K A I D AYou’d think preparing for war would feel like chaos.But this?This is silence.The kind that vibrates in your bones before the storm hits.The kind of silence that makes your breath feel too loud, your thoughts too sharp.I stand at the top of the eastern wall, looking out over the valley. The air up here is crisp, sharp with the bite of winter. Below, the Admosian warriors move like clockwork—unloading crates, sharpening blades, reinforcing the perimeter of the fortress.The sky is a washed-out gray. No birds. No sound.It’s like the world knows something’s coming. And it’s holding its breath.Behind me, the doors to the fortress creak open, and footsteps echo across the stone.Korra’s voice cuts through the quiet. “They’re here.”My heart skips once. Then it steadies. Of course they’re here.The first of the allied packs.I follow her down the stairwell, through the arching halls until we reach the courtyard—where the outer gates are wide open, and the first group enters
When the meeting finally wraps up, Octavius dismisses the gathered wolves with a curt nod just as I watch everyone disperse around me. The tension in the room doesn't fade completely, though. Everyone knows the stakes tomorrow, and no one wants to be the one who screws it up... and I don't want that to be me.I hang back, not quite ready to face him, but knowing I don't have a choice. My mind is still reeling from hearing that name—the Tyro Pack.Of all the damn packs.Lucas glances at me, his brows knitting together when he notices my silence. "You okay? You've been awfully quiet."I then look to him, finding him looking down at me curiously, right before I shake my head and try to keep my head together."I'm fine," I answer, a little sharper than I intend. His frown deepens, but he doesn't press me. I'm grateful for that, at least at him and the others don't give me as much trouble as before."I'll see you later Lucas." I tell him, walking off before he even has the chance to respon
K A I D AThe bruises haven’t even faded from the last trial when Kita calls us back to the courtyard.No rest.No congratulations.Just silence and the weight of whatever comes next.Korra walks beside me, silent. Focused. There’s a tension in her shoulders that I recognize—because it mirrors my own. It’s not just about survival anymore. It’s about legacy. About preparing for whatever monster Lucien is planning to unleash next.Kita stands beneath the stone archway, dressed in armor that looks like it belongs in a history book. A long black coat trimmed in silver. A blade on her back that pulses faintly with energy I can feel from ten feet away.I stop in front of her. “What now? Trial three?”She nods once. “The final one.”Korra crosses her arms. “Let me guess. We’re jumping into lava or battling demons from the underworld?”“No,” Kita says, her voice unusually low. “This one… is different.”That alone is enough to put me on edge.She gestures for us to follow her, and we do, throu
K A I D AThe bruises haven’t even faded from the last trial when Kita calls us back to the courtyard.No rest.No congratulations.Just silence and the weight of whatever comes next.Korra walks beside me, silent. Focused. There’s a tension in her shoulders that I recognize—because it mirrors my own. It’s not just about survival anymore. It’s about legacy. About preparing for whatever monster Lucien is planning to unleash next.Kita stands beneath the stone archway, dressed in armor that looks like it belongs in a history book. A long black coat trimmed in silver. A blade on her back that pulses faintly with energy I can feel from ten feet away.I stop in front of her. “What now? Trial three?”She nods once. “The final one.”Korra crosses her arms. “Let me guess. We’re jumping into lava or battling demons from the underworld?”“No,” Kita says, her voice unusually low. “This one… is different.”That alone is enough to put me on edge.She gestures for us to follow her, and we do, throu
K A I D AThe bruises haven’t even faded from the last trial when Kita calls us back to the courtyard.No rest.No congratulations.Just silence and the weight of whatever comes next.Korra walks beside me, silent. Focused. There’s a tension in her shoulders that I recognize—because it mirrors my own. It’s not just about survival anymore. It’s about legacy. About preparing for whatever monster Lucien is planning to unleash next.Kita stands beneath the stone archway, dressed in armor that looks like it belongs in a history book. A long black coat trimmed in silver. A blade on her back that pulses faintly with energy I can feel from ten feet away.I stop in front of her. “What now? Trial three?”She nods once. “The final one.”Korra crosses her arms. “Let me guess. We’re jumping into lava or battling demons from the underworld?”“No,” Kita says, her voice unusually low. “This one… is different.”That alone is enough to put me on edge.She gestures for us to follow her, and we do, throu
K A I D A He stands at the edge of the ruins, watching the carnage unfold with an air of amusement, as if the battle means nothing to him. His cold blue eyes lock onto her, the same piercing shade as Octavius’, but devoid of warmth. He steps forward with slow, deliberate ease, brushing the dust from his dark coat as if he has all the time in the world. Kaida stiffens, claws digging into the earth, heart pounding. She’s been waiting for this moment. For years, she’s dreamed of ripping him apart, of ending him the way he ended her people. Lucien exhales a quiet chuckle. “You’ve grown since the last time I saw you…” His voice is smooth, almost casual, as if they’re old acquaintances meeting after years apart. Kaida bares her fangs, stepping forward with lethal intent. “I’m going to kill you.” His smirk widens. “You can try, little one… This should be fun.” She lunges. Lucien is fast—too fast. Before her claws can even graze him, he twists to the side, dodging effortlessly