The sun had just begun to dip below the horizon, casting an orange and violet hue over the academy grounds. Ethan stood at the balcony of his dormitory, looking out at the vast expanse of the training fields. The cool evening breeze brushed against his skin, but he barely felt it. His mind was elsewhere, preoccupied with the events of the day.
Ever since his encounter with Karen earlier, a strange sense of clarity had washed over him. He had never been one to reflect too deeply on his emotions, always too focused on the next fight, the next challenge. But now, standing alone, he felt as if the pieces of a much larger puzzle were starting to come together.
Karen's presence had affected him more than he realized. There was something about her calm demeanor, her unwavering strength despite her gentle nature, that pulled him in. She wasn't like the others—she didn't seek to dominate or prove her superiority. Instead, she radiated an aura of peace, a contrast to the chaos that seemed to constantly follow Ethan wherever he went.
And yet, as much as Karen had drawn him in, another figure lingered in his mind: Seraphina Nightshade. She was the last person he had expected to find some kind of connection with, yet she was someone he couldn't ignore. There was something about her sharp, almost predatory nature that intrigued him, but it also left him wary. She was always on the edge, watching him with eyes that seemed to measure and calculate his every move.
Ethan ran a hand through his hair, sighing deeply. He could feel the weight of all the relationships in his life beginning to pile up. His growing attraction to Karen, his unpredictable and often tense interactions with Seraphina, the slow burn of his connection with Sylvia, and then the others—Selene, Ilyana, Eline... It was all becoming more complicated than he had ever anticipated.
A voice broke through his thoughts.
"You look deep in thought."
Ethan turned to see Karen standing in the doorway of his room, her white robes fluttering slightly in the breeze. Her emerald eyes were soft, her expression peaceful yet filled with the same quiet intensity he had noticed earlier. She didn't seem to be in any hurry, just standing there as if waiting for him to acknowledge her.
He smiled slightly, motioning for her to enter. "Did you need something?"
Karen stepped inside, her presence filling the room with an almost serene energy. She glanced around briefly before meeting his eyes. "I was wondering how you were doing. I know you've been under a lot of pressure lately. The academy, the growing strength you're gaining... It must be overwhelming at times."
Ethan chuckled softly. "It has its moments. But I'm managing. I've been through worse."
She raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? It's okay to admit when things are getting tough. You don't always have to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders."
Ethan hesitated, his gaze flickering for a moment to the floor. For a long time, he had operated under the belief that strength meant facing everything alone. He had been trained to fight, to survive. But Karen's words… they struck a chord in him. Maybe he didn't have to shoulder everything by himself.
He looked up, meeting her gaze, and his voice was quieter than before. "I've never been one to ask for help. But sometimes, I think I might need it."
Karen stepped closer, her eyes filled with understanding. She placed a hand gently on his arm, the warmth of her touch surprising him in its comfort. "You don't have to be alone in this, Ethan. Not anymore."
Her words settled into him like a balm. For the first time in a long while, Ethan allowed himself to soften, to acknowledge the part of him that longed for companionship, for someone to share the burden with.
"I don't know what I would do without you," he said, his voice barely a whisper.
Karen's smile was small but radiant, and she squeezed his arm before withdrawing her hand. "You won't have to find out. I'll be here, Ethan. Always."
There was a pause between them, a gentle stillness, before Ethan broke it with a question that had been gnawing at him. "What about you, Karen? What do you want? You've always been the one to stand by others, but what is it that you truly desire?"
She blinked, taken aback by the directness of his question. For a moment, she seemed to contemplate it, her gaze drifting to the floor before meeting his eyes again.
"I want to help," she said simply, her voice steady. "I've always wanted to help people, to heal them, to make their lives better. But I've realized something. I want to protect you, too, Ethan. I don't just want to heal others—I want to be there for you, in whatever way you need."
Ethan's heart skipped a beat at her words, and for a moment, he was at a loss for what to say. He had never been good at articulating his emotions, especially when it came to matters of the heart. But Karen's honesty, her genuine nature, made him feel as if he could finally be open with someone.
"Thank you," he said, his voice full of sincerity. "I don't think I've ever had anyone who's cared for me like this. It means a lot."
Karen smiled softly, her expression warm and comforting. "You deserve it, Ethan. You're not alone."
Before Ethan could respond, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed down the hall. The door to his room swung open, and Seraphina Nightshade entered, her crimson eyes scanning the room before settling on Ethan and Karen.
"Well, well," Seraphina's voice was smooth and laced with amusement. "It looks like I'm interrupting a tender moment."
Ethan raised an eyebrow, and Karen stiffened slightly at the unexpected intrusion, but neither of them backed away. The air in the room shifted, and for a moment, an uncomfortable silence settled between them.
Seraphina's gaze lingered on Ethan for a moment longer than necessary before she turned her attention to Karen. "Don't mind me. I'm just here to check on our dear 'underdog.' I heard the rumors about your little escapades in the arena. Impressive, I must say."
Karen's expression remained unchanged, though there was a subtle tension in her stance. "I'm not here for the rumors, Seraphina. I'm here for Ethan."
Seraphina's lips curled into a smirk, but there was no malice in her expression—at least, not immediately. "Of course, of course. I'm just curious, Karen, if you've noticed what's been going on with our little friend here." She turned her gaze to Ethan, and her smile grew wider. "You've been making quite an impression lately."
Ethan didn't respond immediately, his eyes flicking from Seraphina to Karen, who was watching the exchange carefully. He wasn't sure what Seraphina's motives were, but he had a feeling this wasn't just about idle curiosity.
"I don't need your approval, Seraphina," he said, his voice firm. "I'm not here to win anyone's favor."
Seraphina chuckled softly, clearly unfazed by his words. "Oh, I know, Ethan. But that doesn't mean you're not winning hearts along the way. I suppose I'll just have to keep watching."
She turned to leave, her footsteps fading down the hall as quickly as she had come. Ethan let out a deep breath, tension ebbing from his shoulders.
Karen didn't say anything for a while, but her eyes were locked on the door where Seraphina had exited. Ethan could sense the unease in the air.
"Are you okay?" he asked softly.
Karen nodded, though her expression was troubled. "It's nothing," she said, though Ethan could tell she wasn't convinced. "I just don't trust her."
Ethan didn't need to ask who she meant. Seraphina's presence had always been a thorn in his side, and he knew Karen was no exception. But for now, they had other things to focus on—things that were much more important.
"Let's not worry about her," Ethan said, offering her a reassuring smile. "We've got enough to deal with already."
Karen met his gaze, and for a moment, there was an unspoken understanding between them. There was still much ahead for both of them, and the road wouldn't be easy. But for the first time in a long while, Ethan felt like he wasn't alone. And that was enough.