The walk ho was slower than the walk out. Not because any of them were in a hurry, but because none of them were.
The market district gradually gave way to quieter residential streets, the sounds of comrce fading into the softer rhythm of evening life. Lanterns flickered to life one by one, warm light spilling across stone paths and iron railings. The sky deepened from gold into a llow indigo, the first stars beginning to prick through like shy witnesses.
Gwen dragged her feet on purpose and Albedo noticed imdiately.
"You're stalling," he said mildly.
She hugged the wooden wolf to her chest. "No I'm not."
"You are."
She pouted. "I just don't want today to end."
That hit harder than any blow ever could. Albedo slowed further, matching her pace exactly. "Today doesn't end just because the sun goes down."
She glanced up at him, searching his face. "Promise?"
He smiled, gentle and sure, "Promise."
That seed to satisfy her. She leaned against him again, steps evening out as the familiar outline of the Neverwinter residence ca into view.
The house greeted them the way it always did, quiet, welcoming, solid. Soft light glowed from the windows, wards humming faintly in recognition of their return. Ivy rustled gently along the outer wall, leaves whispering secrets only the house knew.
Seraphyne opened the door for them this ti, gesturing them inside with a flourish. "Ho, sweet fortress."
Gwen kicked off her boots imdiately and padded inside, scarf still wrapped around her neck, coat draped over one arm like a prize she refused to put away.
"I'm not tired," she announced preemptively.
Albedo raised an eyebrow. "You're lying."
"No I'm not."
She yawned mid-sentence.
Seraphyne smirked. "Adorable."
Dinner was light and simple. Soup, warm bread, a bit of fruit. Gwen ate slower than usual, eyelids drooping between bites, nodding off only to snap back awake when Albedo looked her way.
Eventually, he stood and held out a hand.
"Co on," he said gently. "Bed."
She groaned. "Five more minutes."
"You said that ten minutes ago."
She sighed dramatically, then slid off her chair and took his hand anyway.
"Carry ?"
Albedo hesitated exactly half a second, then lifted her easily, settling her against his shoulder as she imdiately curled in, head resting against his collarbone.
Seraphyne watched with an unreadable expression as they headed upstairs.
Gwen's room was just as Albedo rembered. Neat in the way children tried to be neat. Books stacked unevenly, small charms hanging from bedposts, a soft glow-crystal on the nightstand shaped like a crescent moon.
Albedo set her down carefully and helped her change, movents practiced and gentle. She barely protested, too far gone now, eyes half-lidded as she climbed into bed.
He tucked the blankets around her, adjusted the scarf she refused to remove so it rested beside her pillow, and set the wooden wolf carefully on the nightstand where she could see it.
She reached out, fingers catching his sleeve.
"You're not leaving again soon, right?" she murmured.
He knelt beside the bed. "No. I'm here."
She smiled sleepily. "Good."
Her breathing evened out monts later, sleep claiming her completely.
Albedo stayed a little longer anyway.
Just in case.
Downstairs, the house felt different.
Quieter. Heavier.
Seraphyne was waiting in the sitting room, standing near the window, parasol set aside. The fire burned low, casting slow shadows across the walls.
She didn't turn when he entered.
"You handled that well," she said calmly.
Albedo closed the door behind him. "She had a long day."
"She had a good one," Seraphyne corrected.
He nodded. "That was the goal."
Silence settled between them, not awkward, but deliberate. Then Seraphyne turned.
Her crimson eyes studied him fully now, no amusent in them, no playful veneer. Just assessnt.
"You've changed quite alot," she said.
Albedo t her gaze evenly. "You said that earlier."
"Yes," she replied. "And I ant it."
She took a step closer. Then another.
"You carry yourself differently. Your center of gravity has shifted. Your mana flow is… quieter. Denser."
Albedo said nothing.
Seraphyne stopped a few feet away. "You are stronger."
Not a question.
"I had good teachers," he replied.
A smile tugged at her lips, but it was sharp, intrigued. "Then perhaps it is ti I tested what you brought back with you."
The air changed.
Not violently. Not suddenly.
But unmistakably.
Albedo felt it instantly, the subtle pressure of Seraphyne's presence unfolding, like velvet wrapped around steel. His instincts flared, Havoc and Ruin responding at his side with a low, eager hum.
He straightened.
"Here?" he asked.
She gestured lazily. "Wards are up. Gwen is asleep. And I am curious."
That last word carried weight.
Albedo exhaled slowly. "Alright."
The room expanded.
Not physically, but perceptually, space bending under layered enchantnts as Seraphyne reinforced the area with practiced ease. The furniture slid aside of its own accord, walls shimring faintly as impact-dampening runes activated.
In monts, the sitting room had beco a controlled sparring chamber.
Seraphyne removed her gloves.
"Show ," she said.
Albedo moved first.
Not recklessly. Not explosively.
He stepped in, testing distance, mana cycling cleanly through his limbs as he struck with controlled speed, faster than before, sharper. His footwork was tighter, angles minimized, every motion deliberate.
Seraphyne blocked effortlessly, one hand intercepting his strike as if catching a falling leaf.
"Better," she remarked, and countered.
Her strike was elegant and devastating, forcing Albedo to twist aside just in ti. The air where he had been rippled from compressed force.
He didn't pause.
He adapted.
Havoc and Ruin split smoothly, one pistol rotating into Graviton Mode as he fired a low-powered slug, not to hit, but to shift montum. Gravity warped briefly, forcing Seraphyne to adjust her stance.
Her eyes glead.
"Oh?" she murmured.
She pressed in, faster now. Each movent was a lesson in dominance, perfect posture, flawless timing. Albedo was driven back step by step, defending, redirecting, absorbing what he could.
He took a glancing blow to the shoulder, impact rolling through him despite dampening wards.
He gritted his teeth, and smiled. He was still standing. He pivoted, feinted left, then used the smallest opening to strike with precision. His knuckles brushed Seraphyne's side, mana flaring briefly on contact.
The room went still.
Seraphyne looked down at the point of contact.
Then she laughed.
A low, delighted sound.
"Well done," she said, and then ended it.
Her next movent was a blur.
Albedo found himself on his back, pinned effortlessly, her knee at his side, one hand resting lightly at his throat, not constricting, but absolute.
He didn't struggle.
Didn't need to.
She released him and stepped back, smoothing her dress as the wards receded and the room returned to normal.
Albedo sat up slowly, breathing steady despite the ache spreading through his muscles.
Seraphyne regarded him thoughtfully.
"You landed two aningful contacts," she said. "Against ."
He shrugged. "I'll take it."
Her smile softened, genuine this ti. "Your growth rate is… alarming."
"I had motivation," he replied.
She nodded, glancing briefly toward the stairs. "Yes. I see that."
Seraphyne turned back to him, eyes sharp but approving.
"Keep going," she said. "At this pace, even monsters will start to feel nervous."
Albedo rose to his feet, rolling his shoulder once. "Good."
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