"Still," Luke insisted. "It ans everything to and to my clan. The Nightwalker bloodline was nearly extinct. Only my father and I remained. If he had died in that dungeon..."
He didn’t finish the sentence. Didn’t need to. The implication was clear.
"He’s safe now," Arthur said simply. "And you’re growing stronger. That’s what matters."
Luke nodded. Then his expression beca more determined. "I’ve been training hard not just to grow stronger, but to be worthy of standing beside you. To be useful when you need ."
"You’re already useful," Arthur replied. "And you’re already worthy. You don’t need to prove anything to ."
"Still," Luke said. "I want to be soone you can rely on. Soone who can help you achieve your goals. A true subordinate. One that fulfills the Master’s goals and that of my friend."
Arthur’s expression softened slightly at those words. Friend. Luke considered him a friend, not just a superior or benefactor.
And truthfully, Arthur felt the sa way. Luke had proven himself multiple tis over. His loyalty was genuine. His determination was admirable. Morever, his character was solid.
"I do consider you a friend," Arthur said honestly. "You’ve earned that through your actions and your character."
Luke’s eyes brightened with emotion. He bowed his head briefly. "Thank you, Your Highness. That ans more to than you know."
Arthur moved closer and placed a hand on Luke’s shoulder. "The secret realm will be dangerous. I want you to coordinate with Balor and the others. Watch each other’s backs. Work together when possible."
He had already communicated this before. As concerning his own matters he plans to go solo.
He would only et up with the others after he had achieved his goal.
"I will," Luke promised. "I won’t let you down."
"I know you won’t," Arthur replied. He removed his hand and stepped back. "Continue your training. Get as strong as you can before the realm opens. And rember, survival is more important than treasures."
"Understood," Luke said firmly.
Arthur left the underground training facility with satisfaction. Both Balor and Luke were developing well. They would be solid allies in the secret realm and beyond.
But now ca the more complicated eting. The one that required more delicacy and depth.
Sun Wukong.
Arthur made his way to a secluded training courtyard on the far side of his mansion’s grounds. It was a private area. Isolated and quiet. The perfect place for serious martial practice without interruption.
As Arthur approached, he could sense Sun Wukong’s energy signature. It had changed since they’d last spent ti together. There was an edge to it now. Sothing sharper and more volatile.
’Could it be....has he truly awakened?’
’Hmm, Let’s see then.’
Arthur entered the courtyard quietly. The space was open to the sky above. A simple training area with reinforced ground and minimal decoration.
Sun Wukong was in the center. He moved through a complex martial technique with precision and power. Each movent was sharp and controlled. Each strike carried devastating force.
But there was sothing different about his deanor. An intensity that hadn’t been there before. An undercurrent of challenge in his aura.
Arthur stood at the entrance and watched for a mont. Then he spoke calmly. "Sun Wukong."
The practice stopped imdiately. Sun Wukong turned to face Arthur. His expression was difficult to read. There was respect there, certainly. But also sothing else. Sothing that bordered on challenge.
"Your Highness," Sun Wukong said. He didn’t bow as deeply as Balor or Luke had. His posture was more casual, more like an equal.
Arthur noticed but said nothing about it. Instead, he walked forward slowly. His hands clasped behind his back. "I wanted to speak with you before the secret realm opens."
Sun Wukong’s eyes followed Arthur’s approach. "I’m honored by your visit."
The words were polite but there was a subtle edge to them. Arthur caught it imdiately.
"You’ve been training hard," Arthur observed. He stopped a comfortable distance away. "Your techniques have improved significantly."
"One must always strive for improvent," Sun Wukong replied. His tone was neutral. "Stagnation is death in the cultivation world."
"Indeed," Arthur agreed. He studied Sun Wukong’s face carefully. "Though I sense your recent improvents co from more than just diligent practice."
Sun Wukong’s expression didn’t change but sothing flickered in his eyes. Brief. Almost imperceptible. "Your Highness is very observant."
"It’s a necessary skill," Arthur said mildly. "Especially when dealing with those who have... complicated backgrounds."
The air between them grew slightly heavier. Sun Wukong’s posture shifted subtly. Not threatening, but alert. Like a predator recognizing another predator in its territory.
"Complicated backgrounds," Sun Wukong repeated slowly. "An interesting choice of words."
"Is it inaccurate?" Arthur asked.
Sun Wukong was quiet for a mont. Then he smiled slightly. It didn’t quite reach his eyes. "No. I suppose it’s quite accurate."
Arthur began walking slowly around the courtyard. Sun Wukong turned to keep him in view. Neither looked directly at the other but both remained intensely aware of the other’s position.
"I’ve noticed changes in you," Arthur said casually. "Since before the tournant. Your energy signature is different. Your movents carry a weight they didn’t before."
"People change," Sun Wukong replied. "Especially after significant experiences."
"True," Arthur acknowledged. "But so changes run deeper than others. So co from awakening rather than learning."
Sun Wukong’s eyes narrowed slightly. "You speak as if you understand such things personally."
"Perhaps I do," Arthur said. His tone gave nothing away.
They circled each other slowly. Like two masters playing a ga of strategy. Each move calculated. Each word asured.
"The secret realm will be dangerous," Arthur said, changing subjects smoothly. "Many powerful competitors will enter. So with abilities beyond their apparent age."
"Are you concerned for my safety?" Sun Wukong asked. There was sothing almost mocking in his tone.
"Should I be?" Arthur countered.
Sun Wukong’s smile widened slightly. "That depends on what you think I’m capable of."
"I think you’re capable of far more than you show most people," Arthur replied calmly.
"And how much do I show you?" Sun Wukong asked.
"Less than you think you hide," Arthur answered.
The words hung in the air. Sun Wukong stopped moving. His expression beca more serious.
"You’re playing a dangerous ga, Your Highness," he said quietly.
"Am I?" Arthur asked. He also stopped walking. They faced each other across the courtyard. "Or am I simply acknowledging what’s already obvious to those who know how to look?"
Sun Wukong’s jaw tightened. "And what exactly do you think you see?"
"I see soone carrying the weight of more than one lifeti," Arthur said. His voice was calm but his eyes were sharp. "Soone who rembers things they shouldn’t rember. Who knows things they shouldn’t know."
"Bold assumptions," Sun Wukong said.
"Are they assumptions?" Arthur asked. "Or observations?"
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