The moon hung high above Solmere, casting silver light over the sleeping citadel.
The towers stood still and silent, their mirrored spires glowing faintly under the starlit sky. Wind moved softly between them, whispering through stone corridors and carrying with it the distant scent of the sea—calm and ancient.
Indra sat alone on a balcony overlooking the vast, glittering city below.
His eyes, heavy with thought, stared blankly into the endless tapestry of stars above. The silence of the night wrapped around him like a second skin—still, cold, contemplative.
How can I get stronger? he wondered.
I couldn't protect them… I wasn't strong enough when it mattered most.
His fingers curled into fists, clenched before he realized it.
Then—
Footsteps behind him. Quiet. Almost hesitant.
Indra turned slightly, expecting maybe Gabriella. Or one of the others.
But instead, a small figure stood a few feet away.
Yuri.
The prodigy child stood with his hands tucked loosely into his sleeves, violet eyes gleaming faintly under the moonlight. He said nothing. He simply watched.
Indra blinked. It wasn't often that Yuri approached anyone. Much less spoke.
A long silence passed between them.
Then, Yuri's voice—soft but clear—broke the stillness.
"You're thinking too much."
It wasn't scolding. Just a quiet, firm statement—cold, but not cruel.
Indra gave a weak chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck. "I guess I am."
Yuri's gaze didn't shift. "Doubting yourself won't make you stronger."
The words struck deeper than Indra expected. He lowered his head, the truth of them settling like weight across his shoulders.
"I know," he muttered. "I just… don't want to fail again."
Another pause. Stillness. Then Yuri asked, "What will you do next?"
The question hung in the air, heavier than its tone.
Indra looked back up at the stars, drawing in a slow breath. "I'll keep pushing forward," he said.
"No matter what."
Yuri watched him, the faintest flicker of approval crossing his otherwise expressionless face.
"Good," he said quietly. "I'll help."
Indra blinked, caught off guard. "You will?"
Yuri gave a small shrug. "You need it."
A surprised smile broke across Indra's face. For the first time in days, something warm sparked in his chest.
"Thanks, Yuri," he said sincerely.
Yuri didn't respond. He simply turned and walked away, disappearing into the halls of Headquarters as quietly as he had come.
Indra sat still for a moment longer, watching him go.
Then he looked back up at the stars—feeling something stir inside him again.
Morning arrived in soft golden waves. Light spilled across the celestial courtyards, washing the world in new promise.
The air was crisp, fresh with the scent of clean stone and divine mist. The towering spires gleamed like blades pointed skyward, catching the sun with every polished edge.
In the center of the training grounds, Indra stood ready.
Twin swords drawn. Stance low. Muscles loose but taut with potential.
Across from him stood Yuri, calm as ever. He raised his hand slightly—no flourish, no sound—and his blade emerged from a bloom of rainbow-colored flame, forming midair before settling into his grasp. The mystic fire danced faintly along the edge, casting soft prismatic glows across the stone beneath him.
No wasted movement. No words. Just presence.
At a distance, Gabriella leaned casually against a stone pillar, arms crossed, watching.
This is exactly what he needs, she thought, a small smile touching her lips.
Indra grinned across the courtyard. "All right, Yuri. Show me what you've got."
Yuri didn't answer.
He moved.
A blur—silent and sudden. The first strike landed with a sharp metallic clash, sparks flying from the collision of blades.
Indra's arms jolted from the force. Fast! he thought, quickly stepping back to reset his footing.
But Yuri pressed forward. Every strike was fluid. Measured. Unrelenting.
"You're too slow," Yuri said coolly, deflecting a wide swing without effort.
Indra gritted his teeth, trying to adjust—feinting left, spinning to strike from the right.
But Yuri read it instantly. He shifted, barely needing to move, and avoided the blow.
"Still too predictable," he said.
Gabriella watched carefully. Every moment told her more.
He's forcing Indra to grow, she realized. Every hesitation punished. Every weakness exposed.
Indra switched tactics—he lunged into a spinning combo, wide arcs designed to overwhelm.
Yuri's flame flared higher, wrapping his form in a pulse of radiant energy. Indra's weapons collided with it—
—and were thrown back.
Indra landed in a crouch, panting hard. He rose again, pain radiating through his limbs—but his eyes burned hotter than before.
Gabriella saw the change.
That fire… it's back.
Indra charged again—smarter this time. Cleaner.
He ducked under Yuri's counter, pivoted to his blindside, and slashed upward with both swords.
Yuri, for the first time, had to react. He stepped back hard, parrying the blow with a clang of steel.
"You've improved," Yuri muttered.
"But don't waste your energy."
"I'm not planning to," Indra replied, smiling through his heavy breaths.
They clashed again.
Steel rang out across the courtyard. Dust rose in swirls. The air hissed with the heat of their strikes.
Finally, Yuri stepped back. His blade lowered.
"That's enough."
Indra skidded to a stop, chest heaving, refusing to collapse. "What? I'm not done yet," he said, half-grinning.
"You are for now," Yuri replied, his blade dissolving into a soft shimmer of rainbow-colored flame that faded into the air. Without another word, he turned and walked away, his form trailing faint embers as he disappeared into the halls.
Indra watched him go, a mix of fatigue and newfound respect surging through him.
"Thanks, Yuri!" he called after him.
Yuri paused just for a moment. He gave a small, almost imperceptible nod—then vanished into the halls.
Gabriella approached from the side, smiling warmly. "Well?" she asked.
Indra wiped the sweat from his brow. "He's scary," he admitted with a laugh.
Gabriella chuckled. "Yeah. But you kept up better than I thought you would."
Indra let out a breath, and with a soft flicker of light, his swords vanished from his hands—dissolving back into the ether. His eyes lifted to the open sky.
"I'll do even better next time," he said quietly.
The morning sun rose higher, casting long shadows across the grounds.
A new day had begun—
And with it, a stronger Indra was being forged.