Chapter 77—A Dream about Fire

Chapter 77: 77—A Dream about Fire Lucen stepped back, breath hitching in his throat. The sounds of celebration all around them faded. Even the cold wind rippling through the training yard felt warmer suddenly. They were still close enough that he could smell her perfume. Her dress had a low neckline that he was trying to avoid. She smiled when he backed up, and Lucen felt that wasn’t a good sign. He tried to remember what she said just seconds ago. "Oh, Warren, right. Yes, that was strange but nice. Haha." He almost stuffed his fist into his mouth to kill that laughter, but she laughed too. That was the stupidest fake laugh he’d ever done. Why was she laughing? "He’s your master, right?" Kibara said. "I don’t know much about Knights, but you take masters seriously. Like guilds." "It’s similar to that, I guess," Lucen agreed. He tried stepping closer to show he was engaged. "Masters for us vouch for not only skill but also character. So a Knight’s behaviour usually reflects on his master more than achievements. Warren’s the best of the best for a reason. This is the first time I’ve seen him smile." "I mean, can you blame him?" Kibara giggled. "His best student killed two Fiends as a Squire." Lucen rubbed the back of his neck, laughing weakly. "Luck, mostly." "I remember talking about you with my friend," Kibara said. Lucen nearly doubled over. "She kept saying it was luck when we heard it. When the wolves came, I thought about you." Lucen felt the blood rush to his ears. He wondered how to even respond to that without sounding proud. "She died when the building collapsed," she said more somberly. Lucen was now at an even greater loss for what to say. Was this the type of thing you take advantage of to put an arm around her? That sounded way too wrong to even consider. He kept thinking of the people that died. The bodies covered in rubble, ripped to pieces, burnt alive. It felt wrong to walk over their corpses just to touch a girl. "I was ready to die every time I saw a wolf charge at me," Lucen said, looking up at the fading Halo. "I didn’t think I had it in me to survive. As bigheaded as it sounds, I’m sorry I couldn’t be there for your friend. Or you." A streaking firework illuminated the world, and bathed Kibara’s porcelain skin in yellow light. She smiled, looking away, then she put a hand on his shoulder. "I’m sorry if I made you feel bad. You can’t be everywhere, honestly. But you saw me, and you made sure to be here, now." He was too aware of the way her thumb rubbed his collarbone. But he didn’t like the way he had to look up to her a bit. He forced a smile. "Not gonna ask my name?" she teased. "Or do you already know?" Lucen’s jaw twitched. it should be alright, he never said her name out loud. "I’m Lucen, what’s your name?" What is this NPC dialogue? Lucen wanted to slap himself. "I’m not telling you if you don’t dance with me." Her eyes twinkled as she swept back towards the open field where other people were dancing. Lucen was better than the worst dancer that ever lived in one thing: the fact that he had never danced before. "I can’t dance," he murmured, grinning sheepishly. He’d seen enough rom-coms. This was the part he disgraced himself, and the girl left him for someone else. Kibara put her hand over her mouth, looking scandalized. She glided over to him and took his hand. "All people can dance; we hear a song in our hearts, and we bring it into the world with our bodies." Her smile was dark and alluring. She pulled him to a free portion of the field and began to swing around him. The way she waved her hands and spun her body made sure he could only catch glimpses of her face as he turned to look at her. Behind her voluminous silk sleeves, he caught glimpses of her eyes, her lips, and the flash of the red crystal earring on her ear. The crimson cloth surrounded him, her dance felt like something you see in a dream. Lucen relaxed and let the music sink into his body. The sharp drums, ethereal chimes of strange metal instruments, and the flowing strings of a lyre surrounded him. The image of light blinking in pure darkness came to him. He followed the rhythm and the image, and as he spun to follow Kibara’s dream-like movements, he found himself dancing. Albeit barely, but he was moving and enjoying himself. Kibara drew closer and her hands ran over his body, drawing him in different directions. The music slowed down and his body naturally shifted into slow steps. His arms found her waist. The warmth of the soft skin between his fingers was intoxicating. Kibara wrapped her arms around him, both tightly and loosely at the same time. Her eyes stared deeply into his now, and it was unnerving. They slow-danced for a few minutes. The frantic movements from earlier left them both a bit sweaty. But he didn’t find the heat of her body uncomfortable. Just unbearably not enough. It was like each time he tried to get closer, she moved just far enough. The music ended, and a loud applause brought Lucen back to this universe. He looked around, and he could catch a few eyes following him. "See, I told you. All people can dance," Kibara said. He suddenly realized how close they were. Her soft body was pressed against him, her lips were just inches from his, glistening in the lights of the night. Wait, then why was he trying to get closer? Where the fuck was he trying to go? Kibara released his neck and stepped away. Lucen bit back the urge to reach for her. "So, hero, do you still want to know my name?" Kibara said. "I already know it." "That’s good. I don’t like boys that lie." Lucen swallowed. He wasn’t quite sure what to say to that. Kibara had a knack for putting him into hard spots. She wasn’t saying anything either. Then the cheers of the crowd around them faded into murmurs. People turned, and their eyes widened. Lucen turned to see what people were looking at, and nearly jumped out of his boots. Kedral was right behind him, smiling like he saw something truly interesting. "The great Squire, Lucen Lightcloak," Kedral mused. "It’s an honour to meet you." Kedral stretched out a hand to shake him.