The lantern produced long, restless shadows over the wooden walls, flickering just barely. Apart from the occasional groan of the old flooring under the weight of its two occupants, the room was still. Kaiser sat at the edge of the bed, his forearms resting on his knees and his posture slumped. His fingers were entwined, and his face seemed carved from stone. It was unmoving, far-off, immersed in thoughts that carried him far from the present.

  Sabel Stoorm.

  That name had surfaced from the past like a corpse drifting back to shore, and it clung to him, dragging him down into the cold depths of his own mind. Aria, watching him from where she sat beside him, frowned. She hated this.

  It was rare to see Kaiser this withdrawn. Usually, he was focused and decisive, joking even, but now? Now he looked like he was locked in some invisible battle, wrestling with something she couldn’t see. And Aria wasn’t the kind of person to sit around and let her friend spiral into whatever dark pit was calling his name.

  She scooted closer and gave him a solid bump with her shoulder.

  Nothing.

  She did it again, this time harder.

  Still nothing.

  Aria pursed her lips, squinting at him. ‘Alright, then.’ She leaned back slightly, gathered momentum… And then full-body slammed into him all her might.

  Kaiser jolted slightly, blinking as he finally turned his head toward her. “…What the hell are you doing?” Aria grinned. ‘Finally, a reaction.’

  “Trying to knock the brooding out of you,” she said casually, shifting to sit cross-legged beside him. “You looked like you were about to start writing tragic poetry.”

  Kaiser exhaled from his nose, half a sigh, half buried chuckle. “That’s the approach you went with?” Aria leaned back, and on her face was a victorious grin “Hey, it worked, didn’t it?”

  Kaiser shook his head, a small, almost imperceptible smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. It was faint and barely there, but Aria saw it.

  “See? Progress.” She smirked back at him, nudging his arm again, this time playfully. He sighed, rolling his shoulders as if trying to physically shake off whatever had latched onto him. "And what exactly do you want me to do instead?"

  “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe stop being a depressing pile of angst for five minutes?”

  “I’m not—”

  “You are.”

  Kaiser gave her a flat look, but Aria only grinned wider.

  “Come on,” she said, hopping up to her feet in one smooth motion. “I refuse to let you sit here and brood all night like some tragic villain. We’re going outside.”

  Kaiser raised a brow at her. “And if I say no?”

  Aria didn’t even hesitate. She grabbed both of his wrists and yanked. Caught off guard, Kaiser stumbled to his feet, barely managing to regain his balance as Aria practically dragged him out of his own head.

  “Then it's a good thing you don’t get a choice,” she said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

  As they made their way down the wooden stairs, Kaiser noticed something strange, and that was that the inn had grown quieter since earlier as most of the rowdy patrons had either retired to their rooms or stumbled out into the night, leaving behind an almost peaceful atmosphere. The air carried the warm scent of burning firewood and the faint tang of ale.

  Kaiser’s sharp eyes scanned the room instinctively, taking note of something immediately.

  Krava was gone. Instead, standing behind the reception desk was a completely different woman. She looked entirely ordinary, her short brown hair was tied into a loose bun, and she was wearing a simple tunic with an apron draped over it. She was flipping idly through a large leather-bound book, her fingers trailing over the pages as if checking the registry.

  Kaiser slowed his steps slightly, watching her from the corner of his eye as they passed. The woman barely acknowledged them beyond a brief glance before returning to her work, turning a page with a quiet rustle.

  A sharp tug at his wrist.

  Kaiser barely had a moment to react before Aria yanked him forward, her grip strong, her steps quick and eager. He stumbled after her, caught between resistance and amusement, watching as she weaved through the narrow paths between tables with ease, her pink hair bouncing slightly with each step.

  “Are you seriously dragging me through the inn like I’m some lost child?” Kaiser muttered, barely dodging a chair before he was forced through the last row of tables. “You’d just stand there forever if I didn’t,” Aria shot back over her shoulder, her voice light and teasing. “Besides, you need fresh air.”

  “I need a drink.”

  “We just drank and ate.”

  “Then I need another drink.”

  She huffed a small laugh but didn’t let go. With one last pull, she led him to the wooden doors of the inn and pushed them open.

  A blast of cold air hit Kaiser’s face like a sudden wave, sharp and bracing against his skin. The contrast was startling. Just moments ago, he had been in the dim, warm confines of the inn, the air heavy with the scent of food, alcohol, and the low murmurs of weary travelers. But out here, everything was alive.

  The quiet chatter of the inn was swallowed by the sounds of the street—the metallic clang of a blacksmith finishing his last work for the day, the creak of wooden stalls being shut, the distant calls of merchants securing their goods. The city had been bustling earlier, but now, as the sun sank beneath the horizon, the streets were thinning out.

  Aria exhaled deeply, tilting her head back to gaze at the deepening sky. “See?” she said, her voice softer now. “Better, right?”

  Kaiser blinked a few times, still adjusting to the openness of it all. He hadn’t even realized how heavy the inn had felt, how suffocating its walls had been. He hated to admit it, but, “…Yeah,” he murmured, glancing at her. “Better.”

  She beamed at him, pleased with herself. “I’m always right.”

  “Debatable.”

  “Undeniable.”

  She didn’t let go of his hand. Instead, she gave it another small tug, slower this time, more gentle. Without another word, she led him forward, guiding him into the winding streets of the city.

  Lanterns of the streets bloomed with bright pink fire, a strange glow that wasn’t quite flame, nor was it simple magic. The light moved, swirled, danced within the glass cage, casting shifting patterns of lilac and deep indigo along the cobbled roads. Each lantern held a trapped, living wisp, tiny spirits that flickered and spun like fireflies, illuminating the night in all of its beauty.

  They passed by a small, round fountain, where water flowed unnaturally upward before cascading back down in thin, twisting ribbons. The fountain had no visible pipes, no enchantments carved into its stone, just a simple plaque resting at its base.

  Kaiser glanced at it as they walked by.

  Water given by a generous heart will always find its way home.

  ‘What a strange saying.’ Kaiser thought to himself

  A few children ran past them, chasing after floating, glowing golden coins that rushed through the air like little birds. Street magicians still lingered at corners, performing simple tricks for whatever coin the night could spare.

  Kaiser had seen many strange things in his life, but this city, even in the quiet lull of night felt undeniably magical.

  Aria had been glancing at him every now and then, her lips tugged up in the faintest of smiles every time she did so. “You’re looking around a lot,” she noted, tilting her head.

  Kaiser blinked, turning his gaze back to her. “…Is that a bad thing?”

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  “No,” Aria said, her grin widening. “It’s just funny.”

  “Funny how?” Kaiser asked, his tone dry but curious.

  Aria smirked, “You always act like you’ve seen everything before. But you haven’t, have you?”

  Kaiser didn’t answer right away. The question caught him off guard. He’d been to countless places, crossed lands most people wouldn’t dare to venture into. But when was the last time he’d simply walked through a city and let himself take it all in? Not as a soldier, not as a general, not as someone always on the hunt or being hunted. Just… as a person.

  “…I suppose not,” he admitted finally, his voice quieter than he intended. Aria hummed, swinging their joined hands slightly as they walked. “I think that’s a good thing.”

  Kaiser raised an eyebrow at her. “Why?”

  “Because it means you can still be surprised.”

  He huffed a quiet laugh, shaking his head. “That’s an optimistic way of looking at it.” Aria shrugged, her expression soft but teasing. “Hey, someone has to balance out all your doom and gloom.”

  Kaiser smirked, glancing at her. “So that’s your role now?”

  Aria grinned. “It’s a tough job, but someone’s gotta do it.”

  They passed by a bakery that was closing up for the night, the warm scent of cinnamon and fresh bread still lingering in the air. The owner, a short elderly man with a beard dusted in flour, was packing up trays of leftover pastries. He caught Aria’s gaze and gave a small nod before tossing something in her direction.

  Aria reacted instantly, letting go of Kaiser’s hand to catch it midair. She turned it over in her palm, a small, golden pastry that was still warm. “On the house,” the old man said gruffly. “For young love.”

  Aria’s face turned bright red. “W-We’re not—” But the old man had already turned away, waving her off with a chuckle. Kaiser looked at her, one brow raised in amusement. “You gonna eat that, or just stand there blushing?”

  Aria shot him a glare, then ripped the pastry in half and shoved one piece into his hand. “Shut up and eat.” Kaiser smirked but complied, biting into the soft, flaky crust. It was sweet, buttery, with a hint of spice. It tasted… warm.

  Aria took a bite of hers as well, her expression instantly softening. “Gods, this is good.”

  They chewed in comfortable silence, strolling through the streets as the wisp-lit lanterns cast their eerie glow. The world felt quieter, smaller—just the two of them walking through an unfamiliar city, sharing a warm pastry beneath a sky full of stars.

  Kaiser dusted the last few crumbs from his fingers, watching the bakery owner disappear into the back of his shop. He exhaled, letting the warm aftertaste linger on his tongue before glancing at Aria. “That man must have good eyes,” he mused.

  Aria turned to him with a puzzled expression. “Huh?”

  Kaiser smirked. “He mistook me for someone your age.”

  There was a brief pause, then, Aria’s eyes narrowed in mischievous curiosity. “Wait a second—how old are you even?”

  Kaiser hesitated, his expression darkening slightly, as if she’d just asked him to recall a particularly annoying memory. A muscle twitched in his jaw, and for a moment, he just stared at her like she’d personally offended him. Finally, he sighed, rubbing his temple. “Young enough.”

  Aria gasped in exaggerated horror. “That’s exactly what an old man would say!”

  Kaiser glared at her. “I am not old.”

  “That’s what all old men say!”

  Kaiser let out a slow, measured breath. “You’re really annoying to talk to, you know that, right?” But Aria grinned, unfazed. “You keep saying that, but you still talk to me all the time.”

  “Unfortunate circumstance,” he muttered, though the faintest hint of a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

  "Oh, shut up." She nudged his arm. "Seriously, how old are you?"

  Kaiser folded his arms, staring ahead. "...Old enough to know better than to answer that question."

  Aria groaned. "Oh come on."

  They kept walking, their conversation drifting between light teasing and silence, with Aria occasionally pointing out some strange new sight in the city. One particular vendor was selling glass butterflies, enchanted to flutter around their owners for a full day before dissolving into harmless specks of light. Another performer on the street played a strange instrument made of silver rings that hummed like a chorus of voices when touched.

  The city was alive, even in its quieter moments, and eventually, after then more than an hour of exploration, they reached the city gates.

  The massive archway loomed over them, manned by only a handful of guards who looked more bored than alert. Aria glanced toward the small wooden guardhouse at the side of the road and walked up to it, knocking on the counter to get the attention of the man slouched behind it.

  As Aria stepped into the small guardhouse by the city gates, Kaiser lingered just outside, his gaze drifting toward the towering walls that enclosed the city. The night had settled fully now, casting the world in deep blues and purples, but the streets still glowed with the remnants of lanternlight.

  Inside, the guardhouse was surprisingly warm, as it was lit by a single enchanted crystal hanging from the ceiling, humming with faint golden light. The scent of parchment and old leather filled the space, mixing with the faint aroma of ink.

  The guard behind the wooden desk was older, but not in the frail way. He had the build of someone who had spent his life standing watch, with broad shoulders and an easy smile hidden beneath a well-groomed mustache. His uniform was a bit loose on him, as if he had once been much bulkier, but his presence remained steady, reassuring.

  He glanced up as Aria approached, his sharp gray eyes softening with a flicker of recognition. "Ah, another pair heading out for the night?" he said, his voice deep but kind.

  Aria nodded eagerly. "Yes! We’d like four tickets, please."

  The guard reached beneath the counter, pulling out a small metal case. When he opened it, a soft shimmer filled the air—the teleportation tickets inside were beautiful, each one engraved with a swirling symbol that pulsed faintly. They almost looked like tiny mirrors, reflecting the world in strange, distorted ways.

  He plucked four from the case and slid them across the desk. "Press your thumb in the center for five seconds when you’re ready to leave. Same thing when you want to return, just make sure you’re within the designated zones outside the city, or you might find yourself dropping into a river or a tree."

  Aria chuckled as she scooped up the tickets, careful with them.

  Then, just as she was about to turn away—

  "You planning to play Firefight?" the guard asked casually, his tone light.

  Aria froze mid-step. "Wait—what?" she blurted, spinning back around. Her blue eyes sparkled with excitement. "Did you say Firefight? People are playing it outside?!"

  The guard chuckled. "That’s the usual crowd this time of night. Festival season's over, but some folks never stop." He leaned on the desk, stroking his mustache. "You interested?"

  Aria beamed. "Yes!"

  The guard grinned, shaking his head. "Figured as much." He reached beneath the counter again, rummaging through a different drawer before pulling out a pair of simple white gloves.

  The guard tossed them onto the desk. "If you're playing, you’ll want to wear these. Otherwise, your hands’ll be covered in firelights before you know it."

  Aria eagerly picked up a pair, slipping them onto her fingers. The material was soft but firm, woven with something slightly slick, like silk mixed with leather.

  "The lights don’t stick to them?" she asked, flexing her fingers.

  The guard nodded. "They only latch onto bare skin or natural surfaces. The gloves let you catch and throw without getting tagged yourself. I’d rather not be peeling firelights off people all night, so trust me, wear them." The guard spoke, but Aria was so excited that she ran for the doors, barely able to hide her excitement for the game that was to come.

  Aria stepped out of the guardhouse, her expression unreadable as she approached Kaiser. The soft glow of lanterns cast a warm light over the emptying streets, but the only thing Kaiser focused on was the small bundle of white fabric in her hands.

  She stopped in front of him, wordlessly pressing a pair of gloves into his chest.

  "Put them on," she said.

  Kaiser didn’t move to take them immediately. His red eyes flickered between her face and the gloves, waiting for some kind of explanation.

  Aria gave him none.

  Instead, she turned and started walking toward a circular platform near the gates. It was smooth and polished, its marble-like surface engraved with the same intricate symbol that had been stamped onto the tickets. The platform was large enough for multiple people to stand on, but right now, it was empty, just waiting to take them somewhere.

  Kaiser glanced at the gloves in his hands before slipping them on, feeling the snug fit over his fingers. His gaze lingered on Aria as she moved, stepping onto the platform as if she had done this a hundred times before.

  She reached into her pocket and pulled out two slim, rectangular tickets, their metallic surface catching the light. With a casual motion, she handed one to Kaiser. "This is how we leave the city," she said simply.

  Kaiser took the ticket without a word, turning it over between his fingers. The engraved symbol on its surface pulsed faintly, like something alive beneath the metal. His grip tightened slightly. The last time he held a ticket like this, he was kidnapped.

  A flicker of hesitation crossed his face. His body remained still, but his mind bristled with instinctual distrust. His eyes flicked back to Aria, searching for any hint of deception. She only gave him a look. One that was patient, expectant, trusting.

  Kaiser exhaled through his nose. ‘Tch. Fine.’

  He stepped onto the platform beside her, the gloves flexing over his fingers as he adjusted them. He turned the ticket over once more before finally speaking. "And what exactly are we doing outside the city?"

  Aria smiled, her tone light and teasing.

  "Sightseeing."