CHAPTER 434: BLADES AND STARS

The evening air in the demon world carried a faint scent of iron and smoke — not unpleasant, but raw and untamed, like the land itself. Beyond the walls of the small inn, the crimson twilight faded into indigo, and the distant horizon shimmered under the weight of twin moons.

After a day spent in laughter, rest, and quiet companionship, the serenity between Luna and Orpheus began to stir again — not with words, but with that familiar tension that always accompanied training.

They stepped outside the villa into a secluded clearing at the edge of the cliffs, where the wind carried the low hum of the abyss below. Jagged peaks framed the world in shadow, and the faint pulse of demonic energy danced in the air like fireflies.

Orpheus turned to her, his sword already sheathed at his hip.

"You’ve gotten faster," he said, his tone calm but firm. "But speed means nothing without control."

Luna rolled her shoulders, summoning her weapon — a slender black sword with crimson veins running through its blade.

"Then tonight," she said, her golden eyes gleaming, "teach me control."

They stood opposite each other, blades drawn, the dying sun setting their silhouettes aglow.

The first clash came like a spark — steel against steel, ringing through the clearing. Luna attacked with unrestrained vigor, her strikes fluid and fierce. The air rippled with each swing, the demonic aura woven into her sword making the ground tremble faintly beneath her feet.

Orpheus parried easily, his movements minimal, efficient — not fighting her, but guiding her. Each time she overextended, he redirected her force, twisting his wrist just enough to send her balance faltering.

"Again," he said softly.

Luna gritted her teeth, lunging once more.

"Don’t go easy on me!"

"I’m not," he replied, sidestepping her slash.

"You’re the one holding back."

Their swords sang through the air, the rhythm of their duel echoing like music. Sparks scattered with every impact, and their shadows danced wildly under the twin moons.

Luna’s breathing quickened. Sweat beaded down her neck, her hair sticking to her face as she swung with growing frustration. She wanted to break through his calm — to see him react, to make him move.

But Orpheus remained steady as stone, deflecting, parrying, never striking back. His eyes stayed on her — sharp, analytical, yet not without warmth.

"Too tense," he murmured, deflecting another swing. "You’re forcing the blade. Let it flow through you."

"Easy for you to say!" she snapped, attacking again.

He ducked under her slash, pivoted, and the flat of his blade pressed gently against her neck before she could blink. "Flow," he repeated.

Luna froze, then let out a sharp exhale, lowering her sword. "You’re impossible..."

A small smile tugged at his lips. "But you’re improving."

They reset and began again.

This time, Luna closed her eyes briefly before her first strike. She let the rhythm of his breathing sync with hers, the sound of their blades cutting through the cool air guiding her movements.

The next exchange was different — fluid, almost dance-like. Their blades glided and twisted, sparks blooming like fleeting constellations. Orpheus nodded subtly as her footwork adjusted, her swings sharper yet smoother.

When she finally landed a strike close enough to graze his sleeve, Luna’s eyes brightened. "Got you!"

"Barely," he replied, smiling faintly. "But that’s progress."

She laughed breathlessly. "You’re infuriating, you know that?"

"I’ve been told."

They clashed again, and again — until the stars fully claimed the sky. The twin moons rose higher, washing the clearing in silvery light. When Luna’s blade finally slowed and her knees trembled, Orpheus lowered his sword.

"That’s enough for tonight," he said.

She panted, the cold air fogging with each exhale. "You sure? I can still—"

He gave her a look. The kind that silenced any argument.

Luna sighed, sliding her sword back into its sheath. "Fine."

After training, they built a fire near the cliffside. Orpheus stacked stones into a ring and summoned a faint spark of demonic energy from his palm — the flames erupted with a crimson hue, licking the night air with slow, mesmerizing motion.

He set a grill above it, placing skewers of marinated beast meat they had bought earlier from the city’s market. The scent of roasting meat soon filled the clearing, mingling with the crackle of the fire and the whisper of the wind.

Luna sat across from him, her legs folded beneath her, her face softly illuminated by the glow. Her exhaustion melted away in the warmth of the firelight.

"You really didn’t hold back tonight," she said between breaths.

"I told you," he replied, turning a skewer. "Training’s no use if it’s gentle."

"Then next time," she said with a playful grin, "I’ll make you sweat."

He glanced up at her, one eyebrow raised. "Ambitious."

"Confident," she corrected. "You’ll see."

For a while, the only sounds were the fire’s crackle and the quiet sizzle of the barbecue. When the meat turned golden and the air grew thick with its savory aroma, Orpheus handed her a skewer.

"Eat," he said.

Luna took it gladly, biting in. "Mmm... delicious!"

"Not bad for demon boar," he said, taking a bite of his own.

"Not bad? It’s amazing!" she said, her voice muffled as she chewed. "You’re secretly a great cook, aren’t you?"

"I just follow instructions," he replied modestly.

"Liar. I’ve seen you cook before. You improvise everything and it still comes out perfect."

He shrugged. "Experience."

"Or talent," she muttered, glaring playfully at him.

The firelight danced between them, painting their faces in warm shades of amber and red. The demon world’s sky stretched endlessly above — deep violet scattered with countless stars that shimmered brighter than those in the human realm.

One star in particular, crimson like a drop of blood, shone directly overhead. Luna noticed it, pointing up. "That one’s beautiful."

Orpheus followed her gaze. "The Blood Star," he said quietly. "Said to mark warriors fated to never die easily."

Luna tilted her head. "Then it suits you."

He smiled faintly. "And you."

Her heart skipped a beat, but she hid it by taking another bite of meat. "Flattery won’t save you next match," she said quickly.

"I wasn’t flattering."

Her eyes widened slightly, but she looked away, pretending to focus on the fire.

"... Idiot master."

He acted as if he hadn’t heard her.

’’It is time for him to act for real.’’ he thought of a certain someone.