Ashen Light

Chapter 8: The Line

Cyrus exhaled deeply, feeling the weight of exhaustion hit him all at once as the light faded from his blade and his eyes. His knees held steady, forcing his breathing to slow. He hadn't used Apollousa's blessing to this extent since...well, since then. His head pounded from the strain, but he kept his gaze forward, watching as the last remnants of the demon scattered like ash in the wind.

Zack was the first to break the silence, gaping at Cyrus with wide eyes. "Okay. What was that?"

Skylar's usually sharp expression was softened, eyes narrowed as she took in Cyrus with a mix of curiosity and suspicion. "No kidding, I didn't realize I'd be fighting alongside someone who could just...flash past time," she said, a bit of awe breaking through her usual sarcasm.

Cyrus just shrugged, brushing some of the black powder off his sleeves. "Not really. I can just move really fast. At least for a little bit. This blade-" Cyrus held it up. "-has a lot more power than you would think."

Zack let out a low whistle, clearly impressed. "Well, don't think you can just brush that off like it's no big deal." He shot Cyrus a grin, his usual humor returning. "Next time, though, maybe warn us before you pull some divine trickery on a giant demon? Nearly had me thinking we were all doomed there."

Cyrus managed a small smile, though the weight of his power—and the risks it brought—lingered in the back of his mind. "I'll keep that in mind."

But Skylar's gaze remained fixed, assessing him, like she was piecing together a puzzle. "If you've got that kind of power in your back pocket, it makes me wonder what else you're hiding," she murmured, her tone sharper than before.

Cyrus's expression darkened slightly, and he felt the familiar urge to deflect, to keep her from digging deeper. "There's nothing more to it than what you saw." He sheathed his blade, willing his heartbeat to steady as he turned away. "Let's just focus on making sure there aren't any more of them out here."

Zack seemed satisfied enough with that answer, and he gave Cyrus a friendly pat on the back. "Fair enough, Mr. Living Lightning. Guess we can save the questions for another time." He winked, chuckling.

Cyrus's response was held back by a sudden aura hitting him.

Zephyr arrived at the battlefield, purple energy still sparking faintly around him as he strode through the settling dust. His gaze flicked dismissively over the withering remains of the demon before landing squarely on the trio - particularly Cyrus. He crossed his arms, shaking his head with a smirk that barely masked his irritation.

"Well, well, looks like you three had quite the party without me," he remarked, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Next time you get it in your heads to play hero, maybe consider letting the actual Champion handle it."

Cyrus remained composed, meeting Zephyr's gaze steadily. "The demon was here and ready to cause havoc. We did what had to be done."

Zephyr rolled his eyes. "Of course you did. But handling the big threats is my job." He tilted his head, his smirk widening, almost mocking now. "Or are you trying to make yourself into a champion now, Cyrus?"

"I have no desire for your position, nor do I want any conflict with you, Zephyr." Cyrus said quietly, calmly. They both stared at each other for quite some time, before Zephyr scoffed, waving his hand and sending sand everywhere.

"You don't want conflict with me? Then get this. Stay the fuck out of my way." Zephyr growled over his shoulder before leaping into the air, levitating a few feet off the ground, lightning crackling all around him as he flew off very quickly, heading back towards Clankal.

Zack let out a low whistle, watching the flash of purple lightning vanish over the dunes. "Well, he's got a pleasant way about him, doesn't he?" he muttered, brushing some sand off his shoulders.