Chapter Sixty-Nine:

  “A Warm Welcome”

  The battle had ended. The dust had settled. The weight of loss pressed down on what remained.

  But elsewhere, the game played on.

  Raya and Ani stepped cautiously into the room, their breath still visible in the lingering chill from the passage behind them. The moment they crossed the threshold, the heavy wooden door slammed shut with a resounding thud. Before Raya could react, the door shimmered, then vanished, leaving only solid stone behind.

  Ani, unfazed by the abrupt loss of their exit, let out an excited 'woof' and dashed forward. His tail wagged furiously as he ran straight to the silver-haired boy, Arlo, who knelt with an easy smile.

  "Hey, buddy," Arlo said softly, scratching behind Ani’s ears as the glowing wolf eagerly licked his face.

  Raya’s steps slowed, her eyes moving between Arlo and Ani in confusion. They narrowed slightly. Ani didn’t just tolerate him, he knew him. Trusted him. That trust had never been given lightly before. A strange warmth settled over her, hesitant but steady.

  Her attention shifted toward the two others in the room. The robed woman stood with the same composed elegance she had shown during that deadly game with Sterling. Her expression remained calm yet watchful, framed by the soft, flowing blue of her veil.

  Beside her, the old man sat comfortably in a chair near the grand fireplace. His thick coat lined with fur, his piercing eyes watching Raya from behind a heavy white beard, holding the patience of someone who had expected her long before she had expected herself.

  He rose with the unhurried ease of someone accustomed to being listened to, the kind of grace that came not from caution, but from knowing the world would wait for him. He gestured toward the pillows laid out in front of the fire, his voice rich with the confidence of someone who had nothing to prove.

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  "Welcome, Raya, please, take a seat, warm up."

  The fire crackled softly, its steady warmth seeping into Raya’s skin, easing the lingering chill from the frozen descent. The rich scent of burning wood filled the air, blending with the faint aroma of herbs that smoldered somewhere within the embers. This place wasn’t just safe, it was welcoming. The tension in her shoulders began to loosen as she took in the soothing light, the soft cushions, and the quiet comfort of a space untouched by urgency. And yet, beneath that warmth, one truth remained unshaken, these people, whoever they were, had been waiting for her.

  Raya hesitated only a moment before stepping forward, drawn by the fire’s warmth despite her lingering wariness. The plush cushion sank slightly beneath her as she lowered herself onto it, the tension in her muscles slowly unwinding in the heat of the room.

  The old man watched her with quiet patience. With a simple gesture, he opened his palm. A cup of steaming hot cocoa took shape, forming seamlessly within it. A rich aroma of chocolate and sweetness rose into the air. Tiny marshmallows bobbed on the surface, melting slightly as they soaked up the heat.

  "Here," he said, offering it to her. His voice was steady, reassuring. "Don't worry, child. No harm will come to you here."

  Raya’s fingers hovered over the cup for a moment before she finally took it, the warmth of the ceramic seeping into her skin. The scent alone stirred something deep inside her, a whisper of something distant, something safe.

  With casual ease, Arlo settled onto the pillow beside her, his silver hair catching firelight. He said nothing, simply resting his forearms on his knees, watching the flames play.

  Ani, meanwhile, stretched out beside the fire, curling comfortably against the stone hearth, content in a way Raya hadn’t seen in a long time.

  For the first time in her entire life, the silence wasn’t filled with danger. It was peaceful.

  Raya tightened her grip around the warm ceramic of her cup. She turned to the robed woman, watching her carefully as she lowered herself gracefully into a chair at a nearby table. Something about her presence, calm, knowing, made Raya's stomach twist with unease.

  "Who are you?" Raya asked, her voice steady despite the whirlwind of thoughts racing through her mind. Then, more hesitantly, "Are you... her? Are you... Gameweaver?"

  The robed woman did not answer right away. Instead, a quiet amusement glimmered in the crinkle of her eyes behind her veil.

  "In a way, yes," she said smoothly. "In a way, no."

  Raya blinked. "...Okay?"

  The old man chuckled, the sound rich with experience. "You are about to learn many things, young Raya. However, there are things you may know, and things you may not."

  Arlo sighed dramatically, leaning back on his hands. "What the old geezer's trying to say is, you don’t get to see the big picture… yet."