The Shards of War: Balancing Power

Chapter 11

The next morning, Matsu wakes up to the soft sounds of Calie and Marie's peaceful breathing, both still deep in slumber. A warm smile graces his lips as he observes the tranquility of the moment. Gently extricating himself from the embrace of sleep, Matsu rises from the bed, careful not to disturb the peaceful scene.

As Matsu begins to prepare for the day, selecting a fresh shirt, Calie stirs, her eyes fluttering open. She gazes at Matsu with a drowsy smile. "Morning, Matsu," she murmurs, her voice soft and filled with the remnants of sleep.

"Morning, my love," Matsu replies, bending down to place a gentle kiss on Calie's forehead. "Sleep well?"

Calie nods, her eyes still heavy with sleep. "Like a baby. What time is it?"

Matsu checks the clock and grins. "Not too early. We have a bit of time before we need to get going."

As Calie starts to sit up, Marie, sensing the stirrings of wakefulness, joins the scene. "Morning, you two," she greets, her eyes blinking against the morning light.

"Morning, Marie," Matsu replies, glancing over his shoulder as he changes his shirt. "Sleep okay?"

Marie stretches, her arms reaching overhead. "Like a log. What's on the agenda for today?"

Matsu finishes changing and turns back to them with a playful smile. "Well, we've got a surprise visitor coming to the office today. You'll find out who soon enough."

Calie raises an eyebrow, curiosity lighting up her features. "A surprise visitor? You're full of secrets, Matsu."

Matsu chuckles, crossing the room to join them on the bed. "What can I say? Gotta keep things interesting. Now, shall we get ready for the day?"

Calie and Marie exchange amused glances, a shared understanding of Matsu's penchant for surprises. As they begin to prepare for the day ahead, the air is filled with a sense of anticipation and the warmth of shared moments. The trio, bound by love and a tapestry of experiences, faces the new day together, ready for whatever surprises it may bring.

As Matsu, Calie, and Marie approach Matsu's office, they notice Blaze bent over, engrossed in handling Matsu's artifact. Intrigued, Matsu opens the door wider, revealing Blaze's concentrated expression.

Blaze looks up, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. "Hey, surprise! Trying to unlock the potential of this thing," she says, a playful glint in her eyes.

Matsu chuckles, shaking his head. "Blaze, always up for something new. What exactly are you attempting here?"

Blaze lifts the artifact, examining it closely. "Heard a rumor that this could bring forth your avatar. Thought it might be a game-changer for Tactical Takedown. Imagine having our leader right in the thick of it."

Calie and Marie share amused glances, finding Blaze's enthusiasm infectious. "Blaze, you really have a unique way of thinking," Calie laughs.

Marie adds, "Tactical Takedown is about strategy and teamwork, not summoning avatars."

Blaze shrugs, a mischievous grin on her face. "Well, a little extra help wouldn't hurt. And it would be legendary."

Matsu joins the banter, "It's not exactly for that, Blaze. The avatar is an extension of your will, made of aura. Controlled with your thoughts. It can do physical things but can't speak."

Blaze looks intrigued. "Aura, huh? How do you activate it?"

Matsu explains, "Just channel your aura into the artifact, and it'll recognize you as the user. But be careful, your avatar reflects your essence."