Ashen Ascension: The Divided Flame-Chapter 72: A Light Spar

They moved quietly through the first layer, staying away from the crowds of other kids. Nara carried the crystals, and Ivor led the way. This part of the forest felt normal, but the air smelled less of people and more of the skeletons.

After a time, Ivor asked the question that had been turning in his head since the partnership began.

"What is the goal," he said, "of others when they come in the scar."

Nara paused, as if making sure Ivor wasn’t tricking him. When he knew it was a real question, he answered honestly.

"Crystals and treasures," Nara said. "Training too. Strength. Some come in to prove something to their handler, some come in because they need resources, and some come in because they think this place is a shortcut."

He glanced around the trees, then continued.

"The handler judges them on the basis of how successful they are in the Scar alone. Crystals, kills, survival, improvement. Outside training matters, but the Scar is where results are counted because it is measurable."

Ivor agreed. That’s why the children fought fiercely for crystals and protected their bags like they were precious.

"Then it makes sense," Ivor said, "to target other awakeners for more crystal than skeletons."

Nara looked serious, not shocked. He seemed to agree with the idea but knew it was hard.

"Targeting them is the best way to get crystals, food, and scrolls instead of the one raw, impure scraps we get from skeletons," Nara said. "The logic is sound, but the execution is risky."

He warned, "Some of them are powerful. Some have teams or skills that make mistakes costly. If you mess with the wrong one, you won’t get another chance."

Ivor didn’t argue. He nodded once.

Choosing their path, he looked ahead, planning the route.

"First," Ivor said, "I will take care of the first layer."

After walking further, Ivor smelled something unusual. He slowed, quieted his breathing, and moved left. Nara followed without question. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Ivor found the boy alone near some rocks, cutting at a broken skeleton with a knife. The boy was focused on his task and didn’t seem powerful or dangerous.

Ivor moved quickly and silently, sneaking up on the boy. He hit the boy once in the neck, making him pass out. Ivor caught him quietly before he fell to the ground.

He quickly took the bag, finding a few raw crystals, some dried food, and a water container. It wasn’t much, but better than nothing. He gave the crystals to Nara and kept the rest. As the boy passed out, Ivor felt his usual cold urge to kill the boy.

He stepped back, jaw tight, and looked at Nara.

"Can I kill them," he asked.

Nara’s expression instantly changed. His usual cheerful demeanor disappeared, replaced by a focused, serious look.

"No," Nara said. "It is not allowed."

Ivor didn’t blink. "Not allowed?"

Nara didn’t blink or look away from him.

"Of course you can," Nara said. "People do. But then you have to make sure it is not tracked back to you. Handlers investigate missing kids. Families investigate. Even if they pretend they don’t care, they care when it becomes a stain on their name. Killing creates attention that spreads outside the Scar."

Ivor’s instinct didn’t disappear, but it cooled enough for him to think. Attention was the enemy. He nodded once, then turned away, leaving the boy alive.

They went deeper into the first layer, with Ivor avoiding main paths. He wanted easy targets and robberies, not a fight.

The second boy was also alone, moving fearfully through the trees. He carried a sword and kept looking back. This meant his bag was probably full, and he would guard it well. Ivor hid, waiting for the boy to reach a narrow spot where he’d be trapped.

Ivor quickly moved in close before the boy could fully react. He knocked the sword aside with his forearm and punched the boy in the head to knock him out. The urge returned, more intense, because the boy had nearly noticed and almost resisted. Ivor felt he must finish it fast and cleanly to prevent future trouble.

Ivor controlled himself, then checked the second boy’s bag. He took the crystals and some mana tokens. He gave the crystals to Nara but kept the tokens because they were more useful. Nara didn’t object.

Once they were safe, Ivor stopped in a quiet, secluded spot. He sat and drank slowly. Nara sat across from him.

After a minute, Ivor spoke without lifting his gaze.

"Let’s spar."

Nara frowned slightly. "Right now?"

Ivor gave a small nod. "Now."

The surprise on Nara’s face faded, replaced by interest. He adjusted his grip on his daggers out of habit, then hesitated.

"With weapons?" he asked.

"Use what you’re carrying," Ivor replied evenly. "Just don’t aim to kill."

Nara gave a short breath that might have been a laugh, then nodded. He stood and stepped back, rolling his shoulders as if trying to settle nerves.

"Alright," Nara said. "But if I get embarrassed, I will blame you."

Ivor ignored the joke, readying his sword and lowering his stance. He focused his Soul Sense enough to track Nara’s movements and anticipate attacks.

Nara attacked cautiously with his daggers, circling instead of rushing. His hesitation made him predictable; his feet were too loud, and a slight shoulder movement telegraphed his direction changes. Ivor waited for Nara to commit, then stepped easily aside. As Nara’s dagger missed, Ivor lightly tapped the flat of his sword against Nara’s unprotected wrist.

Nara quickly pulled back, surprised. He tried a fake move high, then struck low. Ivor sensed the fake move. Soul Sense also caught Nara’s tense muscles and weight shift. Ivor easily avoided the low strike and tapped his sword on Nara’s forearm, pressuring him until Nara had to back away.

Nara, excited, tried to overwhelm Ivor with two quick dagger strikes. However, he fumbled the move; his second strike was slow, and his feet crossed, creating an opening for Ivor.

Ivor exploited the mistake, hooking Nara’s dagger wrist with his sword guard and twisting the weapon away. A small shoulder bump sent Nara stumbling back a few steps before he regained his balance.

"You’re reading me," Nara said, breath short.

Ivor didn’t answer.

Nara attacked again, aggressively trying to force Ivor to trade blows. He tried to trap Ivor’s sword arm to use a dagger. Ivor saw his plan. He let the dagger get close, then used his sword’s flat side to push it away. He also moved in close to Nara, making the daggers useless.

Nara tried to retreat, but Ivor stayed close, calmly tapping his sword against Nara’s shoulder, elbow, and ribs. These taps weren’t hard, but they were clean hits, showing Nara’s weak spots as if Ivor were teaching him a lesson on his body.

Nara laughed softly, not upset. "Again," he said.

Ivor narrowed his eyes. He didn’t get why losing made Nara smile, but he didn’t quit. He reset, letting Nara attack again.

Nara tried better footwork, trying to trick Ivor with a dagger strike. Ivor, using his Soul Sense, stayed steady, avoiding the hit and forcing Nara back.

As they fought, Nara tired and slowed. Ivor stayed calm, using small moves to counter Nara’s errors. In a last effort, Nara charged. Ivor stepped in, grabbed Nara’s arm, turned the dagger aside, and held his sword flat against Nara’s throat to end the fight.

Nara froze, then slowly lowered his daggers.

"You win," Nara said, and there was real satisfaction in his voice.

Ivor stepped back, lowering his sword.

He looked at Nara’s face. Nara seemed tired, but his eyes were bright and he looked happier than before.

"You’re happy," Ivor said, blunt.

Nara wiped sweat and grinned.

"Because it proves I was right," Nara said. "If you fight so well now, you’ll be amazing later. If you become amazing, people won’t mess with me when I’m with you."

Ivor accepted this honest and useful reply. Nara straightened, still smiling, and put away his daggers.

"I should head back," Nara said after a moment. "There are a few things I need to take care of."

Ivor’s eyes narrowed slightly. "What things?"

Nara’s expression remained calm, though the edge of it shifted. "Outside matters, I need to look into," he said. "Family matters. Lily."

He adjusted his clothes, then added more casually, "You keep hunting. Stay careful. And if you ever decide to kill someone... make sure you’re prepared for what comes after."

Ivor held his gaze for a second, then gave a small nod.

Nara turned and disappeared between the trees without looking back. Ivor watched until the forest swallowed him, then faced the opposite direction, his thoughts already narrowing toward the next hunt and the next gain.