Lara’s Point of View

  Julian giggled, and I grinned down at her. "Is that delicious?" I asked, pointing at the treat she was nibbling on.

  She nodded enthusiastically, cheeks puffed with food, making me smile even wider.

  "You sound like you've met some interesting people," Lian said, her expression softening as she watched her little sister enjoy the snack.

  "Oh, you have no idea," I replied with a grin, my mind flashing to all the chaotic adventures that had brought me here. "But hey, no one's ever been as good as your Queen of Traders. That dwarf sounds like a legend."

  Lian nodded, her gaze sweeping across the bustling kingdom. "She really was."

  I adjusted Julian in my arms, making sure she was comfortable, when Lian suddenly turned to me with a curious look.

  "By the way, may I ask something?"

  I glanced at her, tilting my head slightly. "What is it?"

  "Are Thailon and Caelum part of your long-term party?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

  "Oh yeah, they are. Is it unusual to have a group like ours? Usually, adventuring parties are made up of just one species," I replied, wondering what she was getting at.

  "No, no! There are plenty of adventurers with that kind of setup!" she said, waving her hand dismissively. "You've heard about the great heroes, right?"

  I nodded. "Yeah, of course."

  "Well, everyone knows them, but their party was made up of different species. Their leader had no discrimination at all, and that unity led them to victory!" Lian explained, her enthusiasm contagious.

  "That must have been ni—"

  Before I could finish, a roaring sound filled the air.

  A flying motorcycle shot past us at a ridiculous speed, nearly grazing Lian. The rush of air sent Julian's curls bouncing wildly, and I instinctively stepped back, tightening my grip around her protectively.

  "HEY, WATCH WHERE YOU'RE GOING!" I shouted, heart racing as the rider barely swerved in time to avoid a disaster.

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  Lian let out a breath and dusted herself off. "Well, it's a normal thing here," she said casually, as if near-death experiences by flying vehicles were just part of the scenery.

  Julian blinked up at me, eyes round with wonder. "Sister, is 'normal' when things go whoosh like that?" she asked, pointing at the now-distant motorcycle.

  "Yeah, kinda, Julian," Lian replied, smiling. "Just like when you run too fast and trip over your toys. Only here, 'whoosh' can mean a lot of things."

  Julian's eyes sparkled with understanding. "So, it's okay if I make a mess? Just like the motorcycle? Can I fly too?"

  Lian let out a sigh, her tone turning serious. "Of course not! It’s dangerous. This place is different, Julian. Just because something looks fun doesn’t mean it’s safe. Not everything that goes 'whoosh' is friendly."

  Julian pouted but listened intently.

  "Just like your toy dragons," Lian continued, her voice softer. "They're fun, but they can bite if you’re not careful."

  Julian nodded sagely, as if processing the wisdom of the universe. "Okay, I'll be careful! But I still want to fly someday!" she declared with determination.

  I chuckled, ruffling her hair. "Maybe one day, sweetie. Just not today, okay? For now, let’s focus on exploring this amazing place without getting into trouble."

  Third Point of View

  "Make sure things go smoothly, and let's avoid the chaos that happened before," Thailon said, his tone serious as he leaned against the wall of their hotel room. The tall building they were in loomed over the bustling futuristic kingdom below, its sleek glass fa?ade shimmering under the vibrant lights of the city.

  Hovering vehicles zipped by outside, and holographic advertisements flickered, casting colorful reflections across the streets teeming with life.

  Caelum, sprawled on the sofa, sighed.

  "As if I don't know that," he muttered, running a hand through his disheveled hair. The air in the room was thick with tension, a stark contrast to the vibrant city outside.

  "Bruni did a great job creating this kingdom, but now she needs to be gone for all the bad things to stop," Caelum continued, his expression pensive. He glanced out the large window, where the neon glow of the city cast an otherworldly ambiance.

  "I was annoyed by that little persistent dwarf woman," Thailon said, crossing his arms, "but she did her best to build this area. What do you think her reaction will be when she knows Lara is back?"

  "I don't know. She might be the most delighted," Caelum replied, a hint of hope creeping into his voice.

  "We've done everything we can to bring Lara back, but she came back on her own terms," Thailon said, his eyes narrowing slightly as he thought about the challenges ahead.

  "If she does, I'll do everything to not disappoint her and protect her," Caelum asserted, a fierce determination igniting in his gaze.

  "I think that is my job," Thailon said, the weight of responsibility heavy on his shoulders.

  Suddenly, a sharp knock interrupted their conversation. The door swung open, revealing Liam, his face flushed and breathless. "I brought the sister of the King of Trade here," he announced, leaning against the doorframe for support.

  Before either could respond, a dwarf with striking yellow hair and deep brown eyes entered the room. She was small in stature but carried an undeniable air of authority. Her vibrant hair fell in waves around her shoulders, contrasting with the rugged yet regal attire she wore—gleaming armor adorned with intricate patterns that hinted at her status.

  As the two men turned their attention to her, the atmosphere shifted. There was a gravity to the situation that wasn't lost on them. The dwarf surveyed the room, her eyes flickering from Thailon to Caelum, measuring their reactions.