Crownless Reincarnation: New World? Nah I'd win

Inara rose without protest, letting him guide her out of the dim war-room and into the cold stone hallway.

The torches there burned low, their light catching on the crimson of her cloak and the silver trim of his coat.

"Akamir," she said, matching his quick pace, "you're acting strange… even for you."

He only tightened his fingers lightly around her wrist. "You've spent days buried in maps and enemy reports. You need air."

They left the fortress by a side stair and stepped onto the western ramparts.

Night stretched wide and sharp, the sky a deep velvet scattered with icy stars.

Below, the valley lay quiet, the border fires like faint red eyes in the dark.

Inara pulled her cloak closer, the winter wind brushing her face.

"This is the special place?" she asked, half amused.

Akamir shook his head as he leaned in.

He scooped her in his arms as she yelped in surprise.

"Stick tight." Akamir warned.

Inara didn't think twice before she quickly grabbed him.

Her hands wrapped around his neck and waist.

Akamir drew in a deep breath as he covered her and himself with telekinesis.

Since he had ranked up, Akamir could now do things that were previously impossible.

They floated within the sky before Akamir used the wind magic to move further in the sky.

The wind rushed past them in a cold, exhilarating stream.

Stone walls and burning watch-fires shrank to glowing dots beneath their feet as Akamir lifted them higher.

Inara held on tighter, her cloak snapping back.

"You could have warned me," she said, but her voice carried a note of breathless wonder.

"If I had," he replied with a faint smile, "you might have said no."

The stars opened above them—so close now that it felt as if they could reach out and brush the silver light with their fingertips.

Clouds drifted like dark rivers beneath their flight, hiding the borderlands in a soft, endless black.

Inara tilted her head back, eyes wide.

"It's beautiful," she whispered. "I've never seen the kingdom like this… as if it's just us and the sky."

Akamir adjusted the telekinetic field with a thought, making the air around them warmer, gentler.

"I wanted you to feel what I see when I travel," he said. "The world without walls or borders. Just distance and possibility."

For a long moment they simply floated.

The only sounds were the quiet hum of magic and the faraway sigh of the wind.

Eventually Inara leaned her cheek against his shoulder. "Thank you." She whispered. "For being with me."

Akamir smiled before he moved, tilting his body downwards.

"You should meet with those whom I found in the slave tent." Akamir said softly. "They might be helpful to you."

Inara nodded as Akamir placed a wooden mask on her face. "Don't reveal your identity."

Inara adjusted the mask as she asked. "Why though?"

Akamir sighed. "Just don't let them know who you are." Akamir replied. "It's better this way."

Inara nodded in response, not asking too many questions.

---

The flight in the air was for almost an hour and Inara liked it completely.

Akamir landed on the ground as he gently lowered her as well.

She strengthened her body as she looked at the group of people from high above on the hills.

Inara narrowed her eyes. "There are too many."

"This isn't even a fraction of the original ones." Akamir replied. "These are the only ones who have left nothing."

Akamir began to walk down the hill. "Follow me."

They descended the slope in silence, the winter grass crunching softly under their boots.

As they neared the edge of the camp, voices drifted up: the low murmur of weary men, echoed.

Few mimickers quickly moved to bow towards Akamir who stopped them.

Inara's crimson eyes swept the scene.

The camp wasn't the chaos she had expected.

"These are the freed slaves?" she asked under her breath.

Akamir nodded, placing his hand on her back.

Inara's hand tightened on the mask. "And you brought them here?"

"I gave them a chance to start again," he said simply. "But they need a leader who isn't me."

They reached the outer circle of the camp.

A few sentries noticed them but didn't raise alarm; instead, they stepped aside with cautious respect.

Akamir brought Inara towards an oblivious-looking tent.

He cleared his throat as he called her. "Serenya."

A few seconds followed before someone strangled out.

Serenya smiled as she saw him. "You are back." She said. "And you are late."

Akamir nodded his head. "I had things to do."

Serenya didn't seem to mind until her gaze landed on the masked woman.

Her smile died down. "Uh, who is she?"

Akamir didn't answer right away.

Instead, he guided Inara a step closer, his hand light but steady on her back.

"She's an ally," he said at last, voice even. "Someone I trust."

Serenya's brows drew together, a flicker of unease passing through her eyes.

"An ally who hides her face?"

Inara inclined her head slightly, "I came to listen, not to draw attention."

"…All right," Serenya said finally. She stepped aside, pushing back the tent flap. "Come in. It's warmer inside."

Inara turned her head to look at him. "Don't you have a lot of females around you?"

Akamir smiled behind his mask. "Why?" He asked, "You jealous?"

Inara didn't say anything but her silence gave her away.

The tent's interior was simple but clean.

A low table stood in the center, surrounded by cushions.

Maps and ledgers lay neatly stacked, alongside a few well-worn weapons.

Serenya gestured for them to sit.

"You picked a strange night to visit," she said, taking the seat opposite. "Scouts say Aure is pushing harder to the south. I was about to plan a supply run."

Akamir eased onto the cushion, Inara settling beside him in silence.

"How are the people holding up?" he asked.

"Tired," Serenya admitted. "But determined. They've lost homes, families—yet they refuse to break. Some even train daily. They… believe in this chance you gave them."

Her eyes lifted to the masked figure at Akamir's side.

"And now you bring a stranger. Does she share that belief?"

Inara met Serenya's gaze through the wooden mask.

"I believe no one should live as a tool for another's war," she said. Her words were quiet but steady. "Freedom is worth every risk."

Akamir broke the brief silence.

"These people will need more than belief soon," he said. "Shelter. Supplies. A structure that lasts beyond my visits."

Serenya's lips pressed into a thin line.

"I know."

Her eyes moved again to Inara.

"…Without someone who can open doors we cannot, we'll always be fugitives."

The weight of her words settled in the quiet tent.

Inara rested her gloved hands on her knees.

Behind the mask, her crimson eyes softened.

"You've already built more than most kingdoms dare," she said. "With time and the right connections, you could build a home that no war can uproot."

Serenya looked from Inara to Akamir, then back again.

A faint, thoughtful smile touched her lips.

"Perhaps that's why you brought her," she said to him.

Akamir didn't confirm or deny it.

Inara leaned forward as she looked back at Akamir. "Can I talk with her?" She asked. "Alone?"

Akamir nodded without saying anything.

"Just don't do something stupid." He mumbled as he stood up.

Inara nodded back as Akamir walked out of the tent.

Akamir stretched his body as he moved around the place.

He gestured at one of the mimickers who stood on the side.

The mimicker ran towards him without any questions.

"How is the people in this place?" He asked. "Anything interesting they talk about?"

The mimicker halted a respectful pace away, lowering its head.

"They speak mostly of rebuilding, my lord," it answered in a low, neutral voice. "Food stores. Makeshift homes. Training drills. Small worries."

Akamir clasped his hands behind his back and looked out over the camp.

"No talk of leaving?" he asked.

"None that we've caught," the mimicker replied. "If anything, more wanderers arrive each night."

A faint smile touched Akamir's face behind the mask. "Good."

He walked a slow circle near the largest fire.

The mimicker followed at a silent distance.

"They also talk about Sir Raijin." He said. "The one who hid his treasures at the end of Fog Sea."

Akamir halted his steps as he nodded. "Yeah…" he mumbled. "That guy."

Suddenly Akamir got his interest in his immense wealth.

---

Inara talked with Serenya a few hours before he walked out of the tent.

It was already late at night and Akamir had planned to sleep here.

When she walked out Akamir was present to greet her.

"How is she?" He asked, looking at her.

"Good." Inara replied. "I like her."

Akamir led her towards his tent. "I plan to make her the next queen of Aure." Akamir said. "What do you think?"

"Do you want her as your mistress?" Inara asked suddenly.

He shook his head. "No."

"Then it's a great idea." She said with a smile. "I would like that as well."

Akamir nodded as he walked inside the tent and she followed. "Well, I still need her—."

His words halted as she pushed him on the bed.

"We can talk about that later." She said, removing his cloak. "But first we need to do something else."

Akamir turned and smiled as she began removing her clothes.