The air still smelled of iron and ash. Kale's body lay in the dirt, unmoving, eyes wide in that last look of disbelief. No one spoke. No one even dared breathe too loud.
Akira stood over him, her shadow stretching like a blade across the campfire's glow. She didn't look at the others. She didn't need to. Her silence said everything.
Kairos' voice cracked first. "…You didn't have to do that."
The words were brave, but his tone wasn't.
Akira's head turned slow, crimson eyes locking on him like they were boring through bone. "If Kale doubted me," she said, voice soft and deadly, "then he was already dead."
Luma's lips parted like she wanted to argue, but she caught herself. Her hands tightened around her spear instead.
Around the camp, the rest of the crew shifted uncomfortably. They'd seen Akira fight, they'd seen her lead, but this… this was different. Killing enemies was one thing. Killing one of their own was another.
Akira bent down, gripping Kale's lifeless arm. Without hesitation, she pulled him close and sank her teeth into his shoulder. The wet tear of flesh broke the silence like glass.
Gasps. A few steps back. Someone cursed under their breath.
Tamki didn't flinch—he'd seen it before. The others? Not so much.
Akira didn't look at them while she ate. The power surged into her veins immediately, hot and electric, racing up her spine. It was different this time. Sharper. Wilder. Her fingers twitched as arcs of faint red lightning sparked across her knuckles.
She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, tossing what was left of Kale to the side like it was nothing. "If any of you want to leave," she said, "leave now. But if you stay… understand this—my way is the only way."
No one moved. Not yet. But she could see the cracks forming.
Later that night, when most had gone to sleep, Kairos and Luma sat together at the far end of camp.
"She's losing it," Kairos whispered.
"She's stronger than ever," Luma countered, but her voice lacked conviction.
"That's the problem."
Before they could say more, a low rumble shook the ground. The fire snapped higher, and every head in camp turned toward the treeline.
From the shadows, something stepped out—a tall figure wrapped in armor that glowed faintly with shifting runes. Their eyes were like molten gold, fixed on Akira.
"Crimson Ascendant," the figure said, voice echoing unnaturally. "You've been chosen for the Trial of Dominion."
Akira's lips curved into a slow grin. "Finally… someone worth my time."
But as she stepped forward, her crew didn't follow right away. They were still frozen, still shaken. And Akira knew—if she wasn't careful, Kale wouldn't be the last body she left behind.