Chapter 6: "Bodyguards and Bitter Blood"
The morning sun rose over Virelia, casting a golden light on the calm village. Birds chirped softly, but the atmosphere inside Elder Harven's house was anything but peaceful.
> "Tch. Keep standing behind me like a puppy, and I might start calling you one," Dred muttered, arms crossed as he leaned against the wall.
> "If I were your puppy, I'd have run away already," Synoh shot back, sitting casually with his sword resting beside him.
The two glared at each other, the tension in the room thick enough to cut with a blade. A teacup trembled slightly on the nearby table—not from magic, but from sheer frustration.
Elder Harven, seated in his chair, chuckled softly. "You boys remind me of my sons… They used to bicker like that over who was the better hunter. Now they've both got families and live far from here."
Synoh blinked. "You have sons?"
> "Two. Married. Grown. I only hear from them when they send letters during harvest season," Harven said, gazing toward the window with a nostalgic smile. "But even they didn't argue this much in a day."
Dred huffed. "He started it."
Synoh scoffed. "Keep dreaming, bark-head."
Outside, a gentle wind blew through the quiet village streets.
---
Meanwhile…
Captain Elara led the rest of Division 10 on morning patrol. She walked calmly in front, her senses sharp. Behind her, Vice-Captain Ursa and the senior members trained the new recruits—who were now starting to realize how hard things were without Synoh around.
> "Move faster!" Ursa barked. "Don't rely on Synoh to carry your lazy backsides!"
Meth and Aloy, however, were walking side by side, whispering to each other while watching the bodyguard house from afar.
> "So… what's the bet?" Meth smirked.
> "What bet?"
> "How long until Synoh and Dred blow up Elder Harven's house?" Meth giggled.
Aloy burst into a laugh. "I give it… three hours. Four if they argue about tea first."
> "You're cruel."
> "I learned from you."
The two laughed, earning a scowl from Ursa.
> "Eyes forward. Or you'll be guarding chickens by sundown."
They shut up instantly.
---
As they patrolled deeper into the village, Captain Elara stopped for a moment—her eyes narrowing.
Across the street, leaning on a railing near the tavern, was Leon. The tall man gave her a smug smile, his massive lance resting casually on his shoulder. Beside him, Kaela twirled a silver dagger between her fingers.
For a long moment, Elara and Leon locked eyes.
No words. Just the stare of warriors who had crossed paths before—ones who knew blood could spill at the slightest twitch.
Ursa noticed. "Captain?"
> "Keep walking," Elara said calmly. "He's not stupid enough to make the first move. Not yet."
---
Back at Elder Harven's home, Dred was now leaning too close to Synoh's face.
> "Scared to spar again? Or just embarrassed that you didn't even look at me in that fight?"
Synoh didn't rise to the bait. He simply looked out the window. "You're not my target. Never were."
Dred clenched his fists. "You cocky—!"
> "Boys," Elder Harven interrupted, his voice still gentle. "This old heart can't handle a swordfight in the middle of my dining room."
Synoh gave a shrug. "Fine by me."
Dred growled but turned away, biting his tongue.
Outside the window… a shadow moved across the roof tiles—silent and watching.
Elder Harven looked out slowly, his eyes squinting toward the edge of the garden.
> "They're still out there, aren't they?" he murmured to himself.
A chill ran up Synoh's spine.
The real battle hadn't even started.