Tirnanog

The camp was quiet now, the soft rustling of leaves in the gentle night breeze the only sound accompanying the steady crackle of the dying fire. Youth had fallen into an uneasy sleep, his head resting against a log. Vriede stood watch near the edge of the clearing, her keen wolf-like senses ever alert, while Schneizal and Sequana lingered by the campfire, its embers casting flickering shadows over their faces.

Schneizal leaned back against a boulder, his massive sword propped beside him, reflecting the faint orange glow. Sequana sat cross-legged across from him, her grimoire set aside as she fiddled nervously with the hem of her cloak.

"You're awfully quiet," 

Schneizal remarked, breaking the silence. His usual smirk was absent, replaced by a more subdued expression. 

"Something on your mind?"

Sequana's gaze remained on the embers. 

"It's what Youth said earlier. About his eye. About that gem. I can't shake the feeling that… this isn't the end of it. Sarevsael's death will have consequences."

Schneizal exhaled, his eyes narrowing slightly as he stared into the flames.

 "You're not wrong. The Royal Knights won't take it lightly. One of their own, a Grade 3, taken down by a bunch of so-called rebels? They'll be coming for us."

Sequana's grip tightened on her cloak. 

"Do you think we stand a chance? Against all of them? Against Ketergia?"

Schneizal glanced at her, his sharp blue eyes studying her for a moment. 

"Why? Are you thinking of running?"

Her head snapped up, her voice tinged with indignation. 

"No! Of course not. But…" She faltered, her gaze dropping. "I thought maybe you were."

A short laugh escaped Schneizal, but there was no humor in it. 

"No, I'm not planning on that," 

he said firmly. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. 

"What I meant was… if the time comes, are you prepared to face them? To face us?"

Sequana blinked, confusion crossing her face. 

"What do you mean, 'us'?"

Schneizal's tone was quieter now, almost contemplative. 

"You're a Grade 1. I'm a Grade 2. The Royal Knights? They're all Grade 3s. The gap between us and them isn't just about skill. It's physical stats, speed, magic… everything. Especially for you. You're not exactly built for a fight."

Her shoulders slumped, and she let out a shaky sigh. 

"I know. I'm weak. Compared to all of you, I'm barely holding my own."

Schneizal's expression softened, and he leaned closer, his voice steady. 

"Hey. Don't say that. You're not weak."

She shook her head, her tone bitter. 

"Yes, I am. You saw what happened back there. If it weren't for you and Youth, I wouldn't have made it out alive. I can barely keep up."

Schneizal reached out, placing a hand on her shoulder. 

"Sequana, listen to me. You're not alone in this. None of us are. Yeah, the gap between us and them is huge. But that doesn't mean we can't find a way to fight back. We're a team, and that means we have each other's backs. I've got yours. Youth's got yours. Vriede's got yours. We'll figure this out together."

Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she looked at him. 

"You really believe that?"

Schneizal's grin returned, cocky but genuine. 

"Of course I do. Besides, who else is going to keep you out of trouble?"

A small laugh escaped her, and she wiped at her eyes. 

"Wow, i never imagined you of all people would actually say something like that to me"

Sequana chuckled

"Thank you Schneizal. That means a lot."

"Anytime," 

he said, leaning back against the boulder. 

"Now get some rest. We've got a long road ahead, and I'll need you sharp if we're going to take on the big leagues."

She nodded, settling down beside the fire. As she closed her eyes, the worry lingering in her chest began to ease, replaced by a fragile but growing sense of hope. Schneizal's words stayed with her, a reminder that no matter how bleak things seemed, they weren't fighting alone.

As the night deepened, Schneizal kept watch, his sharp gaze scanning the darkness. The fire's embers glowed faintly, a symbol of their resilience. No matter what the Royal Knights threw at them, they would face it together.