The sky above Luxen had turned bright and golden after the earlier rain, sunlight spilling across the lively streets. The scent of wet earth still lingered faintly in the air as Will led Vyvian, Faye, and Rem through the bustling town.
"Come on," Will said cheerfully, patting his round stomach. "You said you were hungry. I know the perfect place."
They followed him past colorful stalls, merchants shouting about fresh fruit and spices, children running with wooden swords pretending to be tournament champions.
Will stopped in front of a massive wooden building with carved pillars and a wide balcony wrapped around its upper floor. A painted sign swung gently in the breeze.
Vyvian's eyes widened. "Wow… what a big inn."
Faye tilted her head upward, impressed. "It looks beautiful."
Rem folded his arms and nodded. "Yeah. It's quite big… and busy too."
People moved in and out constantly. Laughter, clinking plates, and the rich aroma of roasted meat drifted through the open doors.
Will grinned proudly. "It's my family's inn. And today—" he puffed his chest slightly, "—the treat is on me."
Vyvian and Faye's eyes lit up instantly.
"Seriously?!" Faye said.
"You're the best, Will," Vyvian added dramatically.
Rem just smiled. "Then let's not waste time."
Inside, the inn was warm and lively. Lanterns hung from wooden beams, casting a golden glow. Long tables were filled with travelers, merchants, and tournament participants exchanging stories.
Will seated them near a window overlooking the main street.
Plates soon covered the table—steaming rice bowls, roasted meat glazed in herbs, fresh bread, grilled vegetables, and chilled fruit drinks.
Faye clasped her hands. "This looks amazing…"
Rem wasted no time digging in. "It tastes even better."
Will laughed as Vyvian took a large bite and nearly burned his tongue.
Between bites, their conversation naturally shifted.
"So," Will said, chewing thoughtfully, "what kind of fighters are you guys?"
Rem wiped his mouth. "Balanced."
Faye smiled softly. "We work well together."
Vyvian leaned back confidently. "We sure do."
Will's eyes sparkled. "Confident, huh? The Luxen Seasonal Tournament isn't easy. Fighters from major towns come here."
Rem nodded. "That's exactly why we're here."
Faye added, "It's a good opportunity to grow stronger."
As they talked, Vyvian casually glanced out the window
And froze.
Across the street, standing near a fabric stall, was the silver-haired man.
Long silver hair. Gray scarf covering his mouth. Green eyes.
Those eyes were staring directly at him.
For a split second, Vyvian felt his heartbeat skip.
Why does he feel… familiar?
The man blinked—and turned away, disappearing into the moving crowd.
"Vyvian?" Faye asked gently. "You okay?"
He snapped back. "…Yeah. I'm fine. Just thought I saw someone I knew."
Rem studied him for a second but didn't press.
Vyvian shook it off and forced a small smile. "Anyway, Will. You better not hold back in that practice match."
Will grinned widely. "Oh, I won't."
After finishing their meal and thanking Will's family, the four stepped back into the lively streets of Luxen.
Stretching his arms, Vyvian looked around thoughtfully.
"There should be a Qi Shrine here, right, Will?"
Will blinked. "Yeah. You wanna go?"
Vyvian nodded. "Before the tournament… I want to stabilize my inner Qi."
He turned to the others. "What about you two?"
Rem gave a firm nod. "Good idea."
Faye smiled softly. "I agree."
Will gestured forward. "Then follow me."
The shrine stood on slightly elevated ground at the quieter edge of town. Stone steps led upward, lined with small lantern posts. The building itself was modest yet serene, with wooden pillars and a curved tiled roof.
Wind chimes hung from the corners, gently ringing as a soft breeze passed through.
The atmosphere felt… calm.
Sacred.
They removed their footwear and stepped inside.
Elder Plat stood near the altar, organizing scrolls. Though called "Elder," he looked surprisingly young, his expression calm and composed.
He looked up and smiled warmly.
"Welcome to Luxen Town Shrine, kids. What brings you here?"
Will bowed slightly. "I'm just guiding these travelers around town. They wanted to visit our shrine."
Vyvian, Faye, and Rem bowed respectfully.
"It's an honor," Rem said.
Elder Plat nodded approvingly. "You're here for the tournament, I assume?"
"Yes," Vyvian answered.
"Then calm minds will serve you better than restless ambition," Elder Plat said gently. "You may look around. I have some duties outside."
He stepped past them quietly and exited.
The shrine grew silent.
Soft incense smoke curled into the air.
Vyvian exhaled slowly.
"We should meditate," he suggested. "Access our inner habitat… clear our minds before the tournament."
Rem crossed his arms but nodded. "Stability before strength."
Faye folded her hands gently. "Let's do it."
Will hesitated for a moment, then shrugged. "Guess I'll join too."
One by one, they sat cross-legged on the smooth wooden floor.
The shrine grew completely silent.
--Inside Will's Inner Habitat
A vast green landscape stretched endlessly beneath a clear sky.
Soft grass swayed with a gentle breeze, carrying the scent of earth and life. At the center stood a massive ancient tree, its branches wide and protective, roots deep and unmoving.
Will opened his eyes beneath its shade.
He sat up slowly, looking around with a calm expression.
"Ah… here again."
The wind brushed against his cheeks. The world felt steady. Balanced.
There was no chaos here. No fear. Only growth.
He stood and placed his palm against the tree's trunk. Warm energy pulsed through it.
"I'll give it my best," he muttered. "I may not be the strongest… but I won't lose easily."
The leaves rustled as if responding to his resolve.
Will closed his eyes and focused.
The green landscape shimmered
And he awoke.
--Inside Faye's Inner Habitat
Darkness.
A dense forest under a moonless sky.
Tall trees blocked nearly all light, their branches twisting like silent watchers.
Faye opened her eyes slowly.
"…Here I am."
She hugged her arms lightly.
"I don't know what's in this forest… it's kind of scary in the dark."
A distant rustle echoed.
She began walking, then jogging.
But the deeper she ran, the denser the forest became. The trees closed in tighter. Thorns scratched her sleeves. The air grew heavy.
There was barely enough light to see her own hands.
"I can't even see…"
The path disappeared completely.
Branches tangled around her legs.
The darkness felt suffocating.
Her breathing quickened
And suddenly she opened her real eyes inside the shrine.
She blinked.
She let out a slow breath and forced a small smile.
--Inside Rem's Inner Habitat
A giant, filthy lake.
The water was murky, thick, almost black. Grassy land surrounded it
but he was never there.
Rem opened his eyes
Submerged.
"Not here again…"
He looked up. The surface seemed close. Yet unreachable.
"Why do I always wake up in this water… and not on the grass?"
He tried swimming.
His body wouldn't move properly.
The water felt heavy. Suffocating.
"I can't even swim here… for some reason."
His lungs burned.
The muddy depths pulled him down slowly.
Silence swallowed him.
And then
He opened his real eyes inside the shrine.
Calm.
Collected.
As if nothing happened.
He adjusted his posture slightly.
--Inside Vyvian's Inner Habitat
A frozen wasteland.
Snow stretched endlessly in every direction.
Rain poured down despite the freezing temperature. Thunder cracked across a dark sky.
Vyvian stood alone.
Shivering.
"Ah… I'm here again."
Cold wind slashed against him.
"It's so cold here… why can I stand this cold?"
He looked at his hands—ice forming slowly across his fingers.
"Faye and Rem probably handle their inner minds well… not good…"
Lightning flashed.
The temperature dropped further.
His legs froze into the snow.
His breath crystallized in the air.
"…I hate this place."
The ice climbed up his body
And everything went white.
He opened his eyes inside the shrine.
But for a second
He didn't move.
His body felt stiff.
Cold.
As if the snow still clung to him.
Will stretched and stood up first.
"You guys looked so freaked out while meditating," he laughed. "I woke up before all of you. Are you guys okay?"
Vyvian shot up dramatically.
"Absolutely not!" he shouted in an exaggerated tone.
Faye giggled softly. "Yeah… not a big deal."
Rem adjusted his sleeves. "I'm alright."
Will clapped his hands together. "Okay then! Let's go do our practice match?"
"Yes, let's go!" Vyvian said instantly, energy returning to his voice.
But Faye gently raised a hand. "Actually… I don't think I want to have a practice match. I'll fight directly in the tournament. You, Rem, and Vyvian can go ahead. I'll watch."
Rem nodded. "Yeah. I don't want to either. Vyvian seems excited though."
He smirked slightly.
"You two fight. We'll observe."
Will's shoulders dropped for a brief moment, but he quickly smiled again.
"Okay then, no problem! Come on, Vyvian. Just me and you."
He pointed outside. "The shrine has a practice ground right over there."
Vyvian cracked his knuckles.
"Yeah. Let's go."
The two walked toward the open training field beside the shrine.
The sky above Luxen was calm now.
The town buzzed in the distance.
Inside their minds, storms, darkness, drowning, and growth had already begun.