Hours had passed.
And the forest pressed in around Syl and Kibo as they trekked side by side, their steps crunching over a carpet of pine needles and moss. The midday sun filtered through the canopy, casting dappled gold across their path, but the air was thick with humidity, clinging to their skin like a second layer. Twisted roots snaked across the ground, forcing them to step carefully, while low branches tugged at their clothes. The forest buzzed faintly—crickets humming, leaves rustling in a lazy breeze, a distant stream gurgling somewhere unseen. It was alive but indifferent, a sprawling maze that swallowed sound and direction alike.
Syl walked with her arms crossed, her hair catching the light as it swayed with each step. Her usual self was muted, her gaze fixed on the ground, cheeks still faintly flushed from the morning's chaos. She hadn't spoken much, her shyness a quiet wall between them, built from the memory of Kibo's words—gorgeous—and the almost-kiss that still burned in her chest.
Kibo kept pace beside her, his katana slung by his side, its weight a steady reminder of their purpose. His steps were heavier, deliberate, his jaw tight as he wrestled with the silence.
In his mind, Kibo sighed, voice rough with frustration. This is really getting awkward. I can't believe Syl's not talking to me—not like I said anything wrong… or did I? Shit. And Lily's nowhere to be found. Is she even in this damn forest? She might be with Aunt Sora—how the hell would I know?
Syl's voice broke through, soft but hesitant, cutting his thoughts short.
"Kibo…"
He blinked, glancing at her. "Uh, yeah, Syl?"
She fidgeted, her fingers twisting the hem of her tunic, her eyes darting to him and away again, still shy.
"Umm… not to make it seem awkward, but… am I really gorgeous like you said before?"
Kibo's lips twitched into a grin, his voice dropping to a warm, flirty edge—smooth but sincere, like he meant every word.
"Yes, you really are, Syl—gorgeous as hell. Or what, you think otherwise?"
He tilted his head, his gaze lingering on her with a playful challenge.
Syl's face lit up red, a smile breaking through her shyness as she laughed, bright and flustered.
"Oh, really? I am? Of course I am!" She tossed her hair, confidence sparking back to life. "Papa always said I'm the most gorgeous young lady he's ever laid eyes on."
Kibo's grin turned lopsided, a bit awkward as he scratched his neck. "Oh, really? He said that, huh?"
Syl's brows furrowed, catching his odd expression. "Of course he did! I wouldn't lie about it." She paused, softening, her voice tinged with warmth. "Well… aside from Mama. He adores Mama a lot. Always trying to do funny things with her."
Kibo blinked, confused. "Funny things? Like…?"
Syl giggled, her shyness easing as she leaned closer, eyes glinting. "Well, don't you know? Like flirty stuff—and, y'know, the other stuff."
Kibo's eyes widened, then he chuckled, understanding dawning. "Okay, okay—those 'other stuff.' Sounds like your papa really loves your mama, then. In a good way, I mean."
Syl's smile widened, her giggle bubbling up as she watched him fumble. "You're really funny when you look confused, Kibo. All flustered like that—it's cute."
Kibo opened his mouth to retort, but Ignis's voice crashed into his mind, savage and biting.
"Oh, shut it, brat—what're you two playing at with this pointless drivel? Flirting like a couple of brain-dead fools while your lover's out there lost! You're a walking waste of time!"
Kibo ignored him, his focus on Syl as he sighed aloud, voice steady but tired. "No, I don't think so, but… anyways, seems like we've been walking for hours now."
Syl stopped abruptly, her boots scuffing the dirt.
Kibo paused, glancing back. "What's wrong, Syl?"
She forced a smile, but it didn't reach her eyes, her fingers fidgeting again. "Oh, nothing. You're right—we've just been walking with nowhere to go." Her voice was light, but a shadow of hurt lingered—hours of silence, no sign of Lily, and Kibo's worry felt like a weight she couldn't lift.
Kibo frowned, sensing her unease. "Well, you know, we could take a break. We don't even know where Lily is, and…" He trailed off, murmuring under his breath, "We really need a sign, like those bunnies."
Syl caught his words, her heart twisting, but she stayed quiet, her gaze dropping to the ground.
In her mind, a quiet ache bloomed: He's so worried about Lily. I want to help, but… why do I feel so useless?
Ignis's voice cut back in, sharp and mocking.
"Ha! Waiting for a sign, brat? You're dumber than a sack of hammers, sitting on your ass hoping the world hands you answers!"
Kibo smirked, his mental voice dry. Okay, any better ideas, Ignis?
Ignis's reply was a brutal snarl.
"Who do you think you are for me to help you, you insolent speck? I'm not your damn nanny—figure it out yourself."
Kibo's smirk turned sharp, a flash of anger in his eyes as he glanced around, ignoring Syl's concerned look.
"Is anything wrong?" she asked, her voice soft, tentative.
He shook his head, voice slow and deliberate. "No, nothing. Actually…" In his mind, he shot back at Ignis, Where's that drive you had when you were pestering me to find Syl?
Ignis's laugh was dark, mocking.
"Oh, brat, that's way behind me! You think I give a damn about your lover? She's not my problem—you're the one crying over her, not me!"
Kibo exhaled hard through his nose, his fists clenching as he scanned the forest.
Syl stepped closer, her brow creasing. "Maybe… maybe Lily's with Aunt Sora? I mean, we should've found her by now, right?"
Kibo's jaw tightened, his voice flat. "I doubt that." He murmured, barely audible, "What are we gonna do now?"
Syl's gaze lingered on his face, her heart sinking at his worry.
In her mind, she whispered, Kibo's tearing himself up over Lily. I want to help—why can't I do more? Why am I so useless in times like this?
Her eyes swept the forest, searching for something, anything—and then she saw it: a Ironfur bear cub, no bigger than a dog, tumbling through the underbrush not far off. Its iron-gray fur glinted as it swiped at a butterfly, playful and oblivious, scrambling over roots with clumsy glee.
Curiosity tugged at her, a spark of distraction from her guilt. Not wanting to bother Kibo, she stepped quietly toward the cub, her boots soft on the moss. Kibo didn't notice, his gaze distant, lost in thought.
Ignis's voice boomed in his mind, loud and sharp.
"Brat, what are you standing there thinking about? Your brain's moving slower than a dead slug!"
Kibo's jaw clenched, his mental voice firm. Ignis, I'm trying to figure out how to find Lily—give me a damn second.
Ignis's words were a blade, cutting deep.
"Finding your lover or finding that girl—pick one, brat! You're juggling both like a fool, and you'll drop 'em both!"
Kibo frowned, confused. Huh? What do you mean? Syl's right—
He turned, and his stomach dropped.
Ignis, where's Syl?
Ignis's laugh was savage, dripping with scorn.
"Oh, you didn't even notice her slip away? Some hero you are, brat—too busy moping to keep track of the girl right under your nose!"
Kibo's heart raced, his hand twitching toward his katana.
What? You need to calm down—Syl's—
Ignis's tone turned grave, a rare edge of truth.
"Calm down? She's wandered off, and you're still here flapping your gums! You think this forest is a playground? Get moving, or you'll lose her too!"
"Syl! Where are you?" Kibo shouted, his voice echoing through the trees. Panic edged his tone as he scanned the underbrush.
Her voice came back, light but distant. "I'm over here, Kibo!"
He bolted toward her, weaving through low branches, his boots pounding the dirt. When he broke into a small clearing, he froze.
Syl knelt beside the bear cub—an ironfur cub, its steely fur catching the light as it rolled happily under her hand, purring as she scratched its belly.
"Isn't he cute?" she said, her smile bright, oblivious to the danger.
Kibo's eyes widened, his voice urgent. "Syl, I think we need to leave."
She glanced up, confused. "Why?"
"It's an ironfur cub, Syl—its mother or father's gotta be close. We can't stay here."
Syl shrugged, her tone casual, almost defiant. "We don't need to worry, Kibo—I'm sure the parents won't mind. He's just a baby."
Kibo opened his mouth to argue, but Ignis cut in, sharp and cold.
"Leave her be, brat."
Kibo's mental voice was tense. What? Ignis, what do you—
Ignis's reply was dark, a low chuckle threading through it.
"Oh, brat, I want to see how this plays out. Let her dig her own grave—maybe she'll learn something when it all goes to hell."
Kibo's fists clenched, but before he could respond, a rustle tore through the bushes—heavy, deliberate.
An ironfur bear emerged into the clearing, its enormous frame dwarfing them. Its fur, like molten steel, rippled over solid muscle, and its eyes flicked from Kibo to Syl, then to the cub. A low growl rumbled from deep within its chest, sending a shiver through the air.
Syl froze. Her fingers still lingered on the cub, the playful creature oblivious to the danger now looming over them. Kibo's hand shot to his katana, his body tensing, every muscle screaming for action.
The cub yipped, scampering to its parent's side, nuzzling its leg. The ironfur's growl softened for a brief moment, but its eyes never wavered, flicking between them, its posture stiff and wary.
Kibo's voice was barely above a whisper, urgent but steady. "Syl, on the count of one, you run."
Syl didn't budge, her gaze wide but stubborn. "No—I don't want to be useless." Slowly, she stood, brushing the dirt from her knees, and took a hesitant step toward the bear. Her voice quivered, but it was firm, resolute. "Kibo, I'm not running."
Kibo's whisper turned sharp, panic creeping into his words. "Syl, what are you doing? We need to go—now."
She turned her head, her eyes filled with quiet determination. "No, Kibo—this is my chance to test my abilities. I need to know what I can do." Her thoughts whispered, a quiet resolve settling deep within her: I'm tired of being the one who hides. I can help him—I have to.
In Kibo's mind, Ignis's voice sliced through the silence, cold and mocking. "She can't control it—pathetic. Watch her crash and burn. She'll learn soon enough how useless she really is."
Kibo gritted his teeth, blocking out the voice. What do you mean? Syl, get back here—you don't know how your abilities work!
But Syl was already moving closer to the ironfur, her hands raised, her voice soft but deliberate. "Hi… I'm a friend of your little cub. I really need your help."
For a moment, it seemed as though her words might have some effect. The bear's ears twitched, and its stance relaxed, the low growl subsiding into a deep huff. The air held its breath, waiting.
Kibo held his own, frozen, his hand on the hilt of his katana, every fiber of his being prepared to act—until the snap of a twig shattered the fragile calm. The sound echoed in the air, sharp and unforgiving, and in an instant, the ironfur roared, its massive frame lurching forward as its claws slashed the air.
Syl froze, the fear gripping her heart as time seemed to slow. Her eyes locked on the bear, her breath caught in her chest.
Kibo moved without thinking, his body flowing like a storm—his katana unsheathing in a single fluid motion. He lunged forward, his sword meeting the bear's claw with a screeching collision, the force vibrating through his arms. He gritted his teeth, pushing back, refusing to give an inch. "Syl, move!" he shouted, the urgency in his voice raw, desperate.
The ironfur cub squealed, darting behind a nearby tree for safety. The ironfur roared again, a sound that rattled the very air as its paw swung, catching Kibo's katana with brutal force. The impact sent him stumbling back, his sword twisting in his grip as his body collided with a tree, bark splintering under the force.
Pain shot through him like lightning, but he pushed it aside, trying to catch his breath. The ironfur turned its focus on Syl, its roar shaking the ground beneath them. Syl snapped out of her paralyzing fear, stumbling back, her legs moving even before her mind could catch up. She broke into a run, her feet pounding the ground as the bear charged after her, its massive body crashing through the forest, relentless.
Kibo's breath was ragged, his chest heaving as he pushed himself to his feet. His hand found his katana again, blood trickling down his arm from a deep gash. He gritted his teeth, blocking out Ignis's taunting voice that echoed through his thoughts.
"Get up, brat, and go save that girl! You think sulking's gonna fix this? You're a useless lump if you let her die!"
Kibo shook his head, clearing the fog of pain and frustration, his mind sharpening with one singular focus. "I'm not letting that happen," he muttered to himself, his voice low but full of defiance. He sheathed his katana, the motion fluid as he sprinted after her, his body moving with primal instinct.
He leapt up onto a low-hanging branch, the momentum carrying him into the next, his body following the rhythm of the trees. The forest blurred around him as he darted from one limb to the next, his eyes locked on Syl's retreating figure. Every muscle in his body burned with the effort, but his heart hammered with a single thought: Syl.
Ignis's laugh reverberated in Kibo's mind, dark and mocking. "Oh, brat, I wonder how you'll face that ironfur now. You're no match for it—too slow, too weak, too damn human. This'll be a fine mess to watch you fail."
Kibo's response was a smirk, grim and determined. "Oh, Ignis—let's wait and find out."
Below, Syl's breath came in ragged gasps, the ironfur's growls growing louder, the sound of its pursuit closing in with every step. Kibo's eyes fixed on her, his katana still sheathed as he calculated his next move. Every fiber of his being was honed for the fight ahead—this wasn't just about survival anymore.
It was about protecting what mattered.