Night had settled over the forest, the shadows stretching long and deep as the fire crackled, sending tiny sparks spiraling into the star-filled sky. The gentle breeze rustled the leaves, and the campfire's glow painted the trio's faces in warm, flickering light.
Kibo sat cross-legged on the ground, carefully rotating a skewer of grilled fish over the fire. Syl and Lily were already munching away, savoring the simple meal. Syl chewed slowly, her gaze distant, while Lily hummed happily between bites, her legs swinging back and forth.
Kibo glanced at Lily, a faint smile on his lips. "How's the fish?"
Lily looked up with her cheeks stuffed, giving an enthusiastic nod as she mumbled through a mouthful. "Mmff! It'sh delishoush! You're really good at thish, Kibo!"
Kibo couldn't help but chuckle, her praise warming his chest. "Glad you like it."
He then turned to Syl, who was chewing thoughtfully. "How about you? Is it good?"
Syl's cheeks puffed out as she looked up at him, her voice muffled by the food. "Mmf... wha'd you shay?"
Kibo raised an eyebrow, holding back a laugh. "I asked if the fish is good."
Syl swallowed, her cheeks pink. "Oh... yeah. It's really good."
Lily swallowed her own bite and chimed in. "Of course, it is! Kibo's really good at cooking when he puts his mind to it."
Syl tilted her head slightly, brushing her hair behind her ear. "Did Aunt Sora teach you?"
Kibo shook his head. "No, not her."
Syl blinked. "Then... your grandfather?"
Kibo's smile faltered for just a moment. "Yeah... Grandpa taught me when we'd go out to the forest to train. He was pretty strict about it."
Syl smiled softly, wiping her hands on her lap. "It sounds like you spent a lot of time with him."
Kibo nodded, memories flooding his mind. Grueling sessions in the forest, the scent of sweat and bark mixing as his grandfather's stern voice barked commands. He could still feel the ache in his muscles and the warmth of victory when he finally got something right.
"What are you thinking about, brat?" Ignis's sneering voice echoed in Kibo's mind. "You look like you just swallowed a bug."
Kibo barely resisted the urge to sigh aloud. Nothing... just remembering Grandpa's training.
Tch. You shouldn't complain. That training's the only reason you're not as useless as you are now.
Kibo clenched his jaw. I know... and that's why I have to find a way to surpass him.
Ignis scoffed. "Surpass him? Ha! You're still the same bumbling brat, clinging to the scraps of power he tossed your way."
One day... I'll show you, Kibo replied firmly.
Bold words for a spineless worm, Ignis mocked, his laugh like a blade scraping against stone.
"Kibo?" Syl's voice cut through his thoughts, and he blinked, realizing she and Lily were both staring at him curiously.
He cleared his throat, forcing a smile. "Sorry. Got lost in thought."
Lily giggled. "You really do have a lot going on in your head sometimes.
Syl gave a small smile of agreement. "It must've been tough training with him. Your grandfather must've been really strong."
Lily nodded with a proud smile. "He sure is! Grandpa gave Kibo and Big Brother a really hard time. Like that one time he made them lift a huge boulder and walk a whole mile with it!"
Kibo winced at the memory, the firelight flickering against his face. "Yeah... not exactly something I want to relive. But... I guess it wasn't all bad. Grandpa pushed us hard, but he always had this way of making us feel stronger—even when we thought we'd break."
Syl gave a soft laugh. "Your grandfather sounds... loving, in his own way."
"Yeah," Kibo replied, a wistful smile tugging at his lips. "He was... kind of rough around the edges, but he wanted us to be able to protect ourselves. To stand on our own. I guess... I owe him more than I ever got to say."
Syl looked at him for a moment, her expression thoughtful, before turning her gaze back to the fire. Kibo could sense something lingering in her eyes—something uncertain, almost hesitant, like she wanted to say something but couldn't find the words.
What's with that dumb look on your face, brat? Ignis's voice sneered in Kibo's mind, sharp and mocking. You're not actually feeling sorry for her, are you?
Kibo gritted his teeth, barely resisting the urge to snap back out loud. Why do you care?
Oh, I don't, Ignis scoffed. But it's pathetic watching you hesitate. You should be thrilled. If she figures out how to use that power, she might actually be worth something. Maybe even strong enough to kill you.
Kibo shot a glare at nothing, tension coiling in his shoulders. Is that why you want her to know her abilities? Just so she can—
So she can actually be a threat, Ignis cut him off, his tone turning almost gleeful. Unlike you, brat. You're just fumbling around, hoping to survive. At least she's got potential.
Kibo's jaw tightened, but doubt crept in despite himself. Was Ignis right? Would it be better if Syl knew what she was capable of—strong enough to protect herself, even if it meant being stronger than him?
A bitter chuckle echoed in his mind. What's the matter, scared she'll outgrow you? Face it, boy—you're not half as strong as you think you are.
Kibo forced himself to ignore the taunts, clenching his fist around the stick in his hand. But the thought lingered, gnawing at the back of his mind like a festering wound.Kibo glanced at Syl, then at the flickering fire, his thoughts churning. He knew he had to tell her—had to bring it up—but something about it made his chest tighten. Should he just say it? What if it overwhelmed her? What if he was wrong?
He sighed, ruffling his own hair as if trying to shake off the hesitation. No... He couldn't keep putting it off. Ignis might be a bastard, but he wasn't entirely wrong. Syl deserved to know.
Kibo took a breath, looking at her. "Hey... Syl?"
She looked up, curiosity lighting her eyes. "Yeah?"
He hesitated, trying to find the right words. "Have you... noticed any changes in yourself lately? After our escape from Aunt Sora...?"
Syl blinked, taken aback, while Lily glanced between them, her mouth full of fish but still listening intently.
Syl frowned slightly, tilting her head. "Changes? I mean... I guess? Sometimes I feel... different, but I don't really know what that feeling is like."
Kibo gave a small, almost reluctant nod. "Yeah... I've been meaning to tell you something. I just—" He hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. "It never felt like the right time, with everything that's been going on."
Lily tilted her head, swallowing her mouthful before chiming in. "What is it, Kibo?"
He didn't answer right away, still trying to gather his thoughts. The fire crackled between them, casting shadows on their faces as the forest seemed to quiet down, almost as if listening in.
Kibo sighed, glancing at Syl as he weighed his words carefully. "What happened with the beast of before... was not really a coincidence, Syl."
Syl's shoulders tensed, and her expression darkened as memories flickered in her mind. She frowned, as if unwilling to revisit it. "What do you mean, Kibo? I... I don't understand what you're saying."
Lily, noticing the tension thickening, gave a gentle laugh, trying to lighten the mood. "Geez, Kibo, you're always so serious. You act like the world's gonna fall apart if you don't solve every little mystery."
Kibo couldn't help but crack a faint smile at that, but his gaze remained fixed on Syl. He hesitated, unsure of how to word it without sounding too blunt. "It's just... I've been thinking about it. Your mana... it's different from ours. Right now, it's not much to show off, but it feels like it's supposed to be something... more."
Syl frowned, frustration flickering across her face. "What does that even mean?" She hesitated, glancing at the fire before meeting his eyes again. "Is there... something special about it?"
Is that how you talk, straightforward like an idiot? Ignis sneered, his tone dripping with disdain. If you're gonna hit her with reality, at least make it worth her time, brat.
Kibo clenched his jaw. This isn't about making it hurt. I'm just trying to be honest with her.
Oh, really? Ignis mocked. Because right now, you're just proving how clueless you are. You think it's all about easing her guilt? You're more pathetic than I thought. Why don't you tell her what she is—a special breed. Something more than just an ordinary human. Or are you too scared to admit it, brat?
Kibo hesitated, processing Ignis's words. He glanced at Syl, who was still looking at him, her eyes searching for answers. Before he could speak again, Lily leaned closer, her voice soft and curious. "Kibo, could you explain more?"
He exhaled, trying to gather his thoughts. "What I'm trying to say is... what happened with that beast saving you was actually you using your abilities to save yourself."
Syl's eyes widened, and she stared at him, disbelief and confusion swirling in her gaze. "No... that doesn't make sense. I... I didn't do anything. I just... felt desperate. There's no way I could've controlled that monster... it's impossible."
Her voice wavered, and she bit her lip, her hands trembling slightly. Lily moved closer, placing a gentle hand on her arm. "Syl... it wasn't your fault. You were just trying to protect yourself. Neither of us blame you for it. You didn't know."
Syl looked at Lily, her eyes searching for comfort, but her expression remained conflicted. "But... if it really was me... does that mean I'm dangerous? What if I hurt someone without meaning to?"
Lily tightened her grip, her eyes serious yet filled with warmth. "Syl, listen to me. You're not dangerous. You didn't know what you were doing, and even if it was your power, you didn't intend to hurt anyone. You just wanted to survive. And that's nothing to be ashamed of."
Syl looked at Lily, her expression conflicted, but there was a glimmer of relief in her eyes. She managed a weak smile, though her hands still trembled. "I just... I didn't know. I didn't know I could do that. I never meant for it to happen. It just... reminded me of something."
Kibo glanced at her, noticing the way her eyes seemed to drift somewhere far away. "What do you mean?"
Syl hesitated, her hands fidgeting as if the memory itself was too heavy to hold. "It happened when I was nine... Papa got me a pet. A little kitten with snow-white fur and bright blue eyes. Mama suggested the name Celestia... she said it sounded elegant and fitting for something so beautiful. Celestia would follow me everywhere, always purring and nuzzling against me. I... I loved her."
Lily's expression softened, and she smiled gently. "She sounds adorable."
Syl's lips twitched into a faint, bittersweet smile before her face fell again, shadows creeping into her eyes. "One day... after one of Papa's training sessions, I was angry. I'd lost again... couldn't land a single hit. I felt so... useless. He left to get something for me—to cheer me up, I think—but I was too caught up in my frustration. Celestia was there, brushing against my leg, meowing like she always did when she wanted attention. I just... snapped."
She bit her lip, her hands curling into fists on her lap. Kibo noticed the way her shoulders trembled ever so slightly, and Lily instinctively reached out, placing a comforting hand on Syl's arm.
Taking a shaky breath, Syl forced herself to continue. "I yelled at her. Told her to go jump into the fire... for all I cared. I wasn't thinking—I didn't mean it. I just... wanted to be left alone. But she... she did it."
Her voice cracked, and her gaze dropped to the ground, as if too ashamed to look at either of them. "She just... walked right into the fireplace without a second thought. One moment she was there, purring at me, and the next... she was gone."
Lily's eyes widened in horror, her grip on Syl's arm tightening. Kibo felt a pang in his chest, a mixture of guilt and disbelief knotting in his stomach.
Syl's hands trembled, and she wiped her eyes quickly, as if trying to hide the tears threatening to fall. "I remember screaming—trying to pull her out with my bare hands, but... it was too late. The smell... the sound... I couldn't make sense of it. I just kept asking myself why. Why would she do that? I thought maybe... she wanted to make me happy... to follow my words. But now... knowing that I was the one who made her do it... that I controlled her—"
Her voice broke completely, and she clenched her fists tighter, nails digging into her palms. "I killed her... because I was too angry to think. I didn't even realize... that it was my fault. I thought it was just some freak accident, but... now I know it was me all along."
Lily squeezed Syl's arm, her voice impossibly gentle. "Syl... sometimes, people don't realize their own strength until something terrible happens. You didn't know. You were just a child, hurting and frustrated. It wasn't your fault."
Pathetic. So she's been cowering from her own power like a scared kitten all this time? No wonder she's still useless. Imagine being terrified of something you don't even understand, Ignis sneered.
Kibo's eyes narrowed. You really don't care, do you? You just want her to know her abilities so she can be stronger... just so she can be a threat to me.
Obviously. Why else would I care about her sob story? You're the one trying to make it some heartwarming therapy session. Don't mistake my motives for your naive sympathy, brat.
Kibo bit back a retort to Ignis, focusing on Syl instead. He knew Ignis had no sympathy—only a desire to see potential exploited. He cleared his throat, drawing Syl's attention. "Syl... what happened back then with your kitten wasn't your fault either. You didn't know. You were just a child—hurting, frustrated, and desperate for something to go right. You didn't mean for it to happen... and neither did Celestia. Animals don't understand emotions the way we do—they just feel your intent."
Syl swallowed hard, her hands still trembling.
He gave her a gentle look. "And about the beast... you didn't know you were controlling it. You were just desperate to survive. It wasn't your fault. Neither of us blames you for it. You could have died, Syl... and that would've made Lily and me really upset."
Lily nodded, her smile warm and bright despite the heavy mood. "Yeah! Honestly, it's kinda amazing you've got that kind of power. I mean, controlling a beast like that? That's pretty impressive! Just... maybe don't make friends with the next one."
Syl couldn't help but laugh softly, wiping at her eyes. "Thank you, Lily. You really do know how to cheer me up."
Kibo smiled too, relieved to see her lighten up a bit. "You know... humans are strange creatures. We're messy, imperfect, and we screw up all the time. But that's how we learn. You didn't know your power back then... just like you didn't know it when the beast protected you. We'll figure it out together. One step at a time."
Syl hesitated before nodding, a faint smile forming. "Right. One step at a time."
Lily chimed in, her grin mischievous. "And no jumping into any more fires. Or making animals do it. Deal?"
Syl rolled her eyes, but there was a playful glint in them. "Deal."
Kibo glanced at her seriously. "Still, your abilities are dormant right now. Knowing you... you might try to test it out on your own. Don't do anything crazy until we figure out how to groom your mana. Aunt Sora will definitely know more about it."
Lily nodded in agreement. "Yeah, no practicing on the wildlife, okay?"
Syl snorted. "I don't do that!"
Lily gave her a sly grin. "Uh-huh. Sure."
Syl pouted, but her expression softened as they all shared a quiet laugh.
You really are smart, brat... keeping her in the dark like that. Not telling her everything—keeping her tame for now, huh? Clever little bastard.
Kibo glanced at Syl and Lily, their laughter slowly fading into quiet conversation. One step at a time. I don't want her doing anything reckless.
Reckless? Or are you just scared she'll turn into something that can rip you apart? Ignis sneered. You know as well as I do that keeping her weak won't last. You should be pushing her limits, not coddling her like some lost pup.
Whatever you say. Not like you can tell her yourself, Kibo muttered, almost amused.
Ignis gave a low, mocking chuckle. Careful, brat. Getting cocky just because you've got a few tricks up your sleeve? Don't forget—one wrong move, and she'll be the one ripping your throat out. You're playing with fire... better hope you don't get burned.