Theo wandered through the small territory, feeling the soft hum of life returning around him. The air smelled of earth and smoke, faint traces of his past pain still lingering in his mind, but it was peaceful now. He observed the ghouls, their skeletal forms moving with uncanny coordination, helping Shiri complete the half-built walls surrounding the territory. Logs were being lifted, stone blocks stacked, and Kairo sat atop a smooth boulder, eyes scanning the construction. Onyx stood beside him, a silent sentinel in his black armor, lance glowing faintly with violet energy.
As Theo approached, Kairo's piercing blue eyes softened. "Hey, how are you feeling?" he asked.
Theo managed a small smile. "I'm… fine now. Thank you, Kairo, for letting me stay here."
Kairo waved it off casually. "Don't mention it. I consider myself blessed to have Shiri around. His speed in construction is… something else." He smirked, then leaned closer, lowering his voice. "But don't tell him I said that."
Theo laughed softly, a sound that seemed to warm the air itself. Shiri, meanwhile, was giving orders to the newly summoned kabolts, directing the giant lizardmen to move enormous logs with ease.
Theo froze, a chill running down his spine. Tears welled in his eyes as he muttered, trembling, "Bro…ther…"
Kairo noticed immediately, concern flashing across his face. "Theo? What is it?"
Shiri, who had been nearby, spun around and hurried over. "Kairo! What did you do to make him cry?"
"I—nothing!" Kairo defended, his hands raised. But both he and Shiri soon realized that Theo's fear was directed at the kabolts themselves.
Shiri frowned, studying them for a moment. "Figures… they look exactly like that monster."
Kairo silently commanded the kabolts to keep guard outside the walls. They bowed once, then slithered away, their massive tails dragging over the ground.
With the immediate threat gone, Kaido and Shiri helped Theo regain his composure. Kairo spoke softly, "If you don't want to talk about your past yet, the best thing you can do is… move forward. Focus on the present."
Theo exhaled slowly, the tension in his shoulders easing. "I… I can do that," he whispered.
Shiri, now smiling, tilted his head. "Then how about we start with something fun? Sword training."
Kairo raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "Shiri… you even know how to wield a sword?"
Shiri puffed out his chest, a hint of smugness coloring his scales. "Well… I know the basics of my race's specialty. The Naga Sword Style."
Kairo chuckled, shaking his head. "How exactly are you planning to teach him if you barely know yourself?"
Theo laughed, the sound bubbling out like water over rocks. Shiri and Kairo exchanged a satisfied glance, happy to see him genuinely smile again.
Shiri turned to Onyx. "You'll handle the basics, right?"
Onyx, as always, only inclined his head.
Shiri handed Theo a wooden sword he had crafted himself during his free time. Theo's eyes lit up. "A sword… just for me?"
"Yes," Shiri said, nodding. "Go ahead. Onyx will show you the basics."
Theo and Onyx moved to an empty clearing, the tension of the past weeks slowly fading into the rhythm of sparring. The lance and wood sword clashed lightly, sparks of energy dancing off Onyx's violet lance as he demonstrated controlled strikes, only defending against strikes. Theo mirrored the motions, concentration etched across his face.
Meanwhile, Kairo and Shiri discussed future plans. "We should build an outer wall," Kairo said, his gaze sweeping the horizon. "The core of the territory is our priority. Protection comes first."
Shiri nodded, rolling out ideas alongside him. "Agreed. We'll fortify the inner defenses, then expand carefully. Nothing reckless."
Far in the distance, the bandit group stumbled upon the remnants of the burnt village. The devastation left them momentarily speechless. Even they knew that such destruction was beyond their doing.
The bandit leader, a dark elf with piercing violet eyes, resting a massive sword across his shoulders, studied the crater where the sky had struck Karhux. Fingers brushed a purple bead hanging around his neck, an ominous glint in his eyes. "This… is the work of something powerful," he muttered. "We'll camp here for now and discover who did this. Then… we take their power."
His men cheered in agreement, moving closer to the ruins, eager for the hunt.
Back in the clearing, Theo finished his sparring session, panting but exhilarated. Shiri and Kairo approached, smiles on their faces.
"How was your first day of sword training?" Shiri asked.
Theo wiped sweat from his brow, finally relaxed. "It was… amazing. And… I'm ready," he said, voice steady, eyes meeting theirs. "I'm ready to talk about my past."
Kairo and Shiri exchanged a look, nodding. "Then we're here to listen, Theo. Whatever it is."
Theo took a deep breath, the sunlight catching the scales on his arms. " The monster that destroyed my village… he wasn't just anyone… he was my brother."
The wind seemed to still around them, carrying the weight of his words across the territory.