[RANIA]

"Do you like Han Seong?" Rania asked, ever so subtly, and that got Kaia’s eyes wide open, while the misfits who had clearly been eavesdropping, turned to look at Han Seong, and then at Kaia Seto.

It was like a switch had been turned and suddenly nothing was more interesting than the questioning stares that they were giving the two powerful creatures of magic.

It was easily the most unexpected of derivations, but now that Rania had mentioned it, they were curious to know how this would pan out. Han Seong and Kaia Seto? Damn. That would be some crazy ass couple shit, but what if?

What if there were other things in play?

What if it was more than just a like or a constant adoration?

What would it be described as then?

This was high up the list of the weirdest things that the misfits could have heard, and now that they really did hear it, they rushed to see what for themselves fo Kaia Seto really did like Han Seong.

"No way. That’s impossible and could never ever happen," Kaia Seto said with so much conviction that their friends got suspicious.

It wasn’t something that they had expected, but then the sudden conviction went to show that these two had some bad blood between them.

Then again, for people who had just met because of Rania, for people who barely even interacted with each other, what were the odds that they would want to eb fighting each other indirectly?

"I would dump your ass in a heartbeat," Han said and they all stared at the two weirdly. He hadn’t stuttered and there was something in Han Seong’s voice aside from the anger that he clearly had with Kaia.

It was like he could have preferred not to have Kaia on the team but then the man was useful to Rania and anything that benefited Rania, Han Seong was always going to show up and bear with every single person that Rania had thought was fit for her team.

If it hadn’t been for that, Han Seong would have long abandoned this goddamn mission and what’s worse, he could have already fought with Kaia Seto.

"Wow you two must really hate each other’s guts," Oshita commented and before Kaia could say anything, Han Seong interrupted them.

"We’re here for war for Rani, not for people who show up when they think it fits them and they can benefit from it. So let’s get ready to battle and forget about this little whatever the fuck this is.

"Just know that I wouldn’t ever want to like a person like him," Han Seong said and fr a movement, Kaia’s eyes showed emotions. Raw emotions of worry, a stab in the heart, and a wish to be acknowledged. It was scary and interesting at the same time.

"Hito wait—" Kaia said as he rushed after Han Seong who just ignored him, and for a movement, the misfits wondered if there was something between the two that they didn’t know about.

Then again, Han Seong was always friendly, but Kaia Seto was a disaster in the making. Though Kaia’s emotions didn’t go unnoticed by Rania and Chang Wook.

Something had happened between the devil and the angel of the Valley of the Whites and they would get to the bottom of it sooner or later.

"Let’s go get some food too. We need to be ready," Chang Wook said, when he noticed the silence had gotten awkward between them.

It was all too awkward but that wasn’t the spirit they needed at the moment. In silence, they walked to the camp where the warriors had been eating, while they watched as Kaia tried to make contact with Han who wasn’t even giving him the time of the day.

Kaia Seto never pleaded with anyone.

Kaia Seto never tried to make good with anyone.

He did and got everything he wanted, and yet for the first time in all history, they were witnessing Kaia Seto act like a beggar around Han Seong.

There could only be two possible reasons for them at the moment, one being the fact that the both of them had lived a little too long and had crossed each other one too many times, while the other option was one that couldn’t be explored when the night was here.

Perhaps there was an explanation for this, but Rania couldn’t help but shake the feeling that all of this was happening for the second unspillable reason. Oh, the horrors of a truth that would risk lives worse than the war that they were about to fight.

***

"Good evening warriors. We are here to burn down Calindra. I know how that sounds, but if you feel terrible for them, feel free to go back home, I won’t hold it against you. The only reason we are here is clear, so strike every warrior that strikes you.

"Kill if you must but do not worry, for your life forces are linked to an immortal and are shielded by the High Priest of the Valley of the Whites, and the Viking healer. Once again, thank you for coming to war with me, I will never forget this.

"Thank you, Incayon," Rania said as she gave her little yet precise speech. She knew that a lot of things were going to happen in this battle and she knew that there wasn’t much that could be done.

"For the alpha!!!" Kylian led the chant and the warriors joined in. They weren’t worried now that Rania had assured them that they would go back home with their lives.

They never were worried about their lives at war because as it was, they were warriors and the only good way for a warrior to cross to the underworld was for them to be at battle. So this wasn’t a surprise to them.

Though it was obvious that there were so many wars to be fought by the Incayon warriors and if they didn’t have a little help, then the Incayon troops would be done even before they went to deal with the bastard king who had sent warriors to come after their alpha.

"For the alpha!!!"

"For Kim Rania!!!" the warriors added to their chant and in that movement, Rania knew that there was no turning abc. This was happening and she was glad she was with people she could trust with her life.

"Chargeeee!!!!!" Rania shouted and the warriors gladly ran in the direction of Calindra. Now that she watched the warriors and as she ran along with them towards Calindra Kim Rania noticed how huge the warriors that Kaia had brought were.

They looked like they had been fighting their whole lives and they looked like they could squash even the largest army with their thumbs.

"No retreat, no surrender!" Rania reminded before she heard the gates of Calindra fall and the warrior let out war cries. This was really happening, after seven whole years, she was getting her vengeance and justice all in one place.

It was all so surreal, but as the swords clanged against each other as the Caldirna wolves fell to the swords of the immortal warriors on Rania’s team, Kim Rania knew that she wouldn’t have had it any other way.

She would someday prove to them that supporting her had never been a bad decision. And until then, this was a time of war.