder someone.
Selene became acutely aware of his stare.
"Kael…"
"Hm?"
"Stop."
"Why?"
Her face turned red.
"Because someone is watching."
Kael looked around dramatically.
"Someone?"
His arm slid around her waist.
Selene nearly died on the spot.
"Kael!"
"What?" he whispered. "I only see us."
Across from them, Hadrian's face darkened into something ugly.
Selene whipped her head around and glared at Kael with wide murderous eyes.
Kael's soul briefly left his body.
But Hadrian was watching.
And Kael refused to look weak.
He maintained his shameless grin.
Selene's expression shifted.
The threat vanished.
In its place came soft pleading eyes.
Kael stared.
That was somehow far more dangerous.
His will collapsed instantly.
He released her waist.
Selene looked satisfied.
Hadrian looked homicidal.
And deep inside, he swore Kael would pay for this humiliation.
---
The journey ended far too quickly.
Hadrian pulled the reins.
"We're here."
The carriage stopped.
Kael climbed out first.
Then frowned.
They stood in another stretch of marshland nearly identical to countless others around Mirekeep.
Mud.
Trees.
Grass.
Mosquitoes.
No bamboo.
No hidden paradise.
Kael scratched his head.
"This is it?"
Selene looked equally confused.
"I thought the Great Verdant Vale was supposed to be legendary."
Hadrian descended with visible annoyance.
"If I wished, we could have arrived even faster."
"That wasn't my question."
Hadrian ignored him.
"This is merely one of the entrances."
His expression softened immediately when he looked at Selene.
"Come. Follow me."
He dismissed the carriage back into his storage pouch.
Kael watched it disappear with visible heartbreak.
One day I'm stealing that.
They followed Hadrian into a patch of forest.
After several minutes, they reached a pile of weathered stones.
At its center stood a small cracked stone marker.
It looked completely worthless.
Kael stared.
"That?"
Hadrian looked offended.
"The world contains countless mysteries beyond your understanding."
Kael blinked.
"You could've just said yes."
Selene snorted.
Hadrian pretended not to hear her laughter.
He turned serious.
"When we begin, close your eyes."
Kael narrowed his eyes.
"Why?"
"Because if you make a mistake, you may be transported somewhere very far away."
"How far?"
Hadrian's smile became thin.
"Far enough that your bones may never be found."
Kael immediately shut his mouth.
Hadrian positioned himself before the marker.
"Stand behind me."
Selene obeyed.
Kael followed.
"Close your eyes," Hadrian ordered.
They did.
"Walk when I walk. Stop when I stop. Do not take an extra step."
Hadrian began circling the marker.
Selene followed carefully.
Kael followed behind her.
Then Selene suddenly stiffened.
Someone had grabbed her hand.
Her pulse jumped.
The hand was warm.
Slightly damp.
Long fingers.
Soft skin.
That was not Kael's hand.
Her face burned.
She instinctively tried to pull away.
The grip tightened.
Then Hadrian's voice rang out.
"Focus. If your concentration breaks, we may be scattered across the realm."
Selene froze.
Her thoughts spiraled.
Did he grab my hand so I wouldn't make a mistake?
Her cheeks grew hotter.
She stopped resisting.
They kept walking.
Behind them, Kael quietly counted every step.
Every turn.
Every pause.
His memory sharpened.
If this place held treasures, he intended to return.
Eventually Hadrian shouted—
"Stop!"
They halted.
"Turn around."
They obeyed.
"Now walk the opposite direction."
Again they circled.
Again and again.
Then suddenly—
cool air washed across Selene's skin.
Fresh.
Pure.
Wildly different from the stagnant marsh outside.
She inhaled sharply.
Then Hadrian spoke.
"Stop."
A pause.
"You may open your eyes."
Selene immediately yanked her hand free—
only to discover no one was holding it anymore.
Her eyes snapped open.
Hadrian stood ahead of her calmly.
Hands visible.
Expression perfectly normal.
As if nothing had happened.
Her mind spun.
Then Kael shouted.
"What in the hells…"
Selene turned.
And forgot everything else.
The world had changed.
An endless ocean of green stretched before them.
Towering bamboo rose into the heavens.
Every stalk was massive enough that several men linking arms couldn't circle one.
Wind moved through the forest—
and the entire valley rippled like a green sea.
Waves of emerald rolled endlessly across distant mountains.
Fresh life-filled air crashed into them.
Kael inhaled once and felt his entire body grow lighter.
His channels seemed cleaner.
His mind clearer.
It felt like breathing life itself.
Selene stood frozen.
"It's beautiful…"
Her voice came out as little more than a whisper.
Hadrian smiled proudly, as though he owned the valley himself.
"Come."
He gestured ahead.
"This is only the beginning."
They followed a narrow mountain path deeper into the valley.
Hadrian stayed close to Selene, eagerly explaining every landmark they passed.
He intentionally ignored Kael.
Kael didn't care.
He was too distracted.
The place was insane.
Exotic birds flashed through the bamboo canopy.
Strange horned beasts vanished between stalks thicker than castle towers.
Silver-furred creatures watched them from branches before disappearing.
Every direction offered something impossible.
Kael couldn't stop staring.
The path climbed higher and higher.
The bamboo grew denser.
Sunlight vanished beneath the canopy.
The air became cooler.
Almost cold.
Kael felt drunk on the beauty of it.
Then Selene gasped.
"Kael!"
He looked up.
She was waving frantically.
"Come look!"
Kael sprinted forward.
The dense bamboo suddenly opened.
And he stopped dead.
They stood atop a towering cliff.
A colossal canyon stretched beyond them.
Its walls spread wider and wider until they vanished into the horizon.
And below—
an endless sea of gigantic bamboo.
Not hundreds.
Not thousands.
A forest so vast it looked like another world.
The emerald expanse rolled beyond sight like an ocean swallowing the earth itself.
Kael forgot to breathe.
Selene stared in speechless wonder.
Even Hadrian went quiet.
The Great Verdant Vale opened before them—
vast enough to make kingdoms feel small.