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The dueling grounds had been hastily cleared, a rough circle of dust surrounded by onlookers—rebel soldiers, curious commanders, and a few bold merchants. The Iron Flames stood stoic, while the Thunder Hawks lounged with amused grins. A buzz of anticipation hung in the air.
Irkalla stood in the center, blade lowered but eyes blazing. Her armor shimmered faintly with voidsteel runes, her hair loose like a battle wraith's.
Across from her stood **General Kael**, stripped of his command cloak, clad in light armor and a grim expression. His blade was thick and battle-worn—no enchantments, just a weapon of war.
"I thought you said you weren't interested in leading armies," Kael said, voice low as he rolled his shoulders.
"I'm not," Yuki called out from the sideline, arms crossed, already regretting being talked into watching. "She's just very competitive."
"Irredeemably so," added Elira, conjuring a magic cushion to sit on. She shared it with Lumi and Aeiris, who all began placing quiet bets.
Irkalla took a slow breath. "We don't need to prove ourselves with words. Show me your resolve, general."
Kael's eyes narrowed. "So be it."
He moved first—fast, solid, measured. His blade struck like an avalanche. But Irkalla's response was a blur of crimson, her form slipping past him with unnatural grace. Sparks flew as her blade kissed his armor, and the crowd gasped.
Yuki raised an eyebrow. "She's holding back."
"Of course she is," Sylvaeria said cheerfully, sipping flower nectar from a teacup she summoned from thin air. "If she didn't, there wouldn't be a camp left."
Selene, sitting regally beneath a sunshade conjured by Elira, nodded. "Kael is respected. He must not be humiliated. She'll give him a clean defeat."
Back in the ring, Kael was adjusting. He switched stances, striking faster—like a storm trying to box in the wind. Irkalla danced through it, her movements beautiful and terrifying, like a blade caught in moonlight.
They clashed a final time—Kael driving a downward strike, Irkalla spinning low and knocking his legs from under him with a crescent slash of her foot.
The general hit the dirt hard, groaning as his blade fell from his grip. Irkalla pointed her weapon at his chest… and then offered him a hand.
Kael stared at her. Then, to everyone's shock, he **smiled**.
"I yield," he said. "Your strength is real. And your restraint."
She helped him up without a word. Around them, murmurs turned to applause—first uncertain, then roaring.
Yuki blinked. "That's it?"
Seiris leaned closer to him. "That was the traditional duel to claim military respect. You now have Kael's loyalty."
Yuki looked baffled. "*I* didn't do anything."
"You brought her," Elira said, grinning. "Close enough."
Kael straightened, looking toward Yuki now—not as a skeptic, but as a soldier before his new commander.
"Your flame burns brighter than rumor claimed, Lord Yuki. The Iron Flames are yours."
Yuki's eyes widened. "Wait, no, I don't need—"
"You'll lead with honor," Kael added solemnly, saluting with his fist to chest.
Mira clapped slowly, sauntering over. "You've earned my curiosity. The Thunder Hawks don't take orders—but we *do* follow causes that make history."
"Wonderful," Yuki muttered. "More responsibility."
Sylvaeria leaned on his shoulder, smiling sweetly. "You're doing great, husband."
"I didn't even blink during the fight," he grumbled.
"But your divine aura did," Selene said, tone amused. "Half the camp knelt without realizing it."
Aeiris peered up at him. "Maybe you really are a god."
"Please don't start worshipping me," Yuki said flatly.
"No promises," Lumi whispered with a wink.
As the sun dipped behind the hills, Kael summoned his officers. The first step in unifying the rebel army had begun.
Yuki, meanwhile, stood in the middle of the gathering storm with a sigh.
"Why do I feel like I just got conscripted?"
Sylvaeria giggled and tugged him toward the war table. "Because you did, love. But don't worry. You have six goddesses running your army. You'll be fine."
Yuki muttered something about *wanting to go back to napping in trees*, but followed anyway.
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