The Weight of a Favor
"It's hard to imagine that the sword technique senior used just now was actually so powerful. I'm very impressed…" Rex Vine said sincerely.
A hollowness stayed out of his words - not one bit of that false charm folks toss around to get ahead. What showed through, though, cut deeper, unpolished.
Hunger.
Something buried far below the surface, felt more than seen. A signal one warrior knows when it comes off another.
Peace sat thin across Ashford City now, the gusts finally still after their wild rush. Still, silence didn't mean safety. Not for Rex. A whisper of Leon's blade lingered - barely there, half imagined, yet sharp enough to prick his senses. As if thunder hid between breaths, refusing to let go.
Rex inhaled slowly.
