The Next Morning

  Yuki groaned as consciousness crept in like an unwelcome guest, dragging her from the depths of a restless, alcohol-clouded slumber. A pounding headache greeted her, each pulse reverberating through her skull like the relentless beat of war drums. The faint golden rays of sunlight slipping through the wooden shutters felt harsh and intrusive, making her wince as she cracked open her eyes. She shifted slightly under the covers, the soft mattress beneath her doing little to ease her discomfort.

  With a sigh, she stretched her arm, seeking some form of relief, but her hand brushed against something warm. Something soft. Something unexpectedly round.

  Her body froze. The sensation sent an icy jolt through her foggy mind, sharpening her senses in an instant. Slowly, almost fearfully, she turned her head to see what—or who—y beside her.

  Her breath caught in her throat.

  Lirien was there, nestled under the same bnket, her face serene and utterly radiant in the gentle glow of the morning sun. Her auburn hair spilled across the pillow in a mesmerizing cascade, shimmering with rich copper and gold hues that seemed to dance with the light. The slight tan she’d acquired during their travels only enhanced her beauty, a warm contrast against her naturally smooth, fwless skin. She looked like a vision, ethereal and impossibly perfect, as if the goddess of the forest herself had sculpted her from sunlight and autumn leaves.

  But Yuki’s astonishment didn’t end there. The bnket had slipped down during the night, revealing Lirien’s bare shoulders—and far more than Yuki was prepared to see.

  Yuki’s cheeks turned scarlet, a fiery heat spreading across her face and neck. Her wide eyes betrayed a mixture of awe, embarrassment, and panic as they involuntarily lingered for a moment longer than she intended. Lirien’s body was the picture of elegance and grace, every curve accentuated by the golden morning light. The gentle rise and fall of her chest as she breathed deeply in her sleep drew Yuki’s attention against her will, leaving her feeling both flustered and captivated.

  “She’s… beautiful,” Yuki whispered to herself, the words slipping out before she could stop them.

  Her thoughts raced, a chaotic jumble of confusion and mortification. What happened st night?! How did we end up in the same bed? Why is she— Her mind stalled as the memory of their drunken revelry blurred into a frustrating void. She couldn’t recall anything beyond the roaring ughter, the endless mugs of ale, and the vilgers cheering.

  The soft sound of Lirien shifting in her sleep brought Yuki back to the present. The elf let out a quiet hum, her delicate ears twitching as she adjusted her position. The bnket slipped even lower, offering Yuki an even clearer—and entirely unintentional—view.

  A strangled squeak escaped Yuki’s throat as she snapped her gaze to the ceiling, her face burning hotter than a forge. Stop staring! Stop staring! she screamed internally, clenching her fists in a desperate attempt to rein in her spiraling thoughts.

  Panicking, Yuki scrambled to the edge of the bed, her movements clumsy and frantic. Unfortunately, the sheets had other pns. They tangled around her legs, and she tumbled off the mattress with an unceremonious thud.

  “Ugh…” Yuki groaned, rubbing the back of her head as her blush deepened. Her mortification only grew when she gnced up and saw Lirien stir slightly at the sound.

  The elf murmured something incoherent, her lips curling into a soft, sleepy smile as she shifted again, one arm draping zily over the pillow. The motion exposed more of her fwless skin, and Yuki’s eyes widened in sheer panic.

  Nope, nope, nope! Yuki thought, scrambling to her feet and hastily turning her back. She pressed her hands to her fming cheeks, trying—and failing—to banish the image burned into her mind.

  “She’s your friend,” Yuki muttered under her breath, her voice barely above a whisper. “She saved your life. She’s your companion. Don’t be a pervert!”

  Keeping her gaze firmly fixed on the far corner of the room, Yuki spotted her discarded shirt lying in a crumpled heap on the floor. She lunged for it, throwing it on with all the urgency of someone escaping a burning building.

  Her heart was pounding by the time she finally managed to regain a sembnce of composure. As she stood there, clutching the edges of her shirt, she dared a quick gnce over her shoulder. Lirien was still asleep, her expression peaceful and untroubled, blissfully unaware of the turmoil raging within Yuki.

  The sight made Yuki’s chest tighten. Despite her embarrassment, she couldn’t deny the admiration she felt for the elf. Lirien wasn’t just beautiful; she was kind, courageous, and fiercely loyal. And in this quiet moment, Yuki realized just how much she cherished having her by her side.

  “Pull it together,” she muttered, shaking her head as she turned away once more. “It’s going to be a long day…”

  Later That Morning

  Both women eventually dressed and made their way downstairs. Lirien, as composed and graceful as always, carried an air of serene confidence. A faint smirk tugged at the corners of her lips, an unspoken acknowledgment of Yuki’s earlier mortification that she tactfully chose not to address outright. Yuki, however, was a different story. Her cheeks flushed pink every time her gaze accidentally met Lirien’s, and she focused intently on the stairs as if they were the most fascinating thing she had ever encountered.

  The tavern’s main hall was alive with activity. Vilgers bustled about, cleaning up the remnants of the previous night’s festivities. Wooden tables were being wiped down, and the scent of roasted meat and fresh bread lingered in the air, mingling with the cheerful chatter of those gathered for breakfast.

  The tavern owner, a stout man with a booming ugh and a thick mustache, spotted them descending the stairs and greeted them warmly. “Good morning, dies! I trust you enjoyed yourselves st night?” His grin was broad and knowing, making Yuki nearly stumble over her words.

  “Uh… yeah,” Yuki stammered, awkwardly scratching the back of her neck. “It was… eventful.”

  Lirien chuckled softly, stepping forward to ease the moment with her usual charm. “Breakfast sounds like a wonderful idea. What do you have for us today?”

  “Ah, you’re in for a treat!” the owner said, cpping his hands together. “We’ve got fresh-baked bread, golden eggs cooked to perfection, and the finest slices of st night’s roasted boar. And, of course, a little honeyed mead to wash it all down if you’re feeling adventurous.”

  Yuki’s stomach growled audibly at the description, and her embarrassment deepened when Lirien giggled at the sound. They were shown to a cozy table near the hearth, where a serving girl quickly brought out steaming ptes of food.

  The spread was as delightful as promised. The bread was warm and crusty on the outside, soft and airy within, perfect for soaking up the rich, runny yolk of the eggs. The roasted boar was tender and fvorful, its smoky aroma making Yuki’s mouth water as she eagerly dug in.

  “This is amazing,” Yuki said between bites, her tone filled with genuine delight. “I’ve never had anything this good before.”

  Lirien raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a pyful smile. “Never? Surely you’ve eaten better meals than this.”

  Yuki shook her head, too busy savoring the food to respond immediately. After a moment, she managed, “Not like this. Everything tastes… I don’t know, real? Like it was made with care.”

  Lirien ughed softly, the sound as melodic as a wind chime. “You’re acting like this is your first proper meal in years. Though, I’ll admit, the boar is particurly delicious.” She took a delicate bite, her amusement clear in her eyes as she watched Yuki devour the food with unabashed enthusiasm.

  “Stop staring,” Yuki mumbled, her face heating up as she gnced at Lirien, who simply chuckled and shook her head.

  Their banter was interrupted by a young waitress approaching their table with a bright smile. She was a kobold, her scales shimmering a soft gold, and she carried herself with cheerful energy. “Good morning! I hope everything is to your liking?”

  “It’s perfect,” Lirien replied, her tone warm.

  Yuki nodded, swallowing a mouthful of bread. “Yeah, it’s really good. Thank you.”

  The waitress beamed. “Oh, it’s nothing! We’re just so gd you’re enjoying yourselves. And, of course, everyone here is beyond grateful for what you did.”

  Yuki blinked. “What we did?”

  “For saving the vilge!” the waitress excimed. “Those red ants were a nightmare. You two handled them like heroes! Truly amazing work.” She hesitated for a moment, then added with a pyful grin, “And good luck on your date today!”

  Yuki froze mid-bite, her mind grinding to a halt. “D-Date?” she stammered, her voice jumping an octave.

  Lirien’s composed demeanor cracked as her cheeks turned a deep shade of crimson. “I think you’ve misunderstood,” she said quickly, though her voice wavered slightly.

  The waitress giggled, clearly enjoying their flustered reactions. “Oh, no need to expin! You two make a lovely couple. I hope you have a wonderful day!” With that, she spun on her heel and darted off to assist another table, leaving a trail of mischief in her wake.

  For a moment, there was only silence at their table, broken only by the crackle of the hearth.

  Yuki’s face was a vivid red as she stared down at her pte, her mind scrambling for something—anything—to say. Meanwhile, Lirien’s ears twitched uncontrolbly, the tips glowing bright pink as steam metaphorically rose from her head.

  Finally, Yuki managed a weak, “Uh…”

  Lirien groaned softly, burying her face in her hands. “Why does this always happen to us?”

  Neither of them had an answer, so they sat in awkward silence, their flushed faces betraying their inner turmoil.

  The Elder’s House

  Yuki knocked on the elder’s door, the worn wood echoing dully under her knuckles. It swung open almost immediately, revealing the hunched form of the vilge elder—a weathered kobold with scales dulled by age and eyes that gleamed with an enduring wisdom. He offered her a small, tired smile and motioned her inside.

  “Yuki, I see you’ve survived the festival,” he greeted, his voice carrying the faintest chuckle as he gestured toward a wooden chair opposite his cluttered desk.

  “Barely,” Yuki muttered, lowering herself into the seat with a groan. The pounding in her head still lingered, a relentless reminder of the previous night’s revelry. “I’m here to discuss the information you promised us for dealing with the ant queen.”

  The elder’s expression shifted to one of gratitude, and he nodded solemnly. “Ah, yes. You’ve done this vilge a great service. The death of the ant queen will allow our hunters to move freely once more, and our food stores will recover with time. You’ve bought us more than survival—you’ve given us hope.”

  Yuki’s lips quirked into a faint smile. “I’m gd we could help, but we need more specifics about the region—the threats we might face, the y of the nd, and anything unusual you’ve noticed tely.”

  The elder’s smile faded as his features grew grave. He leaned back in his chair, his cwed fingers steepled before him. “This nd is old, Yuki. Older than most would care to admit. You’ve likely noticed that the borders of the southern forest feel… different. Even the air there is heavy, charged with something ancient. Our ancestors spoke of a sealed power buried beneath those woods, though the truth has been lost to time. What concerns me are the whispers—whispers of strange activity in that region.”

  “What kind of activity?” Yuki asked, leaning forward, her tone sharp with curiosity.

  “Our scouts have reported shadowy figures moving under the cover of night. At first, we thought they were bandits, but their movements are too erratic, too deliberate. Even the beasts avoid certain parts of the forest now, areas they once roamed freely. It is as though something unnatural is taking root there.”

  Yuki frowned, the weight of his words sinking in. “Do you think it’s connected to the void corruption we’ve been tracking?”

  The elder’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “It is possible. The void’s influence is insidious, creeping into pces where it is least expected. Without further investigation, I cannot be certain, but I would advise caution. If this is the void, it is not something to be taken lightly.”

  Before Yuki could press further, the door burst open with a loud bang, startling both of them. A young kobold stumbled in, panting heavily, his golden scales glinting in the light as his wide eyes darted between Yuki and the elder.

  “Elder!” the kobold gasped, his voice trembling with panic. “The vilge is under attack!”

  Yuki shot to her feet, adrenaline instantly cutting through her lingering exhaustion. Her hand instinctively flew to the hilt of her weapon. “What kind of attack? Who’s attacking us?”

  The kobold shook his head frantically, his words tumbling out in a rush. “Humans—they came out of nowhere! From their armor and the crest they bear, they’re followers of Lumina! They’re setting fires, cutting down anyone in their path, and they’ve surrounded the vilge!”

  The elder’s face darkened, his calm demeanor fracturing under the weight of the news. “Sound the arm! Gather the vilgers and prepare to defend the town!”

  “I’ll find Lirien and join the fight,” Yuki decred, her voice firm despite the storm of emotions brewing inside her. “We won’t let this vilge fall.”

  As she bolted out the door, the once-peaceful vilge now roared with chaos. Fmes licked at rooftops, and the screams of frightened vilgers filled the air. The acrid stench of smoke stung her nostrils as she raced through the streets. Her earlier embarrassment and lingering fatigue had evaporated, repced by cold determination.

  The scene shifted to Lirien, standing in the midst of a group of kobold and goblin children who huddled together in terror. Her bow was slung across her back, and in her hand, she wielded a short sword, its bde glinting as she deflected a strike from a padin of Lumina.

  “Get behind me!” she barked at the children, her emerald eyes bzing with fierce determination.

  The padin sneered, his silver armor shining with the emblem of Lumina—a radiant sunburst. “Step aside, elf. The will of Lumina spares none who consort with beasts and monsters.”

  Lirien’s lips curled into a snarl. “Your will doesn’t matter here. These children are innocent, and you’ll have to go through me to harm them.”

  The padin raised his bde, his movements precise and practiced. Lirien met him head-on, her sword cshing against his with a sharp ring. She moved with the fluidity of a dancer, dodging strikes and countering with precision. Despite the weight of her weapon compared to his, her speed and skill kept her opponents at bay.

  One of the children whimpered, and Lirien spared a gnce back. “Stay close to the wall! Don’t move until I say!”

  Another padin joined the fray, fnking her, but Lirien twisted away from their coordinated strike, her bde sshing across one’s gauntlet with enough force to stagger him. “Cowards,” she spat, her voice dripping with contempt.

  Her heart pounded as she parried another blow, her mind racing. She couldn’t hold out forever—not against so many. But she wouldn’t retreat. Not while the children depended on her.

  The shouts of vilgers and the csh of steel echoed around her as the chaos of the invasion unfolded, and in the distance, Yuki’s voice rang out like a lifeline: “Lirien! Hold on—I’m coming!”