COMING TOGETHER PART 1

Taiga’s POV

I got a message from Caelum — he’d found Lyra.
Relief washed over me like a wave. Finally, some good news.

I wandered over to a nearby bench and sat down, watching the sun sink toward the horizon. The sky was painted in warm streaks of gold and crimson, the kind of sight that made everything feel… softer.

That’s when I noticed Evelyn sitting a few feet away, her posture as straight as a spear.

She turned when she felt my gaze.
The air between us was heavy. Awkward.

I blew out a slow breath and decided to just rip off the bandage.
“…We should probably talk.”

She crossed her arms but didn’t argue. “Fine.”

The words came slow, like pulling teeth.
“Sorry,” I said finally, slouching forward, my voice lower than usual. “For… you know. Acting like a total idiot.”

Evelyn blinked, clearly not expecting me to go first. After a pause, she sighed and looked away.
“I was out of line too,” she admitted quietly. “I shouldn’t have called Lyra a danger to everyone without proof. That was…” She hesitated, then added, “…not professional.”

I couldn’t help but grin faintly. “There’s the Evelyn I know — all rules and regulations.”

She shot me a glare, but it lacked its usual bite.

“You know,” I continued, “you weren’t wrong about me. I do act like a kid sometimes. I guess… I kinda miss those days. When I could just be me and not think too hard about anything.”

I chuckled softly, rubbing the back of my neck. “But meeting you guys… it made me want to grow up a little. Be someone you could count on.”

Evelyn looked away, her voice dropping to almost a mutter. “…You’re still reckless.”

“Yeah,” I admitted with a shrug. “But maybe I don’t have to be all the time.”

Silence lingered for a beat, but it felt lighter now.

Then I stood and held out a hand. “Alright. Let’s start over.”

Evelyn arched a brow. “Start over?”

“Yeah. I’m Taiga. My dream is to be a Guardian. And for the next four years…” I grinned. “We’re gonna be the best of friends.”

Evelyn hesitated — then, to my surprise, a tiny smirk curved her lips.
“…Evelyn Crystalis. And from this point forward, I’ll be the most reliable frie—” she caught herself, “…no, a reliable teammate you’ll ever have.”

I laughed — really laughed — and to my shock, she joined in.
For the first time, the tension melted away completely, leaving just the sound of two idiots laughing under the setting sun.

Caelum’s POV

Lyra had finally calmed down.
We’d kept the conversation light — talking about books, about the city — but eventually, her voice grew quiet.

“I’ve been hearing rumors,” she said. “The Silver Claw’s been sighted here. In Atlas.”

I leaned back in my chair, frowning. “Here? That can’t be right. This city’s one of the few places that actually protects Beastfolk.”

“That’s why it doesn’t make sense,” Lyra said softly. “Even back then, the Silver Claw wouldn’t strike in a kingdom like Atlas — or Dragonia.”

Her gaze dropped to her hands, fingers curling into fists.
“If this is a frame job, it’s working. People are already whispering that Beastfolk are dangerous. If this keeps going…” Her jaw tightened. “…the real Silver Claw might lash out. And if that happens, Atlas is going to turn into a warzone.”

I stayed quiet for a moment, thinking. Then I said, “…So let’s stop it.”

Lyra’s head snapped up. “What?”

“Let’s go to wherever they’re pulling this stunt, prove it isn’t the real Silver Claw, and shut it down before it snowballs.”

She hesitated, then let out a slow breath. “…You’d really do that?”

I grinned crookedly. “Are you kidding? I’m already trouble — what’s wrong with beating up a few dozen bad guys?”

Minutes later, we were heading out — me tightening my jacket straps, Lyra pulling her hood back over her ears.

Before we left, I flicked open my scroll and sent a quick message to Taiga, Evelyn, and Jeanne.

Jeanne’s POV

We at the dorm kitchen. Making dinner

Supposedly dinner but I don’t know how Taiga convince Evelyn to help him cook a pancake

"Guess there really is a first time for everything." I mummer

I think things are good now.

Caelum found Lyra and I think Taiga and Evelyn finally got along

I hear my scroll ring.

Probably Caelum and Lyra heading back. Hope they comfortable eating breakfast for dinner.

Heading to the docks. Could use backup.

I stared at the message, sighing.
“Come on, Caelum. Looking for trouble is supposed to be my thing.”

For a moment, I hesitated.
I hate this. I hate playing hero. Dad tried to save a town from a monster attack and look where it got him — buried six feet under.

But Caelum and Lyra are my friends. If I don’t do anything and something happens to them…

I sighed and held up my scroll.
“Well, kiddies. Lover Boy found Lyra. He’s already heading to the docks.”

“Again?” Evelyn groaned. “I’m starting to think he doesn’t find trouble — he looks for it.”

“Knowing him, he probably already picked a fight,” Taiga said, smirking. “He’s probably in the middle of it right now.”

That got a laugh out of me. “Then let’s not keep him waiting.”

I grabbed my jacket and started toward the door, tossing my hair over my shoulder.

“Come on, you two. Time to save our troublemaking friend — and maybe beat up a few bad guys while we’re at it.”Caelum’s POV

Me and Lyra arrive at the Docks

we find the guards and workers lying in the ground and the smell of salt and oil hung heavy in the air, mixed with something coppery — blood.

“They dead” I said

“We need to find them quick” Lyra said

Lyra and I moved carefully between the crates.

And then we saw them — a cluster of masked figures in Silver Claw colors, tearing open crates and tossing priceless relics onto the ground like junk and standing in the middle of them, barking orders, was Silas Crowe.

Lyra froze. I saw the way her body went rigid, ears twitching back.

“Wait—” I reached for her arm, but she slipped free and vanished by using her gift.

“Damn it, Lyra…” I muttered, taking cover behind a crate.

She reappeared behind Silas, dagger at his throat, hood falling back to reveal her face.

“Enough!” Her voice cut across the dock like a whip.

Every head turned.

“Silver Claw!” she shouted, her voice trembling with fury. “My name is Lyra Nekomata! Explain yourselves! Why are you attacking the Kingdom of Atlas? You are smearing the name of the Beastfolk!”

For a moment, there was silence.

And then Silas laughed.

“Oh, sweetheart, didn’t you get the memo?” he said.

“What are you talking about?” Lyra snarled.

“The Silver Claw are going into a different business venture.” His grin widened.

He jerked his head back, knocking her off-balance, and swung his cane up — the barrel hidden inside it flashing.

“LYRA!” I shouted.

She leapt back just as the shot rang out.

The Silver Claw charged.

I vaulted over the crate, slamming into the nearest masked thug with enough force to send him flying. Lyra was already moving, a blur of steel and golden hair, knocking weapons aside and disarming anyone foolish enough to get close.

Silas fired again, the shot whizzing past my head.

“You really had to start with the dramatic hostage speech, huh?” I yelled over the noise, ducking behind a crate for cover.

“Shut up and fight!” Lyra shot back.

I kicked a crate into two charging thugs, grabbed a loose chain from the ground, and swung it in a wide arc, sending another one sprawling.

Lyra blinked in and out of sight, her Gift making her strikes unpredictable.

I grabbed a loose chain from the ground and swung it in a wide arc, smashing a masked figure across the chest. Another lunged at me — I ducked under his blade, caught him by the vest, and hurled him over a crate.

Then I heard a familiar laugh.

“Well, well,” Silas drawled from across the dock, spinning his cane. “Didn’t expect to see you again so soon, kiddo. Hope you ready for the rematch. I know I do”