The fire cracked between them. Distant thunder echoed from the cliffs-likely war machines waking up to another night of madness.
Torren looked into the flames. "I've fought for gold. I've fought for freedom. I've fought just to stay moving. But this... this wasn't about any of that. You pulled a war out of your ass to get us out."
Zee finally looked at them both. "I don't do teams. Never have."
Sevi shrugged. "Too late."
Torren pointed with his canteen. "You're stuck with us now, boss."
Zee raised an eyebrow. "Boss?"
"Well, we didn't vote," Torren said, "but you did lie your way into a holy war and drag us out without dying."
"That's a start," Sevi added.
Torren stood and raised his blade like a toast. "Three blades. Three lives. We don't run on each other. We burn together or not at all."
Zee looked at him, a little amused. "That's the oath?"
Torren shrugged. "I just made it up."
"I like it," Sevi said.
Zee hesitated... then touched his sword's hilt. "Three blades. Three lives."
---
The next morning, Zee returned to Vestule Manor.
She was already waiting, sitting beneath high windows as rain traced the glass. Her voice was quiet but sharp.
"I gave you a job. You returned without your allies. You waved the relic at me like a bribe. And then you vanished."
Zee didn't flinch. "And now I return with the war you needed."
She stared at him. "Explain."
He leaned forward. "The Cult believes the Syndicate hired me. The Syndicate knows nothing about it. Neither side will let it go. You wanted power? While they burn, you take the city."
Her gaze didn't waver. "You still have the relic?"
"I never left it," he said. "And I may need to plant it somewhere useful."
She tilted her head.
"Syndicate vault," Zee added. "Let the Cult 'discover' it there. Truth or not, they'll tear through them."
Her eyes flickered with something between admiration and apprehension.
"You play a dangerous game."
He gave a faint smile. "So do you."
Silence. Then a simple nod.
"We'll be ready."
Zee turned to leave.
"You'll be back?" she asked.
Zee paused. "Only if I need to."
Outside, the storm was breaking. In its place, the far-off drums of war.
Sevi and Torren were already walking.
Zee joined them, his boots leaving no sound behind.
Not just a mission anymore.
Now it was movement.