The door of the Silver Ember creaked softly as Ivory stepped inside. Her smile cut through the warm haze of the tavern like a beacon.

  Lunara immediately jumped to her feet, her golden eyes shining with genuine joy. Without thinking, she reached out to touch Ivory’s arm—but the princess instinctively flinched, and the Kitsune froze.

  "Oh! I'm sorry," Lunara whispered hastily, letting her hand fall. "I forgot you don’t like that." Her face was visibly embarrassed, but her voice remained warm. "Come, sit down. Arnold brewed some tea for you—chamomile with honey. After a long day, it’s probably better than…" She shot a teasing glance at Aaron, who was casually swirling a tankard of Dragonfire Ale.

  “Alcohol?” Ivory finished her sentence with a soft smile as she took a seat. “Thank you, Lunara. I never drink beer or wine anyway.”

  At the far end of the table, Zaphara, who had been sitting quietly until now, suddenly leaned forward. Her icy blue gaze softened into a gentle smile as she carefully pushed the steaming teacup toward Ivory.

  “Chamomile soothes the nerves. Perfect after a day like this, wouldn’t you agree?” Her voice was smooth, almost maternal. Exactly what the princess needs, she thought.

  Aaron, unfazed, simply grinned. “Well, more for me then!” He took a deep gulp before slamming the tankard onto the table with a loud thud. “But why no beer? Even a dwarf child drinks stronger stuff!”

  Ivory’s smile deepened. “My mother forbade it. She always said: ‘A clear mind is your greatest ally.’ And she was right—like she was about most things.”

  "A wise woman," Zaphara remarked with feigned admiration. "Her wisdom clearly lives on in you." She gestured discreetly toward Talon, who sat off to the side, his hood pulled low over his face. "Our friend over there could use some of that clarity tonight."

  Ivory followed her gaze. "Talon? What's wrong? You seem... down."

  The addressed man flinched, as if someone had jolted him from a nightmare. “Nothing… just tired,” he muttered, though his blood-red eyes flickered briefly as they locked onto Zaphara.

  The ice witch ignored him with practiced ease. "He met an elf today—Fionna. A trusted companion of your father’s, and yours as well, correct?" Her voice dropped to a hushed whisper. "She had to leave suddenly, and now he’s brooding over whether he’ll ever see her again."

  Ivory’s eyes lit up. "Fionna? Of course, I know her! She often travels to the neighboring kingdoms. If you’d like, I can arrange a meeting for you!"

  Talon sat up straighter, a flicker of hope in his gaze. "Really?"

  "Of course!" Ivory beamed. "She may be strict, but she has a kind heart. I’m sure you two would get along well."

  "Oh, that would be great," Talon's voice was laced with a mix of relief and uncertainty. He brushed a dark strand of hair from his forehead, averting his gaze as if trying to escape the sudden attention of the group.

  For a moment, an unusual silence settled over the table, broken only by the clinking of mugs and the murmur of other tavern-goers. Then, Lunara spoke up:

  "I think we should toast—even if Ivory doesn’t drink." With a playful nudge of her shoulder against Aaron’s arm, she made his tankard slosh. "To new acquaintances and new chances, right?"

  Zaphara merely raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering in her gaze. "Cheers," she said simply, raising her wine goblet to her lips. "May your plans succeed, Talon."

  Aaron wasted no time. He lifted his tankard high, nodding toward Talon. “If you need help, just say the word. And if this elf turns out to be less ‘strict but kind-hearted’ than the princess claims…” He shrugged with a wide grin. “…then she’ll have to deal with all of us.”

  Ivory chuckled softly, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. For a fleeting moment, she wasn’t a princess, not a potential future ruler of a kingdom—just a young woman enjoying the company of her friends. She lifted her teacup. “Then I’ll drink with you,” she said, lightly tapping her cup against Aaron’s tankard before taking a sip.

  But the moment quickly dissolved into the lively bustle of the tavern once more.

  The door swung open and shut as regulars and travelers came and went, and the air filled with laughter and the rhythmic clatter of plates and mugs. With each passing second, the Silver Ember grew louder and more alive—almost as if trying to wash away the group’s darker thoughts. The clinking of tankards and the murmur of voices painted a picture of warmth and sanctuary—a fleeting island of comfort amidst the courtly intrigues that Ivory knew all too well.

  Lunara leaned in closer to her. “I thought you were still at that important meeting,” she whispered, careful not to draw the others’ attention. “Is it already over? Or…?”

  Ivory lowered her gaze to her teacup. For a heartbeat, she hesitated.

  “I left early. It was… unpleasant.” She placed a hand against her temple, brushing her fingers through her hair as if trying to physically shake off the memory. "I was invited to discuss potential alliances. But all I felt were eyes watching my every move—judging me. I just had to get out."

  Lunara understood that feeling all too well, and her golden eyes softened in quiet empathy. “Being watched, being judged… you’ll probably never truly escape that, will you?”

  Ivory gave a small, weary shrug, her smile tinged with melancholy. "It comes with the territory as long as I’m considered a contender for the throne. But tonight, I just didn’t want to endure it."

  Aaron, who had been absorbed in his now nearly empty tankard, leaned back in his chair. "Well, here at the Silver Ember, you don’t need to keep up any facade. If anyone looks at you the wrong way, just say the word—because then we’ll handle it the dwarf way.” He winked, but there was sincerity in his voice.

  As their conversation continued, Seraphion could be seen at the bar, talking to the innkeeper. He appeared to be signing something.

  Zaphara followed the scene with mild curiosity before raising a brow. “What’s taking him so long? He was only supposed to register our group name with the guild, wasn’t he?”

  "Half Light," Talon reminded her purposefully. Taking a sip from his drink, he added dryly, "He’s so proud of the name—just let him have his moment."

  Lunara chuckled. “It does seem fitting for him. Once he has an idea, he just has to see it through.”

  Aaron grinned. “Hey, nothing wrong with enthusiasm. Better than just sitting around.”

  A few moments later, Seraphion returned, casting a conspiratorial glance at the group before settling into his seat.

  “That was harder than I expected,” he admitted, exhaling. Yet his eyes gleamed with satisfaction. “But it’s done—Half Light is now officially registered with the guild. So, when we go on our next adventure, we have a name to stand under.”

  He leaned back, a satisfied look in his eyes, while Aaron gave him an approving nod.

  Then, Zaphara quietly cleared her throat, her cool but perceptive gaze settling on Ivory.

  “When do you plan to return to Elysia?” she asked casually. “The capital isn’t exactly nearby. Do you already have a plan?”

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  Ivory took a sip of her tea before answering. “I was originally planning to leave in a few days, but thanks to Fionna, I might be leaving tomorrow or the day after. She’s heading that way, so I can travel with her. I can ride a horse myself, but she insisted on accompanying me.”

  At the mention of Fionna, Talon instinctively perked up. He tried to mask his curiosity, but Zaphara caught the brief flicker in his crimson eyes. She knew how much that encounter had been on his mind.

  With a thoughtful tilt of her head, she turned back to Ivory. “Do you think we could come along?” she asked with feigned innocence, though there was a clear scheme beneath her tone. “That way, Talon would have a chance to speak with Fionna again. And if we’re in Elysia, we might have some business of our own to attend to.”

  Talon, suddenly the center of attention, cleared his throat awkwardly. “Uh… well… if it’s not a problem…” He fidgeted slightly, as if aware that Zaphara was pushing an agenda of her own.

  Ivory smiled warmly. “Of course, you can come. Fionna won’t mind. I just thought you all planned to stay in Kean a little longer?”

  Lunara exchanged a glance with Aaron and Seraphion. “I don’t mind leaving sooner. Maybe it’s time we start proving ourselves as Half Light.”

  Aaron grunted in agreement and downed the last of his ale in one final gulp. "Heading to Elysia sounds like a chance to earn some coin. And maybe enjoy a cold beer or two. The Dragonfire here is decent, but who knows what they serve in the capital?"

  Seraphion chuckled briefly. "That’s what you're thinking about first? I was considering new contracts or making connections with influential people."

  Ivory smiled as she listened to their exchange. But for a brief moment, her expression darkened, as if remembering all the political maneuvering that awaited her in Elysia.

  "Of course, you can accompany me," she said eventually. "I’m really glad I won’t have to travel there alone. There are… plenty of things waiting for me there." She sighed softly before regaining her composure.

  Zaphara observed her carefully, her mind already working on the next step. Perfect. She leaned back slightly, casting a satisfied glance at Talon.

  "Very well. Then we should all prepare for the journey. And Talon can look forward to seeing Fionna again, right?"

  Talon merely nodded, lost in thought, his mind already drifting back to the enigmatic elven woman.

  For a moment, a contemplative silence settled over the table, each of them occupied with their own plans and reasons for making this journey.

  Eventually, Seraphion broke the quiet. He leaned forward slightly, his tone neutral yet carrying a sense of importance.

  "That brings me to something we should have discussed long ago: What exactly are our goals?" His voice was calm, but there was an undeniable urgency to it. "Not just regarding Elysia—but in general. We've given ourselves a name, Half Light, but who are we? What do we want to accomplish in this world?"

  His gaze moved from Zaphara to Aaron, from Talon to Lunara, and finally to Ivory.

  "Maybe now is the right time to talk about it…"

  Zaphara studied Seraphion for a moment, her icy blue eyes unreadable before she finally spoke.

  "My goals are none of your concern," she said simply, her voice devoid of arrogance. "I've traveled alone for years, and I have my reasons for that."

  Her curt reply left a brief, awkward pause. Lunara exchanged a puzzled look with Aaron, who simply snorted and shook his head, while Talon barely concealed his irritation. But before anyone could respond, Ivory's gentle voice intervened.

  "That's alright, Zaphara," she said softly. "We have time. If you ever feel comfortable enough, you can tell us—or not. I don’t want to pressure you."

  Zaphara blinked, momentarily caught off guard. A flicker of unspoken gratitude passed through her expression before she retreated into silence once more. She met Ivory's gaze and muttered a barely audible, "Thank you," before lowering her head.

  Aaron crossed his arms dramatically, grinning. "Great, so much for discussing our goals. We’re just as clueless as before." His voice was laced with playful sarcasm, but a mischievous sparkle in his eyes betrayed his amusement.

  Seraphion cleared his throat slightly, clearly trying to steer the conversation back on track.

  "Well… I suppose I’ll go next. I wasn’t exactly traveling by choice when I ended up here. I… was exiled from my homeland."

  The words hung in the air for a moment. Lunara furrowed her brows in surprise, and even Zaphara cast him a quick sidelong glance.

  Seraphion hesitated, then continued, his voice carrying the weight of past pain.

  "There was a misunderstanding—a… conflict. My family believed I had done something I never did. And instead of hearing me out, they cast me out." His hand instinctively moved to his chest, as if trying to steady himself. "I want to find a way back and set things right. For that, I need allies. Maybe Half Light can help me clear my name."

  Aaron stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Hmm, exiled… Not exactly a pleasant situation. No one forced me to leave, but…" He hesitated for a moment before lowering his voice, as if confessing a secret. "I never felt worthy of staying with my family."

  Ivory leaned in slightly, genuine curiosity in her eyes. "Why?"

  Aaron sighed. "My people are blacksmiths. My father, my brother—they’re masters of their craft. I… was never as skilled as them."

  "But how did you end up here?"

  "There was an accident in our forge. My father was injured—he can’t walk anymore. I… blamed myself, even though no one else did." He shrugged, his voice unusually subdued. "The truth is, my craftsmanship was never as good as my brother’s. I felt like dead weight. So I left. Since then, I’ve been traveling, promoting my family's weapons without anyone knowing I'm related to them. It’s my way of making up for what happened."

  Lunara, who had been listening intently, lowered her ears slightly, visibly moved by his story. She briefly squeezed his hand in a quiet show of sympathy. "I'm… sorry," she whispered before clearing her throat and shifting her gaze to Seraphion, then to Ivory and the others.

  "I guess I’ll go next," she said hesitantly. "I’m searching for my sister, Yuna. We’re Kitsune, but we weren’t together for long. There was… an accident in our childhood, and we got separated. Since then, I have no idea where she is. If she’s even still alive…"

  She trailed off, the old wound clearly still raw. Her gaze darkened.

  "Only Kaito might know. He…" Her voice faltered. It was unclear whether anger or grief flickered in her eyes—perhaps both. "It’s complicated." She winced, playing nervously with her fingers. "But no matter what, I’ll find Yuna. I have to."

  A brief silence followed before Talon finally spoke, his reluctance evident.

  "I don’t have a real goal," he admitted. "I just knew I had to get away from my family."

  Aaron tilted his head. "Why? Who is your family, anyway?"

  Talon’s jaw tightened, his red eyes briefly flashing with something unreadable. "That… doesn’t matter. It’s better if you don’t know." He shrugged, his tone detached, as if shutting the topic down completely. "I needed distance. That’s all you need to know."

  The group exchanged uneasy glances, but no one pressed further. Even Aaron, who was usually blunt, decided against pushing for more answers.

  Finally, everyone’s gaze shifted toward Ivory.

  Lunara voiced the thought on everyone’s mind: "And you, Ivory? What is your goal?"

  Ivory swallowed, feeling the weight of their attention. She took a deep breath before lifting her head.

  "I want to help people. Anyone in need, anyone suffering. I want to make sure no one ever feels like they have to stand alone in the darkness."

  She gently placed her hand on the rim of her teacup, as if drawing strength from it. “My mother is dead, and my father is burdened with his duties as king. Many people expect me to one day ascend the throne—or to fight my sisters for it. I have always felt responsible for the well-being of others. Maybe it’s naive, but… I don’t want them to lose themselves in these political games. I don’t seek to gain the greatest power, but rather to be a beacon of hope. A symbol, one that cannot simply be erased just because it’s inconvenient.”

  Her voice was steady, her words anchored by something deep within her. In the eyes of her companions, there was a glimmer of respect, though some carried a faint hesitation—as if they feared that Ivory’s lofty ideals would never survive the cutthroat intrigues of the court.

  It was Aaron who finally broke the silence. “Well, that’s quite a declaration. Better than my plan to visit every tavern in the kingdom.” He smirked crookedly, but there was genuine admiration in his voice.

  Zaphara nodded slowly, and for the first time that evening, her smile seemed sincere. “That sounds… noble, Ivory.”

  Seraphion let his gaze sweep across the group. “So, we all have our own goals—some clearer than others. But at least now we know what drives each of us… more or less.”

  Only now did they realize how quiet their table had become. All around them, the Silver Ember pulsed with life—laughter, clinking dishes, and lively conversations filling the air. But at their table, the world seemed to pause for just a moment.

  Ivory offered a small, tentative smile. “Thank you for sharing your stories.”

  Seraphion returned her smile. “We may not be able to share everything with each other. But at the very least, we should be close enough to trust one another when it counts.”

  Lunara, Aaron, Zaphara, and Talon all nodded—each carrying their own uncertainties, but also a newfound connection. Doubts and ambitions flickered across their faces, while the night slowly settled over the kingdom.

  Ivory took one last sip from her cup before setting it down with a soft clink. “I think I’ll turn in for the night,” she said quietly, offering them a tired but warm smile. “It’s been a long day, and we still have much ahead of us.”

  She stood, running a hand through her hair before looking at each of them in turn. “Let’s meet tomorrow at eight, right here in front of the tavern, okay? Then we can set out together… and take the next step.”

  Aaron lifted his tankard in a casual salute. “I’ll be there—on dwarven time, of course.” He grinned, and even Lunara’s lips twitched in amusement.

  “Goodnight, Ivory,” Seraphion said, while Zaphara and Talon simply nodded, both lost in thought.

  Ivory cast one last glance around the table, grateful for this fragile sense of belonging. “Then… until tomorrow.”

  With a graceful turn of her cloak, she walked away, the lively hum of the Silver Ember fading behind her.