Niri returned to the main plaza, feeling immense pressure. She wasn't used to it—definitely not like this.
Almost every cadet seemed to be watching her. Some whispered. Some just stared. She tried to ignore it, but the weight of their attention pressed on her shoulders. Her eyes scanned the crowd, searching. After a few minutes, she spotted Qiri and Ronan waving from a small table near one of the plaza's inner rings.
She made her way over, slow and steady, and sat down without a word.
Qiri smiled, trying to sound casual. "Hey, Niri. We already grabbed you some food. Figured you'd be hungry."
"Thanks, guys," Niri said, picking up her utensils and starting to eat quietly.
Ronan leaned back in his chair, that usual grin creeping into place. "So, did the medical bay survive? Or did you start trouble again?"
There were a few soft laughs—just enough to ease the tension.
Niri glanced up at him, expression flat. "Almost survived," she said, then took another bite.
Qiri's smile faded slightly. Her voice softened. "Niri... we know you're carrying a lot. But try to live a little here. Try to be a cadet. Just... let yourself exist."
Niri paused, her fork halfway to her mouth. She lowered it slowly and looked at Qiri.
"And how exactly am I supposed to do that?" she asked, voice low but steady. "Everyone's watching me. Every step, every word—like I'm going to explode or disappear. You know how hard that is?"
Neither of them answered right away. The silence was its own kind of truth.
Qiri shifted, then spoke gently. "Just try, Niri. Really. I have an idea. After the excavation, we get ten days off. You two should come with me to my homeworld. It might help. No crowds. No stares. Just trees, weird traditions, and a lot of quiet."
Niri looked at her for a long moment. The thought of being somewhere else—somewhere without eyes following her—settled into her chest like the first calm breath in days.
"Actually," she said, "I think that might be a good idea."
Qiri brightened. "Then it's settled."
"But I should warn you," she added with a grin. "My family's a little odd."
Niri tilted her head slightly. "Odd how?"
Qiri laughed under her breath. "You'll see. We grow everything ourselves—even the walls. My aunt talks to the trees more than she talks to people. And my brother thinks the moon spirits control exam results."
Ronan leaned in, smirking. "I'd bet my entire fortune—what's left of it—that you, Niri, are more odd than anyone in Qiri's family. Maybe more than anyone in the Reach."
Niri didn't smile immediately, but her eyes flicked up.
"Then your fortune must not be worth much," she said dryly.
Qiri burst into laughter, real and warm. Even Ronan chuckled, throwing up his hands. "She's got me there."
They laughed together—briefly, but it helped.
Ronan leaned closer again. "By the way, Niri... did you roll for the excavation team yet?"
With a smooth movement, Niri tilted her wrist and pointed to her watch. "Already assigned. It came directly from Professor Lu'Ka."
Before Ronan could respond, two Grounx cadets began approaching the table. Niri noticed immediately. Her posture shifted without a word—subtle but sharp. Her frame coiled, instinctive and ready, her senses narrowing.
But the Grounx weren't hostile.
They moved slowly, deliberately, and when they stopped, the one with the tall frame spoke first.
"May we sit with you?" he asked. His voice was polite,deep—an unusually calm tone for a Grounx.
Niri didn't respond, but Ronan gestured toward the open bench. They sat down with an unexpected quietness for their kind.
The taller one turned to Niri. "How are your injuries?"
His tone was sincere. No mockery. No sneer. Just a genuine question.
Niri studied his face for a beat, then said, "It's okay. Just some bruises."
He nodded, then let out a loud, booming laugh that echoed across the plaza. "Yep. A real opponent."
He gestured toward himself. "I'm Tall. This is Horn."
Qiri blinked, surprised by his open tone. Even Ronan raised a brow.
onengrounx, broader across the shoulders, leaned in slightly. "We have a proposal," he said.
Qiri tilted her head. "What kind of proposal?"
"You may not fully understand how our society works," Horn replied. "Every Grounx cadet must earn distinction. It's not just about fighting—we each have a personal mission. Some protect diplomats. Some gain glory through combat trials. Others through academics or sports."
He looked directly at Niri.
"We're taking a different path. We want to be assigned to you—unofficially. Like bodyguards."
Ronan gave a dry laugh. "To her? Seriously?"
Horn didn't flinch. "She's a magnet for chaos. If we stay close and keep her alive through the excavation, we'll earn recognition. Our people respect danger. Surviving her path?" He smirked. "That's danger."
Tall added, "And it's not just about her. You two will be targeted too. Guilt by proximity."
Qiri frowned. "Targeted?"
Tall shrugged. "High risk. High value."
Niri crossed her arms slowly. "You really think this'll sit well with your people? I doubt your General's thrilled."
Tall gave a slow nod. "General Drudru's mind is made. After the assembly, it's clear—some of us have already made enemies."
He paused, then looked back at the table.
"Porl's action? Disgraceful. Striking an unarmed, non-threatening cadet? Many of us saw it as weakness, not strength. Even among our kind, that's not honorable."
Horn nodded. "We have divisions on our homeworld—factions that don't all agree. Some want change. We believe aligning with your group will give us the recognition we're looking for."
Niri's voice lowered slightly. "I don't know if my sponsors—the Chancellor and Professor Lu'Ka—would agree with this. Especially after what happened."
Horn tapped his watchpad and angled it toward her. "We already received authorization from the Chancellor."
Qiri blinked. Ronan leaned in to get a better look.
Niri frowned. "When did you speak with her?"
Tall shook his head. "We didn't. We just sent a formal offer—right after Porl hit you. Maybe an hour later."
Horn added, "She didn't respond directly. Just sent back a confirmation through an encrypted channel. No words, no comments—just approved."
Niri sat back, not sure whether to feel cautious or relieved.
Qiri muttered, "This is moving fast."
Ronan leaned forward with a smirk. "Well... I guess if we're collecting bodyguards now, can we start charging admission?"
Horn chuckled. "Only if we get a share."
Niri said casually, "I like these guys."
Tall and Horn both laughed at that, unbothered by the attention it drew.
Qiri and Ronan exchanged a look, clearly baffled.
Ronan raised a brow. "Sure. What did you expect, Qiri? Our Niri becomes more unpredictable with every passing day."
Niri gave a half-smile. "At least they're honest. They don't hide their intentions. That's rare around here."
Tall nodded. "Indeed. And we've got nothing to lose."
Horn leaned in slightly, his voice low and honest. "We don't belong to any of the main factions on our world. We're trying to build our own..."
Qiri blinked. "You don't belong to any faction? That's rare for a Grounx."
Tall nodded. "It's not time to explain why. But yes, just the two of us for now."
Horn finished the thought. "If our instincts are right, we'll bring in more. But we have to start somewhere."
Ronan stretched and stood. "So... we'd better start packing for the trip."
Qiri nodded. "Yeah. Let's head back to our rooms."
The group rose and began walking together toward the dorms. As they passed through the plaza, cadets glanced their way—confused, wary, or openly staring. The sight of two Grounx walking calmly beside Niri only added to the whispers.
Ronan muttered under his breath, loud enough for them all to hear, "Officially? We might be the weirdest group on campus."
He paused, then added, "No—scratch that. Probably on all of Meridi Axis."
Tall and Horn chuckled, deep and guttural.
Qiri shook her head, amused.
Niri didn't say anything. She walked a few paces ahead, eyes forward, already somewhere else in her mind..