DRIVE/BREAK: Blade of the Heart

At first, Gale wasn't sure how to react to Ren's question. He wasn't teasing her, nor was he trying to make fun of her, he was genuinely curious. She softened, letting out a small breath before smiling.

"I mean, who wouldn't?" She began, her eyes drifting toward Kaien, who was laying up ahead like a carefree child. "Sure, he's strong, no one can deny that. But more than that, he brings happiness, lightness, and peace into this cruel world. He carries a lot on his shoulders, maybe even more pain than he lets on, yet just being around him makes me feel lighter. Like even in this kind of world, I can still breathe, still smile."

Ren nodded, glancing at Kaien as well. "I can kind of see that. I don't know what's going on in his head, but I can tell he's a good hearted person. Still, aren't you afraid? That one day he'll get caught up in something dangerous?"

"Of course I'm afraid." Gale admitted without hesitation. "But fear alone won't change anything. That guy's strong, stronger than most, but even strength has its limits. I'd hate myself if I chose to stay away just because of the risks. So instead, I'd rather stay close to him, so that when the time comes that he might need some help, I'll be right there by his side."

She finished with a gentle smile, her words carrying both warmth and quiet resolve.

"Hey, what are you two doing over there? Get over here already!" Kaien shouted, still lying in the grass, eyes fixed on the stars.

Ren and Gale walked over and found him pouting as he glanced their way.

"Were you talking behind my back?" Kaien asked suspiciously.

"Maybe we were." Gale teased with a sly smile. She and Ren exchanged a knowing look, both grinning.

"Hey! Don't gang up on me like that!" Kaien shot back, puffing his cheeks.

With a chuckle, Gale and Ren lay down beside him, all three of them staring up at the endless sea of stars above. The air was quiet, the night was serene, it was clear why Kaien had brought them here. For a brief moment, it felt like they were far away from the noise, danger, and cruelty of the world they lived in.

"So? How do you guys like it?" Kaien asked softly, a genuine smile tugging at his lips.

"It's beautiful," Gale answered without hesitation.

Ren smirked. "Well, you sure know how to lead a date. Too bad I'm stuck as the third wheel."

The three of them spent a long while in quiet stargazing, until Kaien broke the silence.

"Try Core Spiraling now."

"Huh?" Ren blinked, caught off guard. After all the fun earlier, after Kaien flat out refused to train him, he was suddenly being asked to do it now?

"Just do it," Kaien said firmly.

Ren let out a breath, then sat upright and closed his eyes.

"Remember what you felt during meditation." Kaien's calm voice guided him. "The peace. The quiet. The graceful flow. Everything."

Ren's focus sharpened. His breathing slowed.

"Core Release. Lightning Requiem."

At once, his core stirred to life, spiraling violently within him as a black mask of lightning covered his face. To anyone else, it was wild, his body crackled with energy, with lightning, air distorting around him from the sheer force. Yet to Ren, it was different. To him, it didn't feel violent. It felt slow, controlled. Flowing exactly as he wished.

Energy coursed through him like a river. He released it, fixed the leaks, redirected the streams, blocked those that are going back in, then let the flow resume. A perfect cycle, unforced, unbroken. He didn't need to imagine it. He could feel it. Every movement, every adjustment, fell naturally into place.

Finally, Ren opened his eyes. Sparks of lightning shimmered around him before fading into the night air.

And in front of him, Kaien and Gale stood smiling.

"Try chaining Thunderclap while forming platforms. It should be easy now, right?" Kaien said with a teasing smile.

Ren nodded, and in the next instant, sparks crackled around his feet. Dozens of small lightning platforms flashed into existence midair. He launched off them like springboards, darting across the night sky. His movements zigzagged at terrifying speed, each step pushing him faster.

Then he began chaining Thunderclap.

The sound of thunder cracked in rapid succession, overlapping into a storm of echoes. Ren's form blurred until he was practically invisible, leaving only shimmering mirages of himself streaking across the air.

"This kid is special." Kaien muttered, a proud smile tugging at his lips.

"Yeah." Gale replied, her eyes tracking the impossible speed. "He might already be at disaster class level, maybe even on par with your prodigy Shin."

"For now." Kaien said, still smiling. "But he'll grow far beyond that. He's our future."

"Well, if you want him to live long enough to see that future, you might want to tell him to stop before he burns himself out." Gale chuckled.

Kaien finally called out. "That's enough, Ren!"

Ren landed heavily, his chest rising and falling in quick breaths. Sweat clung to his skin, his muscles trembling from exhaustion. But to his surprise, there was no pain. His core wasn't throbbing, nor was his body breaking down. It was only fatigue, the strain of inexperience in chaining techniques at such speed.

And as he caught his breath, Ren knew one thing for certain. With practice, this would only get easier.

"So? How does it feel?" Kaien asked with a smile.

"I think I got it now," Ren replied, still panting. "Though it's a little tiring."

"Well, you'll get used to it eventually. Just remember, grow strong with a peaceful mind. Don't rush. Always move forward with peace." Kaien's voice softened, carrying a weight that Ren instinctively took to heart.

Ren nodded firmly.

The three of them went back, finally deciding to call it a day. They had done so much that none of them had even noticed how late it had gotten.

Just before Kaien and Gale left, Ren stopped them and bowed deeply.

"Thank you for teaching me, and for letting me experience some genuine fun. I really appreciate it."

Kaien waved with a grin. "Sure, kid. We'll bring the others next time."

As Ren returned to the apartment, he spotted Sora sitting on the steps leading up to the front door.

"So?" She asked with a faint smile. "I think you finally made it over that wall, huh?"

"Yeah," Ren admitted as he sat down beside her. "I just got too caught up in my own head and forgot what's really important."

For a while, they simply sat in silence, gazing at the calm night sky. To Sora's surprise, it was Ren who finally spoke first.

"I'm sorry for walking out during our sparring match." His voice was low, his head tilted downward. "I know it's not an excuse, but I was frustrated. I only won by sheer luck. You should've won that fight, but somehow I did, and it didn't feel right."

Sora smiled softly, letting the quiet linger for a moment before replying.

"Why are you smiling?" Ren asked, glancing at her. "Aren't you supposed to be mad or something?"

"Mad? No." Sora chuckled lightly. "Honestly, I was worried that you were angry with me."

"Huh? Why would I be?"

"During our match, I accused you of not going all out. I didn't realize you were in a slump until Seth told us."

Ren blinked. "Wait, how'd he figure that out?"

"Well, I guess snipers do have good eyes after all."

"Figures. Seth's kinda mature for his age," Ren said with a quiet laugh.

"But going back," Sora continued, her voice soft but steady, "I'm not mad. I'm actually glad you fought me and even defeated me. It pushes me to want to get stronger, and it makes me realize where I can improve. Above all," she smiled warmly, "I'm really happy that someone as strong as you is part of our squad. It makes me feel safe."

Ren felt his face heat up instantly. His heart pounded wildly. A strange, overwhelming rhythm he had never experienced before.

Huh? Why is my heart beating so fast? And why does my face feel so hot? She's… she's really pretty when she smiles like that. Wait, huh?! What am I even thinking?!

He quickly buried his face into his palms.

"Are you okay?" Sora asked, tilting her head.

"Y-Yeah, yeah, just, uh… dust in my eye." Ren muttered, trying to hide his panic.

But before Sora could lean closer to check, giving Ren an even bigger heart attack, the door behind them burst open with a bang, slamming into both of them and sending them tumbling down the stairs.

"Who's out there!? Show yourselves!" Minato shouted as he and Miko leapt out, ready to fight.

They froze as they looked down at the two bodies sprawled on the ground, Ren and Sora groaning in pain.

"Uh… w-we can explain!" Miko muttered, pointing immediately at Minato. "We thought there was an intruder! He's the one who said he felt someone outside!"

"Hey! Don't just blame me!" Minato shot back.

Before their argument could get any louder, Sora was already on her feet, her forehead twitching with annoyance.

"You twerps, that hurts!" she snapped, smacking both of them hard on the head.