Crestfall: Darkness Unveiled

Two years after the midterm trials, the palace had become less of a school and more of a relentless proving ground. Training under Gabriel's advisors and the ever-watchful High Commander Virgil Quinn left little room for error—or rest. The once-wide gap between potential and responsibility had narrowed, every grueling session carving out the warriors Westoria would depend on. Yet even amidst the grind, fleeting moments of peace remained—a chance to forget, however briefly, the weight of their roles.

Today, Sosuke and Rin had claimed one of those rare moments. The sun hung warm above as they wandered down the cobblestone path, the imposing palace gates shrinking behind them. Sosuke walked with his signature nonchalance, hands behind his head, while Rin kept pace beside him, her steps measured.

"Feels strange, doesn't it?" Sosuke said, his eyes flicking to her. "Being out here, like we're just regular people."

Rin's gaze swept the greenery bordering the path. "Yeah. It's… nice."

"Exactly why I dragged you out of that library," Sosuke said, flashing a grin. "Fresh air is mandatory. You were starting to look like one of Ren's ice sculptures."

The path widened into the plaza, bustling with life. Stalls lined the square, their awnings snapping in the breeze as vendors called out their wares. The air carried the smell of roasting meat and spiced tea, underscored by the soft hum of a string instrument nearby.

"Not bad," Rin said, her tone flat but her eyes darting over the lively scene.

Sosuke shot her a look. "Not bad? This is paradise. Come on, let's look around."

He strode toward a line of jewelry stalls, his energy drawing a faint smile from Rin as she trailed after him. Her eyes caught on a silver pendant etched with an intricate design. She stopped, her fingers brushing the edge of the display.

"You're staring," Sosuke teased, leaning close. His tone was light, his grin crooked.

"Am not," Rin shot back, though her gaze lingered a second longer before she shrugged. "It's just nice. Good detail."

"Well," Sosuke said, puffing out his chest dramatically, "if you want it, I'm feeling generous today."

Rin's eyebrow arched. "Generous? With what money?"

Sosuke tapped his chest. "Allowance, my dear Rin. I might even share some with the poor."

"Wow, so noble," Rin replied, rolling her eyes but laughing despite herself. "Now how about you put that 'generosity' to better use? I'm starving."

Hooking her arm around his neck, she pulled him down to her height, grinning. "Think you can handle that?"

"For you?" Sosuke straightened, smirking. "Anything."

They wandered toward a quaint restaurant tucked into the corner of the street, its warm, inviting glow standing out against the bustle of the plaza. As they approached, Rin's pace faltered for a moment, her eyes flicking to the ground. She caught herself quickly, her usual grin slipping back into place as they stepped inside.

Sosuke pulled out a chair for her with an exaggerated flourish, bowing theatrically. "For the lady," he said, his smirk playful.

Rin snorted, plopping down with mock disinterest. "Chivalry isn't dead, after all. Shocking."

He grinned as he slid into his own seat, grabbing the menu. "I don't even remember the last time I ate somewhere like this," Sosuke said, squinting at the intricate script. "Fancy places weren't exactly part of my dad's training regimen."

Rin leaned back, her arms resting casually on the chair. "I do. Last time I went to a restaurant was with my dad, years ago. Some big, formal thing. I don't even remember the food, just how quiet it was. Uncomfortably quiet."

Sosuke chuckled, scanning the menu again. "Why do all these dishes have a novel for a description? Just tell me it's soup."

Rin let out a small laugh, her fingers grazing the edge of the tablecloth. "I just pick whatever sounds decent. No point overthinking it." Her voice wavered slightly at the end, and her gaze drifted away, avoiding his.

Sosuke glanced up, his brows knitting together. "You good?" he asked, his tone softer now, cutting through the teasing.

"Yeah, yeah," Rin replied quickly, waving a hand dismissively. She grabbed her water glass and took a sip, her forced grin tight. "You're imagining things."

Sosuke leaned back, watching her for a moment before his smirk returned. "If you say so. Just don't expect me to share my dessert if you keep being weird."

Rin rolled her eyes, her laugh more genuine this time. "As if I'd need your leftovers."

The banter fizzled out, leaving a faint awkwardness hanging in the air. When the food arrived, Rin poked at her plate absentmindedly, her usual sharp energy dulled. Sosuke, chewing thoughtfully, broke the silence.

"Do you ever think about what it'd be like?" he asked, his tone more serious now. "Living a normal life, I mean. No powers. No battles. Just… ordinary."

Rin blinked, startled by the question. Her fork stilled, and she looked at him, her usual guarded expression giving way to something softer. "I guess I do, sometimes. But we're lucky, you know? I don't think I'd trade this for anything. Being powerless… I don't think I could handle that."

Sosuke nodded slowly, his gaze dropping to his plate. "You're probably right. Maybe this is what we're meant for. The gods gave us these abilities for a reason, even if it's hard to see sometimes." He hesitated, his voice lowering. "Still… I wish my dad was here. He'd know what to do."

Rin's hand moved before she could stop herself, resting gently on his. "Hey," she said softly, her usual teasing edge replaced by quiet sincerity. "You've got us—me and Ren. We're here for you. And for what it's worth, you're doing fine. Better than fine."

Sosuke blinked, startled by the unexpected warmth in her voice. "What… did I do to deserve all that?" he asked, his tone quieter, more uncertain.

Rin's lips curved into a faint smile, tinged with something bittersweet. "You gave me a reason to keep going. I didn't have one before. I was just… existing. But you showed me there's more than that. So, thanks."

Her words hung in the air for a moment before she pulled her hand back abruptly, leaning into her usual demeanor. "Not that I'm getting sappy or anything," she added, her grin sharpening. "Just saying."

Sosuke chuckled softly, his shoulders relaxing. "I'll take it. Sappy or not, it's nice to hear."

The conversation lightened after that, shifting to teasing remarks about the pretentious menu and the people passing by outside. By the time they stepped back into the night, the sun had disappeared behind the horizon, leaving the plaza bathed in the soft glow of lanterns.

"Today was good," Sosuke said, tucking his hands into his pockets as the crisp night air brushed against them. "I needed this—needed to get away for a bit."

Rin tilted her head, her faint smile catching the lantern light. "Yeah. Me too."

"I'm more glad I got to go somewhere with you," Rin replied, her voice lighter than usual but with a subtle edge of nervousness.

"Hm? Why's that?" Sosuke turned to her, his curiosity piqued.

"It's just… more fun that way, you know?" Rin forced a grin, trying to brush off the faint pink creeping up her cheeks.

Sosuke chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Actually, I've got something for you." He pulled his hand from his pocket, revealing the silver pendant from earlier.

Rin's eyes widened in surprise, a small gasp escaping her lips. "You… bought it?!"

"Snatched it when you weren't looking," Sosuke said with a mischievous laugh.

"Snatched? Like you stole it?" Rin arched a brow, though her tone was more amused than accusatory.

"No, no! I left the money there! I swear I did," Sosuke shot back quickly, glancing off to the side, his confidence suddenly wavering.

Rin laughed, the sound warm as she looked at the pendant. Her expression softened before she spoke, her voice quieter. "Could you put it on for me?"

Sosuke blinked, caught off guard. "Huh? Uh… yeah, sure."

Stepping behind her, he lifted the pendant, his hands steady despite the slight tension in the air. Rin tilted her head, her hair falling forward as she stood still. Sosuke carefully fastened the chain around her neck, his fingers brushing lightly against her skin before he stepped back.

"There," he said, his tone casual but soft. "It suits you."

Rin swallowed, her breath catching as she stayed perfectly still, eyes focused on the ground. "Thanks," she said quietly, her voice low, almost unsure.

Sosuke stepped back, glancing at the pendant resting against her collarbone. "It looks good on you," he said without thinking, his tone soft but sincere.

Rin's fingers brushed over the pendant, her gaze lingering on it for a moment before flickering up to meet Sosuke's. The faintest hint of a smile played at her lips, but her voice was steadier now. "Don't let this go to your head or anything."

Sosuke smirked, shoving his hands into his pockets. "Too late."

They stood there for a beat, the sounds of the plaza soft in the distance—a merchant's call, the faint strum of a lute, and the quiet rustle of the evening breeze. The moment felt suspended, neither of them quite sure what to say next.

Rin shifted her weight, her hand dropping back to her side. "We should head back before Virgil sends someone looking for us."

"Yeah," Sosuke said, though he didn't move. His eyes lingered on her a moment longer, his expression unreadable. Then, with a shrug, he turned toward the path leading to the palace. "Come on, lazy genius."

Rin followed, falling into step beside him. Her hand brushed against the pendant again, her steps a little lighter than before. "Thanks, Sosuke."

He glanced at her, his grin widening. "For the pendant or dragging you out here?"

"Both, I guess," Rin said, her tone teasing but softer than usual.

They walked in silence for a while, the towering palace gates coming into view, their golden edges glowing faintly under the moonlight. For a brief moment, the weight of their training, their responsibilities, and the future ahead seemed far away, replaced by the quiet comfort of simply being together.

As they passed through the gates, the faint smile on Rin's face remained, though her grip on the pendant tightened slightly. Neither of them spoke, but the silence between them was no longer awkward. It was enough. For now.