The laughter around the training grounds still had not faded.
Sun Wukong was still holding his stomach while laughing.
He pointed toward Kaelignis Veyris and Lyra's Kaelry.
Almost touched him.
Almost.
Kaelignis narrowed her eyes.
Monkey.
Lyra pointed dramatically.
Fight us.
Wukong blinked.
Huh?
Both girls stood up together.
You laughed.You deal with consequences.
Wukong slowly turned toward Kael Veyris.
Save me.
Kael calmly folded his arms.
No.
Silence.
Wukong stared at him.
You betrayed me.A few moments later inside the training arena
Wukong stood holding his staff over his shoulder.
Across from him stood Kaelignis and Lyra.
Nearby, Ignisia watched with a grin.
Lilith stood beside her.
Nyx watched quietly.
Wukong grinned.
One tiny rule.
No crying if you lose.
Kaelignis smirked.
Dragon fire slowly danced around her fingers.
No crying if you lose either.
Lyra raised her sword.
Attack.
Both daughters rushed forward.
The arena instantly filled with movement.
Kaelignis attacked with explosive dragon speed.
Lyra moved from strange angles with fast and unpredictable strikes.
Wukong jumped, spun, leaned backward, flipped through the air, and somehow kept laughing while avoiding every attack.
Minutes passed.
Then suddenly
Tap.
Lyra froze.
Wukong had lightly touched her forehead with one finger.
Tap.
Kaelignis looked down.
The tip of Wukong's staff had gently touched her shoulder.
Silence.
Wukong spun his staff and rested it over his shoulder.
Victory.
Kaelignis stared.
Lyra stared.
Then both slowly turned toward Kael.
Dad.
Teach us more.
Kael looked at them quietly.
Tomorrow.
Both girls instantly looked horrified.
Tomorrow?!
Nearby Ignisia laughed loudly.
Lilith covered a smile.
Even Nyx looked amused.
And for a moment
the Veyris Empire of gods, dragons, primordial beings, and cosmic rulers felt less like an empire...
and more like home.