The morning sun crested the Grasslands, casting a warm glow over the iron-grass as Kairo received a summons from Sunmaster Jabari, carried by a Jua messenger with golden tattoos pulsing faintly under the light. The air hummed with a new rhythm pulling them toward the Savanna of Luma, home of the Jua Tribe.
Zalia stood firm, her armored form clanking as she turned to N'Dari. "Shadow Sentinel, follow and protect Kairo wherever he goes. His light draws shadows—your silence will guard it." N'Dari nodded, steel eyes steady—his molten tattoos flickering as he adjusted his rhino mask.
The three boys set out, leaving the Forge Outpost behind—Kairo's blade swaying at his hip, its golden edge catching the rising sun. Tano drummed a lively beat—grinning wide. "Beatless, bet Jabari wants your fancy sword skills! Maybe I'll teach him thunder-dancing!" Kairo chuckled, eyes scanning the horizon: "Loudmouth, he'd trip over your drums before the first step!" N'Dari's dry voice rumbled: "N'Dari walks, not dances—metal bends, not stumbles," his third-person jab earning a mock glare from Tano, who muttered, "Weirdo," under his breath.
The journey stretched across the plains, golden grasses swaying like waves under a blazing sky. Kairo's curious gaze traced the acacia shadows stretching long, feeling Tano's energy and N'Dari's quiet resolve, his empathy tugging at their unspoken burdens. Tano raced ahead, kicking up dust, laughing loud. "Race you to that rock, Beatless! Loser carries my drums!" Kairo grinned, matching his pace with Echo Step, leaving a playful illusion to trip Tano. "Catch me first, thunder-head!" N'Dari trailed silently, Anvil Step rooting his stride—his presence a calm anchor, though his annoyance at Tano's noise simmered beneath his stoic shell.
By midday, they rested near a glittering stream—its waters reflecting the sun like liquid gold. Tano splashed Kairo, drenching him—SPLASH—"HA! Wake up, vine-kid! Sun's too bright for naps!" Kairo retaliated with a Resonant Strike splash—KICK-splash-KICK—his humor masking a flicker of loneliness, his "fake brave" streak pushing through the fear of being left behind. N'Dari sat apart, Resolve Field pulsing—his silence heavy with a faint whisper. Kairo noticed, stepping closer, empathetic pain tugging at him. "You okay, Silent One? That mask hiding a smile?" N'Dari's lip twitched: "HA! N'Dari endures. Your noise tests my steel," his reverence for endurance masking a deeper fear of becoming hollow.
As dusk fell, the savanna glowed—casting their shadows long. Tano tapped a rhythm—grinning. "Admit it, Beatless, I'd win that race if N'Dari didn't slow us!" Kairo teased back, "Only if I let you, Loudmouth—your drums are my pace!" N'Dari spoke low, Hammerheart syncing with the land: "Strength in three—iron, thunder, light," his loyalty to Kairo deepening, a quiet vow to protect this untempered ore despite Tano's distrust.
Under starlight, they camped, sharing stories. Tano boasted of Thunderclap Step feats while Kairo hummed Footstep Chant, detecting a distant dune thrum, his loneliness eased by their presence. N'Dari listened, his Molten Edge blades glinting—guilt of survival warring with pride. As the fire crackled, he removed his mask, then spoke—his voice low: "N'Dari once felt Nuru's touch… his whispers still echo in this forged heart." The words hung heavy, drawing curious glances from Kairo and Tano, setting the stage for an untold tale to unfold.