A Feast After the Storm

Kazuki woke up. The stiffness in his body reminded him of the battle — the weight of it, the darkness that had risen inside him.

His eyes opened slowly, adjusting to the muted light of the chamber. The first thing he saw was Zephyr, slumped in a chair beside his bed. She was leaning forward, her head resting against her arm, still clutching his hand loosely as if she had been holding it for a long time.

When he shifted slightly, she roused. Her eyes fluttered open, and for a moment their eyes met.

"You're awake," she said softly, her voice rough from sleep.

"How long...?"

"Two days," she interrupted, glancing away. "You should rest more."

Before he could say anything else, she released his hand and stood. Without another word, she turned and left the room.

A little while later, the door opened again. Alvis stepped inside, carrying his usual calm energy.

"Is Zephyr okay?" Kazuki asked right away. "She just left…"

Alvis nodded. "She's fine. In fact, in the two days you were asleep, she never left this room. She stayed by your side."

Kazuki looked down at his hands, unsure what to say.

Alvis continued, his tone shifting. "She told me about what the commander said before his death — about the poisoning of their lands and the curse humanity supposedly left on them. There is a piece of our history missing… something we don't yet understand. We're searching for any record of it."

He moved closer to the bed. "But there's something else. He claimed you possess the Sovereign's Authority. As I've told you before, every affinity has spells and powers unique to it — beyond the basic magic shared between affinities. These unique powers vary in strength, but among them, each affinity has a 'high graded' power… rare, feared, and often dangerous.

Alvis' eyes flicked briefly toward the door, as if making sure no one was listening. "For example, Zephyr's telepathy sits in the middle graded — useful, but not devastating. Her father, the King, wields the fire affinity's most dangerous power: The Throne Breaker. It's why he rarely uses his fire magic — its destructive potential is too great."

His gaze sharpened. "Dark affinity's high graded power… is the Sovereign's Authority and you possess it."

Kazuki leaned forward.

Alvis explained slowly, outlining its ability to exert overwhelming dominance over those of lesser will, to drain both life force and mana, and to turn the strength and speed of others into your own — a power feared in history for its potential to crush armies and alter battles in an instant.

When he finished, he asked quietly, "When you awakened it… how did it feel? What triggered it?"

Kazuki looked away, remembering the moment. "There've always been times when I hated myself for not being enough. But that day… watching myself fail to save Zephy — it made me hate myself more than any other time. I was ready to sacrifice everything just to save her… and I remembered Kael's letter. The part where he asked me to take care of her."

Alvis smiled faintly. "Even when he's not here, he still cares for her."

Kazuki hesitated, then asked, "If they cared about each other so much… why didn't they marry?"

Alvis' smile faded. "The King refused. She's the heir to the throne — and in his eyes, far too young. He believes she must be much older than eighteen before such decisions can be made."

Kazuki didn't reply. Instead, he pushed himself to his feet, testing his balance.

"How are you feeling now?" Alvis asked. "Anything… different?"

"No," Kazuki said after a pause. "I feel like myself."

Without a word, Alvis conjured a small mirror and handed it to him. Kazuki's breath caught. His reflection stared back with the same face… but his hair had turned white.

Alvis said nothing for a moment, then put the mirror away. "Rest well. The King wishes to hold a feast for you, and the adventurers who fought in the battle."

He reached the door, paused, and looked back. "Thank you, Kazuki… for fighting for the Kingdom. And for saving the princess."

Then he was gone, leaving Kazuki alone with his thoughts.

Zephyr shut the door to her chambers and leaned against it, her breath uneven. The familiar quiet of the room felt almost foreign after the chaos of the past days.

Her heartbeat quickened, not from fear but from something far more dangerous.

"Why am I feeling this way?"

She pressed a hand over her chest, as if she could steady the sudden, restless beat of her heart.

"I still love Kael. I always will."

She had cared for Kazuki from the moment they met, drawn to the shadows he carried because they echoed her own. That bond had been deep, built on understanding and shared scars. It was the kind of connection that was similar to friendship.

But what she had felt on the battlefield was something else entirely.

When Kazuki stood before Vaerik for her, something in her had changed. And when his arm had wrapped around her, holding her as though he'd never let go… she found herself not wanting him to.

That thought alone, sent an ache curling in her chest.

She paced the room, her mind racing.

"I've seen his memories. I know he already loves someone else. And yet…"

She stopped, gripping the edge of her desk.

"I have to control this," she whispered to herself. "These emotions… they'll only complicate things."

Still, even as she told herself that, the image of him, refused to leave her mind.

And for the first time in a long while, Zephyr found herself afraid, of what her own heart might do next.

Kazuki arrived at the doors — where feast was being held, just as Zephyr stepped in. She glanced over her shoulder, meeting his eyes for the briefest moment before looking away.

"...Evening," she said quietly, the word clipped with awkwardness. Without waiting for a reply, she moved forward, disappearing into the crowd of soldiers and adventurers.

When Kazuki stepped inside, he froze. His eyes widened at the sheer scale of it — not just the food, but the number of people gathered.

Every table seemed full, every seat occupied. The great hall was alive with warmth and light. Rows of long wooden tables stretched from wall to wall, each groaning under the weight of steaming roasts, golden-crusted pies, fresh bread, roasted vegetables glistening in butter, and bowls of fruit that spilled with color. The high vaulted ceiling seemed to hum with the low chatter of voices, the clink of cups, and the occasional burst of laughter. Lanterns and chandeliers bathed the stone walls in a golden glow.

A familiar voice rose over the ruckus.

"Kazuki!"

He turned to see Gorran Stoneheart standing and waving from a table where Maeryn and the twins sat. Kazuki made his way over, greeted first by Maeryn, who rose and pulled him into a brief hug.

Then Gorran's massive arms closed around him, lifting him off the floor with a laugh. "There you are, lad!"

The twins sat with their arms crossed, eyes darting anywhere but toward him. 

Maeryn frowned. "Girls, don't act like that. It's not his fault what happened to Kael."

Gorran rumbled, "Let them be, Maeryn. It takes time to accept what's happened." He sat down, then grinned wide. "Still, congratulations on your first battle, lad!" He lifted a heavy jug of ale in salute.

Maeryn smirked. "The new hair suits you. Makes you look more… mature."

Kazuki chuckled. "Thanks. I'm glad you're all safe." His gaze slid briefly to the twins — just in time to catch them sneaking a glance at him.

When he started to say more, the two of them, perfectly in sync, muttered, "This doesn't change anything… but well done for the fight."

Kazuki blinked, then smiled faintly.

Leaving them to their meal, he made his way toward the head table where the King and the Council sat. The King rose as Kazuki approached, stepping forward to clasp his hands in a firm, two-handed handshake.

"Come," the King said warmly, "sit with us."

Kazuki took a seat directly across from Zephyr. She glanced at him once, then focused intently on her cup.

The King raised his own goblet, his voice cutting through the hall. "Tonight, we honor the courage of those who fought for Numeria, and we mourn the brave who now feast in the halls beyond our sight." His gaze swept the room before falling on Kazuki. "And to Kazuki Hasunuma — hero of our kingdom — I give my thanks."

A wave of raised cups filled the hall. "Kazuki!" they shouted in unison.

When the cheers faded and the King sat again, he turned to Kazuki. "I am a man of my word. Think carefully of what you truly desire. If it is within my power, I shall grant it."

Kazuki met his gaze steadily. "Actually… there is something only you could grant me."