"Uncle Honu!"
Two small voices rang through the pavilion, bright and cheerful. Seven and Syras scrambled up the wooden steps, their excitement palpable as Honu stepped inside, stretching his arms with a lazy grin.
Honu kneeled, spreading his arms wide with exaggerated enthusiasm. "Did you miss me?"
"No!" Both boys answered in unison, shaking their heads with playful defiance.
"Really?" Honu exaggerated a slump of his shoulders, his lips forming a dramatic pout. "That hurts."
"You always sleep anyway," Seven huffed, folding his arms.
Honu gasped, placing a hand on his chest. "That's slander. I stay awake when it matters."
Seven arched a brow. "Father says you're a thick-faced liar."
Honu gaped, eyes darting toward Syras for support, only to find the younger boy nodding solemnly.
Choosing to ignore the remark for the sake of his pride, Honu clapped his hands together. "Alright, what do you want to play, kids?"
"We don't," Seven declared. "We practice."
"Practice?" Honu's brows lifted.
Seven nodded. "Martial arts. Syras enjoys it too."
Honu's lips twitched in amusement. "Did your father force you?"
Seven tilted his head, eyes clear and unwavering. "Forced or not, it's better to learn early. Right, Uncle?"
Honu chuckled, ruffling Seven's hair before standing. "Alright then. What do you practice?"
"For now, we're focusing on our qi. Syras is gifted—his qi is the purest." Seven reached over to ruffle his younger brother's hair, earning a small chuckle before Syras swatted his hand away.
"Amazing." Honu nodded, then straightened with a thoughtful hum. "For today's lesson, I'll teach you a breathing technique that lets you accumulate qi even in your sleep. It strengthens not just your body, but your soul."
Both boys straightened, their attention fixed on him. Seeing this, Aya turned away, a soft smile on her lips. She pulled her cloak closer around herself and took a step forward—only to sway slightly as her legs faltered.
Warm hands caught her waist, steadying her.
"I told you to rest," Nine murmured, frowning as he effortlessly pulled her into his arms.
Aya exhaled softly, surrendering to his hold. She looped her arms around his neck, a wordless request he understood instantly. Nine lifted her, his steps steady as he carried her away from the pavilion.
"It's been so long since we had a peaceful walk outside," she mused, resting her head against his shoulder. "The last time was when we were still at that tavern in the Thousand Valley… remember? We explored a dungeon for fun."
Nine snorted. "Ah, the time you nearly burned my hair off with that torch. Do you have a personal grudge against my hair?"
Aya chuckled, her fingers threading through his strands. "I… just like it," she admitted, her voice dropping to a whisper before she nibbled his earlobe playfully.
Nine's eyes narrowed as he leaned back. "Keep teasing me, and I'll cancel your plans."
Aya grinned mischievously before burying her face in the crook of his neck.
His gaze followed hers. Her eyes were no longer the warm brown he remembered—they had turned emerald, just as they had years ago when she first struggled to suppress the essence. Keeping her satisfied was the only way to prevent any further changes.
Nine's hold on her tightened slightly. "Do you want me to carry you the whole way, or would you prefer a carriage?"
"A carriage," Aya answered, her voice laced with curiosity. "I want to see the road on the way there."
"It'll be bumpy."
"I'll manage. Didn't you pave the roads with smooth cobblestones?"
"Hm."
"Well then, Mister Nine, make my day fun." She lifted her pinky with a cheeky grin.
Nine caught it gently between his teeth, making her yelp.
"You really are a mad dog!"
"Woof." He tickled her sides, and she flailed in his arms, laughing uncontrollably.
They boarded the carriage, and as soon as they set off, Aya began chattering about everything she saw, her voice animated, her excitement infectious. Nine leaned back, listening, responding only when she turned to him, waiting for a reaction.
Forty minutes into the journey, she suddenly gasped, leaning out the window.
"Wowww, did you arrange even the trees? They're so perfectly symmetrical!"
Nine, watching her with quiet amusement, hummed. "If you want any changes, you can tell me."
Aya turned to him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Wait… there's a village here?"
"Hm. Beggars. Most came from the Beggar Sect. They've lived here for nearly three years. They contribute their skills and keep the place clean. As long as they're in my domain, they have a place."
Aya's gaze swept over the streets. It was nothing like the beggar communities she had known. The people were clean, their clothes free of dust, their homes well-built and orderly. There was no desperation, no fights over scraps, no makeshift shanties. The air itself seemed lighter here, filled with chatter and laughter.
"They're not beggars," she murmured.
Nine shrugged. "Since they've improved, maybe peasants now."
Aya turned back to the window, absorbing everything. "You're doing well."
Nine merely leaned his head against the cushioned seat, indifferent. But Aya wasn't done.
"Tell me more," she insisted. "It seems there's still a lot I don't know about."
Nine exhaled tiredly. "Let me nap. I haven't slept since last night."
She took his hand in both of hers, her fingers idly tracing over his calloused palm as she continued to observe the scenery. She was memorizing everything—the crisp air, the neat roads, the lush greenery, the careful placement of buildings. She concentrated her eyes on the rest of the way.
Nine watched her in silence after waking up before reaching over and closing the window, wrapping her in his cloak. "We're here."
He pulled his hood up and handed her a mask. Aya followed suit, tying it securely before taking Nine's offered hand and stepping out of the carriage.
Her boots landed on brick-paved roads, the muffled chatter from before now fully surrounding her.
"Moon cakes! The best from the Southern Province!"
"Table for two? Right this way!"
"I heard Goyah is the finest beauty in Cloudy Brothel."
"You have a lover? I have accessories fit for any heart!"
Aya turned to Nine, eyes shining with excitement. She pounded against his chest lightly, barely containing her delighted squeal.
Nine chuckled. "Go ahead. Look around. I'll watch your back."
She wasted no time, slipping from his grasp and dashing to the nearest stall. Nine watched her, blinking once before silently trailing behind, his lips curving into a smile.