Serika’s grin only widened. “You heard me right. My retainer was in the True Foundation realm, and an expert batant at that. But this kid? He kept up and nearly won!”
Now, even Nalai was intrigued, stopping her tea sipping. “A Core Formation cultivator nearly overing a full realm gap… that’s exceptional. Still, there are rare cases of monstrous talents like that.”
Serika wagged a finger. “Ah-ah, I’m not done yet. You know why he could overe the gap?”
Nalai narrowed her eyes, thinking. It didn’t take more than a single second for her to e to a conclusion. “He utilized a monstrous bat style?”
Serika leaned back into her seat with a self-satisfied smirk. “You’re right on the money, sis. Awesome thinking, as always. It was indeed because he was using a rather peculiar martial style. One that hasn’t been seen in a very long time.”
That earned a slow, curious eyebrow raise from the queen.
Serika’s grin turned devilish.
"Blazing Tyrant Fist. And his saber techniques were clearly derived from it.”
The cup in Nalai’s hand slipped ever so slightly. Her fingers stiffened, knuckles turning white.
A ghostly pallor washed over her face.
She stared at Serika.
Then at Quinlan.
"T-that means
"He’s alive!” Serika said triumphantly, springing up as if announcing a miracle. “Father’s alive!”
Her voice rang through the chamber like a war cry.
Nalai didn’t move.
She stared at Quinlan with her eyelashes lowering slightly, as though trying to reconcile two images of him—one in the present, and one laced with memory.
For a breath, her expression went blank.
Then a subtle tremble passed through her fingers, her lips parting just slightly. “The… Blazing Tyrant Fist?” she echoed with a feather-soft voice.
A beat of silence followed.
Quinlan set his cup down gently, his eyes calmly watching her. “If I may,” he said evenly, “I’d like to explain.”
Nalai gave a tiny nod, posed but no longer aloof. “Please. I’d like to hear it from you.”
And so he told her about meeting Rykar on the outskirts of Vulkaris, about the teachings, the bond, the road of painstaking cultivation and physical training that led him here.
A brilliant, radiant smile broke across her face like the sun emerging after a storm. She shot to her feet and rushed around the table, nearly knocking over her tea in the process.
With an uncharacteristic squeal of joy, she wrapped her arms tightly around Serika in a warm, unrestrained hug. “Serika!” she whispered, burying her face in her older sister’s shoulder. “He’s alive! He’s alive!” R̃𝒶ɴò₿Еṡ
Serika blinked in surprise, then let out a soft laugh and hugged her back tightly, one hand cradling the back of Nalai’s head with sisterly care. “Yeah. He is. That old monster’s still kicking.”
Nalai clung to her like a little girl who’d just been handed her greatest wish, her posure momentarily forgotten. “All this time… I thought he was… I thought he was gone.”
"I know, Nali,” Serika murmured, using a nickname only she had the right to use. “Me too.”
Nalai let out a small laugh, a sound of delicate joy. “All this time… I hoped. After all, the corpses were burned beyond recognition in his smithy. There was a chance, no matter how minuscule, that Father lived somehow
"Yeah
As the two sisters embraced, a hush fell over the table. The air was no longer heavy with formality or tension, but something far more intimate and pure.
From her seat, Feng sniffled. Then, without a word, she reached out and gently took Quinlan’s hand in both of hers, her eyes glassy with tears. She looked up at him, voice barely a whisper. “They’re so happy
Quinlan gave her hand a light, reassuring squeeze, lips tugging into a small, knowing smile. “Yeah.”
Feng blinked rapidly, trying to suppress the emotion rising in her chest.
At that moment, Nalai slowly pulled back from the hug, just enough to look her sister in the eyes. Her cheeks were flushed, her expression glowing with relief and joy. “But where is he?” she asked breathlessly. “Where is Father now?”
Serika’s smile dimmed instantly.
Her arms loosened, her posture drooping just a little. He’s in hiding… For some odd reason.”
Nalai blinked. “Hiding?”
Serika nodded. “You know how he was attacked. Ambushed. Someone tried to kill him… and they almost succeeded.”
She took a slow breath. “He lost all four limbs. What he has now are high-grade prosthetics, but still… he’s not the same. I think he might’ve bee paranoid or worse after surviving such an ordeal… Especially how Maelik, his other disciple and my right-hand man, died that day
Nalai’s eyes widened in horror, with her hands rising to her lips. “No
"For some reason Serika’s voice faltered, and her grin vanished pletely. “For some reason, he’s… keeping his distance from me. I can’t find him.”
Her words were raw with hurt, and for once, the wild Sovereign of Fire looked truly vulnerable. Nalai’s heart visibly clenched. She gently raised a hand and stroked her sister’s lush red hair, her touch soothing. “It’s okay. We’ll figure this out. Together.”
Serika’s eyes fluttered shut for a moment, leaning into the affection like a cat seeking warmth. “Yeah,” she whispered back. “Together.”
Nalai lingered for a moment more in Serika’s embrace, her fingers gently threading through the red strands. Then, with practiced grace, she pulled back pletely.
And in a single breath…
She was Sovereign again.
The softness in her face melted into serene poise. Her shoulders squared. Her spine straightened. She returned to her seat without a sound, her every movement fluid, effortless—royal.
Once settled, she looked across the table at Quinlan.
A small, knowing smile curved her lips.
"I presume that Mr. Avatar didn’t e all the way here just to bring me such wonderful news.”
Her voice was pleasant, sweet even, but there was a curious glint in her eyes now, like the light reflecting off the edge of a blade.
Quinlan leaned back in his seat, his hand still loosely holding Feng’s.
He met her gaze without hesitation.
His smile widened but it was not small like the queen’s, not polite. His was bold and feral. It burned with excitement, ambition, and a spark of danger. The kind of grin one would expect from a man eager to test his might against gods.
"I want to learn from both of you. I want to experience your full strength. I want the real deal. Because if I’m going to grow stronger… strong enough to defeat the invader once and for all… I need to know what it means to stand on equal ground with Sovereigns.”
Feng stiffened beside him, casting him a sideways glance. But she said nothing.
Nalai’s smile didn’t falter.
She tilted her head ever so slightly, studying him with that unreadable elegance.
That she whispered at last, her tone soft as silk,
"Can be arranged.”
Serika let out a bark of laughter, rising to her feet immediately. She brought her fists together with a loud crack, making fire burst between her knuckles in brilliant orange sparks.
"Well then!” she grinned, wild and eager.
"You’re in for a hell of a lesson, diligent and humble student of mine. I hope you’re ready.”
I am, Teach.”
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