Exildra moved, her every step precise, every movement calculated. She circled him slowly, her gaze locked onto his body, reading him, analyzing.

Then, she struck. Her palm shot forward, aiming for his throat, but it was a feint. Her body twisted mid-motion, her leg sweeping low toward his legs.

Bahamut lifted his foot slightly, just enough to avoid it. Her eyes narrowed.

’He’s reading everything...’

She pressed harder. A flurry of strikes followed: palm, elbow, knee. Each one chained perfectly into the next, flowing like water yet carrying the weight of steel.

Bahamut responded with minimal movement and maximum efficiency. Their exchange was tighter than Lily’s. Exildra’s breathing remained steady, but her attacks grew faster, more aggressive.

She stepped in too deep. Bahamut’s hand shot out and caught her wrist. Her eyes widened. Her body was dragged forward as he pulled her. His shoulder drove into her midsection, lifting her slightly off the ground before slamming her down.

The impact cracked the ground beneath her. Exildra gasped softly, her breath knocked out for a split second. Bahamut released her immediately, stepping back.

"You rely too much on control," he said.

Exildra lay there for a second...

Then laughed softly.

"And you’re just unfair." But she didn’t get up. That was her answer.

Alana swallowed.

"So it’s my turn." She stepped forward slowly, her hooves clicking faintly against the ground.

Unlike the other two, she hesitated.

"Don’t think too much," Bahamut said.

"That’s easy for you to say..." Sometimes, she forgot that Bahamut was her master, especially in times like these.

Alana exhaled, and her eyes shifted. They darkened slightly. The ground around her changed. Shadows stretched, twisted, and moved. They coiled around her feet, rising like living things, wrapping around her arms.

"Okay... let’s try this..."

The shadows surged forward. They lashed out toward Bahamut from multiple angles, tendrils snapping like whips. Bahamut moved. The shadows missed him by inches, striking the ground, cracking it, leaving dark marks behind.

Alana’s control wasn’t refined, but it was dangerous. One tendril wrapped around his arm and she pulled.

"Yes!"

CRACK!

Bahamut flexed slightly, and the shadow snapped. Alana froze.

"What?!"

He was already in front of her. She didn’t even see him move.

THUD!

A light tap to her forehead, and that was all. Her body went limp instantly as she dropped backward onto the ground. There was silence.

Bahamut stood in the center.

"Huh," he muttered.

A few seconds passed. Lily sat up first.

"What just happened?"

Exildra followed, rubbing her side slightly.

"We lost."

Alana blinked up at the ceiling.

"I didn’t even feel that..."

They all turned to Bahamut, but he shrugged.

"You said last longest wins."

"None of us lasted," Lily said flatly.

"So no winner."

Exildra sighed, then smiled faintly.

"I guess that means..."

"No one gets the reward," Alana finished.

Lily groaned dramatically, flopping back onto the ground.

"That’s so unfair!"

Bahamut turned away, already walking off.

"You made the rules."

"Oi! Get back here!" Lily shouted.

Exildra laughed softly as she stood up, her eye glinting sharply.

"Next time, we won’t lose that easily."

Alana nodded from the ground.

"Definitely not."

Bahamut didn’t respond, but the faint smirk on his face said enough.

This was far from over.

...

The arena slowly returned to its usual rhythm.

Disciples resumed their training, though not without casting lingering glances at the group that had just turned a simple spar into something memorable. Whispers followed them, curiosity lingering in the air like a stubborn scent.

Bahamut didn’t care. He had already turned and begun walking out.

"Oi, wait for me!"

Before he could take more than a few steps, a weight landed on his back. Arms wrapped around his neck and legs hooked around his waist.

Warmth pressed against him.

"You didn’t even ask," Bahamut said flatly.

Lily rested her chin on his shoulder, her cheek brushing lightly against his neck.

"I don’t need to."

Her tail swayed happily behind her. Exildra walked beside them, watching the scene with an amused expression.

"She’s gotten bold," she commented.

"She’s always been bold," Bahamut replied.

Lily grinned, tightening her hold slightly.

"Only with you."

"That doesn’t make it better."

"It does for me."

Alana walked a little behind them, blinking at the sight.

"Does she always just... climb on you like that?"

"Yes," Exildra answered calmly.

"No," Bahamut said at the same time.

Lily ignored both of them and nuzzled into his neck.

"You smell nice."

"Get off."

"No."

"Lily."

"Say you like it."

"I don’t."

"You do."

"I don’t."

She leaned closer, her lips brushing lightly against his neck.

"I definitely don’t."

Exildra burst out laughing.

"Your resistance is very convincing."

Bahamut clicked his tongue, but he didn’t actually try to remove her. That alone said enough. They stepped out into the open paths of the sect, sunlight spilling over stone walkways and carved pillars. Disciples passed by, some greeting, some staring a little too long.

Lily waved at a few of them like she was royalty.

"Look at them," she whispered into Bahamut’s ear. "They’re jealous."

"Of what?"

"Of me."

"Why?"

"Because I’m on you."

Bahamut sighed. Exildra smirked.

"She’s not wrong."

"Don’t encourage her."

"Why not? It’s entertaining."

Lily suddenly shifted slightly on his back, her fingers brushing against his jaw as she tilted his head just a bit.

"Look at me."

"No."

"Look at me."

"Why?"

"Just do it."

He turned slightly. That was all she needed. She leaned in and gave a quick kiss on his cheek. Then she pulled back as if nothing had happened.

"You’re impossible," Bahamut muttered.

"And you like me," she replied instantly.

Exildra raised an eyebrow.

"Only you get kisses now?"

Lily glanced at her.

"You want one too?"

Exildra smiled slowly.

"I wasn’t asking."

She stepped closer. Bahamut didn’t even get the chance to react. She grabbed his arm slightly, leaned in from the side, and kissed his other cheek and pulled back, completely composed. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

"There," she said calmly.

Lily blinked.

"You’re competing now?"

"I don’t compete," Exildra replied. "I claim."

Alana froze mid-step.

"Okay, I’m definitely third-wheeling."

Lily snorted.

"You’re welcome to try too."

Alana choked.

"I-I’m good!"

Bahamut rubbed his temples slightly.

"... regret everything."

"No, you don’t," Lily said, hugging him tighter.

"No, he doesn’t," Exildra echoed.

They continued walking. Lily absentmindedly played with his hair, occasionally tugging lightly just to get a reaction. Exildra stayed close, her fingers brushing against his arm every now and then, subtle but intentional. Alana trailed behind, watching the dynamic with wide eyes and quiet amusement.

"So this is what it’s like," she muttered.

"What?" Lily asked.

"To be... whatever this is."

Lily grinned.

"This?"

She tightened her hold again, pressing closer to Bahamut.

"This is mine."

Exildra glanced at her.

"Our."

Lily paused. Then nodded slowly.

"...Our."

Bahamut didn’t say anything, but his steps didn’t falter, and he didn’t push either of them away. The sun hung high above them, warm and steady, casting long shadows along the path as they moved through the sect as if they owned it.