Eriky turned as they entered, wiping his hands on the apron. "You must be the boss. Orced, right? I got here about two hours ago. Figured I'd make myself useful and start dinner. Hope you like herb-crusted fish with roasted vegetables. And I brewed some fresh ginger tea for after the fight—thought you might need something to settle the adrenaline."
Orced's grin widened. "Perfect timing. Eriky, meet the team. This is Macker—the guy who somehow turns breakfast into a war crime. Kruna, our resident strategist and blade expert. Aftor, the knife guy who never puts it down. Ema, our archer and tech guy. Nix, the explosion enthusiast. And Sano, the human tank who carries everything."
Eriky gave a small nod to each, eyes warm but observant. "Pleasure. I heard about the fight from the radio chatter when I landed. Sounds like you handled an A-class without breaking a sweat. Impressive."
Nix immediately zeroed in on the stove. "Is that fish? Smells incredible. Can I taste-test? For science?"
Eriky chuckled and handed him a small spoon. "Only if you promise not to explode the pot. I heard about your gauntlet. I like my kitchen in one piece."
Nix took a bite and moaned dramatically. "Oh my god. Att least teach Macker how to cook before he kills us all with boiling water again." Macker threw a balled-up napkin at him. "Hey! I was doing my best!"
Eriky raised an eyebrow at Macker. "I also heard about the breakfast incident. Rough day, huh?"
Macker groaned and hid his face in his hands. "I'm never living this down, am I?"
Kruna smirked from the doorway. "Not a chance. Eriky, if you can make food this good every day, you're already my favorite person here."
Aftor wandered over and stole a piece of roasted vegetable straight from the pan. "Hey, this is actually edible. Unlike Macker's attempts. Welcome to the team, Eriky. You might survive longer than the last cook."
Ema laughed. "Last cook lasted three days before Nix accidentally blew up the rice cooker. Eriky, you seem normal. That's suspicious. You sure you're not an A-class curse in disguise?"
Eriky smiled calmly as he stirred the tea. "One hundred percent human. Just a guy who likes feeding people and staying out of trouble. Figured a floating island with a bunch of curse hunters was the perfect place to avoid both. Plus, the pay is good and the view is unbeatable."
Sano rumbled a deep laugh from the corner where he was polishing his shield. "Smart man. Stick with the cooking. We'll handle the punching."
Orced watched the interaction with a satisfied smile, leaning against the counter. The kitchen felt more alive already. Eriky moved with quiet efficiency—tasting, adjusting spices, pouring tea into mismatched mugs without missing a beat. It was the kind of normalcy the team desperately needed after a day of relativistic jet crashes and A-class battles.
Nix, still chewing, pointed at Eriky with his spoon. "Okay, but real talk. Can you make those fancy desserts? The ones with the little sugar sculptures on top? I saw it in a magazine once. Looked badass."
Eriky chuckled. "I can try. But if you explode the oven, I'm charging you for a new one."
Macker perked up. "Wait, can you make something that doesn't involve boiling water? Because I'm traumatized."
Eriky handed him a mug of ginger tea. "Here. Drink this. It'll help with the… soreness. And yes, I can make anything. Just tell me what you like and I'll handle it."
Kruna took his own mug and sipped. "This is actually good. Better than the instant stuff we've been suffering through. Eriky, you're hired permanently."
The group settled around the table as Eriky served dinner. Plates were passed, jokes flew, and for a while the day's tension melted away into easy conversation.
Macker took a careful bite and moaned. "This is heaven. Eriky, if you ever leave, I'm following you."
Aftor stole another vegetable. "Same. But if you make us wear aprons, we're rioting."
Ema grinned. "I vote for matching aprons. Sky Boys Chef Division. White wings on black fabric. It would be iconic."
Nix raised his hand. "Only if mine has explosion-proof pockets."
Sano just ate quietly, but his small smile said everything. "Good food. Good company. Good day."
The laughter was still echoing when a soft knock came from the main entrance. Everyone tensed slightly. Orced stood up. "I'll get it. Stay alert."
He walked to the door and opened it. Standing outside was a figure Orced hadn't seen in years.
Florka.
6'3 tall, broad-shouldered, with sharp features and long dark hair tied back in a practical knot.
He looked older than when they were kids running around the same streets, but the same confident posture was there.
He wore simple traveling clothes, a long coat over armor that screamed "I've been through some shit."
Behind him, a small group of followers waited at a respectful distance—his own people. Florka's eyes met Orced's. There was no smile, but there was recognition. "Orced," he said, voice steady. "Long time. Heard you started something big up here on this floating rock. Figured I'd come see for myself."
Orced blinked once, surprise flickering across his face before he masked it with a calm smile. "Florka. Didn't expect to see you. What brings you all the way out here?"
Florka's gaze swept over the group inside, taking in the kitchen, the team, the general atmosphere. "I built something of my own. Far away. Karkas. My cult—my family. We do things differently. But I heard about Sky Boys. Heard about you. Thought it was time we talked. As old friends. As new… rivals, maybe."
The word hung in the air. Orced's smile didn't waver, but his eyes sharpened. He hadn't known. Not a single rumor had reached him about Florka forming his own group. This was new. This was big. Behind him, the team had gone quiet, sensing the shift.
Kruna's hand rested casually near his blades.
Ema's bow was suddenly closer.
But Orced kept his voice light. "Rivals?
We're all fighting the same fight, aren't we? Come in. Have some tea. Eriky just made a fresh pot."
Florka stepped inside, his followers staying outside for now.
His eyes scanned the room once more, lingering on the new faces, the weapons, the map on the wall.
The two old friends stood facing each other in the kitchen, the air suddenly thick with unspoken history and new possibilities.
Sky Boys had just gained a rival. And Orced hadn't seen it coming.