The Five Realms

Chapter 44: Chyna X

Chapter 44: Waking

Chyna unzipped the tent flap and stepped into the crisp morning air, stretching her arms until her spine gave a satisfying crack. The world was still fog-kissed and golden, dew catching sunlight in quiet glimmers across the forest floor. The sky overhead was a pale, awakening blue—no clouds, no urgency, just the calm hum of a summer dawn in a realm that, for once, wasn't on fire.

Then she looked up—and nearly snorted loud enough to wake the dead.

Perched high in the gnarled branches of a great oak tree, tangled in limbs and leather, were Joey and Fate. Joey's back rested against the trunk, his head tilted just enough to look unbothered. Fate, in contrast, was curled into him like a sleepy kitten, both hands tucked under her chin, her face resting on his chest. His arm wrapped around her loosely, and his father's old black leather jacket—faded and scuffed at the seams—was draped over both of them like a makeshift blanket. His bow dangled from his right hand, barely clinging to his fingertips.

Chyna blinked.

She stared.

Then she smirked.

"No way."

Her fingers flew to her wrist, flipping open her Icarus watch. The charger was already synced. She grabbed her phone and, with the precision of a wildlife photographer hunting for a viral shot, zoomed in and click—got it.

Just then, Beanca emerged from the tent across the glade, rubbing her eyes and yawning like a cat in the sun. Her curls were puffed out in every direction, and she still had a blanket draped over one shoulder.

"What's so funny?" she mumbled, squinting blearily.

Chyna wordlessly pointed up.

Beanca followed her finger, stared... and froze. A flicker of something unreadable passed across her face—surprise, amusement, and maybe the tiniest glint of jealousy—but it vanished under a wry grin.

"Heh. Looks like someone stole your brother, Chy."

Chyna shrugged, still beaming. "She can have him. I've got other siblings."

"Both of whom are girls."

"Exactly."

They both dissolved into quiet laughter, stifling giggles as Chyna raised her phone for another quick snapshot. Fate shifted just as the shutter snapped, yawning and blinking down at them. Her hair was a sleepy tangle, her expression dazed and soft.

She looked like a lost kitten.

Chyna bit her knuckle to keep from laughing. Beanca failed completely and doubled over with a squeak.

The laughter, unfortunately, had a ripple effect.

Joey stirred next, squinting through one eye. He looked down—at Fate, then at Chyna and Beanca—then groaned audibly as realization dawned. The poor guy looked like he wanted to fall right out of the tree and disappear into the earth.

Instead, he scrambled down in a graceless rush, landing with a thump and brushing past Chyna without meeting her eyes.

"Not cool," he muttered.

"Aww, c'mon." She skipped after him. "Don't be a baby."

He stopped short, turned, and in one smooth motion, raised his bow and aimed it directly at her phone.

Chyna blinked. "You wouldn't."

"Delete the picture."

"What picture?" she asked innocently, raising a brow. "You know I've got tons of 'em."