Kinda? I mean she's hot.

Chapter 14: A night by the fire:

After the encounter with Noor, I made my way to rendezvous with the team, my mind spinning with a mix of emotions and unanswered questions. Her cryptic demeanour and the ambiguous nature of her actions lingered in my thoughts. Was it the seductive edge in her voice, the veiled intent behind her words, or the unmistakable tension in the air that unsettled me most? Perhaps it was the realization that, in some way, she had disrupted the fragile balance I was striving to maintain—not just within the group but within myself. My thoughts churned with unease over the "reward" she had given me. What game was she playing? Was this her way of kindling something deeper, or was it all an elaborate jest? Whatever her intentions, one thing was clear: Noor was as dangerous in her seduction as in her cunning. I could only hope Iris never found out—her simmering disdain and jealousy toward Noor would ignite into a full-blown inferno.

The path to the waterfall was serene, the rushing water created a soothing backdrop that failed to calm my restless mind. The group was busy tending to the horses, checking supplies, and preparing for the next leg of our journey.

"There you are. What took you so long?" Noor quipped, her voice laced with light teasing, as though nothing significant had transpired between us.
"Sorry," I replied, keeping my tone measured. "Athena had a lot to say." I maintained a neutral facade, intent on preserving the illusion that my delay had been solely about strategy and divine counsel.
"So, what did she tell you?" Iris asked, her emerald eyes sharp and focused, probing for insights.
"Where to start?" I said, rubbing the back of my neck. "Do you want the good news or the bad news?"
"Hit us with both," Ikaro said, bracing himself as though expecting the worst.
"Alright," I began, carefully choosing my words. "The good news is that we’re on the right path. The bad news is... we’re on the right path."
The group exchanged puzzled glances.
"So, we’re doing well, but it’s about to bite us in the ass?" Iris asked, her dry wit cutting through the tension. Noor chuckled, and Ikaro gave a resigned shrug, clearly on the same page.
"Pretty much," I admitted. "Athena confirmed Corinthos is a good destination, but she warned that the city is mired in disorder and unrest, a direct consequence of Apollo’s absence” I paused, a strange feeling settling over me as I uttered Apollo’s name, though I couldn’t understand where it came from.

"So, nothing we didn’t already guess," Noor said, unimpressed. "Maybe I should contact Ardvi. She might offer better guidance," she added, smirking in a way that suggested she was more interested in needling me than seeking divine aid.
"Not quite," I countered, meeting her gaze evenly. "Athena warned me about something else. Remember the assassin we fought at the farm?" The siblings nodded, their expressions darkening at the memory. "He’s not the only one hunting us."
The weight of my words sank in, and the mood shifted palpably.

“Fuck.” Ikaro muttered, clenching his fists. “And here I thought we were being sneaky like mouses” Ikaro says remembering the difficult fight they had with the Erebosian assassin and what happened at the farm. Clearly a scar that hasn’t yet fully healed.

“So, we are playing a game of cat and mouse? Sounds like fun.” Iris says as stoic as always, her determination always something beautiful to see “What you say Noor up to a game of a hide seek? You are with us so I guess you don’t have much of a choice now.” she says teasing Noor.

“I’m not hiding, If they want me, they’ll have to take me down first.” The Persian girl said clearly not happy having more people trying to get her. Iris nods at Noor clearly agreeing with the sentiment.
“I like your confidence, but we don’t know who or what they sent after us… last time that assassin was pretty strong and without dawn I don’t think we could have survived.” I said.
“Some of us didn’t…” Ikaro said softly, his voice cracking under the weight of grief. The mention of his father’s **** was a shadow that loomed over the three of us a wound that still didn’t fully heal. Iris reached out, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder, a quiet show of solidarity.

"Which is why we need to be better prepared next time," I said, my voice firm with resolve. "That means we need to focus on more than just combat skills. Each of us has unique strengths—we should identify them and figure out how they complement each other. Ikaro, your tactical mind could help us anticipate enemy moves. Iris, your precision and focus make you invaluable in critical moments. Noor, your sorcery could be a game-changer, but only if we integrate it effectively into our plans. We should also think about acquiring better armor and weapons. It won’t be easy, but if we want to survive, we need to commit to this as a team." "We need to grow stronger, all of us. That means specialized training, better gear, and above all, building real teamwork." I glanced meaningfully between Iris and Noor. "We can’t keep charging in headfirst. These aren’t ordinary soldiers. What happens if the next enemy is a cyclops? What’s our plan then?"

A contemplative silence followed as the weight of my words settled over them.
"You’re right," Ikaro said at last, his resolve hardening into determination. "I want to avenge my father, but I can’t do that with what I know now. I need to train harder." Iris smiled tenderly at her brother and nodded in agreement with her brother.

"What about you, Noor?" I asked, turning to the Persian sorceress. Her gaze met mine, her usual sharpness softened by a flicker of contemplation.
She sighed, her usual confidence tempered by an uncharacteristic vulnerability. "I’m more of a lone wolf," she admitted. "But I’m not foolish. I know I can’t face them alone. One way or another, you’ll need my help, and I’ll need yours."
Her words, though simple, carried a weight that spoke volumes. I nodded, grateful for her willingness to adapt. Together, as a united front, we might just have a chance.

With renewed resolve, we mounted our horses and rode on as the sky darkened, the first stars beginning to twinkle above us.
“I don’t know about you,” Ikaro said, breaking the silence, “but I think we should set up camp, grab some food, and rest for the night.”
“I agree. Tess here is exhausted, and Zeus knows we’re not far behind,” Iris added, patting her horse’s neck affectionately.
“What do you think, Noor?” I asked, glancing back at her to include her in the decision.
"I agree, my butt is going to become a square if we continue." She says, earning a chuckle from me.
“Alright then. See that hill over there?” I pointed to a gentle rise overlooking the road. “It’ll give us some cover and a good vantage point. Let’s make camp there.”

The group turned toward the hill and soon dismounted, settling into the rhythm of setting up camp. Ikaro took it upon himself to build a fire, arranging wood in a makeshift pit.
“What are you doing?” Noor asked, watching him fumble with the firewood and a flint.
“Trying to coax this thing into becoming a miniature Hades for warmth,” Ikaro muttered, striking the flint with mounting frustration. “But it’s being stubborn.”
“Want me to help?” Noor asked, a playful glint in her eye.
“Nah, I’ve got it. Just needs a little—”
Before he could finish, Noor raised her hand with a casual flick of her wrist. A small flame ignited instantly, and the firewood crackled to life.
Ikaro yelped in surprise, stumbling backward and landing in the dirt. Noor smirked as she leaned back smugly. “There. Like clockwork.”
“You could have warned me before setting the damn thing—and me—on fire!” Ikaro grumbled, brushing himself off as Noor laughed softly.
“Well, she did say she was a sorceress,” I teased, settling near the fire as Iris took her place across from me.
“Yeah, yeah. Guess I forgot,” Ikaro muttered, still glaring at the enchanted flames. He huffed and stood, dusting his hands. “I’ll go grab the meat.”
Noor chuckled, seating herself by the fire, the warm glow dancing in her eyes. “Honestly, you’re all too fun to mess with.”

A few moments later, Ikaro returned with the meat and began roasting it over the fire. Sitting on one of the four logs we’d arranged around the flames, he looked at us, clearly sensing the awkward silence. He smirked, ready to break the tension.
“Did I ever tell you about the time I got into a brawl with a naked dwarf?” he asked, causing all of us to pause in shock.
“You fought a dwarf?” I asked, incredulous. “Wait, let me rephrase that. Why were you fighting a naked dwarf?”
That earned laughter from both Iris and Noor, and Ikaro grinned, clearly pleased with himself for breaking the silence.
“Well,” he began, leaning forward, “let’s just say I got a little too close and personal with his sister.”
Iris raised an eyebrow. “Which you didn’t know at the time, I assume?”
“Of course not!” Ikaro replied, feigning indignation.
Noor sipped from her drink, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Was she a dwarf too?” she teased, prompting more laughter from Iris and me.
“No, she wasn’t a dwarf!” Ikaro said, exasperated. “She was… uh, pretty tall.”
“Oh, so let me get this straight,” Iris said, grinning. “She was tall as a tree, and he was small and naked? What a sight that must’ve been!”
“Wait,” I interrupted, still laughing. “Why was he naked? That doesn’t make any sense.”
Ikaro sighed dramatically. “Let’s just say he was… a nightworker. And, well, he was on duty that night.”
Noor’s jaw dropped. “By the gods, please don’t tell me you tried to charm a prostitute,” she said, barely holding back her laughter.
“No! She was a bartender—or at least, I thought she said she was,” Ikaro muttered, looking sheepish.
We burst out laughing, and Ikaro shook his head, grinning despite himself. “You’re all the worst. Don’t tell me none of you have a shameful story to share,” he said, winking at me as if to say he was doing his best to lighten the mood.
“Luckily for me, I don’t make a fool of myself,” Iris said smugly, taking a sip from her drink.
“Hmm, I don’t know about that,” I said, smirking. “I seem to recall you falling flat on your back when a wild boar charged you and screaming for me to save you.”
Noor chuckled, and Iris shot me a glare, punching my arm. “That’s not how it happened!” she protested.
“My sister, the great hunter, bested by a wild boar? Oh, I have to hear this,” Ikaro said, grinning from ear to ear.
Iris sighed in defeat. “Fine. When I went hunting with Kayn back at the farm, let’s just say he surprised me with his archery skills, and… well, a wild boar might’ve found an opening to charge me.”
“And that’s when your knight in shining armor came to the rescue?” Ikaro teased.
Iris chuckled softly and took another sip from her drink. “…You could say that,” she admitted in a lower voice.
“Just to be clear, I did exactly that,” I said with a smirk, watching as her face turned red, eliciting laughter from the group.
“Well, well,” Noor said, shaking her head. “And here I thought you were all strong and proud. Seems like even you need saving once in a while.”
“Yeah, yeah. What about you, witch?” Iris shot back, narrowing her eyes. “I doubt you’re as perfect as you pretend to be.”
Noor smirked, considering her response. “Hmm… let me think. Nope, can’t remember anything,” she said with a sly grin.
I raised an eyebrow, giving her a silent look that said, Come on, do it for the group.
“Fine,” she said, rolling her eyes. “There was that one time I… may have accidentally burned down a forest.”
The group froze, and Ikaro’s shocked grin widened. “I’m sorry, did I hear that right? You burned down a forest?”
“It was an accident!” Noor said defensively. “I was learning to control my powers, and I thought the forest was a good place to practice—you know, away from people. Then I remembered I was learning fire magic, and, well… things got out of hand.”
By this point, Iris was doubled over, laughing uncontrollably. “Oh gods, I can’t believe it! You, of all people—so calm and collected—burning down a forest?”
Noor shrugged, smirking. “What can I say? Even the best make mistakes.”
She turned to me, her eyes gleaming. “What about you, Kayn? Our fearless leader must have a few skeletons in his closet.”
I shook my head. “I don’t remember anything embarrassing. You know, amnesia and all.”
“That’s not true,” Ikaro chimed in, grinning. “Remember our mission with Vassos?”
“What about it?” I asked, confused.
“Who had to save your ass?” he said, his proud smile widening as both girls burst into laughter.
“You did,” I admitted, rolling my eyes.
“That’s right! The humble farm lad saved the chosen one,” Ikaro declared, standing up and performing an exaggerated bow. “You’re welcome.”
The laughter continued as we ate our dinner, sharing more lighthearted banter. When the food was finished and the fire had settled into a steady glow, I stood.
“Get some rest. I’ll take the first watch,” I said, grabbing dawn and heading to the top of the hill to keep an eye on the camp.

The top of the hill was calm and quiet, a perfect vantage point to overlook the camp and the road. From here, I could see everything, ensuring no one would sneak up on us unnoticed. It was also a good place to think—a rare moment to meditate and process everything.
I let my thoughts wander. The mission, the stakes, the people depending on me... and my feelings for Iris and maybe even… Noor?

It was during one of these moments of reflection that Iris appeared, her footsteps soft against the grass.
“Enjoying the nightwatch?” she asked, her voice carrying a teasing edge.
“It’s calm,” I replied with a small smile. “But it would be better with company.”
“Well, lucky for you, I brought some,” she said, tossing me a blanket.
I caught it, grinning. “I was hoping for the beautiful girl behind me,” I teased, “but I suppose this will have to do.”
She chuckled, her laugh like music in the still night. “Well then, I’ll just be on my way, seeing as you two seem to be getting along.” She turned as if to leave but hesitated, sitting down beside me instead. “Then again, I’m bored, so you might as well make some space.”
I shifted to give her room. “Nice spot you picked,” she said, glancing out at the camp. “Secure and peaceful. If anyone’s coming, we’ll see them miles away.”
“Glad our expert hunter approves,” I said, smiling.
Her expression softened. “How are you feeling?” she asked, her voice gentle but serious. “You always check in on the rest of us, but we don’t do the same for you. You keep so much to yourself, and… well, I worry about you.”
I hesitated, caught off guard by her concern. “Honestly? I’m a little stressed,” I admitted. “A lot of people are counting on me, and I don’t know if I’m strong enough to lead them against the Erebosians. I’m scared I’ll fail.”
Iris turned to me, her eyes full of warmth and understanding. She reached out, her fingers lightly brushing my jaw, guiding me to meet her gaze. “Hey,” she said softly. “You’ve already proven yourself to us. You don’t need to be afraid of them. I know you can defeat them.”
“But how do you know I won’t make a mistake that puts you, Noor, or Ikaro in danger?” I asked, my voice heavy with doubt.
“We all make mistakes,” she replied, a faint, melancholy smile crossing her lips. “It’s part of growing, part of becoming stronger. When Dad died…” Her voice faltered, and I saw the pain in her eyes. “I felt like I made mistakes that led to it. I beat myself up over it every day. I still do. But I can’t let that consume me. If I want to avenge him, I have to learn from it, become better. We all do. You’re no different, Kayn.”
Her words hit me, grounding me in a way I hadn’t expected. “Thank you,” I said sincerely.
She smiled, a little brighter this time. “It was my turn to return the favor,” she said lightly. “Beautiful stars tonight,” she added, glancing upward. “Astraeus must be happy.”
I followed her gaze but found myself captivated not by the stars, but by her. The moonlight cast a soft glow on her face, her skin luminous under the sky.
“They are,” I said, my voice quieter. “Even better when you’re sharing them with someone like you.”
Her eyes flicked to mine, curious. “Someone like me?”
“Well, you know,” I said with a playful grin. “Someone gorgeous.”
She laughed, a faint blush rising in her cheeks. “Well,” she said, her voice dropping to a softer tone, “I think my company is rather handsome too.”
Her face inched closer to mine, the space between us disappearing as the moment carried us forward. Before I could second-guess myself, our lips met in a kiss, deep and filled with a longing I hadn’t fully acknowledged until now. It was the kind of kiss poets would write about, one that could have made Aphrodite herself proud.
But then, just as quickly, Iris pulled away, her face flushed with embarrassment. “I’m sorry—I… I don’t know what came over me,” she stammered, rising abruptly.
“Iris, wait—” I called after her, but she was already retreating, heading toward her tent, her steps hurried.
“Fuck.” I muttered, running a hand through my hair as I sank back to the ground. I stared up at the stars, frustration and confusion swirling inside me. “Why does everything have to be so complicated?”