Remnants Of The Past 3

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<h1><div style="text-align: center;">Remnants Of The Past - Act 3</div></h1> \ <div style="text-align: center;">//You bring good news to the gods as you return to Taoro with the orb in your hands, only to discover that the rest of the achimenceys have not returned. At the same time, a blizzard rages inside one of you, waiting for the moment a certain renegade decides to turn that storm against you all. An aegis stands as flimsy as paper. Its silvered steel conceals a nature as fragile as the scarred skin it used to protect. It would only take a little more pressure to break it completely...//</div> Second act of the ''fantasy, adventure and romance story'' influenced by the Guanche culture where you'll face the destiny the gods have chosen for you and your loved ones. ------- <span class="title">__''Main features:''__</span> *Customise the main character. Choose their gender, appearance, personality, combat style and occupation. *Build and maintain strong friendships with your companions. *Choose one of the four main romance options available and experiment their story intertwined with the main plot. *An extensive codex where all the important information about the story, characters, places and crucial objects will be kept, and it will be updated as you progress in the plot. *Important choices that will shape the destiny of each world and lead to different endings. ------- <span class="title">__''Warning:''__</span> This story contains violence, blood, swearing, some optional sex scenes, and deals with serious topics such as depression, death and drug abuse. If you are sensitive to any of these topics, please proceed with caution. ------- <span class="title">__''Support:''__</span> Want to support this project? Visit <a href="https://patreon.com/RemnantsOfThePast" target="_blank">Remnants Of The Past's Patreon page</a> and consider becoming a patron! You will have access to exclusive content, art, and community posts. Depending on the tier you choose, the rewards may include: *Work-in-progress previews *Sneak peaks of future chapters *Characters Q&A *Characters POVs *Fun short extra scenes with characters *HD illustrations And more! ------- ''If you prefer to play without background music, you can turn off the audio in the options menu. You can access it by clicking the top left of the screen on PC, and the bottom on mobile.'' ''To avoid losing your progress in future updates it is better to save your game with the option "Save to Disk" <<button [[Begin the story|Begin]]>><</button>>

''Warning:'' You can only import your choices if you played the full version of Act 2 on PC. This feature doesn't work on mobile. <<button [[Import your choices from Act Two (PC only)|Import]]>><</button>> <<button [[Create a new character from scratch|New character]]>><</button>>

<<import '$save' 'base64' 'Import Saved Data'>> <div style="text-align: center;">''Click on the button above and select your saved file form Act 2 to import your choices to Act 3. Then, click 'Continue' once you've imported your save file, or go back to create a new character if you don't have one to import.'' <<button [[Continue|Remnants Of The Past - Act 3]]>><</button>> <<button [[Go back|Begin]]>><</button>></div>

<<audio ":all" stop>>\ <<audio "zombieH" loop play>>\ \ The darkness is dense here, almost tangible. Wherever you look, there is only absolute nothingness, yet for reasons you cannot name, fear never takes hold. Not when you hear footsteps circling you. Not even when the thick fur of the creature stalking you brushes against your legs, a silent promise of fangs and claws waiting in the void. Then a sound breaks the stillness behind you, sharp and sudden. The seven-tailed creature recoils at once, fleeing into the shadows, which thin and loosen as a light blooms where none should exist. You turn. The glow spills down from a skylight overhead, pale and steady, and settles on a full-length mirror standing alone in the dark. Drawn to it, you step closer. ''The glass reflects you, and you find yourself staring into the face of…'' <<radiobutton "$gender" "Male" checked>> A man <<radiobutton "$gender" "FTM">> A trans man <<radiobutton "$gender" "Female">> A woman <<radiobutton "$gender" "MTF">> A trans woman <<radiobutton "$gender" "NB">> A non-binary person ------- ''Your hair is...'' <<radiobutton "$hair" "very short" checked>> Very short <<radiobutton "$hair" "short">> Short <<radiobutton "$hair" "medium length">> Medium length <<radiobutton "$hair" "long">> Long <<radiobutton "$hair" "very long">> Very long <<radiobutton "$hair" "shaved">> Shaved ------- ''And...'' <<radiobutton "$hairType" "straight" checked>> Straight <<radiobutton "$hairType" "wavy">> Wavy <<radiobutton "$hairType" "curly">> Curly <<radiobutton "$hairType" "coily">> Coily ------- ''And its colour is...'' <<radiobutton "$haircolour" "black" checked>> Black <<radiobutton "$haircolour" "brown">> Brown <<radiobutton "$haircolour" "light brown">> Light brown <<radiobutton "$haircolour" "red">> Red <<radiobutton "$haircolour" "blonde">> Blonde <<radiobutton "$haircolour" "white">> White ------- ''And your eyes are...'' <<radiobutton "$eyecolour" "black" checked>> Black <<radiobutton "$eyecolour" "brown">> Brown <<radiobutton "$eyecolour" "hazel">> Hazel <<radiobutton "$eyecolour" "green">> Green <<radiobutton "$eyecolour" "blue">> Blue <<radiobutton "$eyecolour" "gray">> Gray ------- ''You are...'' <<radiobutton "$height" "Tall" checked>> Quite tall <<radiobutton "$height" "Average">> Of average height <<radiobutton "$height" "Short">> Rather short ------- ''And your skin is...'' <<radiobutton "$skin" "pale" checked>> Pale <<radiobutton "$skin" "white">> White <<radiobutton "$skin" "olive">> Olive <<radiobutton "$skin" "brown">> Brown <<radiobutton "$skin" "dark">> Dark brown <<radiobutton "$skin" "dark">> Black [[Continue|NC1]]

<<if $gender is "Male" or $gender is "FTM">><<set $Man_Woman to "Man">><<set $man_woman to "man">><<set $He_She to "He">><<set $he_she to "he">><<set $His_Her to "His">><<set $his_her to "his">><<set $Him_Her to "Him">><<set $him_her to "him">><<set $His_Hers to "His">><<set $his_hers to "his">><<set $Himself_Herself to "Himself">><<set $himself_herself to "himself">><<elseif $gender is "Female" or $gender is "MTF">><<set $Man_Woman to "Woman">><<set $man_woman to "woman">><<set $He_She to "She">><<set $he_she to "she">><<set $His_Her to "Her">><<set $his_her to "her">><<set $Him_Her to "Her">><<set $him_her to "her">><<set $His_Hers to "Hers">><<set $his_hers to "hers">><<set $Himself_Herself to "Herself">><<set $himself_herself to "herself">><<else>><<set $Man_Woman to "Person">><<set $man_woman to "person">><<set $He_She to "They">><<set $he_she to "they">><<set $His_Her to "Their">><<set $his_her to "their">><<set $Him_Her to "Them">><<set $him_her to "them">><<set $His_Hers to "Theirs">><<set $his_hers to "theirs">><<set $Himself_Herself to "Themself">><<set $himself_herself to "themself">><</if>>\ \ <<if $height is "Tall">><<if $hair is "shaved">>You observe the image reflected back at you, the face of a $man_woman with $skin skin, $eyecolour eyes and a shaved haircut, but you can see the shadow of its $haircolour colour. In comparison with the mirror, you seem to be a pretty tall person. <<else>>You observe the image reflected back at you, the face of a $man_woman with $skin skin, $eyecolour eyes and $hair, $hairType $haircolour hair. In comparison with the mirror, you seem to be a pretty tall person. <</if>><<elseif $height is "Average">><<if $hair is "shaved">>You observe the image reflected back at you, the face of a $man_woman with $skin skin, $eyecolour eyes and a shaved haircut, but you can see the shadow of its $haircolour colour. In comparison with the mirror, you seem to be of average height. <<else>>You observe the image reflected back at you, the face of a $man_woman with $skin skin, $eyecolour eyes and $hair, $hairType $haircolour hair. In comparison with the mirror, you seem to be of average height. <</if>><<else>><<if $hair is "shaved">>You observe the image reflected back at you, the face of a $man_woman with $skin skin, $eyecolour eyes and a shaved haircut, but you can see the shadow of its $haircolour colour. In comparison with the mirror, you seem to be a pretty short person. <<else>>You observe the image reflected back at you, the face of a $man_woman with $skin skin, $eyecolour eyes and $hair, $hairType $haircolour hair. In comparison with the mirror, you seem to be a pretty short person. <</if>><</if>>Is this the what the reflections shows? *[[Yes, that's me|NC2]] *[[Not really, no|New character]]

Yes. That's you. A distant part of your mind wonders how you could ever have forgotten your own face, as if it were something misplaced rather than lost. But it isn't only your appearance, is it? Your fingers trace your features with hesitant care. Your cheek, your brow, the familiar curve of your mouth... Your gaze locks onto your reflection's eyes, and in them something stirs. A fracture in the fog. A memory not of flesh, but of self. "Right… My name is…" What's your name? <div style="text-align: center;"><<textbox "$name" "Eren">><<textbox "$lname" "Redwing">></div> <<button "Continue">> <<set $name to $name.trim()>> <<set $lname to $lname.trim()>> <<if $name is "" or $lname is "">> <<replace "#name-error">>Please choose a valid first and last name.<</replace>> <<elseif $name is "Rayco" or $name is "Ada" or $name is "Albert" or $name is "Leire" or $name is "Belicar" or $name is "Althos" or $name is "Nisa" or $name is "Arminda" or $name is "Acaymo" or $name is "Abora" or $name is "Alcorac" or $name is "Idaira" or $name is "Fayna" or $name is "Dailos" or $name is "Nauzet" or $name is "Airam" or $name is "Omar" or $name is "Gara" or $name is "Luca" or $name is "Lavina" or $name is "Moneiba" or $name is "Eraorahan" or $name is "Jonay" or $name is "Locto">> <<replace "#name-error">>There's already an important character with that name, please choose another.<</replace>> <<elseif $lname is "Oramas" or $lname is "Arastelia" or $lname is "Terrastar">> <<replace "#name-error">>There's already an important character with that last name, please choose another.<</replace>> <<else>> <<goto NC3>> <</if>> <</button>>    \ <span id="name-error"></span>

"My name is $name $lname." The words are nothing more than a whisper as you look into your eyes, but it's enough for the ground beneath your feet to tremble with a magical heartbeat. Around you, numerous semi-transparent spheres appear, each approaching you and showing a memory from your past. Like when... <<radiobutton "$weapon" "Sword" checked>> You learned to use a sword <<radiobutton "$weapon" "Bow">> You learned archery <<radiobutton "$weapon" "Magic">> You began improving your magical skills ------- They also show you your life in Aelmere, your hometown. When an illness took your mother away, or when strange creatures began appearing in Thaon. "Demons." You feel another pulse in your chest. If it weren't so strong, you'd say it was your heart. But the source of that tremor doesn't come from within you. You remember. The pendant around your neck bears the mark of the gods. Another sphere floats toward you. In it, you see yourself at the entrance of Sorrol, the village where you decided to settle down. At that moment, you decided to change your profession. What was it? <<radiobutton "$job" "Doctor" checked>> Doctor <<radiobutton "$job" "Guard">> Guard <<radiobutton "$job" "Builder">> Builder <<radiobutton "$job" "Keeper">> Tavern keeper [[Continue|NC4]]

<<if $RGLove is true>><<set $RO to "$RG">><<elseif $ALLove is true>><<set $RO to "$AL">><<elseif $LLLove is true>><<set $RO to "$LL">><<elseif $AOLove is true>><<set $RO to "$AO">><</if>>\ \ ''What do you think of $BN?'' *[["You're afraid of " + $BNhis_her + " power"|NC6][$afraidOfB to true]] *[["You're angry at " + $BNhis_her + " attitude"|NC6][$afraidOfB to false]] *<<if $RO is false>>[["You've been having contradictory feelings about " + $BNhim_her + "... (🖤)"|NC6][$BNLove to true]]<<else>>==You've been having contradictory feelings abour $BNhim_her... (🖤)==<</if>>

//"It's time to continue,"// a voice says. You look around to find its owner, only to come across the mirror again. Your reflection watches you, but its movements don't match yours. //"It's time to continue,"// the voice repeats. The You through the mirror. You tilt your head in confusion, raising your hand to slowly place it on the cold surface of the glass. Your reflection disappears with a blast of a bright light that forces you to close your eyes. Then, you hear yourself one last time. //"Our story has only just begun."// <<button "[[Begin story|Remnants Of The Past - Act 3]]">><</button>>

<<if $gender is "FTM" or $gender is "MTF" or $gender is "NB">>''Please choose your specific genitalia for explicit scenes.'' <<radiobutton "$chest" "breasts" checked>> Full breasts <<radiobutton "$chest" "chest">> Pectorals <<radiobutton "$chest" "chest">> Chest <<radiobutton "$crotch" "pussy" checked>> Vagina <<radiobutton "$crotch" "cock">> Penis <<radiobutton "$crotch" "hole">> Hole <<radiobutton "$crotch" "shaft">> Shaft [[Continue|NC23]]<<else>><<goto "NC23">><</if>>

<<button [[Start|Warning]]>><</button>> <<button "Load">><<run UI.saves()>><</button>> <<button "Settings">><<run UI.settings()>><</button>> <a href="https://remnantsofthepast-if.tumblr.com/" target="_blank"><<button "Blog">><</button>></a> <a href="https://patreon.com/RemnantsOfThePast/" target="_blank"><<button "Patreon Page">><</button>></a> <<button [[Credits|Credits]]>><</button>>

<div style="text-align: center;">''For my English readers, this story is written by a Spanish author, so if you come across some peculiarities in the language (like different expressions, or a blend of dialects) fear not, it's all part of the charm. As an apology, here's a cock and a pussy 🐓🐈 *(childish giggling)*'' [[Begin now|Begin]]</div>

<<audio ":all" stop>>\ <<audio "revival" volume 0.5 loop play>>\ \ <<unset $faycansCodex>>\ <<unset $LoctoBG>>\ <<unset $SozaCodex>>\ <<unset $SalvaCodex>>\ <<unset $MICodex>>\ <<unset $nauzet>>\ <<unset $bucanteCodex>>\ <<unset $showDiary3>>\ <<unset $AACodex>>\ <<if $BNRomance >= 3>><<set $BNLove to true>><</if>>\ \ //''[Somewhere, in the middle of a frozen forest…]''// The crunch of light footsteps over the white blanket reaches his ears, a clean, familiar sound that feels comforting after the clash with demons a few hours earlier. Flying hares leap from one branch to another, shaking loose the snow that has gathered and letting it fall in soft little avalanches at the base of the trunks. It is proof that there are no corrupted creatures nearby, and so the man allows himself a moment of rest before continuing his journey. He adjusts the thick bearskin coat more snugly around himself, grateful for its protection against the persistent bite of the cold despite the sun shining brightly in the clear sky. He carefully blows the steaming surface of the mug of tea before bringing it to his lips. He takes a slow sip and closes his eyes as the warmth slides down his throat and spreads through his chest. A satisfied sigh escapes him. With an unhurried gesture, he takes the watch tied at his waist. The chain tinkles softly as it moves, a discreet metallic sound that breaks the stillness for just a moment. He checks the time, and a faint smile curves his mouth. He's doing well. At this pace, he'll reach the city in a couple more days if he keeps to this path. He puts the watch away again, finishes the rest of the tea, and stows the mug and thermos in his pack with movements that have long since become automatic. He rises from the stump where he had been resting and stretches with a low grunt, feeling his joints protest before finally yielding. Then he hoists the pack onto his back. Suddenly, the crunching in the snow grows louder. A small group of deer trots between the trees, and the iridescent sheen of their bodies crosses his field of vision out of the corner of his eye like a fleeting flash. The man watches them go until they vanish into the white forest. Then he turns to retrieve his late wife's old sword from the trunk where he had leaned it. [[Wait. Where's the sword?|1]]

A new sphere replaces the previous one. In it, you see yourself at Tamarant, the tavern, but you are not alone. Who accompanies you? Slowly, you begin to recognize them... <<radiobutton "$AO" "Ada" checked>> Ada, the doctor and lost princess of Thaon <<radiobutton "$AO" "Omar">> Omar, the doctor and lost prince of Thaon ------- <<radiobutton "$LL" "Leire" checked>> Leire, the strong warrior <<radiobutton "$LL" "Luca">> Luca, the strong warrior ------- <<radiobutton "$AL" "Albert" checked>> The cheerful Albert <<radiobutton "$AL" "Lavina">> The cheerful Lavina ------- <<radiobutton "$RG" "Rayco" checked>> Rayco, the secret god of Thaon <<radiobutton "$RG" "Gara">> Gara, the secret goddess of Thaon ------- And also when... <<radiobutton "$BN" "Belicar" checked>> A mysterious man visited you in a dream <<radiobutton "$BN" "Nisa">> A mysterious woman visited you in a dream [[Continue|NC5]]

How would you describe your personality? *[[You think calmly and rationally. You use diplomacy whenever possible|NC7][$diplomacy to 5]] *[[You don't take things too seriously, but who can blame you with the problems you're facing?|NC7][$fun to 5]] *[[You're a bit impulsive, and your attitude can be blunt and sharp|NC7][$blunt to 5]]

<<if $AO is "Ada">>\ <<set $AOMan_Woman to "Woman">>\ <<set $AOman_woman to "woman">>\ <<set $AOHe_She to "She">>\ <<set $AOhe_she to "she">>\ <<set $AOHis_Her to "Her">>\ <<set $AOhis_her to "her">>\ <<set $AOHim_Her to "Her">>\ <<set $AOhim_her to "her">>\ <<set $AOHis_Hers to "Hers">>\ <<set $AOhis_hers to "hers">>\ <<set $AOHimself_Herself to "Herself">>\ <<set $AOhimself_herself to "herself">>\ <<set $AOSon_Daughter to "Daughter">>\ <<set $AOson_daughter to "daughter">>\ <<set $AOPrince_Princess to "Princess">>\ <<set $AOprince_princess to "princess">>\ <<set $AOKing_Queen to "Queen">>\ <<set $AOking_queen to "queen">>\ <<elseif $AO is "Omar">>\ <<set $AOMan_Woman to "Man">>\ <<set $AOman_woman to "man">>\ <<set $AOHe_She to "He">>\ <<set $AOhe_she to "he">>\ <<set $AOHis_Her to "His">>\ <<set $AOhis_her to "his">>\ <<set $AOHim_Her to "Him">>\ <<set $AOhim_her to "him">>\ <<set $AOHis_Hers to "His">>\ <<set $AOhis_hers to "his">>\ <<set $AOHimself_Herself to "Himself">>\ <<set $AOhimself_herself to "himself">>\ <<set $AOSon_Daughter to "Son">>\ <<set $AOson_daughter to "son">>\ <<set $AOPrince_Princess to "Prince">>\ <<set $AOprince_princess to "prince">>\ <<set $AOKing_Queen to "King">>\ <<set $AOking_queen to "king">>\ <</if>>\ \ <<if $LL is "Leire">>\ <<set $LLMan_Woman to "Woman">>\ <<set $LLman_woman to "woman">>\ <<set $LLHe_She to "She">>\ <<set $LLhe_she to "she">>\ <<set $LLHis_Her to "Her">>\ <<set $LLhis_her to "her">>\ <<set $LLHim_Her to "Her">>\ <<set $LLhim_her to "her">>\ <<set $LLHis_Hers to "Hers">>\ <<set $LLhis_hers to "hers">>\ <<set $LLHimself_Herself to "Herself">>\ <<set $LLhimself_herself to "herself">>\ <<set $LLBrother_Sister to "Sister">>\ <<set $LLbrother_sister to "sister">>\ <<elseif $LL is "Luca">>\ <<set $LLMan_Woman to "Man">>\ <<set $LLman_woman to "man">>\ <<set $LLHe_She to "He">>\ <<set $LLhe_she to "he">>\ <<set $LLHis_Her to "His">>\ <<set $LLhis_her to "his">>\ <<set $LLHim_Her to "Him">>\ <<set $LLhim_her to "him">>\ <<set $LLHis_Hers to "His">>\ <<set $LLhis_hers to "his">>\ <<set $LLHimself_Herself to "Himself">>\ <<set $LLhimself_herself to "himself">>\ <<set $LLBrother_Sister to "Brother">>\ <<set $LLbrother_sister to "brother">>\ <</if>>\ \ <<if $AL is "Lavina">>\ <<set $Al_Lavi to "Lavi">>\ <<set $ALMan_Woman to "Woman">>\ <<set $ALman_woman to "woman">>\ <<set $ALHe_She to "She">>\ <<set $ALhe_she to "she">>\ <<set $ALHis_Her to "Her">>\ <<set $ALhis_her to "her">>\ <<set $ALHim_Her to "Her">>\ <<set $ALhim_her to "her">>\ <<set $ALHis_Hers to "Hers">>\ <<set $ALhis_hers to "hers">>\ <<set $ALHimself_Herself to "Herself">>\ <<set $ALhimself_herself to "herself">>\ <<set $ALBrother_Sister to "Sister">>\ <<set $ALbrother_sister to "sister">>\ <<elseif $AL is "Albert">>\ <<set $Al_Lavi to "Al">>\ <<set $ALMan_Woman to "Man">>\ <<set $ALman_woman to "man">>\ <<set $ALHe_She to "He">>\ <<set $ALhe_she to "he">>\ <<set $ALHis_Her to "His">>\ <<set $ALhis_her to "his">>\ <<set $ALHim_Her to "Him">>\ <<set $ALhim_her to "him">>\ <<set $ALHis_Hers to "His">>\ <<set $ALhis_hers to "his">>\ <<set $ALHimself_Herself to "Himself">>\ <<set $ALhimself_herself to "himself">>\ <<set $ALBrother_Sister to "Brother">>\ <<set $ALbrother_sister to "brother">>\ <</if>>\ \ <<if $RG is "Gara">>\ <<set $Ray_Gari to "Gari">>\ <<set $RGMan_Woman to "Woman">>\ <<set $RGman_woman to "woman">>\ <<set $RGHe_She to "She">>\ <<set $RGhe_she to "she">>\ <<set $RGHis_Her to "Her">>\ <<set $RGhis_her to "her">>\ <<set $RGHim_Her to "Her">>\ <<set $RGhim_her to "her">>\ <<set $RGHis_Hers to "Hers">>\ <<set $RGhis_hers to "hers">>\ <<set $RGHimself_Herself to "Herself">>\ <<set $RGhimself_herself to "herself">>\ <<set $RGBrother_Sister to "Sister">>\ <<set $RGbrother_sister to "sister">>\ <<set $RGGod_Goddess to "Goddess">>\ <<set $RGgod_goddess to "goddess">>\ <<elseif $RG is "Rayco">>\ <<set $Ray_Gari to "Ray">>\ <<set $RGMan_Woman to "Man">>\ <<set $RGman_woman to "man">>\ <<set $RGHe_She to "He">>\ <<set $RGhe_she to "he">>\ <<set $RGHis_Her to "His">>\ <<set $RGhis_her to "his">>\ <<set $RGHim_Her to "Him">>\ <<set $RGhim_her to "him">>\ <<set $RGHis_Hers to "His">>\ <<set $RGhis_hers to "his">>\ <<set $RGHimself_Herself to "Himself">>\ <<set $RGhimself_herself to "himself">>\ <<set $RGBrother_Sister to "Brother">>\ <<set $RGbrother_sister to "brother">>\ <<set $RGGod_Goddess to "God">>\ <<set $RGgod_goddess to "god">>\ <</if>>\ \ <<if $BN is "Nisa">>\ <<set $AA to "Arminda">> <<set $BNMan_Woman to "Woman">>\ <<set $BNman_woman to "woman">>\ <<set $BNHe_She to "She">>\ <<set $BNhe_she to "she">>\ <<set $BNHis_Her to "Her">>\ <<set $BNhis_her to "her">>\ <<set $BNHim_Her to "Her">>\ <<set $BNhim_her to "her">>\ <<set $BNHis_Hers to "Hers">>\ <<set $BNhis_hers to "hers">>\ <<set $BNHimself_Herself to "Herself">>\ <<set $BNhimself_herself to "herself">>\ <<set $BNGod_Goddess to "Goddess">>\ <<set $BNgod_goddess to "goddess">>\ <<set $BNSon_Daughter to "Daughter">>\ <<set $BNson_daughter to "daughter">>\ <<elseif $BN is "Belicar">>\ <<set $AA to "Althos">> <<set $BNMan_Woman to "Man">>\ <<set $BNman_woman to "man">>\ <<set $BNHe_She to "He">>\ <<set $BNhe_she to "he">>\ <<set $BNHis_Her to "His">>\ <<set $BNhis_her to "his">>\ <<set $BNHim_Her to "Him">>\ <<set $BNhim_her to "him">>\ <<set $BNHis_Hers to "His">>\ <<set $BNhis_hers to "his">>\ <<set $BNHimself_Herself to "Himself">>\ <<set $BNhimself_herself to "himself">>\ <<set $BNGod_Goddess to "God">>\ <<set $BNgod_goddess to "god">>\ <<set $BNSon_Daughter to "Son">>\ <<set $BNson_daughter to "son">>\ <</if>>\ \ Speaking of your companions, when you think of them, is there someone who stirs new feelings in you? *[["Yes, you feel something for " + $AO|NC22][$AOLove to true]] *[["Yes, you feel something for " + $LL|NC22][$LLLove to true]] *[["Yes, you feel something for " + $AL|NC22][$ALLove to true]] *[["Yes, you feel something for " + $RG|NC22][$RGLove to true]] *[[No, you still see them as the good friends they are|NC22][$RO to false]]

<<if $diplomacy is 5>><<set $fun to 0>><<set $blunt to 0>><<elseif $fun is 5>><<set $diplomacy to 0>><<set $blunt to 0>><<else>><<set $diplomacy to 0>><<set $fun to 0>><</if>>\ \ Again, that sphere fades and another takes its place. You see the fall of Sorrol at the hands of the demons, and how $RG got you to safety and told you the harsh truth: that you are the companion of an achimencey with the mission to save the world from the demons, a mission entrusted by the gods. The spheres keep changing, showing you images of your adventure since then. <h2> __Act 1 Choices__ </h2> ''Did you believe in the gods at first?'' <<radiobutton "$belief" false checked>> No, you never believed in them <<radiobutton "$belief" true>> Yes, you always had faith ------- ''Did Fred survive the ambush at the cathedral?'' <<radiobutton "$FredAlive" false checked>> No, he died <<radiobutton "$FredAlive" true>> Yes, he survived ------- ''What happened to Javier?'' <<radiobutton "$JaviStatus" "Alive" checked>> He survived the battle of Astian <<radiobutton "$JaviStatus" "Wounded">> He survived the battle of Astian, but ended up wounded //(Check this only if __Fred is alive__. Otherwise, this could cause inconsistencies in the plot)// <<radiobutton "$JaviStatus" "Dead">> He got killed by the demons in the battle of Astian, or you decided to end his suffering ------- ''Who did you save in the end?'' <<radiobutton "$AriAlive" false checked>> You helped and purified Lord Hillorwe <<radiobutton "$AriAlive" true>> You helped and purified Arianna ------- ''Who became the new monarch of Thaon?'' <<radiobutton "$AOQK" false checked>> Daira became the heir to the throne of Thaon <<radiobutton "$AOQK" true>> $AO decided to become the $AOking_queen $AOhe_she was always meant to be ------- ''Are you getting corrupted?'' <<radiobutton "$corruption" 0 checked>> No, you're still sane <<radiobutton "$corruption" 3>> You have started to have some strange thoughts, but nothing to worry about <<radiobutton "$corruption" 7>> Sometimes you don't feel like yourself... Perhaps you //are// getting corrupted [[Continue|NC8]]

<h2> __Act 2 Choices__ </h2> ''Who was the merperson you saw in Sisronia's prison?'' <<radiobutton "$MI" "Mako" checked>> Mako Ulkrard <<radiobutton "$MI" "Iasa">> Iasa Ulkrard ------- ''Did you save the leviathan?'' <<radiobutton "$leviathan" true checked>> Yes, you entered her soul and purified her <<radiobutton "$leviathan" false>> No, you decided to kill her ------- ''Did you save the kidnapped merpeople?'' <<radiobutton "$AOscar" false checked>> No, you didn't even try <<radiobutton "$AOscar" true>> You tried but couldn't save anyone <<radiobutton "$AOscar" true>> You saved some, but not all of them <<radiobutton "$AOscar" true>> Yes, you managed to save them all ------- ''Did you attack $BN to save Salva?'' <<radiobutton "$attackBN" false checked>> No, you didn't <<radiobutton "$attackBN" true>> You tried, but $BN was too powerful for you <<if $RGLove is true>>[[Continue|RGNC]]<<elseif $ALLove is true>>[[Continue|ALNC]]<<elseif $AOLove is true>>[[Continue|AONC]]<<elseif $LLLove is true>>[[Continue|LLNC]]<<else>>[[Continue|ElseNC]]<</if>>

<<if $MI is "Mako">><<set $MIMan_Woman to "Man">><<set $MIman_woman to "man">><<set $MIHe_She to "He">><<set $MIhe_she to "he">><<set $MIHis_Her to "His">><<set $MIhis_her to "his">><<set $MIHim_Her to "Him">><<set $MIhim_her to "him">><<set $MIHimself_Herself to "Himself">><<set $MIhimself_herself to "himself">><<set $MIBrother_Sister to "Brother">><<set $MIbrother_sister to "brother">><<set $MI_Merman_Mermaid to "Merman">><<set $MImerman_mermaid to "merman">><<else>><<set $MIMan_Woman to "Woman">><<set $MIman_woman to "woman">><<set $MIHe_She to "She">><<set $MIhe_she to "she">><<set $MIHis_Her to "Her">><<set $MIhis_her to "her">><<set $MIHim_Her to "Her">><<set $MIhim_her to "her">><<set $MIHimself_Herself to "Herself">><<set $MIhimself_herself to "herself">><<set $MIBrother_Sister to "Sister">><<set $MIbrother_sister to "sister">><<set $MIMerman_Mermaid to "Mermaid">><<set $MImerman_mermaid to "mermaid">><</if>>\ \ ''Did you have a date with $MI?'' <<radiobutton "$RGMIS" true checked>> Yes, you had a date with $MI and ended up spending the night with $MIhim_her <<radiobutton "$RGMIS" false>> Yes, you had a date with $MI, but left in the end <<radiobutton "$RGMIS" false>> No, you didn't have a date with $MI ------- ''Did $RG call you //maday//?'' <<radiobutton "$maday" false checked>> No, $RGhe_she didn't <<radiobutton "$maday" true>> Yes, $RGhe_she did //(Check this only if you __didn't__ have a date with $MI. Otherwise, this could cause inconsistencies in the plot)// [[Continue|NC26]]

<<if $MI is "Mako">><<set $MIMan_Woman to "Man">><<set $MIman_woman to "man">><<set $MIHe_She to "He">><<set $MIhe_she to "he">><<set $MIHis_Her to "His">><<set $MIhis_her to "his">><<set $MIHim_Her to "Him">><<set $MIhim_her to "him">><<set $MIHimself_Herself to "Himself">><<set $MIhimself_herself to "himself">><<set $MIBrother_Sister to "Brother">><<set $MIbrother_sister to "brother">><<set $MI_Merman_Mermaid to "Merman">><<set $MImerman_mermaid to "merman">><<else>><<set $MIMan_Woman to "Woman">><<set $MIman_woman to "woman">><<set $MIHe_She to "She">><<set $MIhe_she to "she">><<set $MIHis_Her to "Her">><<set $MIhis_her to "her">><<set $MIHim_Her to "Her">><<set $MIhim_her to "her">><<set $MIHimself_Herself to "Herself">><<set $MIhimself_herself to "herself">><<set $MIBrother_Sister to "Sister">><<set $MIbrother_sister to "sister">><<set $MIMerman_Mermaid to "Mermaid">><<set $MImerman_mermaid to "mermaid">><</if>>\ \ ''Did you tell $AL about $ALhis_her $LLbrother_sister taking verdiryum?'' * [["Yes, you told " + $ALhim_her + " and encouraged " + $ALhim_her + " to talk to " + $LL|NC26][$ALknows to "Talk"]] * [["Yes, you told " + $ALhim_her + ", but advised " + $ALhim_her + " to wait for " + $LL + " to confess"|NC26][$ALknows to "notNow"]] * [["No, you didn't tell " + $ALhim_her + " anything"|NC26][$ALknows to false]]

<<if $MI is "Mako">><<set $MIMan_Woman to "Man">><<set $MIman_woman to "man">><<set $MIHe_She to "He">><<set $MIhe_she to "he">><<set $MIHis_Her to "His">><<set $MIhis_her to "his">><<set $MIHim_Her to "Him">><<set $MIhim_her to "him">><<set $MIHimself_Herself to "Himself">><<set $MIhimself_herself to "himself">><<set $MIBrother_Sister to "Brother">><<set $MIbrother_sister to "brother">><<set $MI_Merman_Mermaid to "Merman">><<set $MImerman_mermaid to "merman">><<else>><<set $MIMan_Woman to "Woman">><<set $MIman_woman to "woman">><<set $MIHe_She to "She">><<set $MIhe_she to "she">><<set $MIHis_Her to "Her">><<set $MIhis_her to "her">><<set $MIHim_Her to "Her">><<set $MIhim_her to "her">><<set $MIHimself_Herself to "Herself">><<set $MIhimself_herself to "herself">><<set $MIBrother_Sister to "Sister">><<set $MIbrother_sister to "sister">><<set $MIMerman_Mermaid to "Mermaid">><<set $MImerman_mermaid to "mermaid">><</if>>\ \ ''Did you and $AO have a threesome with $MI?'' * [["Yes, you had a threesome with " + $AO + " and " + $MI|NC26][$threesome to true]] * [["No, you spent time with " + $AO + " instead and became an official couple"|NC26]]

<<if $MI is "Mako">><<set $MIMan_Woman to "Man">><<set $MIman_woman to "man">><<set $MIHe_She to "He">><<set $MIhe_she to "he">><<set $MIHis_Her to "His">><<set $MIhis_her to "his">><<set $MIHim_Her to "Him">><<set $MIhim_her to "him">><<set $MIHimself_Herself to "Himself">><<set $MIhimself_herself to "himself">><<set $MIBrother_Sister to "Brother">><<set $MIbrother_sister to "brother">><<set $MI_Merman_Mermaid to "Merman">><<set $MImerman_mermaid to "merman">><<else>><<set $MIMan_Woman to "Woman">><<set $MIman_woman to "woman">><<set $MIHe_She to "She">><<set $MIhe_she to "she">><<set $MIHis_Her to "Her">><<set $MIhis_her to "her">><<set $MIHim_Her to "Her">><<set $MIhim_her to "her">><<set $MIHimself_Herself to "Herself">><<set $MIhimself_herself to "herself">><<set $MIBrother_Sister to "Sister">><<set $MIbrother_sister to "sister">><<set $MIMerman_Mermaid to "Mermaid">><<set $MImerman_mermaid to "mermaid">><</if>>\ \ ''Did you confronted $LL about the verdiryum?'' * [["No, you didn't. " + $MI + " interrupted"|NC26][$LLverdirio to false]] * [[Yes, you did|NC26][$LLverdirio to true]]

<<if $MI is "Mako">><<set $MIMan_Woman to "Man">><<set $MIman_woman to "man">><<set $MIHe_She to "He">><<set $MIhe_she to "he">><<set $MIHis_Her to "His">><<set $MIhis_her to "his">><<set $MIHim_Her to "Him">><<set $MIhim_her to "him">><<set $MIHimself_Herself to "Himself">><<set $MIhimself_herself to "himself">><<set $MIBrother_Sister to "Brother">><<set $MIbrother_sister to "brother">><<set $MI_Merman_Mermaid to "Merman">><<set $MImerman_mermaid to "merman">><<else>><<set $MIMan_Woman to "Woman">><<set $MIman_woman to "woman">><<set $MIHe_She to "She">><<set $MIhe_she to "she">><<set $MIHis_Her to "Her">><<set $MIhis_her to "her">><<set $MIHim_Her to "Her">><<set $MIhim_her to "her">><<set $MIHimself_Herself to "Herself">><<set $MIhimself_herself to "herself">><<set $MIBrother_Sister to "Sister">><<set $MIbrother_sister to "sister">><<set $MIMerman_Mermaid to "Mermaid">><<set $MImerman_mermaid to "mermaid">><</if>>\ \ ''Did you have a date with $MI?'' <<radiobutton "$MIRO" true checked>>Yes, you had a date with $MI and ended up spending the night with $MIhim_her <<radiobutton "$MIRO" false>> Yes, you had a date with $MI, but decided to stay friends <<radiobutton "$MIRO" false>> No, you didn't have a date with $MI and spent time with $AA instead ------- ''If you spent time with $AA, did you feel something special for $BNhim_her?'' <<radiobutton "$AAlooks" false checked>> No, you didn't <<radiobutton "$AAlooks" true>> Yes, you did <<radiobutton "$AAlooks" true>> You didn't spent time with $AA [[Continue|NC26]]

<<audio ":all" stop>>\ <<audio "horror1" volume 0.5 loop play>>\ \ A sudden fog has begun to wrap around the forest without him noticing. It isn't unusual for mists to appear after the end of summer, but this one feels… different. Too thick. The cold has not yet arrived with enough force to justify it, and yet it has advanced with unnatural speed. In a matter of seconds, he can no longer see more than two steps ahead. The man tenses. The silence is what unsettles him most. He no longer hears animals darting between the trees, nor the soft patter of small paws on the snow. Nothing. A bad sign. //"Calm down,"// he tells himself. //"Remember what Aramys taught you."// His wife's teachings surface clearly as he draws in a deep breath and lets it out slowly. He steadies the tremor in his hands. The first step is done. His racing heartbeat settles enough for him to think. He holds his breath the next moment, listening. Snow crunches in time with footsteps he cannot identify. They're too heavy to be an animal, yet too light —and the crunch too sharp— to belong to one of the ice giants. Besides, he's too far from the city for one of them to have ventured out this way. His pulse quickens again when he makes out a blurred silhouette in the fog. At first it is only a dark, shapeless blot… but it slowly grows as it draws closer. With a startled gasp, the man takes a couple of steps back. He looks around desperately, searching for the sword by pure instinct. When he doesn't find it, panic takes hold. He turns and runs. [[Continue|2]]

Barely two steps later, the silhouette appears directly in front of him. Larger, more defined. He spins around again, panting, and once more finds that shape just a few paces away. The man trembles, and not from the cold. His gaze stays locked on the growing shadow as he backs away until he slams into the trunk of a tree, the sudden impact knocking the air from his lungs. The figure grows larger still… until he can finally see it clearly. It's a creature he has never seen before. Taller than any of his friends, even taller than his wife once was. Its body is covered in thick, coarse brown fur, and from its face emerge massive ivory tusks that would make any southern mammoth pale in comparison. In fact, the creature almost looks like one of them, with its long trunk and small ears, far too small for an animal of that size. And yet this mammoth walks upright, bipedal, with a worn, tattered loincloth covering its waist. A reinforced leather strap crosses its torso, where it likely keeps the twin axes it now wields in its enormous hands, their edges sharper than any sword forged by the finest blacksmiths he has ever known. "Wh-Who—?" The question dies in his throat when he hears the chorus of low growls. His heart leaps into his throat as he makes out more figures moving along the creature's flanks. Low, twisted shapes, advancing with a sickly cadence. He would recognize those sounds anywhere. Demons. The immense, strange creature doesn't even flinch when the demons surround them, its small eyes fixed on him. In fact, it almost seems as though they came with it, because the corrupted beasts don't look at the mammoth at all, but remain focused on him as well. The man lifts his gaze, meeting the stare of the bipedal creature. Something in it freezes him, and he barely reacts when it raises its arm. A glint catches on the axe's edge before it slides straight down. [[Continue|3]]

<div style="text-align: center;"><<fadein 2s>>\ The fog rises like a silent tide and spills over the frozen land. <<timed 5s>><<fadein 2s>> In the forest, animals abandon their dens. They flee blindly through broken branches and steaming breaths. <<timed 6s>><<fadein 2s>> The snow begins to stain red as a scream tears through the air. <<timed 5s>><<fadein 2s>> …Until the fog devours that too. <<timed 3s>><<fadein 2s>> <<button [[Continue|4]]>><</button>> <</fadein>><</timed>><</fadein>><</timed>><</fadein>><</timed>><</fadein>><</timed>><</fadein>></div>

<<audio ":all" stop>>\ <<audio "fadeAway" volume 0.5 loop play>>\ \ \ <h1><div style="text-align: center;">''Act 3 The blizzard of Valegon''</div></h1> <span class="chapter">''Chapter 1''</span> <span class="chapterTitle">A blurred past</span> //''[With $name…]''// You open your eyes as you pass through the luminous surface, the glow at your back no longer a danger to your sight. The spell $RG created to help you move easily through the ocean makes no sense here, so the tunic typical of the merpeople's world fades the instant you step out of the portal, replaced by your original outfit that Enid made for you just before leaving for Bucante. The scales that decorated your body are gone as well. It's nice to feel that you're in your original body again. The peach-coloured sky of the Well of Eternity covers you once more, soft like a mantle suspended above your head. Around you, the glowing orbs of souls floating among the nearby trees drift aside to brush past you as they go, an almost affectionate greeting that vibrates like a whispered welcome. The peace of Orahan fills your lungs as you breathe in deeply. A smile finds its way to your face without asking permission. Here, tension simply doesn't know how to exist. "We're back, at last," you say as you release the breath you were holding. Salva walks forward a few slow steps, his gaze travelling over every floating islet and every intricate detail of the stone platforms beneath your feet. "Whoa…" he says in a soft sigh, his mouth hanging open in awe. "Is this the world of the gods?" "This is Orahan, tadpole," Nauzet replies as he and $RG finish closing the portal to Bucante. The iridescent screen condenses until it becomes a simple stone door again. "Taoro is there, behind that other portal." Salva's eyes follow Nauzet's gesture, crossing the bridge of heptagonal tiles to the other great door, identical to the one now resting behind you and to the five others that surround the central platform. "Orahan, huh?" he murmurs thoughtfully. "If that's the case, I wonder what the world of the gods will be like. This is incredible…" Then, Salva arches his back with a low groan, his face twisting into an uncomfortable grimace. "I just hope it's not as dry as this, because my scales are already starting to itch."<<if $AOscar isnot true>> Ada laughs and gives him a pat on the back. "Relax, kid. There's plenty of water." The gesture draws another groan from the young merman, halfway between pain and irritation. "Ow! Hey! Don't do that, outsider!" Nauzet lets out a heavy, tired sigh and rests a hand on his shoulder. You can almost see how Salva's scales moisten slightly under his touch. "Enough chatter, mortals. We have more important things to worry about," he scolds them impatiently. Then he turns to Salva. "Hold on a little longer. You'll be back in the water soon." [[Continue|5]]<<else>> * [[Does it hurt?|5a]] * [[Don't worry, there's plenty of water there|5b]] * [[Well, you've survived worst, right?|5c]] * [[Just out of curiosity, would they fall off like breadcrumbs?|5d]] * [[We didn't come here to be comfortable, exactly|5e]] * [[Hold on. Taoro is just a few steps away|5f]] <</if>>

"Kebehi Nauzet! Kebehi $RG!" The portal to Taoro lights up at the same time as a small ball of fur bursts into the Well of Eternity. Custodian Abhau smiles as soon as he spots you in the distance. You see him raise a little paw in greeting before hopping from tile to tile to the central platform, then repeating the feat across the next bridge until he reaches your side. "Another spirit?" Salva asks, an eyebrow raised. "No, it's not a spirit," you reply with a small shake of your head. "It's the custodian of the portals." "Custodian Abhau, at your service. You must be Nauzet's companion," he says as he arrives, placing a hand on his chest before bowing respectfully. "Salva," the young merman introduces himself, still in awe of everything new around him. The lontros gives him a kind smile before turning his attention back to the rest of you. His whiskers twitch slightly, charged with emotion. "Maese Enid, and $name, and the rest of you. //Ahul and sansofé//." He bows again. "We've been waiting eagerly for your arrival. Tell me, have you succeeded in your mission?" <<if $diplomacy > $fun and $diplomacy > $blunt>>"It wasn't easy, but yes, we have the orb," you say with a firm nod. <<elseif $fun > $diplomacy and $fun > $blunt>>"With a couple of stumbles here and there, but yes, we got it. And we're still alive, which is something," you comment with a half-smile. <<else>>You nod and point to the orb in Nauzet's hand. "We've got it." <</if>>"Good. I'm glad to see you safe and sound. What is the state of Bucante?" Abhau asks. "The world has suffered serious damage, but it will recover. Merpeople are resilient. They'll manage," $RG replies with a faint smile. "Have any of our siblings returned?" Nauzet interjects. Abhau's whiskers droop as he slowly shakes his head. "I'm afraid not, Kebehi." "None?" you ask, frowning. "No news of them either?" $AL adds, $ALhis_her worry mirroring yours. "None," Abhau answers with a note of sorrow. "The gods are… uneasy about this." "It //is// troubling," Nauzet murmurs, shooting $RG a sharp look. $RGHe_She nods gravely before sweeping $RGhis_her gaze over the inactive portals surrounding the platform. "It is. But the news of your arrival will surely calm them," Abhau adds. Then he turns toward the tiled bridge and gestures for you to follow. "Come. Abora must already be waiting for you." Nauzet nods sharply. "Yes… And there are many things we need to discuss." [[Continue|6]]

<<add_diplomacy +1>>\ \ You turn toward him with a grimace. "Does it hurt?" Salva shakes his head, though he still looks tense. "I wouldn't call it pain, but there's a reason we don't like the surface, Scaleless." Nauzet rests a hand on his shoulder, and you can almost see Salva's scales moisten slightly under his touch. "Stop complaining, tadpole," he scolds him gently. "You'll be in the water soon." "Kebehi Nauzet! Kebehi $RG!" The portal to Taoro lights up at the same time as a small ball of fur bursts into the Well of Eternity. Custodian Abhau smiles as soon as he spots you in the distance. You see him raise a little paw in greeting before hopping from tile to tile to the central platform, then repeating the feat across the next bridge until he reaches your side. "Another spirit?" Salva asks, an eyebrow raised. "No, it's not a spirit," you reply with a small shake of your head. "It's the custodian of the portals." "Custodian Abhau, at your service. You must be Nauzet's companion," he says as he arrives, placing a hand on his chest before bowing respectfully. "Salva," the young merman introduces himself, still in awe of everything new around him. The lontros gives him a kind smile before turning his attention back to the rest of you. His whiskers twitch slightly, charged with emotion. "Maese Enid, and $name, and the rest of you. //Ahul and sansofé//." He bows again. "We've been waiting eagerly for your arrival. Tell me, have you succeeded in your mission?" <<if $diplomacy > $fun and $diplomacy > $blunt>>"It wasn't easy, but yes, we have the orb," you say with a firm nod. <<elseif $fun > $diplomacy and $fun > $blunt>>"With a couple of stumbles here and there, but yes, we got it. And we're still alive, which is something," you comment with a half-smile. <<else>>You nod and point to the orb in Nauzet's hand. "We've got it." <</if>>"Good. I'm glad to see you safe and sound. What is the state of Bucante?" Abhau asks. "The world has suffered serious damage, but it will recover. Merpeople are resilient. They'll manage," $RG replies with a faint smile. "Have any of our siblings returned?" Nauzet interjects. Abhau's whiskers droop as he slowly shakes his head. "I'm afraid not, Kebehi." "None?" you ask, frowning. "No news of them either?" $AL adds, $ALhis_her worry mirroring yours. "None," Abhau answers with a note of sorrow. "The gods are… uneasy about this." "It //is// troubling," Nauzet murmurs, shooting $RG a sharp look. $RGHe_She nods gravely before sweeping $RGhis_her gaze over the inactive portals surrounding the platform. "It is. But the news of your arrival will surely calm them," Abhau adds. Then he turns toward the tiled bridge and gestures for you to follow. "Come. Abora must already be waiting for you." Nauzet nods sharply. "Yes… And there are many things we need to discuss." [[Continue|6]]

<<add_diplomacy +1>>\ \ "Don't worry, Salva. As soon as we cross into Taoro you'll be able to hydrate. There's plenty of water," you say. Salva nods slightly, though he still looks tense. "I hope so. There's a reason we don't like the surface." Nauzet rests a hand on his shoulder, and you can almost see Salva's scales moisten slightly under his touch. "Stop complaining, tadpole," he scolds him gently. "You'll be in the water soon." "Kebehi Nauzet! Kebehi $RG!" The portal to Taoro lights up at the same time as a small ball of fur bursts into the Well of Eternity. Custodian Abhau smiles as soon as he spots you in the distance. You see him raise a little paw in greeting before hopping from tile to tile to the central platform, then repeating the feat across the next bridge until he reaches your side. "Another spirit?" Salva asks, an eyebrow raised. "No, it's not a spirit," you reply with a small shake of your head. "It's the custodian of the portals." "Custodian Abhau, at your service. You must be Nauzet's companion," he says as he arrives, placing a hand on his chest before bowing respectfully. "Salva," the young merman introduces himself, still in awe of everything new around him. The lontros gives him a kind smile before turning his attention back to the rest of you. His whiskers twitch slightly, charged with emotion. "Maese Enid, and $name, and the rest of you. //Ahul and sansofé//." He bows again. "We've been waiting eagerly for your arrival. Tell me, have you succeeded in your mission?" <<if $diplomacy > $fun and $diplomacy > $blunt>>"It wasn't easy, but yes, we have the orb," you say with a firm nod. <<elseif $fun > $diplomacy and $fun > $blunt>>"With a couple of stumbles here and there, but yes, we got it. And we're still alive, which is something," you comment with a half-smile. <<else>>You nod and point to the orb in Nauzet's hand. "We've got it." <</if>>"Good. I'm glad to see you safe and sound. What is the state of Bucante?" Abhau asks. "The world has suffered serious damage, but it will recover. Merpeople are resilient. They'll manage," $RG replies with a faint smile. "Have any of our siblings returned?" Nauzet interjects. Abhau's whiskers droop as he slowly shakes his head. "I'm afraid not, Kebehi." "None?" you ask, frowning. "No news of them either?" $AL adds, $ALhis_her worry mirroring yours. "None," Abhau answers with a note of sorrow. "The gods are… uneasy about this." "It //is// troubling," Nauzet murmurs, shooting $RG a sharp look. $RGHe_She nods gravely before sweeping $RGhis_her gaze over the inactive portals surrounding the platform. "It is. But the news of your arrival will surely calm them," Abhau adds. Then he turns toward the tiled bridge and gestures for you to follow. "Come. Abora must already be waiting for you." Nauzet nods sharply. "Yes… And there are many things we need to discuss." [[Continue|6]]

<<add_fun +1>>\ \ You laugh and give him a pat on the back, maybe harder than you should, judging by how he flinches and lets out another half-pained, half-angry groan. "Come on, tadpole," you tease him. "A couple of rebellious scales aren't going to beat you. You've survived much worse." "//That// hurt, Scaleless." You shrug, wearing an amused smile. "Like I said, you'll survive." Salva's upper lip trembles halfway into a snarl, but before it can fully form, Nauzet lets out a heavy, tired sigh and rests a hand on the merman's shoulder. You can almost see Salva's scales moisten slightly under his touch. "Enough games, mortals. We have more important things to worry about," he scolds you both impatiently. Then he turns to Salva. "Hold on a little longer. You'll be back in the water soon." "Kebehi Nauzet! Kebehi $RG!" The portal to Taoro lights up at the same time as a small ball of fur bursts into the Well of Eternity. Custodian Abhau smiles as soon as he spots you in the distance. You see him raise a little paw in greeting before hopping from tile to tile to the central platform, then repeating the feat across the next bridge until he reaches your side. "Another spirit?" Salva asks, an eyebrow raised. "No, it's not a spirit," you reply with a small shake of your head. "It's the custodian of the portals." "Custodian Abhau, at your service. You must be Nauzet's companion," he says as he arrives, placing a hand on his chest before bowing respectfully. "Salva," the young merman introduces himself, still in awe of everything new around him. The lontros gives him a kind smile before turning his attention back to the rest of you. His whiskers twitch slightly, charged with emotion. "Maese Enid, and $name, and the rest of you. //Ahul and sansofé//." He bows again. "We've been waiting eagerly for your arrival. Tell me, have you succeeded in your mission?" <<if $diplomacy > $fun and $diplomacy > $blunt>>"It wasn't easy, but yes, we have the orb," you say with a firm nod. <<elseif $fun > $diplomacy and $fun > $blunt>>"With a couple of stumbles here and there, but yes, we got it. And we're still alive, which is something," you comment with a half-smile. <<else>>You nod and point to the orb in Nauzet's hand. "We've got it." <</if>>"Good. I'm glad to see you safe and sound. What is the state of Bucante?" Abhau asks. "The world has suffered serious damage, but it will recover. Merpeople are resilient. They'll manage," $RG replies with a faint smile. "Have any of our siblings returned?" Nauzet interjects. Abhau's whiskers droop as he slowly shakes his head. "I'm afraid not, Kebehi." "None?" you ask, frowning. "No news of them either?" $AL adds, $ALhis_her worry mirroring yours. "None," Abhau answers with a note of sorrow. "The gods are… uneasy about this." "It //is// troubling," Nauzet murmurs, shooting $RG a sharp look. $RGHe_She nods gravely before sweeping $RGhis_her gaze over the inactive portals surrounding the platform. "It is. But the news of your arrival will surely calm them," Abhau adds. Then he turns toward the tiled bridge and gestures for you to follow. "Come. Abora must already be waiting for you." Nauzet nods sharply. "Yes… And there are many things we need to discuss." [[Continue|6]]

<<add_fun +1>>\ \ A crooked smile finds its way to your face as you turn to him. "Out of curiosity… if they dried out too much, would they fall off like breadcrumbs?" Salva frowns, confused. "What? Of course not! Where did that stupid question come from?" "I don't know, it was a possibility. I have no idea how your anatomy works," you reply with a shrug, keeping the playful look. "But if you start losing them along the way, let us know. That way we'll know where you've been." Salva's upper lip trembles halfway into a snarl, but before it can fully form, Nauzet lets out a heavy, tired sigh and rests a hand on the merman's shoulder. You can almost see Salva's scales moisten slightly under his touch. "Enough games, mortals. We have more important things to worry about," he scolds you both impatiently. Then he turns to Salva. "Hold on a little longer. You'll be back in the water soon." "Kebehi Nauzet! Kebehi $RG!" The portal to Taoro lights up at the same time as a small ball of fur bursts into the Well of Eternity. Custodian Abhau smiles as soon as he spots you in the distance. You see him raise a little paw in greeting before hopping from tile to tile to the central platform, then repeating the feat across the next bridge until he reaches your side. "Another spirit?" Salva asks, an eyebrow raised. "No, it's not a spirit," you reply with a small shake of your head. "It's the custodian of the portals." "Custodian Abhau, at your service. You must be Nauzet's companion," he says as he arrives, placing a hand on his chest before bowing respectfully. "Salva," the young merman introduces himself, still in awe of everything new around him. The lontros gives him a kind smile before turning his attention back to the rest of you. His whiskers twitch slightly, charged with emotion. "Maese Enid, and $name, and the rest of you. //Ahul and sansofé//." He bows again. "We've been waiting eagerly for your arrival. Tell me, have you succeeded in your mission?" <<if $diplomacy > $fun and $diplomacy > $blunt>>"It wasn't easy, but yes, we have the orb," you say with a firm nod. <<elseif $fun > $diplomacy and $fun > $blunt>>"With a couple of stumbles here and there, but yes, we got it. And we're still alive, which is something," you comment with a half-smile. <<else>>You nod and point to the orb in Nauzet's hand. "We've got it." <</if>>"Good. I'm glad to see you safe and sound. What is the state of Bucante?" Abhau asks. "The world has suffered serious damage, but it will recover. Merpeople are resilient. They'll manage," $RG replies with a faint smile. "Have any of our siblings returned?" Nauzet interjects. Abhau's whiskers droop as he slowly shakes his head. "I'm afraid not, Kebehi." "None?" you ask, frowning. "No news of them either?" $AL adds, $ALhis_her worry mirroring yours. "None," Abhau answers with a note of sorrow. "The gods are… uneasy about this." "It //is// troubling," Nauzet murmurs, shooting $RG a sharp look. $RGHe_She nods gravely before sweeping $RGhis_her gaze over the inactive portals surrounding the platform. "It is. But the news of your arrival will surely calm them," Abhau adds. Then he turns toward the tiled bridge and gestures for you to follow. "Come. Abora must already be waiting for you." Nauzet nods sharply. "Yes… And there are many things we need to discuss." [[Continue|6]]

<<add_blunt +1>>\ \ "We didn't come here to be comfortable. This is the least you'll have to put up with," you say. Salva lets out a heavy sigh. "Very encouraging of you." Nauzet rests a hand on his shoulder, and you can almost see Salva's scales moisten slightly under his touch. "Stop complaining, tadpole," he scolds him gently. "You'll be in the water soon." "Kebehi Nauzet! Kebehi $RG!" The portal to Taoro lights up at the same time as a small ball of fur bursts into the Well of Eternity. Custodian Abhau smiles as soon as he spots you in the distance. You see him raise a little paw in greeting before hopping from tile to tile to the central platform, then repeating the feat across the next bridge until he reaches your side. "Another spirit?" Salva asks, an eyebrow raised. "No, it's not a spirit," you reply with a small shake of your head. "It's the custodian of the portals." "Custodian Abhau, at your service. You must be Nauzet's companion," he says as he arrives, placing a hand on his chest before bowing respectfully. "Salva," the young merman introduces himself, still in awe of everything new around him. The lontros gives him a kind smile before turning his attention back to the rest of you. His whiskers twitch slightly, charged with emotion. "Maese Enid, and $name, and the rest of you. //Ahul and sansofé//." He bows again. "We've been waiting eagerly for your arrival. Tell me, have you succeeded in your mission?" <<if $diplomacy > $fun and $diplomacy > $blunt>>"It wasn't easy, but yes, we have the orb," you say with a firm nod. <<elseif $fun > $diplomacy and $fun > $blunt>>"With a couple of stumbles here and there, but yes, we got it. And we're still alive, which is something," you comment with a half-smile. <<else>>You nod and point to the orb in Nauzet's hand. "We've got it." <</if>>"Good. I'm glad to see you safe and sound. What is the state of Bucante?" Abhau asks. "The world has suffered serious damage, but it will recover. Merpeople are resilient. They'll manage," $RG replies with a faint smile. "Have any of our siblings returned?" Nauzet interjects. Abhau's whiskers droop as he slowly shakes his head. "I'm afraid not, Kebehi." "None?" you ask, frowning. "No news of them either?" $AL adds, $ALhis_her worry mirroring yours. "None," Abhau answers with a note of sorrow. "The gods are… uneasy about this." "It //is// troubling," Nauzet murmurs, shooting $RG a sharp look. $RGHe_She nods gravely before sweeping $RGhis_her gaze over the inactive portals surrounding the platform. "It is. But the news of your arrival will surely calm them," Abhau adds. Then he turns toward the tiled bridge and gestures for you to follow. "Come. Abora must already be waiting for you." Nauzet nods sharply. "Yes… And there are many things we need to discuss." [[Continue|6]]

<<add_blunt +1>>\ \ "Hold on. Taoro is only a few steps away. You'll be able to hydrate there once we speak with Abora." "I'd rather it be right now," he replies. Nauzet rests a hand on his shoulder, and you can almost see Salva's scales moisten slightly under his touch. "Stop complaining, tadpole," he scolds him gently. "You'll be in the water soon." "Kebehi Nauzet! Kebehi $RG!" The portal to Taoro lights up at the same time as a small ball of fur bursts into the Well of Eternity. Custodian Abhau smiles as soon as he spots you in the distance. You see him raise a little paw in greeting before hopping from tile to tile to the central platform, then repeating the feat across the next bridge until he reaches your side. "Another spirit?" Salva asks, an eyebrow raised. "No, it's not a spirit," you reply with a small shake of your head. "It's the custodian of the portals." "Custodian Abhau, at your service. You must be Nauzet's companion," he says as he arrives, placing a hand on his chest before bowing respectfully. "Salva," the young merman introduces himself, still in awe of everything new around him. The lontros gives him a kind smile before turning his attention back to the rest of you. His whiskers twitch slightly, charged with emotion. "Maese Enid, and $name, and the rest of you. //Ahul and sansofé//." He bows again. "We've been waiting eagerly for your arrival. Tell me, have you succeeded in your mission?" <<if $diplomacy > $fun and $diplomacy > $blunt>>"It wasn't easy, but yes, we have the orb," you say with a firm nod. <<elseif $fun > $diplomacy and $fun > $blunt>>"With a couple of stumbles here and there, but yes, we got it. And we're still alive, which is something," you comment with a half-smile. <<else>>You nod and point to the orb in Nauzet's hand. "We've got it." <</if>>"Good. I'm glad to see you safe and sound. What is the state of Bucante?" Abhau asks. "The world has suffered serious damage, but it will recover. Merpeople are resilient. They'll manage," $RG replies with a faint smile. "Have any of our siblings returned?" Nauzet interjects. Abhau's whiskers droop as he slowly shakes his head. "I'm afraid not, Kebehi." "None?" you ask, frowning. "No news of them either?" $AL adds, $ALhis_her worry mirroring yours. "None," Abhau answers with a note of sorrow. "The gods are… uneasy about this." "It //is// troubling," Nauzet murmurs, shooting $RG a sharp look. $RGHe_She nods gravely before sweeping $RGhis_her gaze over the inactive portals surrounding the platform. "It is. But the news of your arrival will surely calm them," Abhau adds. Then he turns toward the tiled bridge and gestures for you to follow. "Come. Abora must already be waiting for you." Nauzet nods sharply. "Yes… And there are many things we need to discuss." [[Continue|6]]

The snow-covered meadow welcomes you the moment you cross the portal from the Well of Eternity. A gentle breeze brushes your skin, and the scent of the nearby forest grazes your nose, filling your lungs with Taoro's fresh, clean air. You turn your head to the side, watching the great Drago rise proudly in the distance while soft, colourful orbs of light dance around its leaves like fireflies in a night forest. The feeling isn't as intense as in Orahan, but the peace that wraps the world of the gods always manages to draw a faint smile from you as you take in the scenery. Out of the corner of your eye you see Salva approaching, and you turn just in time to catch him looking around with a mix of curiosity and disappointment. "Wait… this is it? This is the world of the gods?" he asks, frowning slightly. You let out a small chuckle at the discouragement in his voice. "What, were you expecting something else?" "Honestly? Yes," he replies. "After Orahan, I thought Taoro would be more spectacular. This is just so…" He purses his lips for a thoughtful moment. "Normal. It doesn't seem to have anything special about it." "Funny, coming from someone who's lived his whole life underwater," $AO remarks with an amused smile. $AOHe_She nods toward the Drago. "I don't remember seeing giant trees like that in your world." Salva follows $AOhis_her gesture and shrugs. "I don't know. That could be like Seaweed Forest. I fail to see the difference from the surface in Bucante, really." A soft hiss behind you draws your attention, and the three of you turn to see Abhau finishing dissolving the portal's screen until it becomes a simple stone door once more. The lontros grips his spear with both little paws and bows in respectful farewell. "//Ar timililit//, everyone. I hope your meeting with Abora goes well, and that good news awaits us all." "Thank you for your service, Abhau," Nauzet replies with a soft nod that draws a smile from the lontros's face. "Always a pleasure, Kebehi. Farewell." [[Continue|7]]

You say goodbye to Abhau and head down the steps until you reach the ground below. Your eyes trace the dirt path that leads toward the snowy area, already mapping out your first step… when a dull sound shakes the earth beneath your feet, accompanied by a powerful beat of wings that makes the air tremble. You barely have time to look up and catch a glimpse of a huge, blurred silhouette diving down before you have to shield your face to keep the dust kicked up by the impact from getting into your eyes. "Ah!" Something hard slams into you and shoves you backward. You fall onto your back with a muffled cry, your pulse spiking on pure instinct. The sudden attack tenses you, your muscles ready to fight… until your hands meet warm, scaly skin, and a gentle pressure brushes your fingers in a gesture that is anything but violent. It's a strange nuzzle. Almost affectionate, in fact. "What in the name of the Void are these beasts!" you hear Salva exclaim. "They're called gallotias, and they're not dangerous, tadpole. Lower your weapon," Nauzet answers. You blink several times, still dazed, and sure enough you find yourself face to face with the enormous snout of one of those winged lizards, so close you could count every scale. "What the…? Wait, are you…?" You push yourself up on your elbows as the gallotia pulls back just enough to give you space. It sits as much as its body pressed to the ground allows, watching you patiently while its tail sways back and forth behind it, stirring the dirt. Yes. It's your gallotia, no doubt. You remember that same gesture every time she used to wait for you. It looks like she missed you. * [[Did you miss me, girl?|8a]] * [[You almost broke my ribs, you know?|8b]] * [[You could've warned me before jumping on me|8c]] * [[Did you… come to say hello?|8d]]

<<add_diplomacy +1>>\ \ You push yourself up a little to see her better, a wide smile spreading across your face. "Did you miss me, girl?" The gallotia lets out a low rumble and leans in to press her snout against your chest again, only much more gently this time. You let out a small laugh and hug her as best you can despite her size. "Yeah, yeah… I missed you too," you say as you stroke the side of her jaw, just beneath her large, sharp fangs. "Okay… I really didn't see that coming," you hear Salva say. "Gallotias remember those who care for them, and these seem to have grown attached to the mortals," Enid replies. That's when you hear $AL's laughter, and you turn your head to see $ALhim_her on the ground, beneath the snout of another gallotia that won't stop licking $ALhis_her face. Nearby, both $AO and $LL are petting two more of the giant lizards, the doctor with far more enthusiasm than the warrior, but just as affectionately. $LL's gallotia seems to be the calmest of them all. Honestly, it suits $LLhim_her. $RG lets out a soft laugh. "We were going to call them, but it seems they sensed our arrival." [[Continue|9]]

<<add_fun +1>>\ \ You push yourself up until you're sitting, and then plant your hands on your hips in a scolding gesture. "Yeah, yeah, I missed you too, but you almost broke my ribs, you know? Good thing you were just saying hello." The gallotia growls, baring her enormous, sharp fangs as she opens her mouth. She looks pleased with herself. She definitely doesn't understand you. <<if $man_woman is "man">>"Is he… scolding it?" you hear Salva say, incredulous. <<elseif $man_woman is "woman">>"Is she… scolding it?" you hear Salva say, incredulous. <<else>>"Are they… scolding it?" you hear Salva say, incredulous. <</if>>"Yes," Enid replies. "Pointlessly." $RG lets out a soft laugh. "We were going to call them, but it seems they sensed our arrival." That's when you hear $AL's laughter, and you turn to see $ALhim_her on the ground beneath the snout of another gallotia that won't stop licking $ALhis_her face. Nearby, both $AO and $LL are petting two more of the giant lizards, the doctor with far more enthusiasm than the warrior, but just as affectionately. $LL's gallotia seems to be the calmest of them all. Honestly, it suits $LLhim_her. [[Continue|9]]

<<add_fun +1>>\ <<add_blunt +1>>\ \ You push yourself up until you're sitting, and then plant your hands on your hips in a scolding gesture. "You could've warned me before jumping on me. You scared the life out of me." The gallotia tilts her head, confused, and leans in to give you another small nudge with her snout, much gentler than the first. You let out a sigh, softening your expression as you offer a faint, almost amused smile. "I don't think you understood me, girl," you murmur, giving her a few gentle pats on the snout. "You're lucky you're weirdly adorable." <<if $man_woman is "man">>"Is he… scolding it?" you hear Salva say, incredulous. <<elseif $man_woman is "woman">>"Is she… scolding it?" you hear Salva say, incredulous. <<else>>"Are they… scolding it?" you hear Salva say, incredulous. <</if>>"Yes," Enid replies. "Pointlessly." $RG lets out a soft laugh. "We were going to call them, but it seems they sensed our arrival." That's when you hear $AL's laughter, and you turn to see $ALhim_her on the ground beneath the snout of another gallotia that won't stop licking $ALhis_her face. Nearby, both $AO and $LL are petting two more of the giant lizards, the doctor with far more enthusiasm than the warrior, but just as affectionately. $LL's gallotia seems to be the calmest of them all. Honestly, it suits $LLhim_her. [[Continue|9]]

<<add_blunt +1>>\ <<add_diplomacy +1>>\ \ You push yourself up until you're sitting, hands braced on the ground as you stare at the gallotia with wide, surprised eyes. "Did you… come to say hello?" The gallotia growls, baring her huge, sharp fangs as she opens her mouth. She looks like she's smiling. That must be a yes. She then leans in and nudges you again with her snout, much more gently than before. Your expression softens slightly, and you give her a faint smile as you pat her snout a few times. "Next time be gentler, okay?" The giant lizard rumbles softly in response. You're not sure whether she understood you or is simply enjoying your hesitant caresses. $RG lets out a soft laugh. "We were going to call them, but it seems they sensed our arrival." That's when you hear $AL's laughter, and you turn to see $ALhim_her on the ground beneath the snout of another gallotia that won't stop licking $ALhis_her face. Nearby, both $AO and $LL are petting two more of the giant lizards, the doctor with far more enthusiasm than the warrior, but just as affectionately. $LL's gallotia seems to be the calmest of them all. Honestly, it suits $LLhim_her. [[Continue|9]]

"Mount up," Nauzet orders firmly as he spreads his membranous wings, preparing to take off. "Let's not waste any more time." Salva spins toward him, eyes wide. "Wait, what? You're not planning to fly, are you?" "That is exactly what I plan to do," the god replies dryly, pointing at the Drago. "How else do you expect us to get there?" Salva eyes the gallotias with poorly concealed wariness, his expression twisted between distrust and panic. "Relax, lad, they don't bite," $AO comments, already atop $AOhis_hers, giving it a couple of pats on the head. "Generally," Enid adds. "Don't say that! You'll scare him even more!" $AL protests. <<if $leviathan is true>>A faint blush colours Salva's cheeks. He crosses his arms and puffs out his chest with wounded pride. "I'm not afraid of these things, scaleless. I remind you I live alongside leviathans." <<else>>A faint blush colours Salva's cheeks. He crosses his arms and puffs out his chest with wounded pride. "I'm not afraid of these things, scaleless. I remind you I used to live alongside leviathans." <</if>>"Then what's the problem?" $AO shoots back. "Well…" Salva looks back at the gallotias, pressing his lips together. You raise a brow, looking at him, then at the giant lizards, and back to his face. "Wait… don't tell me you're afraid of heights?" The blush deepens. Salva looks away and shrugs. "I'm from the sea, not the air. What did you expect?" Nauzet lets out an impatient growl. "Less talking and more moving. Nothing's going to happen for flying for five minutes." The young merman hesitates, lowering his gaze for a moment before lifting it toward Nauzet with clear unease. "Wouldn't it be more comfortable if you carried me?" "No. Get on," the god cuts him off before taking flight. $RG gives Salva an apologetic look and flaps $RGhis_her wings to follow $RGhis_her brother. <<if $fun > $diplomacy and $fun > $blunt>>"Ah, Nauzet, ever so kind…" you remark with a touch of sarcasm. <</if>><<if $AOscar is true>>Salva growls under his breath and rolls his eyes. "Damn old fossil…" he mutters as he approaches you and your gallotia. You climb on first and offer him your hand. He takes it with a surprisingly firm grip for someone trembling inside, and you help pull him up until he's settled behind you. Once he's in place, the gallotia lets out a deep purr and beats her wings. Within seconds, you're lifting into the air, following the silhouettes of Nauzet and $RG. <<else>>Salva growls under his breath and rolls his eyes. "Damn old fossil…" he mutters as he walks over to $AO. The doctor offers him a hand and helps him climb up behind $AOhim_her. Once they're both settled, the gallotias let out a deep purr and beat their wings. Within seconds, you're rising into the air, following the silhouettes of Nauzet and $RG. <</if>>[[Continue|10]]

The wind brushes against your face as you pass above a couple of iridescent clouds and floating islands. $RG, Nauzet, and Enid lead the flight, and you slowly move deeper into the shadow cast by the vast canopy of the Drago. You still have a long way to go before reaching the trunk, and yet its presence already weighs on the air, with branches as thick as towers and long, dense leaves that glow yellow, white, and blue whenever a luminous orb drifts close enough. "Are we there yet?" <<if $AOscar is true>><<if $fun > $diplomacy and $fun > $blunt>>The arm around your waist tightens. You glance back over your shoulder and see Salva covering his eyes with his free hand. The sight makes you raise a brow, a mischievous smile beginning to curl your lips. You woke up craving chaos today. "Relax, we're already descending. You can open your eyes." You try not to let the amusement show in your voice. Technically, you didn't lie… though you're leaving out the small detail that you're still far too high for the young merman's liking. The moment Salva lowers his hand and looks down, he jerks and clings to you as if his life depends on it. "Ah! That's not funny, Scaleless!" he protests, while you can't help laughing. "Don't be mean, $name! The poor guy is suffering," $AL scolds you. <<if $ALLove is true>>You give $ALhim_her a soft smile, a gentle warmth blooming in your chest when you meet $ALhis_her emerald gaze before looking forward again. For $ALhim_her, you'll make the effort to behave… ...But just a little. <</if>><<else>>The arm around your waist tightens. You glance back over your shoulder and see Salva covering his eyes with his free hand. Before you can say anything, however, $AO beats you to it. "No, don't worry. You can open your eyes, we're not that high anymore." It's subtle, but after all this time you recognise that mischievous tone instantly. Yes, you're descending toward the base of the Drago… but you're still far too high for the young merman's liking. The moment Salva lowers his hand and looks down, he jerks and clings to you as if his life depends on it. "Ah! That's not funny, Scaleless!" he protests. "Careful! Don't make any sudden moves!" you say almost at the same time, trying not to lose your balance on the gallotia's back. "Blame your friend!" Salva snaps back. <<if $AOLove is true and $threesome is true>>$AO and you share a look, and $AOhis_her smile vanishes at once. Memories of the previous night crash over you, and you quickly look away. That intensity still burns. <</if>><<if $AOLove is true and $threesome isnot true>>$AO and you share a knowing look and smile as a soft warmth blooms in your chest. 'Friend' is no longer the word that best defines you. <</if>>"Don't be mean! The poor guy is suffering," $AL scolds $AO. <<if $AOLove is true and $threesome is true>>"Yeah… Right," $AOhe_she replies absently. <</if>><</if>><<else>><<if $fun > $diplomacy and $fun > $blunt>>You turn your head toward the gallotia $AO and Salva are riding. The young merman clings tightly to the doctor while covering his eyes with his free hand. The sight makes you raise a brow, a mischievous smile beginning to curl your lips. You woke up craving chaos today. "Relax, we're already descending. You can open your eyes." You try not to let the amusement show in your voice. Technically, you didn't lie… though you're leaving out the small detail that you're still far too high for the young merman's liking. The moment Salva lowers his hand and looks down, he jerks and clings to the doctor as if his life depends on it. "Ah! That's not funny, Scaleless!" he protests, while you can't help laughing. "Hey, hey! Careful, we're going to fall!" $AO says at the same time, trying not to lose $AOhis_her balance and slide off the gallotia's back. "Blame your friend!" Salva snaps back. <<if $AOLove is true and $threesome isnot true>>$AO and you share a knowing look and smile as a soft warmth blooms in your chest. 'Friend' is no longer the word that best defines you. <</if>><<if $AOLove is true and $threesome is true>>$AO and you share a look, and $AOhis_her smile vanishes at once. Memories of the previous night crash over you, and you quickly look away. That intensity still burns. <</if>>"Don't be mean, $name! The poor guy is suffering," $AL scolds you. <<if $AOLove is true and $threesome is true>>"Yeah… I'm sorry," you murmur, trying to ignore $AO's attention on you. <</if>><<if $ALLove is true>>You give $ALhim_her a soft smile, a gentle warmth blooming in your chest when you meet $ALhis_her emerald gaze before looking forward again. For $ALhim_her, you'll make the effort to behave… ...But just a little. <</if>><<else>>You turn your head toward the gallotia $AO and Salva are riding. The young merman clings tightly to the doctor while covering his eyes with his free hand. $AO looks back at him over $AOhis_her shoulder, wearing a mischievous smile you'd recognise anywhere. "No, don't worry. You can open your eyes, we're not that high anymore." Yes, you're descending toward the base of the Drago… but you're still far too high for the young merman's liking. The moment Salva lowers his hand and looks down, he jerks and clings to the doctor as if his life depends on it. "Ah! That's not funny, Scaleless!" he protests. "Hey, hey! Careful, we're going to fall!" $AO says at the same time, trying not to lose $AOhis_her balance and slide off the gallotia's back. "And whose fault would that be!?" Salva snaps back. "Don't be mean! The poor guy is suffering," $AL scolds $AO. <</if>><</if>>Nauzet turns with a growl, shooting each of you a hard look. "Stop fooling around, mortals. This isn't a sightseeing trip." $RG places a hand on his shoulder and gives him a gentle smile. "Let them have their fun. They've had a rough few weeks." <<if $RGLove is true>>Your eyes settle on the purple-haired $RGgod_goddess, your brow knitting slightly as you remember what happened last night. <<if $RGMIS is true>>A knot tightens in your chest, guilt flooding you all over again. Even more so because you know $RGhe_she feels it too, and that's probably why $RGhe_she won't even look back at you. <<if $fun > $diplomacy and $fun > $blunt>>Suddenly, you've lost all desire to keep joking.<</if>> <<else>>Frustration makes your blood boil. Even more so because you know $RGhe_she can feel your gaze on $RGhim_her and still won't bother to look back. <<if $fun > $diplomacy and $fun > $blunt>>Suddenly, you've lost all desire to keep joking.<</if>> <</if>><</if>><<if $LLLove is true>><<if $diplomacy > $fun and $diplomacy > $blunt>>You watch the gods for a moment with a faint smile and give a small shake of your head, amused. When you turn to look at your companions, your eyes fall on $LL's figure just behind $AL, and your smile vanishes at once. <<elseif $fun > $diplomacy and $fun > $blunt>>You let out a laugh as you watch the gods for a moment, amused. When you turn to look at your companions, your eyes fall on $LL's figure just behind $AL, and your smile vanishes at once. <<else>>You observe the interaction between the gods for a moment before turning to look at your companions. Your eyes end up on $LL's figure just behind $AL, and you can't help frowning. <</if>>You haven't missed the fact that the warrior hasn't said a word since this morning. $LLHe_She's looking down, gaze unfocused, $LLhis_her expression slightly drawn as if lost in thought. The kiss you shared still replays in your mind, but above all, the way $LLhe_she fled right after. $LLHe_She's been avoiding you ever since. Knowing $LLhim_her, you know you should give $LLhim_her some space. But only a little. You're not going to let $LLhim_her run from what you both feel for the rest of $LLhis_her life. <</if>>[[Continue|11]]

<<audio ":all" stop>>\ <<audio "forgottenOnes" volume 0.5 loop play>>\ \ Fortunately for Salva, it doesn't take much longer to reach land. The gallotia tilts her head, giving you a soft, affectionate nuzzle before spreading her wings once more. $RG and Nauzet bid them all farewell with a deep, harmonic whistle as the giant lizards take flight, soon vanishing into the clouds. You watch them for a moment longer, tracking their silhouettes until they dissolve into the sky, before turning to follow your companions up the pale stairs that ascend toward the temple of Abora and Alcorac. The gaze of the gods seems to have been fixed upon you even before you reached the summit and stepped onto the platform. Just as Abhau said, they were waiting for you. The thin sheet of water covering the stone floor splashes softly under your footsteps. The ripples cast subtle golden and white flashes, reflecting the intricate details carved into the platform's edge. <<if $belief is true>>You all bow the moment you reach the centre. Even $LL bows $LLhis_her head slightly in a respectful gesture. Salva, for his part, watches you for a brief, hesitant moment before mimicking the gesture and bowing as well. <<elseif $corruption >= 4>>Your companions bow the moment you reach the centre. Even $LL bows $LLhis_her head slightly in a respectful gesture. You, however, remain staring at Abora as a subtle knot forms in your chest. You don't do it to defy her. Or at least, that isn't your intention. But you feel a strange, uncomfortable impulse that forces you to remain upright. <<else>>Your companions bow the moment you reach the centre. Even $LL bows $LLhis_her head slightly. You, however, stay upright, offering only a slight nod of the head as a greeting. Beside you, Salva watches you for a brief, hesitant moment before mimicking the majority and bowing as well. <</if>>"Mencey, I have finally returned with the orb and my companion," Nauzet announces. "//Ahul//, my warriors," Abora says in a slow, monotonous voice. "Good news, at last. You have succeeded." * [[Bucante and its people are safe|12a]] * [[Yes… but Bucante paid a high price|12b]] * [[Hey there, Abby! How was the view from your throne?|12c]] * [[It could have gone better… and much worse, too|12d]] * [[We're alive, and so is Bucante|12e]]

<<add_diplomacy +1>>\ <<add_blunt +1>>\ \ You nod<<if $belief is true>>, straightening your posture<</if>>. "It wasn't easy, and there were casualties, but Bucante still stands, and so do its people." Abora nods, a glint of approval appearing in her eyes even though her face remains devoid of emotion. "It's never easy when mortals tread upon such fragile threads. Nevertheless, you made it." She blinks slowly and turns her head toward Salva with a heavy, deliberate movement, as if the gesture required a massive effort. Salva tenses, swallowing hard under her scrutiny. "My condolences for your loss, mortal. I sense the pain it has left within you," Abora says, bowing her head slightly in a respectful gesture. The young merman flinches back slightly, his eyes widening for a moment before a sad frown settles over his expression. He lowers his gaze and remains silent. "I can feel that Bucante has endured many hardships, as have you all," the goddess continues, her gaze falling momentarily upon $LL, who looks away and shrinks into $LLhimself_herself just like Salva, before focusing back on the rest of you. "Tell me, what happened with $BN?" "$BNHe_She was kidnapping the merpeople and forcing them to transform into tibicenas," $RG begins, $RGhis_her expression grim. "I fear Bucante was not prepared for tibicenas adapted to the ocean." "I tried to minimize the damage," Nauzet continues. "And, for a time, I succeeded. But then the renegade deceived my companion, and we couldn't find the orb sooner." He lets out a low growl, his fists clenching. "$BNHis_Her powers reach places I cannot comprehend." "When $BNhe_she appeared…" $RG presses $RGhis_her lips together as $RGhis_her gaze falls to the ground, $RGhis_her voice lowering slightly. "...we were no match for $BNhim_her." "I already warned you, my child," Abora says, her tone carrying a subtle hint of reproach. "You cannot defeat $BNhim_her. Only $AA can. Never aim to strike $BNhim_her down, only to slow $BNhis_her advances." Both gods nod, though from their strained postures, you know they're not happy with the idea. Your hand clutches your necklace over the fabric of your clothes, a detail that seems to catch Abora's attention for a brief instant. <<if $leviathan is true>>"And $BNhe_she also used Locto to corrupt the leviathans," Enid adds shortly after. "Luckily, one of them survived." "Poor guy," $AO interjects. $AOHe_She clicks $AOhis_her tongue and crosses $AOhis_her arms, shifting $AOhis_her weight onto one leg. "What an ending for someone who only wanted to protect his world..." <<else>>"$BNHe_She also corrupted the leviathans," Enid adds shortly after, her ears drooping. "Yet another species vanishes. A shame." "We shall add it to the archives," Abora comments with a nod, blinking slowly. "$BNHe_She also took advantage of Locto," $AO interjects. $AOHe_She clicks $AOhis_her tongue and crosses $AOhis_her arms, shifting $AOhis_her weight onto one leg. "Poor guy. What an ending for someone who only wanted to protect his world..." <</if>>Alcorac tilts his head with curiosity. "Do you pity him, mortal?" "Apparently, he didn't wipe out his race," $AL replies. "It was consensual. They all agreed to give Locto their energy to protect Bucante in the past." Abora narrows her eyes just enough to be noticeable. "Consensual?" * <<if $corruption < 5>>[[Yeah… which makes it all the more tragic|13a]]<<else>>==Yeah… which makes it all the more tragic==<</if>> * <<if $corruption < 5>>[["And then " + $BN + " twisted everything"|13b]]<<else>>==And then $BN twisted everything==<</if>> * <<if $corruption < 5>>[[Let's not idealize this. Locto is still guilty|13c]]<<else>>==Let's not idealize this. Locto is still guilty==<</if>> * <<if $corruption < 5>>[[Locto was just another victim|13d]]<<else>>==Locto was just another victim==<</if>> * <<if $corruption < 5>>[[Locto and his people ended up lost in someone else's darkness|13e]]<<else>>==Locto and his people ended up lost in someone else's darkness==<</if>> * <<if $corruption < 5>>[[Out of curiosity… Shouldn't you have known all this from the beginning?|13f]]<<else>>==Out of curiosity… Shouldn't you have known all this from the beginning?==<</if>> * [[Do you truly expect me to believe you knew nothing at all?|13g]]

<<add_diplomacy +1>>\ \ "Good news, yes..." You purse your lips<<if $belief is true>>, straightening your posture<</if>>. "But there were many wounds along the way. Bucante paid a high price." Abora nods and closes her eyes for a moment. A tinge of sorrow seeps into her voice, despite her expressionless face. "The price of survival is rarely kind." She blinks slowly and turns her head toward Salva with a heavy, deliberate movement, as if the gesture required a massive effort. Salva tenses, swallowing hard under her scrutiny. "My condolences for your loss, mortal. I sense the pain it has left within you," Abora says, bowing her head slightly in a respectful gesture. The young merman flinches back slightly, his eyes widening for a moment before a sad frown settles over his expression. He lowers his gaze and remains silent. "I can feel that Bucante has endured many hardships, as have you all," the goddess continues, her gaze falling momentarily upon $LL, who looks away and shrinks into $LLhimself_herself just like Salva, before focusing back on the rest of you. "Tell me, what happened with $BN?" "$BNHe_She was kidnapping the merpeople and forcing them to transform into tibicenas," $RG begins, $RGhis_her expression grim. "I fear Bucante was not prepared for tibicenas adapted to the ocean." "I tried to minimize the damage," Nauzet continues. "And, for a time, I succeeded. But then the renegade deceived my companion, and we couldn't find the orb sooner." He lets out a low growl, his fists clenching. "$BNHis_Her powers reach places I cannot comprehend." "When $BNhe_she appeared…" $RG presses $RGhis_her lips together as $RGhis_her gaze falls to the ground, $RGhis_her voice lowering slightly. "...we were no match for $BNhim_her." "I already warned you, my child," Abora says, her tone carrying a subtle hint of reproach. "You cannot defeat $BNhim_her. Only $AA can. Never aim to strike $BNhim_her down, only to slow $BNhis_her advances." Both gods nod, though from their strained postures, you know they're not happy with the idea. Your hand clutches your necklace over the fabric of your clothes, a detail that seems to catch Abora's attention for a brief instant. <<if $leviathan is true>>"And $BNhe_she also used Locto to corrupt the leviathans," Enid adds shortly after. "Luckily, one of them survived." "Poor guy," $AO interjects. $AOHe_She clicks $AOhis_her tongue and crosses $AOhis_her arms, shifting $AOhis_her weight onto one leg. "What an ending for someone who only wanted to protect his world..." <<else>>"$BNHe_She also corrupted the leviathans," Enid adds shortly after, her ears drooping. "Yet another species vanishes. A shame." "We shall add it to the archives," Abora comments with a nod, blinking slowly. "$BNHe_She also took advantage of Locto," $AO interjects. $AOHe_She clicks $AOhis_her tongue and crosses $AOhis_her arms, shifting $AOhis_her weight onto one leg. "Poor guy. What an ending for someone who only wanted to protect his world..." <</if>>Alcorac tilts his head with curiosity. "Do you pity him, mortal?" "Apparently, he didn't wipe out his race," $AL replies. "It was consensual. They all agreed to give Locto their energy to protect Bucante in the past." Abora narrows her eyes just enough to be noticeable. "Consensual?" * <<if $corruption < 5>>[[Yeah… which makes it all the more tragic|13a]]<<else>>==Yeah… which makes it all the more tragic==<</if>> * <<if $corruption < 5>>[["And then " + $BN + " twisted everything"|13b]]<<else>>==And then $BN twisted everything==<</if>> * <<if $corruption < 5>>[[Let's not idealize this. Locto is still guilty|13c]]<<else>>==Let's not idealize this. Locto is still guilty==<</if>> * <<if $corruption < 5>>[[Locto was just another victim|13d]]<<else>>==Locto was just another victim==<</if>> * <<if $corruption < 5>>[[Locto and his people ended up lost in someone else's darkness|13e]]<<else>>==Locto and his people ended up lost in someone else's darkness==<</if>> * <<if $corruption < 5>>[[Out of curiosity… Shouldn't you have known all this from the beginning?|13f]]<<else>>==Out of curiosity… Shouldn't you have known all this from the beginning?==<</if>> * [[Do you truly expect me to believe you knew nothing at all?|13g]]

<<add_fun +1>>\ \ <<if $belief is true>>You straighten up and give the goddess a broad, friendly smile, greeting her with a rather informal wave. "Hey, Abby! How was the view from your throne? I bet you had a fun time watching, huh? You could've lent a hand, you know." <<else>>You give the goddess a broad, friendly smile, greeting her with a rather informal wave. "Hey, Abby! How's the view from your throne? I bet you had a fun time watching, huh?" <</if>>Surprisingly, it isn't the gods who are scandalized by your tone, as one might expect. $AL and $AO whip around to face you, their eyes wide with alarm. "$name! You cannot address the Creator like that!" $AL exclaims. Salva blinks, incredulous. "Did you just call her...?" You look at them and shrug. "Yeah. What about it?" A raspy, broken sound suddenly echoes through the temple. When you turn toward it, you see Abora laughing, her shoulders shaking with each wheezing chuckle. "I like this human. A very endearing mortal, don't you think?" she says, turning toward her husband. "You're a very strange creature, mortal," Alcorac replies with a wide grin. You take it as a compliment. "You're a lucky bastard," $AO whispers when $AOhe_she leans toward you, a crooked smile curving $AOhis_her lips. Abora blinks slowly and turns her head toward Salva with a heavy, deliberate movement, as if the gesture required a massive effort. Salva tenses, swallowing hard under her scrutiny. "My condolences for your loss, mortal. I sense the pain it has left within you," Abora says, bowing her head slightly in a respectful gesture. The young merman flinches back slightly, his eyes widening for a moment before a sad frown settles over his expression. He lowers his gaze and remains silent. "I can feel that Bucante has endured many hardships, as have you all," the goddess continues, her gaze falling momentarily upon $LL, who looks away and shrinks into $LLhimself_herself just like Salva, before focusing back on the rest of you. "Tell me, what happened with $BN?" "$BNHe_She was kidnapping the merpeople and forcing them to transform into tibicenas," $RG begins, $RGhis_her expression grim. "I fear Bucante was not prepared for tibicenas adapted to the ocean." "I tried to minimize the damage," Nauzet continues. "And, for a time, I succeeded. But then the renegade deceived my companion, and we couldn't find the orb sooner." He lets out a low growl, his fists clenching. "$BNHis_Her powers reach places I cannot comprehend." "When $BNhe_she appeared…" $RG presses $RGhis_her lips together as $RGhis_her gaze falls to the ground, $RGhis_her voice lowering slightly. "...we were no match for $BNhim_her." "I already warned you, my child," Abora says, her tone carrying a subtle hint of reproach. "You cannot defeat $BNhim_her. Only $AA can. Never aim to strike $BNhim_her down, only to slow $BNhis_her advances." Both gods nod, though from their strained postures, you know they're not happy with the idea. Your hand clutches your necklace over the fabric of your clothes, a detail that seems to catch Abora's attention for a brief instant. <<if $leviathan is true>>"And $BNhe_she also used Locto to corrupt the leviathans," Enid adds shortly after. "Luckily, one of them survived." "Poor guy," $AO interjects. $AOHe_She clicks $AOhis_her tongue and crosses $AOhis_her arms, shifting $AOhis_her weight onto one leg. "What an ending for someone who only wanted to protect his world..." <<else>>"$BNHe_She also corrupted the leviathans," Enid adds shortly after, her ears drooping. "Yet another species vanishes. A shame." "We shall add it to the archives," Abora comments with a nod, blinking slowly. "$BNHe_She also took advantage of Locto," $AO interjects. $AOHe_She clicks $AOhis_her tongue and crosses $AOhis_her arms, shifting $AOhis_her weight onto one leg. "Poor guy. What an ending for someone who only wanted to protect his world..." <</if>>Alcorac tilts his head with curiosity. "Do you pity him, mortal?" "Apparently, he didn't wipe out his race," $AL replies. "It was consensual. They all agreed to give Locto their energy to protect Bucante in the past." Abora narrows her eyes just enough to be noticeable. "Consensual?" * <<if $corruption < 5>>[[Yeah… which makes it all the more tragic|13a]]<<else>>==Yeah… which makes it all the more tragic==<</if>> * <<if $corruption < 5>>[["And then " + $BN + " twisted everything"|13b]]<<else>>==And then $BN twisted everything==<</if>> * <<if $corruption < 5>>[[Let's not idealize this. Locto is still guilty|13c]]<<else>>==Let's not idealize this. Locto is still guilty==<</if>> * <<if $corruption < 5>>[[Locto was just another victim|13d]]<<else>>==Locto was just another victim==<</if>> * <<if $corruption < 5>>[[Locto and his people ended up lost in someone else's darkness|13e]]<<else>>==Locto and his people ended up lost in someone else's darkness==<</if>> * <<if $corruption < 5>>[[Out of curiosity… Shouldn't you have known all this from the beginning?|13f]]<<else>>==Out of curiosity… Shouldn't you have known all this from the beginning?==<</if>> * [[Do you truly expect me to believe you knew nothing at all?|13g]]

<<add_fun +1>>\ \ <<if $belief is true>>"Well, it could have gone better..." You straighten up and shrug. "But it could have also gone //much// worse, so we'll count it as a victory." <<else>>"Well, it could have gone better..." You shrug. "But it could have also gone //much// worse, so we'll count it as a victory." <</if>>Abora nods and closes her eyes for a moment. A tinge of sorrow seeps into her voice, despite her expressionless face. "The price of survival is rarely kind." She blinks slowly and turns her head toward Salva with a heavy, deliberate movement, as if the gesture required a massive effort. Salva tenses, swallowing hard under her scrutiny. "My condolences for your loss, mortal. I sense the pain it has left within you," Abora says, bowing her head slightly in a respectful gesture. The young merman flinches back slightly, his eyes widening for a moment before a sad frown settles over his expression. He lowers his gaze and remains silent. "I can feel that Bucante has endured many hardships, as have you all," the goddess continues, her gaze falling momentarily upon $LL, who looks away and shrinks into $LLhimself_herself just like Salva, before focusing back on the rest of you. "Tell me, what happened with $BN?" "$BNHe_She was kidnapping the merpeople and forcing them to transform into tibicenas," $RG begins, $RGhis_her expression grim. "I fear Bucante was not prepared for tibicenas adapted to the ocean." "I tried to minimize the damage," Nauzet continues. "And, for a time, I succeeded. But then the renegade deceived my companion, and we couldn't find the orb sooner." He lets out a low growl, his fists clenching. "$BNHis_Her powers reach places I cannot comprehend." "When $BNhe_she appeared…" $RG presses $RGhis_her lips together as $RGhis_her gaze falls to the ground, $RGhis_her voice lowering slightly. "...we were no match for $BNhim_her." "I already warned you, my child," Abora says, her tone carrying a subtle hint of reproach. "You cannot defeat $BNhim_her. Only $AA can. Never aim to strike $BNhim_her down, only to slow $BNhis_her advances." Both gods nod, though from their strained postures, you know they're not happy with the idea. Your hand clutches your necklace over the fabric of your clothes, a detail that seems to catch Abora's attention for a brief instant. <<if $leviathan is true>>"And $BNhe_she also used Locto to corrupt the leviathans," Enid adds shortly after. "Luckily, one of them survived." "Poor guy," $AO interjects. $AOHe_She clicks $AOhis_her tongue and crosses $AOhis_her arms, shifting $AOhis_her weight onto one leg. "What an ending for someone who only wanted to protect his world..." <<else>>"$BNHe_She also corrupted the leviathans," Enid adds shortly after, her ears drooping. "Yet another species vanishes. A shame." "We shall add it to the archives," Abora comments with a nod, blinking slowly. "$BNHe_She also took advantage of Locto," $AO interjects. $AOHe_She clicks $AOhis_her tongue and crosses $AOhis_her arms, shifting $AOhis_her weight onto one leg. "Poor guy. What an ending for someone who only wanted to protect his world..." <</if>>Alcorac tilts his head with curiosity. "Do you pity him, mortal?" "Apparently, he didn't wipe out his race," $AL replies. "It was consensual. They all agreed to give Locto their energy to protect Bucante in the past." Abora narrows her eyes just enough to be noticeable. "Consensual?" * <<if $corruption < 5>>[[Yeah… which makes it all the more tragic|13a]]<<else>>==Yeah… which makes it all the more tragic==<</if>> * <<if $corruption < 5>>[["And then " + $BN + " twisted everything"|13b]]<<else>>==And then $BN twisted everything==<</if>> * <<if $corruption < 5>>[[Let's not idealize this. Locto is still guilty|13c]]<<else>>==Let's not idealize this. Locto is still guilty==<</if>> * <<if $corruption < 5>>[[Locto was just another victim|13d]]<<else>>==Locto was just another victim==<</if>> * <<if $corruption < 5>>[[Locto and his people ended up lost in someone else's darkness|13e]]<<else>>==Locto and his people ended up lost in someone else's darkness==<</if>> * <<if $corruption < 5>>[[Out of curiosity… Shouldn't you have known all this from the beginning?|13f]]<<else>>==Out of curiosity… Shouldn't you have known all this from the beginning?==<</if>> * [[Do you truly expect me to believe you knew nothing at all?|13g]]

<<add_blunt +1>>\ \ "We're alive, which is saying a lot," you say<<if $belief is true>>, straightening your posture<</if>>. "And so is Bucante. That counts as good news on its own." "Briefly put, but essentially true," $AO comments. Abora nods, a glint of approval appearing in her eyes even though her face remains devoid of emotion. "Sometimes, the essential can fit into very few words." She blinks slowly and turns her head toward Salva with a heavy, deliberate movement, as if the gesture required a massive effort. Salva tenses, swallowing hard under her scrutiny. "My condolences for your loss, mortal. I sense the pain it has left within you," Abora says, bowing her head slightly in a respectful gesture. The young merman flinches back slightly, his eyes widening for a moment before a sad frown settles over his expression. He lowers his gaze and remains silent. "I can feel that Bucante has endured many hardships, as have you all," the goddess continues, her gaze falling momentarily upon $LL, who looks away and shrinks into $LLhimself_herself just like Salva, before focusing back on the rest of you. "Tell me, what happened with $BN?" "$BNHe_She was kidnapping the merpeople and forcing them to transform into tibicenas," $RG begins, $RGhis_her expression grim. "I fear Bucante was not prepared for tibicenas adapted to the ocean." "I tried to minimize the damage," Nauzet continues. "And, for a time, I succeeded. But then the renegade deceived my companion, and we couldn't find the orb sooner." He lets out a low growl, his fists clenching. "$BNHis_Her powers reach places I cannot comprehend." "When $BNhe_she appeared…" $RG presses $RGhis_her lips together as $RGhis_her gaze falls to the ground, $RGhis_her voice lowering slightly. "...we were no match for $BNhim_her." "I already warned you, my child," Abora says, her tone carrying a subtle hint of reproach. "You cannot defeat $BNhim_her. Only $AA can. Never aim to strike $BNhim_her down, only to slow $BNhis_her advances." Both gods nod, though from their strained postures, you know they're not happy with the idea. Your hand clutches your necklace over the fabric of your clothes, a detail that seems to catch Abora's attention for a brief instant. <<if $leviathan is true>>"And $BNhe_she also used Locto to corrupt the leviathans," Enid adds shortly after. "Luckily, one of them survived." "Poor guy," $AO interjects. $AOHe_She clicks $AOhis_her tongue and crosses $AOhis_her arms, shifting $AOhis_her weight onto one leg. "What an ending for someone who only wanted to protect his world..." <<else>>"$BNHe_She also corrupted the leviathans," Enid adds shortly after, her ears drooping. "Yet another species vanishes. A shame." "We shall add it to the archives," Abora comments with a nod, blinking slowly. "$BNHe_She also took advantage of Locto," $AO interjects. $AOHe_She clicks $AOhis_her tongue and crosses $AOhis_her arms, shifting $AOhis_her weight onto one leg. "Poor guy. What an ending for someone who only wanted to protect his world..." <</if>>Alcorac tilts his head with curiosity. "Do you pity him, mortal?" "Apparently, he didn't wipe out his race," $AL replies. "It was consensual. They all agreed to give Locto their energy to protect Bucante in the past." Abora narrows her eyes just enough to be noticeable. "Consensual?" * <<if $corruption < 5>>[[Yeah… which makes it all the more tragic|13a]]<<else>>==Yeah… which makes it all the more tragic==<</if>> * <<if $corruption < 5>>[["And then " + $BN + " twisted everything"|13b]]<<else>>==And then $BN twisted everything==<</if>> * <<if $corruption < 5>>[[Let's not idealize this. Locto is still guilty|13c]]<<else>>==Let's not idealize this. Locto is still guilty==<</if>> * <<if $corruption < 5>>[[Locto was just another victim|13d]]<<else>>==Locto was just another victim==<</if>> * <<if $corruption < 5>>[[Locto and his people ended up lost in someone else's darkness|13e]]<<else>>==Locto and his people ended up lost in someone else's darkness==<</if>> * <<if $corruption < 5>>[[Out of curiosity… Shouldn't you have known all this from the beginning?|13f]]<<else>>==Out of curiosity… Shouldn't you have known all this from the beginning?==<</if>> * [[Do you truly expect me to believe you knew nothing at all?|13g]]

"That's right. We saw it in his soul," you answer with a slight, sad nod. "Which makes it all the more tragic. They gave everything for their world and those who inhabited it without hesitation or asking for anything in return." Alcorac's expression softens. "Mortals always find nobility in loss." "Because we're the ones who learn to live with it," you reply. "Mencey," Nauzet speaks after a brief silence, taking a small step forward. "Regarding what happened in Bucante, and what I witnessed within Locto's soul, there are two concerns I must discuss with you." Abora turns toward him and nods slowly. "Speak, Nauzet." "In his memories... we witnessed the end of a Cycle. One where I was already an achimencey and led my companion back to Taoro to complete the ritual." Nauzet furrows his brow, his knuckles whitening around his trident. "And yet... I'm still alive." Abora narrows her eyes. "That's impossible." "I... I don't understand it either, Mencey. But a soul never lies." Nauzet's gaze drops for a brief instant before returning to her. "The thing is… I don't remember any of it. Not a name, not a place…. Nothing. Not even a face. No matter how hard I try, everything becomes a void from a certain point onward." "From what point?" Abora asks, her voice lowering a tone sharper. Nauzet sets his jaw. His eyes drift to the floor, as if the answer might be hidden in the ripples of the water beneath him. The lines on his brow deepen as he turns and nods toward $RG. "$RGHim_Her. Since $RGhis_her creation," he answers, almost in a pensive whisper. "I remember nothing before that." You shift your gaze from Nauzet's rigid expression and $RG's visible bewilderment to Abora and Alcorac. For the first time since you met her, the goddess's face betrays clear emotion. Her eyes widen in shock, and then the wrinkles of her ancient face deepen as she frowns and shares a look with her husband. They look... confused. Genuinely and unsettlingly confused. [[Continue|14]]

"That's what we saw in his soul," you answer with a brief nod before letting out a sigh. "And then $BN twisted everything. Locto and his people ended up as the tools of a broken $BNgod_goddess." "Mencey," Nauzet speaks after a brief silence, taking a small step forward. "Regarding what happened in Bucante, and what I witnessed within Locto's soul, there are two concerns I must discuss with you." Abora turns toward him and nods slowly. "Speak, Nauzet." "In his memories... we witnessed the end of a Cycle. One where I was already an achimencey and led my companion back to Taoro to complete the ritual." Nauzet furrows his brow, his knuckles whitening around his trident. "And yet... I'm still alive." Abora narrows her eyes. "That's impossible." "I... I don't understand it either, Mencey. But a soul never lies." Nauzet's gaze drops for a brief instant before returning to her. "The thing is… I don't remember any of it. Not a name, not a place…. Nothing. Not even a face. No matter how hard I try, everything becomes a void from a certain point onward." "From what point?" Abora asks, her voice lowering a tone sharper. Nauzet sets his jaw. His eyes drift to the floor, as if the answer might be hidden in the ripples of the water beneath him. The lines on his brow deepen as he turns and nods toward $RG. "$RGHim_Her. Since $RGhis_her creation," he answers, almost in a pensive whisper. "I remember nothing before that." You shift your gaze from Nauzet's rigid expression and $RG's visible bewilderment to Abora and Alcorac. For the first time since you met her, the goddess's face betrays clear emotion. Her eyes widen in shock, and then the wrinkles of her ancient face deepen as she frowns and shares a look with her husband. They look... confused. Genuinely and unsettlingly confused. [[Continue|14]]

"Let's not idealize this," you interject, your expression hardening. "Yes, it was consensual, and perhaps what we saw in his soul was noble at first, but that doesn't erase what Locto did with that power afterward. Whether he was manipulated or not." "Your tongue is sharp, mortal," Alcorac comments calmly, and though it is an observation rather than a reproach, you feel the urge to defend your stance, especially under $AO's gaze. "I won't dress a massacre up as honour," you snap, crossing your arms. "Mencey," Nauzet speaks after a brief silence, taking a small step forward. "Regarding what happened in Bucante, and what I witnessed within Locto's soul, there are two concerns I must discuss with you." Abora turns toward him and nods slowly. "Speak, Nauzet." "In his memories... we witnessed the end of a Cycle. One where I was already an achimencey and led my companion back to Taoro to complete the ritual." Nauzet furrows his brow, his knuckles whitening around his trident. "And yet... I'm still alive." Abora narrows her eyes. "That's impossible." "I... I don't understand it either, Mencey. But a soul never lies." Nauzet's gaze drops for a brief instant before returning to her. "The thing is… I don't remember any of it. Not a name, not a place…. Nothing. Not even a face. No matter how hard I try, everything becomes a void from a certain point onward." "From what point?" Abora asks, her voice lowering a tone sharper. Nauzet sets his jaw. His eyes drift to the floor, as if the answer might be hidden in the ripples of the water beneath him. The lines on his brow deepen as he turns and nods toward $RG. "$RGHim_Her. Since $RGhis_her creation," he answers, almost in a pensive whisper. "I remember nothing before that." You shift your gaze from Nauzet's rigid expression and $RG's visible bewilderment to Abora and Alcorac. For the first time since you met her, the goddess's face betrays clear emotion. Her eyes widen in shock, and then the wrinkles of her ancient face deepen as she frowns and shares a look with her husband. They look... confused. Genuinely and unsettlingly confused. [[Continue|14]]

"Locto wasn't a villain. Neither were the leviathans," you answer, before pursing your lips and clicking your tongue. "They were victims… twice in Locto's case, actually. We saw it in his soul." "Mencey," Nauzet speaks after a brief silence, taking a small step forward. "Regarding what happened in Bucante, and what I witnessed within Locto's soul, there are two concerns I must discuss with you." Abora turns toward him and nods slowly. "Speak, Nauzet." "In his memories... we witnessed the end of a Cycle. One where I was already an achimencey and led my companion back to Taoro to complete the ritual." Nauzet furrows his brow, his knuckles whitening around his trident. "And yet... I'm still alive." Abora narrows her eyes. "That's impossible." "I... I don't understand it either, Mencey. But a soul never lies." Nauzet's gaze drops for a brief instant before returning to her. "The thing is… I don't remember any of it. Not a name, not a place…. Nothing. Not even a face. No matter how hard I try, everything becomes a void from a certain point onward." "From what point?" Abora asks, her voice lowering a tone sharper. Nauzet sets his jaw. His eyes drift to the floor, as if the answer might be hidden in the ripples of the water beneath him. The lines on his brow deepen as he turns and nods toward $RG. "$RGHim_Her. Since $RGhis_her creation," he answers, almost in a pensive whisper. "I remember nothing before that." You shift your gaze from Nauzet's rigid expression and $RG's visible bewilderment to Abora and Alcorac. For the first time since you met her, the goddess's face betrays clear emotion. Her eyes widen in shock, and then the wrinkles of her ancient face deepen as she frowns and shares a look with her husband. They look... confused. Genuinely and unsettlingly confused. [[Continue|14]]

You let out a heavy sigh. "Locto and his people gave their energy to save Bucante… only to end up lost in someone else's darkness. A horrific end for such a noble race." Alcorac's expression softens. "Mortals always find nobility in loss." "Because we're the ones who learn to live with it," you reply. "Mencey," Nauzet speaks after a brief silence, taking a small step forward. "Regarding what happened in Bucante, and what I witnessed within Locto's soul, there are two concerns I must discuss with you." Abora turns toward him and nods slowly. "Speak, Nauzet." "In his memories... we witnessed the end of a Cycle. One where I was already an achimencey and led my companion back to Taoro to complete the ritual." Nauzet furrows his brow, his knuckles whitening around his trident. "And yet... I'm still alive." Abora narrows her eyes. "That's impossible." "I... I don't understand it either, Mencey. But a soul never lies." Nauzet's gaze drops for a brief instant before returning to her. "The thing is… I don't remember any of it. Not a name, not a place…. Nothing. Not even a face. No matter how hard I try, everything becomes a void from a certain point onward." "From what point?" Abora asks, her voice lowering a tone sharper. Nauzet sets his jaw. His eyes drift to the floor, as if the answer might be hidden in the ripples of the water beneath him. The lines on his brow deepen as he turns and nods toward $RG. "$RGHim_Her. Since $RGhis_her creation," he answers, almost in a pensive whisper. "I remember nothing before that." You shift your gaze from Nauzet's rigid expression and $RG's visible bewilderment to Abora and Alcorac. For the first time since you met her, the goddess's face betrays clear emotion. Her eyes widen in shock, and then the wrinkles of her ancient face deepen as she frowns and shares a look with her husband. They look... confused. Genuinely and unsettlingly confused. [[Continue|14]]

"Out of curiosity…" You pause for a moment as you test their reaction to your careful intervention. If they can sense your feelings, they must already know what you want to ask. When they look at you and wait for you to continue, you dare to finish your thought. "Shouldn't you have known all this from the beginning?" You raise your hands instantly and add, "I don't mean it as a reproach. It's just… it feels strange that something so significant went unnoticed, especially since you told us Locto had killed his own race, not that they had sacrificed themselves willingly." "We gods are not omniscient," Alcorac replies calmly. "Right. But you aren't strangers to what happens in the worlds, either." "In that… in that you are right." Surprise and confusion intertwine in Abora's voice. You watch the look she shares with Alcorac with a furrowed brow, a mirror image of your own bewilderment. How could they have had no idea? "Mencey," Nauzet speaks after a brief silence, taking a small step forward. "Regarding what happened in Bucante, and what I witnessed within Locto's soul, there are two concerns I must discuss with you." Abora turns toward him and nods slowly. "Speak, Nauzet." "In his memories... we witnessed the end of a Cycle. One where I was already an achimencey and led my companion back to Taoro to complete the ritual." Nauzet furrows his brow, his knuckles whitening around his trident. "And yet... I'm still alive." Abora narrows her eyes. "That's impossible." "I... I don't understand it either, Mencey. But a soul never lies." Nauzet's gaze drops for a brief instant before returning to her. "The thing is… I don't remember any of it. Not a name, not a place…. Nothing. Not even a face. No matter how hard I try, everything becomes a void from a certain point onward." "From what point?" Abora asks, her voice lowering a tone sharper. Nauzet sets his jaw. His eyes drift to the floor, as if the answer might be hidden in the ripples of the water beneath him. The lines on his brow deepen as he turns and nods toward $RG. "$RGHim_Her. Since $RGhis_her creation," he answers, almost in a pensive whisper. "I remember nothing before that." You shift your gaze from Nauzet's rigid expression and $RG's visible bewilderment to Abora and Alcorac. For the first time since you met her, the goddess's face betrays clear emotion. Her eyes widen in shock, and then the wrinkles of her ancient face deepen as she frowns and shares a look with her husband. They look... confused. Genuinely and unsettlingly confused. [[Continue|14]]

<<add_corruption +2>>\ <<set $corruptionTalk to true>>\ \ "Which is a detail far too significant for you to have missed," you intervene, narrowing your eyes at them. "Do you truly expect me to believe you knew nothing at all?" "$name!" $AL cries out. You speak without really thinking, a reaction born from the fiery knot forming deep in the pit of your stomach. Neither of them reacts to your sharp tone with anything more than a subtle furrowing of their brows. Those who do react, however, are your companions. Every eye in the temple is fixed on you, but you only stare back into Abora's orange gaze in a duel you cannot possibly win, one you cannot help but engage in nonetheless. "Your tone… it has changed, mortal," you hear Enid murmur, a subtle warning that shatters the heavy, tense silence that had settled over everyone. "Perhaps because I'm tired of half-truths," you reply without meeting her gaze. <<if $fun > $diplomacy and $fun > $blunt>>"Funny how they always seem to come from the gods."<</if>> A hand lands on your shoulder and squeezes gently, but firmly. Part of that sudden, suffocating knot dissipates just enough for your expression to soften and for you to break away from Abora's defiant stare. "Careful," $RG says in a low, rumbling voice once you meet $RGhis_her eyes. $RGHis_Her expression is stern, something you haven't seen on $RGhim_her until now. You blink now that the knot has fully vanished, looking around to find all your companions watching you with furrowed brows and gazes heavy with concern. $RG lowers $RGhis_her hand, glancing at $RGhis_her palm for a pensive moment before looking back at you, until Abora's voice cuts through the tension in the air. "Do not stray too close to the darkness, mortal. Otherwise… you may not find your way back." She doesn't raise her voice or look at you with reproach. In fact, her expression remains calm and devoid of any emotion, but the sheer weight of her attention makes you take a tiny step back. You avert your eyes to the floor, trying to find an answer to the sudden uncertainty lingering in the pit of your stomach within the subtle ripples of the water. You find nothing. [[Continue|13_2]]

"If you allow me, Mencey…" Nauzet speaks after a few long seconds, casting a cautious glance your way before focusing on Abora. He continues when the goddess nods. "Regarding what happened in Bucante, and what I witnessed within Locto's soul, there are two concerns I must discuss with you." Abora turns toward him and nods slowly. "Speak, Nauzet." "In his memories... we witnessed the end of a Cycle. One where I was already an achimencey and led my companion back to Taoro to complete the ritual." Nauzet furrows his brow, his knuckles whitening around his trident. "And yet... I'm still alive." Abora narrows her eyes. "That's impossible." "I... I don't understand it either, Mencey. But a soul never lies." Nauzet's gaze drops for a brief instant before returning to her. "The thing is… I don't remember any of it. Not a name, not a place…. Nothing. Not even a face. No matter how hard I try, everything becomes a void from a certain point onward." "From what point?" Abora asks, her voice lowering a tone sharper. Nauzet sets his jaw. His eyes drift to the floor, as if the answer might be hidden in the ripples of the water beneath him. The lines on his brow deepen as he turns and nods toward $RG. "$RGHim_Her. Since $RGhis_her creation," he answers, almost in a pensive whisper. "I remember nothing before that." You shift your gaze from Nauzet's rigid expression and $RG's visible bewilderment to Abora and Alcorac. For the first time since you met her, the goddess's face betrays clear emotion. Her eyes widen in shock, and then the wrinkles of her ancient face deepen as she frowns and shares a look with her husband. They look... confused. Genuinely and unsettlingly confused. [[Continue|14]]

"I had hoped…" Nauzet continues, a fragile thread of expectation trembling in his voice, "that you could tell us what might have happened." Silence follows. It stretches heavy and oppressive until it presses against your chest. You catch the faint shadow of worry crossing Alcorac's eyes and the uncertainty flickering across Abora's expression. Unease settles first in your stomach, then slowly climbs higher. That spark becomes a flame when they finally turn to face all of you. "…We do not know," Alcorac says at last. The words are simple, and yet it takes a heartbeat too long for them to truly sink in. You exchange brief, worried glances with the others, and in that shared moment, something hollow opens inside you. "What do you mean you don't know? You //have// to know!" $LL exclaims, $LLhis_her sudden outburst as startling as the gods' ignorance. The raw desperation in $LLhis_her voice makes you frown and turn toward $LLhim_her, but it is quickly eclipsed by the sharp beat of wings. Abora rises from her seat, her iridescent wings snapping open as she lifts into the air. She flies until she's directly in front of $RG. Her face hardens, brows drawn low as her intense orange eyes bore into your friend, as if trying to peer straight into $RGhis_her soul. $RG leans back a little, but $RGhe_she doesn't pull away. "Mencey?" Abora doesn't answer. She raises a thin hand and takes $RGhim_her by the chin. Her expression tightens. "How can it be...? Why...?" Her fingers close firmly, almost desperately, against $RG's skin, as if afraid $RGhe_she might slip away. $RG remains perfectly still, confusion and tension colliding in the charged closeness. "What is it, Abora?" Enid asks, looking from one to the other. "I hadn't realized it until now, but…" Abora murmurs, more to herself than in reply. She tilts her head slightly, never breaking eye contact with $RG. "…I cannot remember anything before your creation either, my child. Why…?" $RG frowns. "Nothing? But you told me my parents—" "Died," Abora interrupts sharply. "Yes, I know that with every fibre of my being. And yet… I cannot recall their faces. Nor anything beyond the moment of your creation." She looks back at Alcorac over her shoulder. He has risen from his throne as well. Their eyes meet in a long, silent exchange, until he finally shakes his head. Only then does Abora turn back to you all. "Neither of us do," she says quietly. "How is that possible?" you ask, taking a cautious step toward her. "I do not know, mortal. And that is very dangerous." She releases $RG and drifts back toward her throne. "If we gods are losing our memories, the consequences could be catastrophic. And for the first time…" Her jaw tightens. "…I must admit that I do not know how to proceed." "It's not just the gods, Abora," Enid interjects. "I don't remember anything from before you summoned me either. The difference between Nauzet and me is that I get headaches every time I try." She draws her ears back with a faint hiss, shaking it off with a sharp tilt of her head. "We thought $name could enter my soul to look for answers, but it was pointless." Abora's gaze snaps to you almost instantly. "What did you see?" * [[I couldn't see much|16a]] * [[I saw a woman...|16b]] * [[I saw two Faycans|16c]] * [[Her soul was… fractured|16d]] * [[I'm not sure. I started getting a headache too|16e]]

The intensity of her gaze is stifling, catching the breath in your throat. You force yourself to fight through the uncomfortable sensation and take a breath before replying. "Honestly, I couldn't see much. The place was incredibly dark, and there was some kind of invisible barrier that kept me from going further," you answer, giving a slight shake of your head. "But $he_she saw two faycans. That man, Acaymo, and another woman," Enid adds, wincing in pain at the mention of $RG's predecessor. Abora tilts her head slightly. "A woman?" You nod. "Yes. She was tall with pale skin, long ears, and long hair. I couldn't see much more than that." "An elf..." Abora murmurs thoughtfully. She shares a glance with her husband before turning back to you. "What else, mortal?" "Well... that's it, really. Not much else to tell. Like I said, I couldn't get very far. I only saw Acaymo and that elf." Enid groans again, pain ripping through her with enough force to bare her teeth. This time she squeezes her eyes shut, claws digging into $RG's shoulder. The purple-haired $RGgod_goddess frowns, worry tightening $RGhis_her features, and begins to stroke her gently in an effort to soothe her. "//Amidi//…" "Come closer, Enid," Abora commands softly. With visible effort, Enid opens her eyes and flies toward the goddess. The moment Abora's hand comes to rest upon her head, it begins to glow. The tension drains from Enid's face almost instantly, as if the pain had never been there. "Thank you," the spirit says, sitting on the armrest of the throne with a little hop and letting out a a quiet sigh of relief. "That man is the one I struggle with the most. Even hearing his name hurts." Abora continues to stroke her gently from her head to the base of her tail. With anyone else you're not sure, but with Enid, she doesn't wear that emotionless mask. Her expression is open, gentle, touched by a faint but unmistakable smile. She must truly care for her. "Mencey, who is he to her?" $RG asks. $RGHis_Her jaw tightens, fists clenching at $RGhis_her sides. "Could he be responsible for her suffering?" She nods slowly. "It could be, since our memories begin with his fall and your creation." "We must find him," Alcorac interjects, turning to his wife. "We cannot allow the memories of the gods to be swallowed by darkness. Least of all if they are within $BN's claws." [[Continue|17]]

The intensity of her gaze is stifling, catching the breath in your throat. You force yourself to fight through the uncomfortable sensation and take a breath before replying. "I saw a woman in the distance," you reply. "It was too dark to see her clearly, but she was tall with pale skin, long ears, and long hair." "An elf..." Abora murmurs thoughtfully. She shares a glance with her husband before turning back to you. "What else, mortal?" "I also saw Acaymo, but little else. There was a sort of invisible barrier that wouldn't let me pass." Enid groans again, pain ripping through her with enough force to bare her teeth. This time she squeezes her eyes shut, claws digging into $RG's shoulder. The purple-haired $RGgod_goddess frowns, worry tightening $RGhis_her features, and begins to stroke her gently in an effort to soothe her. "//Amidi//…" "Come closer, Enid," Abora commands softly. With visible effort, Enid opens her eyes and flies toward the goddess. The moment Abora's hand comes to rest upon her head, it begins to glow. The tension drains from Enid's face almost instantly, as if the pain had never been there. "Thank you," the spirit says, sitting on the armrest of the throne with a little hop and letting out a a quiet sigh of relief. "That man is the one I struggle with the most. Even hearing his name hurts." Abora continues to stroke her gently from her head to the base of her tail. With anyone else you're not sure, but with Enid, she doesn't wear that emotionless mask. Her expression is open, gentle, touched by a faint but unmistakable smile. She must truly care for her. "Mencey, who is he to her?" $RG asks. $RGHis_Her jaw tightens, fists clenching at $RGhis_her sides. "Could he be responsible for her suffering?" She nods slowly. "It could be, since our memories begin with his fall and your creation." "We must find him," Alcorac interjects, turning to his wife. "We cannot allow the memories of the gods to be swallowed by darkness. Least of all if they are within $BN's claws." [[Continue|17]]

The intensity of her gaze is stifling, catching the breath in your throat. You force yourself to fight through the uncomfortable sensation and take a breath before replying. "I saw two faycans," you answer. "$RG's predecessor, and a woman. It was too dark to see her well, but she was tall with pale skin, long ears, and long hair." "An elf..." Abora murmurs thoughtfully. She shares a glance with her husband before turning back to you. "What else, mortal?" "Well... that's all, really. There isn't much more to say. I couldn't go very far. An invisible barrier blocked my way. I only saw Acaymo and that elf." Enid groans again, pain ripping through her with enough force to bare her teeth. This time she squeezes her eyes shut, claws digging into $RG's shoulder. The purple-haired $RGgod_goddess frowns, worry tightening $RGhis_her features, and begins to stroke her gently in an effort to soothe her. "//Amidi//…" "Come closer, Enid," Abora commands softly. With visible effort, Enid opens her eyes and flies toward the goddess. The moment Abora's hand comes to rest upon her head, it begins to glow. The tension drains from Enid's face almost instantly, as if the pain had never been there. "Thank you," the spirit says, sitting on the armrest of the throne with a little hop and letting out a a quiet sigh of relief. "That man is the one I struggle with the most. Even hearing his name hurts." Abora continues to stroke her gently from her head to the base of her tail. With anyone else you're not sure, but with Enid, she doesn't wear that emotionless mask. Her expression is open, gentle, touched by a faint but unmistakable smile. She must truly care for her. "Mencey, who is he to her?" $RG asks. $RGHis_Her jaw tightens, fists clenching at $RGhis_her sides. "Could he be responsible for her suffering?" She nods slowly. "It could be, since our memories begin with his fall and your creation." "We must find him," Alcorac interjects, turning to his wife. "We cannot allow the memories of the gods to be swallowed by darkness. Least of all if they are within $BN's claws." [[Continue|17]]

The intensity of her gaze is stifling, catching the breath in your throat. You force yourself to fight through the uncomfortable sensation and take a breath before replying. "Honestly, I didn't see much," you reply, frowning slightly as you cast a quick glance at Enid. "Her soul was... fractured." "Meaning?" the goddess insists. "Literally that. The place was falling apart." "But $he_she saw two faycans. That man, Acaymo, and another woman," Enid adds, wincing in pain at the mention of $RG's predecessor. Abora tilts her head slightly. "A woman?" You nod. "Yes. She was tall with pale skin, long ears, and long hair. I couldn't see much more than that." "An elf..." Abora murmurs thoughtfully. She shares a glance with her husband before turning back to you. "What else, mortal?" "Well... that's it, really. Not much else to tell. I couldn't get very far. An invisible barrier blocked my way. I only saw Acaymo and that elf." Enid groans again, pain ripping through her with enough force to bare her teeth. This time she squeezes her eyes shut, claws digging into $RG's shoulder. The purple-haired $RGgod_goddess frowns, worry tightening $RGhis_her features, and begins to stroke her gently in an effort to soothe her. "//Amidi//…" "Come closer, Enid," Abora commands softly. With visible effort, Enid opens her eyes and flies toward the goddess. The moment Abora's hand comes to rest upon her head, it begins to glow. The tension drains from Enid's face almost instantly, as if the pain had never been there. "Thank you," the spirit says, sitting on the armrest of the throne with a little hop and letting out a a quiet sigh of relief. "That man is the one I struggle with the most. Even hearing his name hurts." Abora continues to stroke her gently from her head to the base of her tail. With anyone else you're not sure, but with Enid, she doesn't wear that emotionless mask. Her expression is open, gentle, touched by a faint but unmistakable smile. She must truly care for her. "Mencey, who is he to her?" $RG asks. $RGHis_Her jaw tightens, fists clenching at $RGhis_her sides. "Could he be responsible for her suffering?" She nods slowly. "It could be, since our memories begin with his fall and your creation." "We must find him," Alcorac interjects, turning to his wife. "We cannot allow the memories of the gods to be swallowed by darkness. Least of all if they are within $BN's claws." [[Continue|17]]

The intensity of her gaze is stifling, catching the breath in your throat. You force yourself to fight through the uncomfortable sensation and take a breath before replying. "Honestly... I'm not sure. I started getting a headache too," you answer, rubbing your forehead as if bracing for the intense pain to return. "But $he_she saw two faycans. That man, Acaymo, and another woman," Enid adds, wincing in pain at the mention of $RG's predecessor. Abora tilts her head slightly. "A woman?" You nod. "Yes. She was tall with pale skin, long ears, and long hair. I couldn't see much more than that." "An elf..." Abora murmurs thoughtfully. She shares a glance with her husband before turning back to you. "What else, mortal?" "Well... that's it, really. Not much else to tell. I couldn't get very far. An invisible barrier blocked my way. I only saw Acaymo and that elf." Enid groans again, pain ripping through her with enough force to bare her teeth. This time she squeezes her eyes shut, claws digging into $RG's shoulder. The purple-haired $RGgod_goddess frowns, worry tightening $RGhis_her features, and begins to stroke her gently in an effort to soothe her. "//Amidi//…" "Come closer, Enid," Abora commands softly. With visible effort, Enid opens her eyes and flies toward the goddess. The moment Abora's hand comes to rest upon her head, it begins to glow. The tension drains from Enid's face almost instantly, as if the pain had never been there. "Thank you," the spirit says, sitting on the armrest of the throne with a little hop and letting out a a quiet sigh of relief. "That man is the one I struggle with the most. Even hearing his name hurts." Abora continues to stroke her gently from her head to the base of her tail. With anyone else you're not sure, but with Enid, she doesn't wear that emotionless mask. Her expression is open, gentle, touched by a faint but unmistakable smile. She must truly care for her. "Mencey, who is he to her?" $RG asks. $RGHis_Her jaw tightens, fists clenching at $RGhis_her sides. "Could he be responsible for her suffering?" She nods slowly. "It could be, since our memories begin with his fall and your creation." "We must find him," Alcorac interjects, turning to his wife. "We cannot allow the memories of the gods to be swallowed by darkness. Least of all if they are within $BN's claws." [[Continue|17]]

"Mencey, there is something else Locto mentioned before he died," Nauzet adds. He hesitates only a heartbeat before continuing. "Chaxiraxi. I am certain I have never heard that name before, and yet it feels familiar. Could it be that elf? The other renegade?" Abora's response comes only after a long, deliberate blink. "It could be." "If those two faycans are tied to the loss of our memories, our souls will recognize the truth." Nauzet straightens, bringing his free hand behind his back. "I offer mine to find the answers that elude us, Mencey." Abora observes him for a silent instant before nodding. Nauzet hands the Orb of Moneiba to Salva as Abora takes flight once more, hovering until she stands directly before the achimencey. Her right arm floods with radiant white light up to the elbow as she raises it toward his chest. Slowly, her fingers begin to sink within. "Nauzet!" Salva cries out. "Calm down, it doesn't hurt him," $AL says quickly to stop him from interrupting. Both Nauzet and Abora close their eyes as the Creator's arm submerges almost entirely. For a moment, nothing happens. And then… <<linkreplace "Continue">><<audio "lightningLure" volume 0.1 play>>They both flinch. Nauzet staggers back half a step as Abora's arm is violently forced out of his chest. The goddess looks down at her palm, calm and unreadable, as the white light fades away. "What happened? What did you see?" $RG asks as $RGhe_she steadies $RGhis_her brother alongside Salva. Abora doesn't respond immediately, watching her hand with a thoughtful expression. Once again, her face reveals absolutely nothing. "Something… blocks the way within," she says at last, lifting her gaze to you. "A barrier, you said?" You frown. "Did the same thing happen to you?" "This is unlike anything I've ever seen," she replies. "At least, not that I remember." [[Continue|18]]<</linkreplace>>

For a brief moment, you all exchange looks heavy with paralysing unease. Then $RG stiffens, resolve hardening $RGhis_her features as $RGhe_she turns back to the goddess. "What do we do now, Mencey?" "What you must," she replies. She beats her wings and glides backward through the air until she settles onto her throne once again. "Regardless of what has happened, the Cycle continues, and thus, your mission and that of our Guayres must as well. Mortals, I grant you four days to recover your strength and prepare before departing to find the remaining achimenceys." "I can go as well, Mencey," Nauzet offers. "We will move faster with the two of us." But Abora is already shaking her head. "No. Your $RGbrother_sister is capable of completing this task alongside these mortals. I have another assignment for you." Nauzet's eyes widen slightly in surprise, but he quickly recovers and nods in acknowledgment. "Our memories may fail us and our souls may have been sealed, but no one can erase history," Abora continues. "Go to The Archives and return the orb to its rightful place. After that, Nauzet, search for any mention of our enemies and the previous Cycle." Nauzet nods firmly. "I will let you know the moment I find anything about Acaymo and Chaxiraxi." "You will remain here, Enid,"Abora adds, her tone softening as her hand resumes the gentle petting. "That man did something to you, and I cannot promise that it won't hurt again, but a spell should help ensure the pain isn't unbearable next time." "I would appreciate that,"Enid replies with a small nod. $RG looks at her, worry etched deeply into $RGhis_her brow. "Will she be all right?" "Do not fear, my child. Nothing will happen to her. She will return to your side before you depart." Abora answers. The purple-haired $RGgod_goddess hesitates, lips pressed thin. It's only when Enid offers $RGhim_her an encouraging smile that $RGhe_she nods and turns toward the rest of you. "Let's go." You follow your companions toward the edge of the stairs, but pause for a moment to take one last look back at Abora and Alcorac. You don't know if Abora's eyes have been fixed on you the whole time or if she could feel you were going to turn, but that orange meets your $eyecolour eyes with such an intensity that a shiver runs down your spine. She doesn't speak, and maybe she doesn't need to, because not long after you can no longer keep holding her gaze. You turn quickly to climb down the stairs and rejoin the rest of the group before the weight of her presence overwhelms you. [[Continue|19]]

<<audio ":all" stop>>\ <<audio "callOfTheNight" loop play>>\ \ Nauzet and $RG lead you toward one of the Drago's flanks. There, pressed against the trunk and half-hidden amidst the dense foliage of several lush trees, an ancient archway opens into a set of ruins. The vegetation brushes your clothes as you step through. Young vines and supple branches entwine around the worn stone of the pillars. The uneven floor alternates between cracked slabs and tufts of grass that sprout free and wild. Unlike the rest of the chamber, the left wall is not made of rock. It's the trunk of the Drago itself. <<if $diplomacy > $fun and $diplomacy > $blunt>>Your lips part, unable to hide your wonder as your gaze sweeps across the space. The light filtering through the cracks in the ceiling draws soft patterns upon your $skin skin. "Wow… what is this?" <<elseif $fun > $diplomacy and $fun > $blunt>>A low whistle escapes you before you can stop it as you take in your surroundings. The light filtering through the cracks in the ceiling draws soft patterns upon your $skin skin. "Whoa… what is this place?" <<else>>The light filtering through the cracks in the ceiling draws soft patterns upon your $skin skin as you inspect the area. "What is this place?" <</if>>"The entrance to The Archives," $RG responds, pointing toward the far end of the room. "This way." Beneath the shadow of a canopy covered in dried leaves, a gap in the floor reveals a staircase descending into the bowels of the earth. $RG and Nauzet begin to climb down first, their footsteps muffled on the steps covered in moss and leaf litter. The stairs lead to a short, narrow hallway that ends before a gate of smooth stone. Nauzet places his hand upon its surface, and it illuminates with the same soft, liquid radiance as the portals of Orahan. The merman turns toward you and nods toward the gateway. "Step inside." [[Continue|20]]

The sound of a fountain reaches your ears even before you lower the arm covering your eyes once the initial glare fades. The peach-hued sky stretches over your head once more, gentle nebulae gliding slowly by with touches of blue and green. To either side, you find the same floating islands that could be seen from the Well of Eternity, and it only takes a glance over the edge to see the portals to the worlds below. "Are we back in Orahan?" you murmur, your gaze following a pair of souls playing around a tree. "Yes, but in another place. More secluded. Only the Achimenceys have access," $RG replies. "Secluded why?" $AL asks. "Precisely because of what can be found here," $RGhe_she answers. One of the souls drifts away from the tree and draws your gaze forward. A long row of polished stone benches creates a straight line through the centre to the far end of the island. On both sides rise tall shelves filled with enormous books, with thick, shimmering spines with no trace of dust despite how ancient they must be. In front of you, just before the benches and aligned with the portal through which you arrived, stands a medium-sized altar of simple lines. It features seven perfectly carved circular hollows, one of them occupied by a crystal orb that you recognize almost instantly. "So this is where you took the Orb of Moneiba," you say, more as a statement than a question. $RG nods. "This is where they're placed, and where the seal is created." You press your lips together slightly as your gaze falls upon the altar again. It is simple, neither imposing nor ornate, but every one of its lines seems to have a purpose. It is carved from a pale material, almost like ivory, with soft veins running across the surface in golden strokes. The top is slightly recessed, creating a natural frame for the slots. //"Seven slots for five worlds,"// you think. //"I suppose the other two vanished along with their worlds."// Nauzet turns and extends his hand toward Salva. "The orb." Salva nods and is about to hand him the orb of Bucante when... [[Continue|21]]

<<audio "windE" volume 0.2 play>>\ \ //"Something is simmering on the surface."// Salva's bracelet flares up at the same time as the orb. Even before the blinding glare ends, a voice echoes through the ancient library. When you open your eyes, the Orb of Moneiba projects a blurred image into the air. You can see the distorted silhouette of someone and hear a warped voice, though it carries a feminine tone. Just like what happened with Thaon's orb. //"What do you mean?"// you hear as the silhouette looks upward. //"My siblings and I feel a darkness in the hearts of the Order,"// another female voice responds. It sounds more powerful and deeper than the first, though the distortion makes it hard to be certain. //"We fear a betrayal."// //"A betrayal?"// The silhouette looks away, chuckling softly. //"Who would be so foolish as to try and move against you?"// //"Fear does not paralyze, it gives hunger. And the hungry know no fear."// There's a pause before the same woman speaks again. //"I hope you're not involved too, Priestess."// //"...No. Of course not,"// she replies, though it takes her a second longer than necessary. <<linkreplace "Continue">><<audio "windE" volume 0.2 play>>The image vanishes, the glow from both the orb and the bracelet dimming once more. Salva extends his arms, pushing the orb away as he shoots an overwhelmed look at Nauzet. "I swear it wasn't me! This thing turned on by itself!" he exclaims. * [[Don't worry. The same happened to me|22a]] * [[Well, at least it didn't explode|22b]] * [[Seems like the merpeople weren't so close in the past|22c]] * [[If it's any consolation, I nearly had a heart attack the first time too|22d]] <</linkreplace>>

<<add_diplomacy +1>>\ \ "Don't worry. The same thing happened to me with the orb of Thaon," you say, giving him a slight pat on the back. "Apparently, the orb occasionally shows visions from millennia ago. It seems to react to the artefacts." "Don't dally with visions of the past," Nauzet interjects sternly, turning his back to the group to approach one of the shelves. "Leave the orb in its place and let me work. I have a great deal of information to sift through." You scan the immense library, doing a quick mental tally of all the books that must be stored here, filled with history both ancient and recent. The mere thought of it makes your head spin. "How are you supposed to find anything among millions of years of information?" you ask. Nauzet pulls out a book so big it's nearly half his body length. He drops it onto the bench with a heavy thud. "Book by book," he replies without even looking at you, sitting down and leaning over the pages. <<if $diplomacy > $fun and $diplomacy > $blunt>>You take another quick look around and purse your lips. "Are you sure you won't need any help?" "Well, now that you mention it..." Nauzet looks up, his electric blue eyes locking onto Salva's. "You're staying." <<elseif $fun > $diplomacy and $fun > $blunt>>You let out an amused snort and shrug. "Well, good luck with that. I'd die of boredom if I had to do it all by myself." "Don't worry, mortal, I won't be alone." Nauzet looks up, his electric blue eyes locking onto Salva's. "You're staying." <<else>>You raise an eyebrow. "You're going to be here for an eternity all by yourself." "Do not underestimate the efficiency of a god, mortal," he retorts. There is a faint hint of a playful challenge in his tone. "But you are right. I could use an extra pair of hands." He looks up, his electric blue eyes locking onto Salva's. "You're staying." <</if>>"What?" the young merman exclaims. "Why me?" "Because you overslept, and thus delayed our journey back here. Move, tadpole," he replies dryly. You know Nauzet could have woken him up on time if he'd wanted to, but you keep that to yourself. Salva groans, raising a hand with an annoyed gesture. "You said I could go back to the water! I need to hydrate or my scales are going to fall off!" Nauzet barely lifts an eyebrow at his complaints. He slowly raises a hand, his open palm aimed at Salva as it begins to glow faintly. Suddenly, a powerful pulse of energy hits, shoving the young merman back and tossing him into the fountain behind him. The fountain is deeper than it looked, the water fully submerging Salva and forcing him to bring out his tail and swim to the edge. He hauls himself up by the decorative stonework at the corner. "You son of a—! What was that for!?" he shouts, brushing wet hair from his face. "You're hydrated now," Nauzet replies with a slight hint of amusement despite his serious expression. A very subtle, very tiny smile tugs at the corners of his lips, though it never quite takes shape. "Now get out of there and grab a book. You're wasting time." Salva grumbles, climbing out of the fountain with $AO's and $AL's help. His wet footsteps echo through the library as he approaches the bench. "Old fossil..." he mutters under his breath. "Have fun, you two," $RG says with an amused grin. Nauzet responds without looking, offering only a slight wave of his hand. $RG activates the portal once more, and the rest of you follow $RGhim_her back to Taoro. [[Continue|23]]

<<add_fun +1>>\ \ "Well, at least it didn't explode. Imagine the mess." Salva shoots you an alarmed look. "This thing can explode!?" You shrug, a crooked grin appearing on your face. "Who knows? If I were you, I'd be careful, just in case." "$name. Don't scare him," $AL reprimands you. "Don't dally with visions of the past," Nauzet interjects sternly, turning his back to the group to approach one of the shelves. "Leave the orb in its place and let me work. I have a great deal of information to sift through." You scan the immense library, doing a quick mental tally of all the books that must be stored here, filled with history both ancient and recent. The mere thought of it makes your head spin. "How are you supposed to find anything among millions of years of information?" you ask. Nauzet pulls out a book so big it's nearly half his body length. He drops it onto the bench with a heavy thud. "Book by book," he replies without even looking at you, sitting down and leaning over the pages. <<if $diplomacy > $fun and $diplomacy > $blunt>>You take another quick look around and purse your lips. "Are you sure you won't need any help?" "Well, now that you mention it..." Nauzet looks up, his electric blue eyes locking onto Salva's. "You're staying." <<elseif $fun > $diplomacy and $fun > $blunt>>You let out an amused snort and shrug. "Well, good luck with that. I'd die of boredom if I had to do it all by myself." "Don't worry, mortal, I won't be alone." Nauzet looks up, his electric blue eyes locking onto Salva's. "You're staying." <<else>>You raise an eyebrow. "You're going to be here for an eternity all by yourself." "Do not underestimate the efficiency of a god, mortal," he retorts. There is a faint hint of a playful challenge in his tone. "But you are right. I could use an extra pair of hands." He looks up, his electric blue eyes locking onto Salva's. "You're staying." <</if>>"What?" the young merman exclaims. "Why me?" "Because you overslept, and thus delayed our journey back here. Move, tadpole," he replies dryly. You know Nauzet could have woken him up on time if he'd wanted to, but you keep that to yourself. Salva groans, raising a hand with an annoyed gesture. "You said I could go back to the water! I need to hydrate or my scales are going to fall off!" Nauzet barely lifts an eyebrow at his complaints. He slowly raises a hand, his open palm aimed at Salva as it begins to glow faintly. Suddenly, a powerful pulse of energy hits, shoving the young merman back and tossing him into the fountain behind him. The fountain is deeper than it looked, the water fully submerging Salva and forcing him to bring out his tail and swim to the edge. He hauls himself up by the decorative stonework at the corner. "You son of a—! What was that for!?" he shouts, brushing wet hair from his face. "You're hydrated now," Nauzet replies with a slight hint of amusement despite his serious expression. A very subtle, very tiny smile tugs at the corners of his lips, though it never quite takes shape. "Now get out of there and grab a book. You're wasting time." Salva grumbles, climbing out of the fountain with $AO's and $AL's help. His wet footsteps echo through the library as he approaches the bench. "Old fossil..." he mutters under his breath. "Have fun, you two," $RG says with an amused grin. Nauzet responds without looking, offering only a slight wave of his hand. $RG activates the portal once more, and the rest of you follow $RGhim_her back to Taoro. [[Continue|23]]

<<add_blunt +1>>\ \ You rest your hand on your chin, lost in thought. "From the way they spoke of the surface, it sounds like that took place in Bucante. I suppose you merpeople weren't always so close." "What? What are you talking about?" Salva asks, confused. "It seems the orb occasionally displays events from the past. It happened to me with the orb of Thaon as well. It's nothing to worry about, really." "Don't dally with visions of the past," Nauzet interjects sternly, turning his back to the group to approach one of the shelves. "Leave the orb in its place and let me work. I have a great deal of information to sift through." You scan the immense library, doing a quick mental tally of all the books that must be stored here, filled with history both ancient and recent. The mere thought of it makes your head spin. "How are you supposed to find anything among millions of years of information?" you ask. Nauzet pulls out a book so big it's nearly half his body length. He drops it onto the bench with a heavy thud. "Book by book," he replies without even looking at you, sitting down and leaning over the pages. <<if $diplomacy > $fun and $diplomacy > $blunt>>You take another quick look around and purse your lips. "Are you sure you won't need any help?" "Well, now that you mention it..." Nauzet looks up, his electric blue eyes locking onto Salva's. "You're staying." <<elseif $fun > $diplomacy and $fun > $blunt>>You let out an amused snort and shrug. "Well, good luck with that. I'd die of boredom if I had to do it all by myself." "Don't worry, mortal, I won't be alone." Nauzet looks up, his electric blue eyes locking onto Salva's. "You're staying." <<else>>You raise an eyebrow. "You're going to be here for an eternity all by yourself." "Do not underestimate the efficiency of a god, mortal," he retorts. There is a faint hint of a playful challenge in his tone. "But you are right. I could use an extra pair of hands." He looks up, his electric blue eyes locking onto Salva's. "You're staying." <</if>>"What?" the young merman exclaims. "Why me?" "Because you overslept, and thus delayed our journey back here. Move, tadpole," he replies dryly. You know Nauzet could have woken him up on time if he'd wanted to, but you keep that to yourself. Salva groans, raising a hand with an annoyed gesture. "You said I could go back to the water! I need to hydrate or my scales are going to fall off!" Nauzet barely lifts an eyebrow at his complaints. He slowly raises a hand, his open palm aimed at Salva as it begins to glow faintly. Suddenly, a powerful pulse of energy hits, shoving the young merman back and tossing him into the fountain behind him. The fountain is deeper than it looked, the water fully submerging Salva and forcing him to bring out his tail and swim to the edge. He hauls himself up by the decorative stonework at the corner. "You son of a—! What was that for!?" he shouts, brushing wet hair from his face. "You're hydrated now," Nauzet replies with a slight hint of amusement despite his serious expression. A very subtle, very tiny smile tugs at the corners of his lips, though it never quite takes shape. "Now get out of there and grab a book. You're wasting time." Salva grumbles, climbing out of the fountain with $AO's and $AL's help. His wet footsteps echo through the library as he approaches the bench. "Old fossil..." he mutters under his breath. "Have fun, you two," $RG says with an amused grin. Nauzet responds without looking, offering only a slight wave of his hand. $RG activates the portal once more, and the rest of you follow $RGhim_her back to Taoro. [[Continue|23]]

<<add_fun +1>>\ \ You let out a soft chuckle. "If it's any consolation, I nearly had a heart attack the first time too. It happened to me with the orb of Thaon." "Don't dally with visions of the past," Nauzet interjects sternly, turning his back to the group to approach one of the shelves. "Leave the orb in its place and let me work. I have a great deal of information to sift through." You scan the immense library, doing a quick mental tally of all the books that must be stored here, filled with history both ancient and recent. The mere thought of it makes your head spin. "How are you supposed to find anything among millions of years of information?" you ask. Nauzet pulls out a book so big it's nearly half his body length. He drops it onto the bench with a heavy thud. "Book by book," he replies without even looking at you, sitting down and leaning over the pages. <<if $diplomacy > $fun and $diplomacy > $blunt>>You take another quick look around and purse your lips. "Are you sure you won't need any help?" "Well, now that you mention it..." Nauzet looks up, his electric blue eyes locking onto Salva's. "You're staying." <<elseif $fun > $diplomacy and $fun > $blunt>>You let out an amused snort and shrug. "Well, good luck with that. I'd die of boredom if I had to do it all by myself." "Don't worry, mortal, I won't be alone." Nauzet looks up, his electric blue eyes locking onto Salva's. "You're staying." <<else>>You raise an eyebrow. "You're going to be here for an eternity all by yourself." "Do not underestimate the efficiency of a god, mortal," he retorts. There is a faint hint of a playful challenge in his tone. "But you are right. I could use an extra pair of hands." He looks up, his electric blue eyes locking onto Salva's. "You're staying." <</if>>"What?" the young merman exclaims. "Why me?" "Because you overslept, and thus delayed our journey back here. Move, tadpole," he replies dryly. You know Nauzet could have woken him up on time if he'd wanted to, but you keep that to yourself. Salva groans, raising a hand with an annoyed gesture. "You said I could go back to the water! I need to hydrate or my scales are going to fall off!" Nauzet barely lifts an eyebrow at his complaints. He slowly raises a hand, his open palm aimed at Salva as it begins to glow faintly. Suddenly, a powerful pulse of energy hits, shoving the young merman back and tossing him into the fountain behind him. The fountain is deeper than it looked, the water fully submerging Salva and forcing him to bring out his tail and swim to the edge. He hauls himself up by the decorative stonework at the corner. "You son of a—! What was that for!?" he shouts, brushing wet hair from his face. "You're hydrated now," Nauzet replies with a slight hint of amusement despite his serious expression. A very subtle, very tiny smile tugs at the corners of his lips, though it never quite takes shape. "Now get out of there and grab a book. You're wasting time." Salva grumbles, climbing out of the fountain with $AO's and $AL's help. His wet footsteps echo through the library as he approaches the bench. "Old fossil..." he mutters under his breath. "Have fun, you two," $RG says with an amused grin. Nauzet responds without looking, offering only a slight wave of his hand. $RG activates the portal once more, and the rest of you follow $RGhim_her back to Taoro. [[Continue|23]]

<<audio ":all" stop>>\ <<audio "horror1" loop play>>\ \ You climb the stairs toward the small ruin glued to the Drago, and you're about to cross the archway to the forest when a sensation at the nape of your neck stops you dead in your tracks. Someone's watching you. You spin around abruptly, your brow furrowed as your narrowed eyes sweep across every corner of the ancient ruin. You focus on the dusty rock in the corner. Then, the canopy over the stairs. After that, the thick root of the Drago that juts out from the left side before plunging back into the earth near the centre of the room. You even check the fissures in the floor and the gaps in the ceiling. You find nothing, but the sensation persists. There's a presence here with you. Of that, you have no doubt. <<if $weapon is "Sword">>Your shoulders tense as your hand hovers over the hilt of your sword. You barely brush it as your eyes keep scanning the room, ready to draw it at any moment. <<elseif $weapon is "Bow">>With slow, measured movements, you reach for your bow and pull an arrow from your quiver. You keep the string slightly taut, positioning yourself for a snap shot if necessary, while your eyes continue to scan the room. <<else>>Your fingers move one by one as if you were playing an instrument, your magic pooling within them as your eyes keep scanning the room. <</if>>"Who are you, and where are you?" you mutter to yourself. A leaf falls from one of the trees, drifting through a gap in the ceiling. You follow its slow descent until it lands upon the root of the majestic tree. For a moment, you stare blankly at the hard bark, as if for some reason it was the most interesting thing in the world. Suddenly, a dull thud at your feet catches your attention. Looking down, you see a folded piece of paper on the floor that you recognize almost instantly. You pat your empty pocket out of instinct before leaning down to pick up the note you found in Bucante, still surprisingly dry. You unfold it with your thumb, the lines on your brow deepening. "Is it you then... whoever you are?" [[Continue|24]]

"Hey, $name!" you hear $AO's voice calling from behind. As you turn, the joke $AOhe_she was about to make dies on $AOhis_her tongue, replaced by a serious expression upon seeing your strained features. "Is something wrong?" The rest of the group arrives just after, all of them watching you with faces ranging from confusion to concern. "Don't you feel something strange here?" you ask, casting another critical glance around the seemingly empty room. "Strange in what way?" $LL asks, instinctively doing the same. "As if someone was... watching," you respond in a whisper. $RG's face tightens slightly. $RGHe_She closes $RGhis_her eyes for a moment, a very subtle pulse of magic sending a soft wind rippling out from $RGhim_her. The moment it reaches you, that strange and unsettling sensation dissipates. "I feel nothing aside from the animals in the forest," $RGhe_she responds with a small shake of $RGhis_her head after opening $RGhis_her eyes again. "They're all very calm. Is it in this temple where you feel it?" You nod. "Yes. Though it just vanished." Your fingers tighten around the paper, and the sound makes you look down at it for an instant before offering it to $RG. "In fact, it's not the first time I've felt it, and I've been meaning to tell you about this." "What is that?" $AL asks as $RG takes the note. "I've been... I don't know if I should say I've been finding them or if someone has been giving them to me. But I have a couple more like this. They look like journal entries or something similar. I think they're from the same person, but I've found them in different places. The first two in Thaon, and that one in Bucante." You purse your lips. "And with each one, I always had the feeling that someone was watching me... just like a moment ago." "It would be too much of a coincidence for the owner to just keep dropping them and that you just so happened to be there every time," $AO comments seriously. $RG makes a pensive sound as $RGhe_she inspects every side of the paper. "I feel several things. Calm and uncertainty in equal measure. But, above all, a profound desire to help." $RGHis_Her face hardens, brow knitting. "But I also sense a trace of something dark. It's very subtle, but it's there." "What does the note say?" $LL interjects. $RG reads it aloud, pausing at a specific point that causes $RGhis_her expression to tighten a bit further. "It mentions the tibicenas. This was written by a god." "A god..." $AL murmurs, $ALhis_her worried gaze falling to the ground for a moment before looking up. "If there's something dark in it, could it be from one of the renegades? From $BN or Acaymo, perhaps? Or from that Chaxi... Chax...?" "Chaxiraxi," $RG says with surprising agility. "It could be." "But why would any of them want to help me?" you wonder, shaking your head slightly in disbelief. <<if $corruptionTalk is true>>$RG's gaze snaps to you as fast as an arrow. Its harsh intensity steals your breath for a moment, as if $RGhe_she was squeezing your chest without even touching you. "Regardless of who this note belongs to," $RGhe_she says, $RGhis_her words measured, "it'd be wise for you to be careful from now on, $name." The phrase itself might not seem like much, but in $RGhis_her tone, you catch the subtle warning hidden within. It is the same one Abora gave you minutes ago, and the mere memory of it makes your mouth go dry. You nod. "Keep them for now," $RG continues, handing the note back. $RGHis_Her face hardens. "And if it happens again, come to me immediately. Understood?" You nod again, more firmly, and tuck the scrap of paper back into your pocket. "Understood." "Good," $RGhe_she says, satisfied. "I'll tell Nauzet about it later. If it happens to belong to one of the Faycans, it might be useful to him." $RGHe_She then gestures toward the exit. "Let's go. I'll accompany you all back to my house." <<else>>"Maybe there is someone among the Faycans who isn't as corrupt as they seem?" $AO suggests. "I doubt it," $LL mutters through gritted teeth. "Regardless of who this note belongs to, it's worth keeping in mind. I'll tell Nauzet about it later. If it happens to belong to one of the Faycans, it might be useful to him," $RG says, handing the note back. "And if it happens again, come to me immediately. Understood?" You nod and tuck the scrap of paper back into your pocket. "Understood." "Good," $RGhe_she says, satisfied, before gesturing to the exit. "Let's go. I'll accompany you all back to my house." <</if>>$RG waits until you have all exited to take one last quick look at the temple before following you. $RGHis_Her wings unfurl, enveloping the group from behind as if that could shield you from unwanted eyes. <<if $RGLove is true>>You don't know if it actually works, but at the very least, it succeeds in comforting you. <<else>>You don't feel like it works very well. <</if>><<if $RGLove is true>>[[Continue|25RG1]]<<elseif $AOLove is true and $threesome is true>>[[Continue|25AOthreesome]]<<elseif $AOLove is true and $threesome isnot true>>[[Continue|25AO]]<<elseif $LLLove is true>>[[Continue|25LL]]<<elseif $ALLove is true>>[[Continue|25AL]]<<else>>[[Continue|25]]<</if>>

<<audio ":all" stop>>\ <<audio "revival" volume 0.5 loop play>>\ \ //''[Three days later...]''// The soft chirping of birds and the constant murmur of waves breaking against the shore wake you up slowly. First, you become aware of the touch of the thin sheet hugging your torso, light yet warm. Then, you feel the mattress beneath your back, still holding onto the warmth of your body. You open your eyes. The rocky ceiling of the room appears blurred at first. The scent of damp earth mingles with the smell of sand and sea salt drifting in from the entrance, filtering through the folding screen with every breeze that enters the hole at the mountain's base. Light begins to tint the walls a soft gold, creeping across the stone like a slow sigh. Judging by its angle, you'd say the morning is barely stretching its limbs. This means it's still early enough to allow yourself a few more minutes in bed. Your arm curls around the pillow, pulling it closer and tucking it against your chest. The edges of the fabric are cool at first, then warm quickly beneath your touch, yielding as you hug it tighter. You shift slightly, nestling into the mattress and drawing your knees up a fraction. The sheet rustles softly, a sound almost lost beneath the gentle crashing of the waves outside. Your breathing slows, deep and even, syncing with the rhythm of the ocean and the distant call of more birds greeting the morning you're not yet ready to face. Your eyelids grow heavy again as light and shadow melt together. Thoughts drift through your mind without form, like foam dissolving on wet sand, and you tighten your hold on the pillow to let out a satisfied sigh and allow sleep to claim you once more. [[Continue|25.2]]

<<audio ":all" stop>>\ <<audio "revival" volume 0.5 loop play>>\ \ //''[Three days later...]''// The soft lapping of the waves on the shore just a few steps away reaches your ears. You close your eyes as you get more comfortable on the pillow, laying down on the stone bench of the porch with your hands on the back of your head. You sigh, satisfied after the delicious breakfast $AL made for everyone. You can still hear $ALhim_her and $AO talking inside $RG's house, bits of muffled voices here and there and the occasional laugh that manages to bring a faint smile to your face. The blinding sun of Taoro hits you square in the face, a gentle caress more than a scorching touch. The pleasant heat warms your skin and could easily drive you back to sleep if you let it. This is basically what you've been doing these past few days, enjoying lazy mornings and doing a bit of sightseeing around the world of the gods that you didn't do the first time you arrived. It's nice to have days like these from time to time, without worries or a powerful god breathing down your neck insisting you train all day long. You expected at least a few lessons here and there to master the artefact's power, but surprisingly, neither Abora nor Alcorac has said anything about it this time. <<if $blunt > $fun and $blunt > $diplomacy>>Not that you're complaining. But you still squeezed in a couple of training sessions over the last three days, just in case. <<else>>Not that you're complaining. <</if>>[[Continue|26RG]]

<<audio ":all" stop>>\ <<audio "revival" volume 0.5 loop play>>\ \ //''[Three days later...]''// The soft chirping of birds and the constant murmur of the waves breaking against the shore reaches your ears the moment you step outside. You close your eyes and let the sun hit your face, warm yet still gentle, with that soft touch of the early morning hours. Light filters through your eyelids, staining the darkness in shades of red and gold. You take a deep breath, filling your lungs with fresh, salty air, and release it slowly in a satisfied sigh. You can still taste the breakfast $AL prepared for everyone. The memory of the warm bread, the honey sliding slowly over the crumb, and the freshness of the fruit lingers on your palate. It's a flavour as simple as it is comforting. You stretch a little, letting the warmth finish waking your muscles, and finally open your eyes. Your gaze wanders across the beach with a soft smile, following the curve of the shoreline and lingering on the small details. However, the fiery red mane catching the morning light doesn't take long to catch all your focus. In the distance, you find $LL with $LLhis_her back leaning against one of the largest rocks near the shore. You see $LLhim_her writing in the notebook propped against $LLhis_her flexed legs with quick and confident lines. You frown slightly. $LLHe_She's been doing this every day right after breakfast. As soon as $LLhe_she finishes —always before everyone else— $LLhe_she cleans $LLhis_her plates, grabs $LLhis_her notebook and a piece of charcoal, and slips away from the group to find a secluded spot on the beach to write alone. You've thought that maybe writing down $LLhis_her thoughts helps $LLhim_her. Maybe it's how $LLhe_she manages the side effects of the verdiryum and the sudden lack of it. Or maybe $LLhe_she just needs time to $LLhimself_herself. You've been giving $LLhim_her that space, watching from afar and hoping $LLhe_she would take the next step and come to you. But you know $LLhim_her well enough by now to know that won't happen anytime soon. Not unless you take another little step yourself. You wet your lips, feeling the spark triggered by the memory of a kiss that still makes you shiver and sends your pulse racing. You're not going to pressure $LLhim_her, but you don't want to wait any longer just to be by $LLhis_her side, simply spending time together like you always did. Before you realize it, you're already walking toward $LLhim_her, your footsteps echoing softly in the sand. [[Continue|26LL]]

<<audio ":all" stop>>\ <<audio "revival" volume 0.5 loop play>>\ \ //''[Three days later...]''// The soft chirping of birds and the constant murmur of the waves breaking against the shore reaches your ears the moment you step outside. You close your eyes and let the sun hit your face, warm yet still gentle, with that soft touch of the morning hours. You've overslept a little more than usual, but it's still early. Light filters through your eyelids, staining the darkness in shades of red and gold. You take a deep breath, filling your lungs with fresh, salty air, and release it slowly in a satisfied sigh. "Nothing like waking up next to the sea," you murmur to yourself, a little smile beginning to curve the corner of your lips. After that brief moment to yourself, you turn and begin walking along the mountain's edge. Your heart quickens with a light flutter of excitement as your steps lead you toward $AL's cave. You pause for a second at the entrance to straighten your clothes and make sure you're presentable before walking down the short corridor and tapping gently on the folding screen you all use for privacy. "Hello? Are you awake, $AL?" By this hour, $ALhe_she should have been up for a while, but it's strange that $ALhe_she hasn't come looking for you like $ALhe_she has the past few days. You knock again, a bit more firmly this time, and when you receive no answer, you peek your head around the edge of the screen. The room is tidied with almost meticulous order. The bedside table is spotless, and $ALhis_her axe rests securely against the wall, blade down for safety. The bed is made, the sheets pulled taut, and the pillow perfectly placed. $ALHis_Her pyjamas are carefully folded on the trunk at the foot of the bed. But $AL isn't there. Puzzled, you step back and leave the cave. You stop for a moment to scan the beach, mentally going over the few possibilities. Truth be told, if $ALhe_she's not in $ALhis_her cave, there's only one other place $ALhe_she could be. And if $ALhe_she isn't there… you'll have to take a trip into the woods. Hoping that isn't the case, you set your sights on $RG's house and head that way. [[Continue|26AL]]

A small, rapid flapping of wings reaches your ears, its proximity catching your attention. You wince for a moment as the sunlight hits your eyes full-on, and you shade your face as you prop yourself up slightly. A bird endemic to Taoro has perched on the small table in front of the bench. It tilts its head, looking around with quick movements and occasionally pecking at the stone surface, likely picking up a stray breadcrumb dropped by one of you earlier. It shakes its puffy white plumage marked with blue stripes, and spreads those wings that make you wonder how it's even possible for it to fly, given how small they are compared to its rotund body. As if it had read your mind and wanted to prove you wrong, the bird takes flight, beating its small but strong wings with mastery. It glides along the beach for a moment before disappearing into the forest. You frown the moment you lose sight of it, your gaze now fixed on a gap between two specific trees. //"That's where $RG went."// You've barely seen $RGhim_her over the last few days. By the time you wake up and leave your bedroom at the base of the mountain, $RG is already disappearing into the forest. $RGHe_She doesn't return until well into the night, long after the rest of you have gone to sleep. <<if $RGMIS is true>>You all know exactly why $RGhe_she's doing it. Fortunately for you, the rest of your friends are kind enough not to comment on it. $RGHe_She's been avoiding you, and this time $RGhe_she warned you about it. Part of you is glad, as you can barely look $RGhim_her in the eye after that last night in Bucante. But then, another part of you feels that distance between you hurting more than you'd like to admit. More than once, you've thought about going after $RGhim_her, but you always stopped yourself. Guilt kept you from acting, that same weight forming in your stomach right now just thinking about what happened. But today, you're not letting it win. Taking a deep breath, you fill yourself with a determination that ignites your chest, replacing any trace of remorse, and you stand up from the bench. Before you can think twice, you head toward the forest at a brisk pace. If you stop to overthink it, you'll probably back down again, and this situation has lasted long enough. <<elseif $RGMIS is false and $maday isnot true>>You all know exactly why $RGhe_she's doing it. Fortunately for you, the rest of your friends are kind enough not to comment on it. $RGHe_She's been avoiding you, and this time $RGhe_she warned you about it. Part of you is relieved, as you truly don't know what to say to $RGhim_her after $RGhis_her confession. $RGHe_She loves you. $RG loves you. $RGHe_She said it loud and clear. Those words have repeated in your head so many times now that it sometimes feels like you're hearing them in person again. If only. And then, on the other hand, $RGhis_her absence hurts more than you want to admit. More than once, you've thought about going after $RGhim_her, but you always stopped yourself. Not today. With a spark of determination igniting your chest, you stand up from the bench and head toward the forest without a second thought. You don't care how large the forest is, you'll spend the whole day looking for $RGhim_her if you have to. <<else>>You all know exactly why $RGhe_she's doing it. Fortunately for you, the rest of your friends are kind enough not to comment on it. $RGHe_She's been avoiding you, and this time $RGhe_she warned you about it, but that doesn't make it hurt any less. More than once, you've thought about going after $RGhim_her, but you always stopped yourself. Not today. With a spark of determination igniting your chest, you stand up from the bench and head toward the forest without a second thought. You don't care how large the forest is, you'll spend the whole day looking for $RGhim_her if you have to. <</if>>[[Continue|27RG]]

<<audio ":all" stop>>\ <<audio "fadeAway" volume 0.5 loop play>>\ \ Surprisingly, it takes you less time than expected to find $RGhim_her. You don't know if it was pure luck or if that strong, yet treacherous connection that inevitably exists between you guided your path. In any case, you find $RGhim_her just a few minutes from the beach. The area is relatively hidden among lush trees and thick vegetation, with soft-toned, colourful flowers dotting a carpet of green grass. A waterfall slides down the rock and descends into a crystal-clear lake, the water shimmering with small motes of light dancing on its surface. <<if $RGMIS is true>>On the other side, sitting with $RGhis_her arms and legs crossed at the edge of the lake, head slightly bowed and eyes closed, is $RG. The knot in your stomach tightens, uncertainty making you hesitate for a split second before you shake your head, square your shoulders, and take a step forward. <<else>>On the other side, sitting with $RGhis_her arms and legs crossed at the edge of the lake, head slightly bowed and eyes closed, is $RG. You observe $RGhis_her relaxed posture for a moment, feeling your heart flutter at the way the light filters through the leaves, dappling $RGhis_her figure with bright spots. You take a deep breath and step forward. <</if>>$RG keeps $RGhis_her eyes closed even once you're by $RGhis_her side. You know that $RGhe_she knows you're there, and not exactly because of your footsteps on the earth. $RGHe_She probably knew you were approaching even before you found $RGhim_her. You take a seat beside $RGhim_her without saying a word, bending your knees to rest your arms on them while you watch the lake. You're as close as you can be to $RGhim_her without actually touching, unconsciously seeking any kind of contact after days without a single glance. $RG doesn't flinch in the slightest. Not even $RGhis_her wings react, their feathers moved only by the gentle breeze that blows every now and then. $RGHe_She could be a statue or fast asleep somehow, if you didn't know better. * [["Break the silence and reproach " + $RGhim_her + " avoiding you"|28RGa]] * [["Break the silence and tell " + $RGhim_her + " you missed " + $RGhim_her|28RGb]] * [[Break the silence to comment about the place|28RGc]] * [[Remain silent and just enjoy the company and the scenery|28RGd]] * [["Remain silent. " + $RGHe_She + " should make the effort, not you"|28RGe]]

The silence between you is heavy, eventually reaching a point where the frustration it builds becomes unbearable. "You've been avoiding me," you say bluntly, breaking the silence. "I said I would," $RGhe_she answers, $RGhis_her eyes still closed. You don't know what bothers you more, the fact that $RGhe_she's right, $RGhis_her short answer, or $RGhis_her calm tone. You grit your teeth. "And you've been sneaking off here just for that?" you ask after a brief pause, your voice carrying a bitter edge you can't control as you turn toward $RGhim_her. "You can't avoid me forever. And you can't run away from what happened in Bucante, either." <<if $RGMIS is true>>$RG finally opens $RGhis_her eyes and looks at you, and you almost wish $RGhe_she hadn't and had kept them closed. That rush of guilt hits you the moment $RGhis_her violet eyes meet yours. In them, you can almost see the exact moment $RGhe_she told you those three simple words… right before you left with $MI. The knot in your stomach is so tight that you have to look away to keep from choking on it. $RG's expression softens into sadness, and you can hear it in $RGhis_her voice. "You shouldn't feel this way, $name. You don't owe me anything," $RGhe_she says. You know that, and yet, coming from $RGhim_her, the comment stings. You let out a huff, a sharp, dry sound that helps vent the frustration building inside before you explode. "And what if I want to owe you something?" you retort, finding the strength to meet $RGhis_her gaze again. "You said you love me, and—" "Stop," $RGhe_she interrupts firmly. $RGHis_Her voice softens after the first word. "Don't go down that path, please." You frown, clenching your fists with barely contained anger. "You can't just say something like that and expect me to forget it or act like it was nothing." $RG presses $RGhis_her lips together. Now it's $RGhis_her turn to look away. "You deserve more than the affection of a monster." <<elseif $RGMIS is false and $maday isnot true>>$RG finally opens $RGhis_her eyes and looks at you, and you almost wish $RGhe_she hadn't and had kept them closed. That rush of guilt hits you the moment $RGhis_her violet eyes meet yours. In them, you can almost see the exact moment $RGhe_she told you those three simple words… right before you left with $MI. The knot in your stomach is so tight that you have to look away to keep from choking on it. You swallow hard, trying to ease the tension. It does little to help. "...Nothing happened with $MI. I left in the end," you confess in a low voice after a brief silence. "I know," $RGhe_she says softly, which only makes you huff in frustration. "Of course you do…" you mutter under your breath. "Why didn't you stay with $MIhim_her?" "What did you expect?" you retort, finding the strength to meet $RGhis_her gaze again. "How was I supposed to do anything after you told me you love me—?" "Stop," $RGhe_she interrupts firmly. $RGHis_Her voice softens after the first word. "Don't go down that path, please." You frown, clenching your fists with barely contained anger. "You just asked, and you can't say something like that and expect me to forget it or act like it was nothing." $RG presses $RGhis_her lips together. Now it's $RGhis_her turn to look away. "You deserve more than the affection of a monster." <<else>><<if $RG is "Gara" and $man_woman is "man">>Gara finally opens her eyes and looks at you. Your pulse quickens the moment her violet eyes meet yours. In them, you can almost relive the moment you danced amidst the vibrant colours of the plankton and feel your arms around her once more. <<else>>$RG finally opens $RGhis_her eyes and looks at you. Your pulse quickens the moment $RGhis_her violet eyes meet yours. In them, you can almost relive the moment you danced amidst the vibrant colours of the plankton and feel $RGhis_her arms around you once more. <</if>>But with those beautiful memories comes the bitter final moment. The knot in your stomach tightens so much that you have to look away to avoid choking on it. You swallow hard, trying to ease the sensation. It does little to help. "I'm sorry for what happened," $RG says. $RGHis_Her face darkens with sadness, and you can hear it in $RGhis_her tone. "I let myself be carried away by my selfishness and my desire to be close to you, if only for once. I'm sorry." You frown, clenching your fists with barely contained rage and using that feeling to find the strength to look $RGhis_her in the eye again. "That's not what you should be apologizing for. It's for what you did afterward." $RG presses $RGhis_her lips together. Now it's $RGhis_her turn to look away. "Pulling away was necessary." You let out a huff and roll your eyes. "Necessary for whom? For you or for me?" "For both," $RGhe_she answers. "You deserve more than the affection of a monster." <</if>>That pent-up rage in your chest finally explodes in a growl as you snap to your feet. You put your hands on your hips and step away, pacing angrily for a moment before turning sharply toward $RGhim_her again. "Why do you resist something we both clearly want? I just can't understand it!" you exclaim, gesturing sharply. "Is this how you want things to be between us until the end?" <<if $maday is true>>$RG rises slowly, an action that somehow manages to infuriate you even more. "It is precisely because I know better than anyone what it is to end the life of the person who matters most to you in the world that I do this." Confusion mixes with the anger in the deep line of your frown. "And what's that supposed to mean?" <<else>>$RG rises slowly, an action that somehow manages to infuriate you even more. "It is precisely because I know better than anyone what it is to end the life of the person you love most in the world that I do this." There's that word that makes your heart flutter again, but this time you only frown in confusion. "And what's that supposed to mean?" <</if>>For the first time in this entire conversation, $RG visibly hesitates. $RGHe_She prepares to answer, $RGhis_her lips parting for just an instant, but $RGhe_she ends up closing them again. $RGHe_She turns $RGhis_her gaze toward the lake, as if searching the clarity of its waters for something to help $RGhis_her contain the unease that has suddenly surfaced on $RGhis_her face. "What?" you insist, a mixture of impatience and desperation in your voice. $RG winces slightly and purses $RGhis_her lips. The silence stretches for a few dense, uncomfortable seconds. The distant murmur of the water and the wind seem to grow louder in the absence of $RGhis_her words. Finally, $RGhe_she takes a slow breath and turns toward you. [[Continue|30RG]]

The silence between you is heavy, and after a few seconds, you can't help but clear your throat and turn toward $RGhim_her. "You've been missing for days," you say, breaking the silence. "We... we've missed you." You mean //you//, of course, but you don't say it out loud. "I missed you too," $RGhe_she answers, $RGhis_her eyes still closed. "But I just needed to find a quiet place to think." You don't know if $RGhe_she means all of you, or just you. Your heart flutters for a moment, wanting to imagine the latter, but at this point, you know better than to let your hopes up. Instead, you take a short look around, admiring the stunning view. "And it was here?" you ask. "It's a good place to meditate. Quiet." $RGHe_She opens $RGhis_her eyes at last, looking at you and letting out a soft chuckle. "And I guess a pretty view doesn't hurt either." You can't help but return the gesture with a smile that brightens your face as much as $RGhis_her violet gaze illuminates your soul. After the tension that has simmered between you these last few days, such a simple conversation feels relaxing. <<if $RGMIS is true>>However, memories of that last night in Bucante strike you like an arrow piercing your chest. That rush of guilt returns all at once, seeing the moment $RGhe_she told you those three simple words reflected in $RGhis_her violet eyes… right before you left with $MI. A heavy knot tightens in your stomach, so much so that you have to look away to keep from drowning in it. $RG's face darkens with sadness, and you can hear it in $RGhis_her tone. "You shouldn't feel this way, $name. You don't owe me anything," $RGhe_she says. You know that, and yet, coming from $RGhim_her, the comment stings. The tension between you resurfaces, stronger than before. All the unspoken things must eventually come out, and it's in this moment that you can no longer hold back your frustration. You let out a huff, a sharp, dry sound you can't suppress. "And what if I want to owe you something?" you retort, finding the strength to meet $RGhis_her gaze again. "You said you love me, and—" "Stop," he interrupts firmly. His voice softens after the first word. "Don't go down that path, please." You frown, clenching your fists with barely contained anger. "You can't just say something like that and expect me to forget it or act like it was nothing." $RG presses $RGhis_her lips together. Now it's $RGhis_her turn to look away. "You deserve more than the affection of a monster." <<elseif $RGMIS is false and $maday isnot true>>However, memories of that last night in Bucante strike you like an arrow piercing your chest. That rush of guilt returns all at once, seeing the moment $RGhe_she told you those three simple words reflected in $RGhis_her violet eyes… right before you left with $MI. A heavy knot tightens in your stomach, so much so that you have to look away to keep from drowning in it. You swallow hard, trying to ease the tension. It does little to help. "...Nothing happened with $MI. I left in the end," you confess in a low voice after a brief silence. "I know," $RGhe_she says softly. "Of course you do…" you mutter after a sigh. "Why didn't you stay with $MIhim_her?" $RGHis_Her words are gentle, but for some reason, they bother you. The tension between you resurfaces, stronger than before. All the unspoken things must eventually come out, and it's in this moment that you can no longer hold back your frustration. "What did you expect?" you retort, finding the strength to look $RGhim_her in the eye again. "How was I supposed to do anything after you told me you love me—?" "Stop," $RGhe_she interrupts firmly. $RGHis_Her voice softens after the first word. "Don't go down that path, please." You frown, clenching your fists with barely contained anger. "You just asked, and you can't say something like that and expect me to forget it or act like it was nothing." $RG presses $RGhis_her lips together. Now it's $RGhis_her turn to look away. "You deserve more than the affection of a monster." <<else>><<if $RG is "Gara" and $man_woman is "man">>However, memories of that last night in Bucante strike you like an arrow piercing your chest. Beautiful memories that make you long to go back, to feel your arms around her once more as you dance amidst the vibrant colours of the plankton. <<else>>However, memories of that last night in Bucante strike you like an arrow piercing your chest. Beautiful memories that make you long to go back, to feel $RGhis_her arms around you once more as you dance amidst the vibrant colours of the plankton. <</if>>But alongside those, the bitter final moment arrives as well. The knot in your stomach tightens so much that you have to look away to avoid choking on it. You swallow hard, trying to ease the sensation. It does little to help. "I'm sorry for what happened," $RG says. $RGHis_Her face darkens with sadness, and you can hear it in $RGhis_her tone. "I let myself be carried away by my selfishness and my desire to be close to you, if only for once. I'm sorry." The tension between you resurfaces, stronger than before. All the unspoken things must eventually come out, and it's in this moment that you can no longer hold back your frustration. You frown, clenching your fists with barely contained rage and using that feeling to find the strength to look $RGhim_her in the eye again. "That's not what you should be apologizing for. It's for what you did afterward." $RG presses $RGhis_her lips together. Now it's $RGhis_her turn to look away. "Pulling away was necessary." You let out a huff and roll your eyes. "Necessary for whom? For you or for me?" "For both," $RGhe_she answers. "You deserve more than the affection of a monster." <</if>>[[Continue|29RG]]

You take a short look around, admiring the stunning view. Specks of light tint the water with a milky hue, a faint steam gathering around each of them. From afar, it probably looks like the water is made of magic. Spray from the small waterfall splashes onto the grass, lending an even fresher tone to the vibrant green of the forest. A few droplets even reach you, a welcome cool against your skin. A few strange creatures you've never seen before leap between the tree branches, while others occasionally peek their heads out from the bushes. Some of them —a kind of winged little lynxes with elongated ears— emerge to drink from the lake before turning back the way they came. "This place is beautiful," you comment after a while, breaking the silence. "Is this where you've been sneaking off to?" "Yes. It's a good place to meditate," $RGhe_she replies, $RGhis_her eyes still closed. "It's quiet. The perfect place to think." $RGHe_She opens $RGhis_her eyes at last, looking at you and letting out a soft chuckle. "And I guess a pretty view doesn't hurt either." You can't help but return the gesture with a smile that brightens your face as much as $RGhis_her violet gaze illuminates your soul. After the tension that has simmered between you these last few days, such a simple conversation feels relaxing. <<if $RGMIS is true>>However, memories of that last night in Bucante strike you like an arrow piercing your chest. That rush of guilt returns all at once, seeing the moment $RGhe_she told you those three simple words reflected in $RGhis_her violet eyes… right before you left with $MI. A heavy knot tightens in your stomach, so much so that you have to look away to keep from drowning in it. $RG's face darkens with sadness, and you can hear it in $RGhis_her tone. "You shouldn't feel this way, $name. You don't owe me anything," $RGhe_she says. You know that, and yet, coming from $RGhim_her, the comment stings. The tension between you resurfaces, stronger than before. All the unspoken things must eventually come out, and it's in this moment that you can no longer hold back your frustration. You let out a huff, a sharp, dry sound you can't suppress. "And what if I want to owe you something?" you retort, finding the strength to meet $RGhis_her gaze again. "You said you love me, and—" "Stop," he interrupts firmly. His voice softens after the first word. "Don't go down that path, please." You frown, clenching your fists with barely contained anger. "You can't just say something like that and expect me to forget it or act like it was nothing." $RG presses $RGhis_her lips together. Now it's $RGhis_her turn to look away. "You deserve more than the affection of a monster." <<elseif $RGMIS is false and $maday isnot true>>However, memories of that last night in Bucante strike you like an arrow piercing your chest. That rush of guilt returns all at once, seeing the moment $RGhe_she told you those three simple words reflected in $RGhis_her violet eyes… right before you left with $MI. A heavy knot tightens in your stomach, so much so that you have to look away to keep from drowning in it. You swallow hard, trying to ease the tension. It does little to help. "...Nothing happened with $MI. I left in the end," you confess in a low voice after a brief silence. "I know," $RGhe_she says softly. "Of course you do…" you mutter after a sigh. "Why didn't you stay with $MIhim_her?" $RGHis_Her words are gentle, but for some reason, they bother you. The tension between you resurfaces, stronger than before. All the unspoken things must eventually come out, and it's in this moment that you can no longer hold back your frustration. "What did you expect?" you retort, finding the strength to look $RGhim_her in the eye again. "How was I supposed to do anything after you told me you love me—?" "Stop," $RGhe_she interrupts firmly. $RGHis_Her voice softens after the first word. "Don't go down that path, please." You frown, clenching your fists with barely contained anger. "You just asked, and you can't say something like that and expect me to forget it or act like it was nothing." $RG presses $RGhis_her lips together. Now it's $RGhis_her turn to look away. "You deserve more than the affection of a monster." <<else>><<if $RG is "Gara" and $man_woman is "man">>However, memories of that last night in Bucante strike you like an arrow piercing your chest. Beautiful memories that make you long to go back, to feel your arms around her once more as you dance amidst the vibrant colours of the plankton. <<else>>However, memories of that last night in Bucante strike you like an arrow piercing your chest. Beautiful memories that make you long to go back, to feel $RGhis_her arms around you once more as you dance amidst the vibrant colours of the plankton. <</if>>But alongside those, the bitter final moment arrives as well. The knot in your stomach tightens so much that you have to look away to avoid choking on it. You swallow hard, trying to ease the sensation. It does little to help. "I'm sorry for what happened," $RG says. $RGHis_Her face darkens with sadness, and you can hear it in $RGhis_her tone. "I let myself be carried away by my selfishness and my desire to be close to you, if only for once. I'm sorry." The tension between you resurfaces, stronger than before. All the unspoken things must eventually come out, and it's in this moment that you can no longer hold back your frustration. You frown, clenching your fists with barely contained rage and using that feeling to find the strength to look $RGhim_her in the eye again. "That's not what you should be apologizing for. It's for what you did afterward." $RG presses $RGhis_her lips together. Now it's $RGhis_her turn to look away. "Pulling away was necessary." You let out a huff and roll your eyes. "Necessary for whom? For you or for me?" "For both," $RGhe_she answers. "You deserve more than the affection of a monster." <</if>>[[Continue|29RG]]

Perhaps at another time this silence between you would have felt frustrating. This time, however, you find it almost comforting, and you take the moment to take a short look around and admire the view. Specks of light tint the water with a milky hue, a faint steam gathering around each of them. From afar, it probably looks like the water is made of magic. Spray from the small waterfall splashes onto the grass, lending an even fresher tone to the vibrant green of the forest. A few droplets even reach you, a welcome cool against your skin. A few strange creatures you've never seen before leap between the tree branches, while others occasionally peek their heads out from the bushes. Some of them —a kind of winged little lynxes with elongated ears— emerge to drink from the lake before turning back the way they came. "I like this place. It's a special spot." You don't expect to hear $RG's voice so suddenly, and it startles you for a brief moment. You shift your gaze from the animals to look at $RGhim_her. $RGHis_Her eyes are still closed. "It's beautiful, I must admit," you reply. "Is this where you've been sneaking off to?" "Yes. It's a good place to meditate. Quiet. Perfect to think." $RGHe_She opens $RGhis_her eyes at last, looking at you and letting out a soft chuckle. "And I guess a pretty view doesn't hurt either." You can't help but return the gesture with a smile that brightens your face as much as $RGhis_her violet gaze illuminates your soul. After the tension that has simmered between you these last few days, such a simple conversation feels relaxing. <<if $RGMIS is true>>However, memories of that last night in Bucante strike you like an arrow piercing your chest. That rush of guilt returns all at once, seeing the moment $RGhe_she told you those three simple words reflected in $RGhis_her violet eyes… right before you left with $MI. A heavy knot tightens in your stomach, so much so that you have to look away to keep from drowning in it. $RG's face darkens with sadness, and you can hear it in $RGhis_her tone. "You shouldn't feel this way, $name. You don't owe me anything," $RGhe_she says. You know that, and yet, coming from $RGhim_her, the comment stings. The tension between you resurfaces, stronger than before. All the unspoken things must eventually come out, and it's in this moment that you can no longer hold back your frustration. You let out a huff, a sharp, dry sound you can't suppress. "And what if I want to owe you something?" you retort, finding the strength to meet $RGhis_her gaze again. "You said you love me, and—" "Stop," he interrupts firmly. His voice softens after the first word. "Don't go down that path, please." You frown, clenching your fists with barely contained anger. "You can't just say something like that and expect me to forget it or act like it was nothing." $RG presses $RGhis_her lips together. Now it's $RGhis_her turn to look away. "You deserve more than the affection of a monster." <<elseif $RGMIS is false and $maday isnot true>>However, memories of that last night in Bucante strike you like an arrow piercing your chest. That rush of guilt returns all at once, seeing the moment $RGhe_she told you those three simple words reflected in $RGhis_her violet eyes… right before you left with $MI. A heavy knot tightens in your stomach, so much so that you have to look away to keep from drowning in it. You swallow hard, trying to ease the tension. It does little to help. "...Nothing happened with $MI. I left in the end," you confess in a low voice after a brief silence. "I know," $RGhe_she says softly. "Of course you do…" you mutter after a sigh. "Why didn't you stay with $MIhim_her?" $RGHis_Her words are gentle, but for some reason, they bother you. The tension between you resurfaces, stronger than before. All the unspoken things must eventually come out, and it's in this moment that you can no longer hold back your frustration. "What did you expect?" you retort, finding the strength to look $RGhim_her in the eye again. "How was I supposed to do anything after you told me you love me—?" "Stop," $RGhe_she interrupts firmly. $RGHis_Her voice softens after the first word. "Don't go down that path, please." You frown, clenching your fists with barely contained anger. "You just asked, and you can't say something like that and expect me to forget it or act like it was nothing." $RG presses $RGhis_her lips together. Now it's $RGhis_her turn to look away. "You deserve more than the affection of a monster." <<else>><<if $RG is "Gara" and $man_woman is "man">>However, memories of that last night in Bucante strike you like an arrow piercing your chest. Beautiful memories that make you long to go back, to feel your arms around her once more as you dance amidst the vibrant colours of the plankton. <<else>>However, memories of that last night in Bucante strike you like an arrow piercing your chest. Beautiful memories that make you long to go back, to feel $RGhis_her arms around you once more as you dance amidst the vibrant colours of the plankton. <</if>>But alongside those, the bitter final moment arrives as well. The knot in your stomach tightens so much that you have to look away to avoid choking on it. You swallow hard, trying to ease the sensation. It does little to help. "I'm sorry for what happened," $RG says. $RGHis_Her face darkens with sadness, and you can hear it in $RGhis_her tone. "I let myself be carried away by my selfishness and my desire to be close to you, if only for once. I'm sorry." The tension between you resurfaces, stronger than before. All the unspoken things must eventually come out, and it's in this moment that you can no longer hold back your frustration. You frown, clenching your fists with barely contained rage and using that feeling to find the strength to look $RGhim_her in the eye again. "That's not what you should be apologizing for. It's for what you did afterward." $RG presses $RGhis_her lips together. Now it's $RGhis_her turn to look away. "Pulling away was necessary." You let out a huff and roll your eyes. "Necessary for whom? For you or for me?" "For both," $RGhe_she answers. "You deserve more than the affection of a monster." <</if>>[[Continue|29RG]]

The silence between you weighs heavy, but this time, you're not going to be the one breaking it. You're fed up with always being the one struggling to close the distance between you, the gap $RGhe_she insists on widening every chance $RGhe_she gets. If $RGhe_she wants to talk, let $RGhim_her be the one to make the effort, for once. You're giving $RGhim_her the opportunity, and that's already more than enough. Specks of light tint the water with a milky hue, a faint steam gathering around each of them. From afar, it probably looks like the water is made of magic. Spray from the small waterfall splashes onto the grass, lending an even fresher tone to the vibrant green of the forest. A few droplets even reach you, a welcome cool against your skin. A few strange creatures you've never seen before leap between the tree branches, while others occasionally peek their heads out from the bushes. Some of them —a kind of winged little lynxes with elongated ears— emerge to drink from the lake before turning back the way they came. You grit your teeth. The silence between you stretches on, reaching a point where your patience finally snaps. You're on the verge of standing up and walking away when the moment you've been waiting for arrives at last. "I like this place. It's a special spot." You don't expect to hear $RG's voice so suddenly, and it startles you for a brief moment. You shift your gaze from the animals to look at $RGhim_her. $RGHis_Her eyes are still closed. "Is that all you have to say?" you respond, your brow furrowed. "I think... I've said too much already." "Too much?" you repeat, your blood beginning to boil. "Are you kidding me? You can't avoid me forever. And you can't run away from what happened in Bucante, either." <<if $RGMIS is true>>$RG finally opens $RGhis_her eyes and looks at you, and you almost wish $RGhe_she hadn't and had kept them closed. That rush of guilt hits you the moment $RGhis_her violet eyes meet yours. In them, you can almost see the exact moment $RGhe_she told you those three simple words… right before you left with $MI. The knot in your stomach is so tight that you have to look away to keep from choking on it. $RG's expression softens into sadness, and you can hear it in $RGhis_her voice. "You shouldn't feel this way, $name. You don't owe me anything," $RGhe_she says. You know that, and yet, coming from $RGhim_her, the comment stings. You let out a huff, a sharp, dry sound that helps vent the frustration building inside before you explode. "And what if I want to owe you something?" you retort, finding the strength to meet $RGhis_her gaze again. "You said you love me, and—" "Stop," $RGhe_she interrupts firmly. $RGHis_Her voice softens after the first word. "Don't go down that path, please." You frown, clenching your fists with barely contained anger. "You can't just say something like that and expect me to forget it or act like it was nothing." $RG presses $RGhis_her lips together. Now it's $RGhis_her turn to look away. "You deserve more than the affection of a monster." <<elseif $RGMIS is false and $maday isnot true>>$RG finally opens $RGhis_her eyes and looks at you, and you almost wish $RGhe_she hadn't and had kept them closed. That rush of guilt hits you the moment $RGhis_her violet eyes meet yours. In them, you can almost see the exact moment $RGhe_she told you those three simple words… right before you left with $MI. The knot in your stomach is so tight that you have to look away to keep from choking on it. You swallow hard, trying to ease the tension. It does little to help. "...Nothing happened with $MI. I left in the end," you confess in a low voice after a brief silence. "I know," $RGhe_she says softly, which only makes you huff in frustration. "Of course you do…" you mutter under your breath. "Why didn't you stay with $MIhim_her?" "What did you expect?" you retort, finding the strength to meet $RGhis_her gaze again. "How was I supposed to do anything after you told me you love me—?" "Stop," $RGhe_she interrupts firmly. $RGHis_Her voice softens after the first word. "Don't go down that path, please." You frown, clenching your fists with barely contained anger. "You just asked, and you can't say something like that and expect me to forget it or act like it was nothing." $RG presses $RGhis_her lips together. Now it's $RGhis_her turn to look away. "You deserve more than the affection of a monster." <<else>><<if $RG is "Gara" and $man_woman is "man">>Gara finally opens her eyes and looks at you. Your pulse quickens the moment her violet eyes meet yours. In them, you can almost relive the moment you danced amidst the vibrant colours of the plankton and feel your arms around her once more. <<else>>$RG finally opens $RGhis_her eyes and looks at you. Your pulse quickens the moment $RGhis_her violet eyes meet yours. In them, you can almost relive the moment you danced amidst the vibrant colours of the plankton and feel $RGhis_her arms around you once more. <</if>>But with those beautiful memories comes the bitter final moment. The knot in your stomach tightens so much that you have to look away to avoid choking on it. You swallow hard, trying to ease the sensation. It does little to help. "I'm sorry for what happened," $RG says. $RGHis_Her face darkens with sadness, and you can hear it in $RGhis_her tone. "I let myself be carried away by my selfishness and my desire to be close to you, if only for once. I'm sorry." You frown, clenching your fists with barely contained rage and using that feeling to find the strength to look $RGhis_her in the eye again. "That's not what you should be apologizing for. It's for what you did afterward." $RG presses $RGhis_her lips together. Now it's $RGhis_her turn to look away. "Pulling away was necessary." You let out a huff and roll your eyes. "Necessary for whom? For you or for me?" "For both," $RGhe_she answers. "You deserve more than the affection of a monster." <</if>>That pent-up rage in your chest finally explodes in a growl as you snap to your feet. You put your hands on your hips and step away, pacing angrily for a moment before turning sharply toward $RGhim_her again. "Why do you resist something we both clearly want? I just can't understand it!" you exclaim, gesturing sharply. "Is this how you want things to be between us until the end?" <<if $maday is true>>$RG rises slowly, an action that somehow manages to infuriate you even more. "It is precisely because I know better than anyone what it is to end the life of the person who matters most to you in the world that I do this." Confusion mixes with the anger in the deep line of your frown. "And what's that supposed to mean?" <<else>>$RG rises slowly, an action that somehow manages to infuriate you even more. "It is precisely because I know better than anyone what it is to end the life of the person you love most in the world that I do this." There's that word that makes your heart flutter again, but this time you only frown in confusion. "And what's that supposed to mean?" <</if>>For the first time in this entire conversation, $RG visibly hesitates. $RGHe_She prepares to answer, $RGhis_her lips parting for just an instant, but $RGhe_she ends up closing them again. $RGHe_She turns $RGhis_her gaze toward the lake, as if searching the clarity of its waters for something to help $RGhis_her contain the unease that has suddenly surfaced on $RGhis_her face. "What?" you insist, a mixture of impatience and desperation in your voice. $RG winces slightly and purses $RGhis_her lips. The silence stretches for a few dense, uncomfortable seconds. The distant murmur of the water and the wind seem to grow louder in the absence of $RGhis_her words. Finally, $RGhe_she takes a slow breath and turns toward you. [[Continue|30RG]]

<<audio ":all" stop>>\ <<audio "wounded" volume 0.5 loop play>>\ \ "I killed my wife and son." Any lingering frustration within you vanishes instantly. The sentence falls between you like a stone cast into the depths of the lake. A dry, sudden weight that drags everything down with it. You need a moment for the words to stop being sounds and start carrying meaning. During that lapse, you don't react. You only stare at $RG, searching for something your mind can use to soften the blow. An exaggeration... or perhaps, with luck, a poorly chosen metaphor. But there is nothing. $RGHis_Her expression is serious, held in check to the absolute limit. There is no delusion in $RGhis_her eyes or attempt to justify $RGhimself_herself, only a deep, eroded sadness. It is precisely that look that confirms $RGhe_she isn't lying. $RGHe_She isn't trying to push you away this time. $RGHe_She's telling the truth. "That… How… What…?" Emotions collide on your face with such violence that not even you could name them all. Air enters your lungs with difficulty, as if your chest had grown too narrow. You open your mouth once, twice… and fail to form a coherent sentence. $RG doesn't interrupt or rush to fill the silence. $RGHe_She remains still, $RGhis_her shoulders tense, as if braced for the blow $RGhe_she knows is coming. A shiver runs down your spine and you take a small step back, shaking your head slowly. "How… how could something like that happen?" you finally ask, once you find your voice. $RG lowers $RGhis_her gaze, unable to meet yours. "I was young, and I was in love. A very dangerous combination that Abora warned me about and I ignored." $RGHis_Her brow furrows, and $RGhis_her jaw tightens. "It was a decision that cost me dearly. The purest souls are the ones that corrupt the fastest." You blink, confused. "Corrupt, you say?" "I wanted to be with her," $RGhe_she continues in a low tone, as if speaking more to $RGhimself_herself than to you. "But she was mortal, and mortals cannot survive for long in this place. My selfishness… corrupted her. Along with our son's soul that she carried inside." The word 'corruption' pierces your chest. You press your lips into a thin line and frown, no longer out of confusion, but from a painful and more empathetic understanding. "It's my duty to fight corruption. And when she attacked Enid, I—" $RG cuts $RGhimself_herself off, shuddering. $RGHis_Her hand clenches into a fist. After an instant that feels like an eternity, $RGhe_she finds the strength to look up and meet your eyes again. "I didn't have a choice." There's no open plea or unspoken words in $RGhis_her eyes, but something deeper and more fragile. The tension that had kept $RGhim_her upright seems to give way for just a second, as if the weight of centuries had suddenly dropped onto $RGhis_her shoulders. $RGHis_Her pupils tremble slightly, betraying a fear that isn't born of punishment, but of the judgment you might form within yourself. And it is that look, the look of someone who accepted $RGhis_her sentence long ago, that makes your heart sink. * [[You didn't kill them. You freed them|31RGa]] * [[I don't see a monster in front of me|31RGb]] * [[You did what you had to do. You saved them|31RGc]]

"You didn't kill them, $RG," you say softly, taking a step toward $RGhim_her. "You freed them. And you protected Enid. That's not something a monster would do." "No," $RGhe_she cuts you off sharply, frowning. "It was my fault they were corrupted in the first place. I condemned them. I was too naive and selfish to see it then, but I won't repeat the same mistake again. And I won't let another person suffer the same fate I did." "What? See a loved one die? I'll remind you that I'm already going to suffer that, $RG," you retort, letting your frustration surface again. You take another step, pointing between the two of you. "And regardless of that, I //choose// this. Because I'd rather live with this feeling than pretend it doesn't exist. Even if I know the end." $RG watches you in a dense silence, charged with everything $RGhe_she isn't saying. For a moment, you think you see a small crack in the wall $RGhe_she's built between you, that $RGhis_her eyes soften just a little, as if the world were only you and $RGhim_her in that moment. But then your hopes shatter when $RGhe_she winces. $RGHis_Her wings unfurl, and a soft, artificial breeze begins to blow around $RGhim_her. "I'm sorry." "$RG, don't even thi—" <<linkreplace "Continue">><<audio "windE" volume 0.2 play>>You rush to close the distance, as if that could stop $RGhim_her from disappearing. But before you can grab $RGhis_her tunic, $RG vanishes before your eyes. $RGHis_Her sad gaze is the last thing that remains, replaced by the greenery of the forest behind $RGhim_her. It takes your brain a second to process the fact that $RGhe_she's no longer there with you and that your fist is clutching at thin air. When it does, the rage boiling in your veins transforms into a searing heat that leaves you gasping. You're going to kill $RGhim_her. And not to create the seal, exactly. You exhale a frustrated growl and kick a loose stone, sending an arc of dirt through the air before it falls into the lake. You watch the ripples it creates on the surface for a moment. As it calms, you see your reflection. Your own scowl glares back at you, full of helplessness and anger, feelings that make your chest heave visibly with every heavy breath. But... you also see a love so great it hurts. One you know won't go out just because $RG decides to run. A serene and stubborn determination begins to form on your face. You don't need to be protected, you just need... $RGhim_her. $RG can walk away and build all the walls $RGhe_she wants, but you're not going to pretend this feeling doesn't exist. You're not going to stop feeling. And, deep down, you know $RGhe_she won't be able to either, even if $RGhe_she won't admit it yet. After another brief moment watching yourself in the lake's reflection, you take a deep breath and turn around to head back to the beach. [[Continue|37]]<</linkreplace>>

"$RG… the person I see in front of me isn't a monster," you say softly, taking a step toward $RGhim_her. "I see someone who paid the highest price possible, and who has carried it alone for centuries." "Then you are blind," $RGhe_she responds with a bitter laugh, barely a sigh. $RGHe_She frowns again and shakes $RGhis_her head. "It was my fault they were corrupted in the first place. I condemned them. I was too naive and selfish to see it then, but I won't repeat the same mistake again. And I won't let another person suffer the same fate I did." "What? See a loved one die? I'll remind you that I'm already going to suffer that, $RG," you retort, letting your frustration surface again. You take another step, pointing between the two of you. "And regardless of that, I //choose// this. Because I'd rather live with this feeling than pretend it doesn't exist. Even if I know the end." $RG watches you in a dense silence, charged with everything $RGhe_she isn't saying. For a moment, you think you see a small crack in the wall $RGhe_she's built between you, that $RGhis_her eyes soften just a little, as if the world were only you and $RGhim_her in that moment. But then your hopes shatter when $RGhe_she winces. $RGHis_Her wings unfurl, and a soft, artificial breeze begins to blow around $RGhim_her. "I'm sorry." "$RG, don't even thi—" <<linkreplace "Continue">><<audio "windE" volume 0.2 play>>You rush to close the distance, as if that could stop $RGhim_her from disappearing. But before you can grab $RGhis_her tunic, $RG vanishes before your eyes. $RGHis_Her sad gaze is the last thing that remains, replaced by the greenery of the forest behind $RGhim_her. It takes your brain a second to process the fact that $RGhe_she's no longer there with you and that your fist is clutching at thin air. When it does, the rage boiling in your veins transforms into a searing heat that leaves you gasping. You're going to kill $RGhim_her. And not to create the seal, exactly. You exhale a frustrated growl and kick a loose stone, sending an arc of dirt through the air before it falls into the lake. You watch the ripples it creates on the surface for a moment. As it calms, you see your reflection. Your own scowl glares back at you, full of helplessness and anger, feelings that make your chest heave visibly with every heavy breath. But... you also see a love so great it hurts. One you know won't go out just because $RG decides to run. A serene and stubborn determination begins to form on your face. You don't need to be protected, you just need... $RGhim_her. $RG can walk away and build all the walls $RGhe_she wants, but you're not going to pretend this feeling doesn't exist. You're not going to stop feeling. And, deep down, you know $RGhe_she won't be able to either, even if $RGhe_she won't admit it yet. After another brief moment watching yourself in the lake's reflection, you take a deep breath and turn around to head back to the beach. [[Continue|37]]<</linkreplace>>

"You did what you had to do, even if it was the worst thing anyone could ever do," you say softly, taking a step toward $RGhim_her. "I'm sure it wasn't an easy decision, but if she was corrupted, you saved them." "No," $RGhe_she cuts you off sharply, frowning. "It was my fault they were corrupted in the first place. I condemned them. I was too naive and selfish to see it then, but I won't repeat the same mistake again. And I won't let another person suffer the same fate I did." "What? See a loved one die? I'll remind you that I'm already going to suffer that, $RG," you retort, letting your frustration surface again. You take another step, pointing between the two of you. "And regardless of that, I //choose// this. Because I'd rather live with this feeling than pretend it doesn't exist. Even if I know the end." $RG watches you in a dense silence, charged with everything $RGhe_she isn't saying. For a moment, you think you see a small crack in the wall $RGhe_she's built between you, that $RGhis_her eyes soften just a little, as if the world were only you and $RGhim_her in that moment. But then your hopes shatter when $RGhe_she winces. $RGHis_Her wings unfurl, and a soft, artificial breeze begins to blow around $RGhim_her. "I'm sorry." "$RG, don't even thi—" <<linkreplace "Continue">><<audio "windE" volume 0.2 play>>You rush to close the distance, as if that could stop $RGhim_her from disappearing. But before you can grab $RGhis_her tunic, $RG vanishes before your eyes. $RGHis_Her sad gaze is the last thing that remains, replaced by the greenery of the forest behind $RGhim_her. It takes your brain a second to process the fact that $RGhe_she's no longer there with you and that your fist is clutching at thin air. When it does, the rage boiling in your veins transforms into a searing heat that leaves you gasping. You're going to kill $RGhim_her. And not to create the seal, exactly. You exhale a frustrated growl and kick a loose stone, sending an arc of dirt through the air before it falls into the lake. You watch the ripples it creates on the surface for a moment. As it calms, you see your reflection. Your own scowl glares back at you, full of helplessness and anger, feelings that make your chest heave visibly with every heavy breath. But... you also see a love so great it hurts. One you know won't go out just because $RG decides to run. A serene and stubborn determination begins to form on your face. You don't need to be protected, you just need... $RGhim_her. $RG can walk away and build all the walls $RGhe_she wants, but you're not going to pretend this feeling doesn't exist. You're not going to stop feeling. And, deep down, you know $RGhe_she won't be able to either, even if $RGhe_she won't admit it yet. After another brief moment watching yourself in the lake's reflection, you take a deep breath and turn around to head back to the beach. [[Continue|37]]<</linkreplace>>

<<audio ":all" stop>>\ <<audio "horror3" volume 0.5 loop play>>\ \ //''[Somewhere, high atop a mountain...]''// The world's highest peak towers just another kilometre above, beyond a layer of snow so thick it seems to swallow everything beneath its white weight. Despite being closer to the sun in a cloudless sky, the cold seeps beneath her furs and bites at her limbs without mercy. It's been a long time since she last heard any animals. Not even they venture this high, unable to endure the extreme temperatures of the summit. At least, not without a powerful spell. Her pet appears at her side, brushing briefly against her arm, nearly reaching her shoulder. The warm softness of his fur offers a small respite, even through all the layers covering her. The woman strokes his muzzle in gratitude before returning to scan the ridge, her brow furrowed. "It must be around here… perhaps buried in the snow," the woman murmurs to herself. Then, she looks at her pet. "Search, Moti." Her pet snorts in response and begins to sniff the air, stepping away to search for what they've come to find. Footsteps crunch in the snow behind the woman, moving with much more fluidity and an insulting ease compared to her own. But it doesn't surprise her, knowing who they belong to. The steps stop beside her, just before a hand is placed tenderly on her lower back. A sudden wave of relief washes over her, pushing the cold away as if it had never existed. "Are you all right? Moti can endure this more easily, but my spell seems to be waning." "I'm fine," the woman replies, looking up at her beloved and catching the iridescent glow unfurling behind her. She smiles. "With you near, we have nothing to fear." However, the other woman frowns. "I wish I could be as certain, my //ahorat//." [[Continue|38]]

That pent-up rage in your chest finally explodes in a growl as you snap to your feet. You put your hands on your hips and step away, pacing angrily for a moment before turning sharply toward $RGhim_her again. "Why do you resist something we both clearly want? I just can't understand it!" you exclaim, gesturing sharply. "Is this how you want things to be between us until the end?" <<if $maday is true>>$RG rises slowly, an action that somehow manages to infuriate you even more. "It is precisely because I know better than anyone what it is to end the life of the person who matters most to you in the world that I do this." Confusion mixes with the anger in the deep line of your frown. "And what's that supposed to mean?" <<else>>$RG rises slowly, an action that somehow manages to infuriate you even more. "It is precisely because I know better than anyone what it is to end the life of the person you love most in the world that I do this." There's that word that makes your heart flutter again, but this time you only frown in confusion. "And what's that supposed to mean?" <</if>>For the first time in this entire conversation, $RG visibly hesitates. $RGHe_She prepares to answer, $RGhis_her lips parting for just an instant, but $RGhe_she ends up closing them again. $RGHe_She turns $RGhis_her gaze toward the lake, as if searching the clarity of its waters for something to help $RGhis_her contain the unease that has suddenly surfaced on $RGhis_her face. "What?" you insist, a mixture of impatience and desperation in your voice. $RG winces slightly and purses $RGhis_her lips. The silence stretches for a few dense, uncomfortable seconds. The distant murmur of the water and the wind seem to grow louder in the absence of $RGhis_her words. Finally, $RGhe_she takes a slow breath and turns toward you. [[Continue|30RG]]

<<audio ":all" stop>>\ <<audio "revival" volume 0.5 loop play>>\ \ //''[Three days later...]''// The soft chirping of birds and the constant murmur of the waves breaking against the shore reaches your ears. You close your eyes, letting the fresh, salty scent of the sea drift through the folding screen at the entrance along with the morning sun fill your lungs. You woke up a while ago, but you decided to linger in bed for a few more minutes, which eventually turned into more than half an hour until your conscience finally dictated that enough was enough and urged you to get up. You dressed slowly, as if wanting to stretch the moment longer than necessary just to avoid heading out. And, in truth, that was exactly your intention. Even now, fully dressed and ready to go, you stay seated on the bed for a while longer, waiting for the cheerful voices coming from $RG's house to fade so the kitchen stays empty and you can grab your breakfast. You tell yourself it's just to have a quiet morning to yourself. You know you're lying. You've been avoiding $AO ever since you returned from Bucante. It's been like this for the last few days, and so far, everything has gone according to plan. In the morning, you wait for the house to be empty before stepping out, even if your stomach is screaming for food. Every time $AO heads in one direction, you take a detour in the opposite one. When $AOhe_she approaches to talk, you make up an elaborate, pre-rehearsed excuse and slip away however you can. You always try to make sure that if you can't escape, you stick close to your friends to avoid being left alone with $AOhim_her. What you felt that last night in Bucante has barely let you sleep. What was supposed to be a fun moment between two friends ended up being something far more complicated, something you don't dare name, though deep down you know exactly what it might be. You shake your head firmly until you feel a bit dizzy, as you do every time that feeling and the meaning behind it resurface. You take a deep breath and release it in a slow sigh to relax the sudden fluttering of your heart when you remember $AO's face. "This is ridiculous," you mutter to yourself. "I can't stay here all day." You stand up abruptly and head for the exit, intending to face whatever awaits you when you see the doctor. Curiously enough, you do so only a few minutes after the voices have gone silent. [[Continue|26AOthreesome]]

Your arm curls around the pillow, pulling it closer and tucking it against your chest. The edges of the fabric are cool at first, then warm quickly beneath your touch, yielding as you hug it tighter. You shift slightly, nestling into the mattress and drawing your knees up a fraction. The sheet rustles softly, a sound almost lost beneath the gentle crashing of the waves outside. Your breathing slows, deep and even, syncing with the rhythm of the ocean and the distant call of more birds greeting the morning you're not yet ready to face. Your eyelids grow heavy again. The walls of the cave blur once more as light and shadow melt together. Thoughts drift through your mind without form, like foam dissolving on wet sand. You tighten your hold on the pillow, let out a satisfied sigh, and allow sleep to claim you once more. You don't know how much time passes until a new sound begins to demand your attention. At first, it's just a distant murmur your mind pays no attention to, but its persistence slowly gives it weight. First, you make out a muffled voice drifting in from outside the cave, piercing through the stone and the murmur of the sea, but it has no shape yet. You need a few more seconds to distinguish the words. "Hello? Are you awake?" The sound brushes against your consciousness without quite pulling you out of it. You frown, still caught between wakefulness and sleep. When you hear nothing more, your mind chooses for you, and you begin to relax once again. But this time, it doesn't last long. [[Continue|26AOc2]]

<<set $AOnight to true>>\ \ $AOHis_Her naked body lies beside yours. The memory of kisses and caresses still pulse against your skin, leaving behind a warm, electric tingle that slowly spreads through you. The traces of last night's passion are scattered across the room, with clothes abandoned here and there, and pieces of attire you don't even remember taking off... Your gaze drifts up the wall. Suppressing a laugh, you wonder how on earth your shirt ended up hanging from that jutting rock up there. <<if $AO is "Ada">>Ada is still sleeping, serenity etched onto her face as the curve of her breasts rises and falls with each rhythmic breath. Her hair is compressed in places and expanded in others, as if her curls took advantage of the night to wander on their own. They're still springy, but some look flattened and slightly bent at odd angles. You turn on your side toward her, sliding your hand between the pillow and the mattress, and lift your hand carefully. The tips of your fingers first brush the wrinkled fabric of the sheet, and then the warmth of her skin. Your thumb traces her cheek instinctively, barely a touch. Ada furrows her brow, shifts slightly, and her breathing hitches. She murmurs something unintelligible, her head turning slowly toward you. A stray curl falls over her forehead, and you gently tuck it away. <<else>>Omar is still sleeping, serenity etched onto his face as his chest rises and falls with each rhythmic breath. His dreadlocks are a bit compressed and flat here and there near his head, and some cross each other as if they shifted in his sleep along his neck and collarbone, but they remain firm. You turn on your side toward him, sliding your hand between the pillow and the mattress, and lift your hand carefully. The tips of your fingers first brush the wrinkled fabric of the sheet, and then the warmth of his skin. Your thumb traces instinctively over the hair on his cheek, barely a touch. Omar furrows his brow, shifts slightly, and his breathing hitches. He murmurs something unintelligible, his head turning slowly toward you. One of his dreadlocks falls across his face, and you gently move it aside. <</if>>$AOHe_She lets out a low, raspy sound, still caught between worlds as $AOhe_she nestles a little closer. $AOHis_Her eyelashes flutter the moment $AOhe_she feels you, as if debating whether to wake up completely or drift back to sleep. Finally, $AOhe_she opens $AOhis_her eyes slowly, and $AOhis_her gaze settles on you with a flash of confusion at first, followed by a look of recognition that leaves you breathless. Even that lazy smile is charming. "Have you been staring at me like that for long?" $AOhe_she asks, $AOhis_her voice husky and thick with sleep. $AOHe_She lets out a short laugh, eyes glinting with amusement. "It might look romantic from your side, but from mine it's a little creepy." * [[Just enough to see your beauty|27AOa]] * [[I was only making sure you don't snore|27AOb]] * [[Enough to think the day can wait a bit more|27AOc]] * [[You're in my room. I can look at whatever is in my bed|27AOd]] * [[I like this moment. Let's stay here a bit longer|27AOe]] * [[That depends. Am I going to prison for it?|27AOf]] * [[I was just waiting for you to pay me with breakfast|27AOg]]

<<set $AOnight to false>>\ \ Last night, you both reached the beach completely worn out after you dragged $AOhim_her along to explore the forest all day. $AO complained... or rather, $AOhe_she feigned complaints, just so $AOhe_she'd have something to hold over your head later. You owed $AOhim_her one, $AOhe_she said, with that half-smile of $AOhis_hers that is never entirely innocent. In the end, what $AOhe_she asked for was to spend the night in your room. There were no ulterior motives in $AOhis_her proposal, just the weight of exhaustion and a simple desire to rest by your side, to share the silence and let the day finally dissolve into sleep. And that's exactly what happened. <<if $AO is "Ada">>Ada is still sleeping, serenity etched onto her face as the curve of her breasts rises and falls with each rhythmic breath. Her hair is compressed in places and expanded in others, as if her curls took advantage of the night to wander on their own. They're still springy, but some look flattened and slightly bent at odd angles. You turn on your side toward her, sliding your hand between the pillow and the mattress, and lift your hand carefully. The tips of your fingers first brush the wrinkled fabric of the sheet, and then the warmth of her skin. Your thumb traces her cheek instinctively, barely a touch. Ada furrows her brow, shifts slightly, and her breathing hitches. She murmurs something unintelligible, her head turning slowly toward you. A stray curl falls over her forehead, and you gently tuck it away. <<else>>Omar is still sleeping, serenity etched onto his face as his chest rises and falls with each rhythmic breath. His dreadlocks are a bit compressed and flat here and there near his head, and some cross each other as if they shifted in his sleep along his neck and collarbone, but they remain firm. You turn on your side toward him, sliding your hand between the pillow and the mattress, and lift your hand carefully. The tips of your fingers first brush the wrinkled fabric of the sheet, and then the warmth of his skin. Your thumb traces instinctively over the hair on his cheek, barely a touch. Omar furrows his brow, shifts slightly, and his breathing hitches. He murmurs something unintelligible, his head turning slowly toward you. One of his dreadlocks falls across his face, and you gently move it aside. <</if>>$AOHe_She lets out a low, raspy sound, still caught between worlds as $AOhe_she nestles a little closer. $AOHis_Her eyelashes flutter the moment $AOhe_she feels you, as if debating whether to wake up completely or drift back to sleep. Finally, $AOhe_she opens $AOhis_her eyes slowly, and $AOhis_her gaze settles on you with a flash of confusion at first, followed by a look of recognition that leaves you breathless. Even that lazy smile is charming. "Have you been staring at me like that for long?" $AOhe_she asks, $AOhis_her voice husky and thick with sleep. $AOHe_She lets out a short laugh, eyes glinting with amusement. "It might look romantic from your side, but from mine it's a little creepy." * [[Just enough to see your beauty|27AOa]] * [[I was only making sure you don't snore|27AOb]] * [[Enough to think the day can wait a bit more|27AOc]] * [[You're in my room. I can look at whatever is in my bed|27AOd]] * [[I like this moment. Let's stay here a bit longer|27AOe]] * [[That depends. Am I going to prison for it?|27AOf]] * [[I was just waiting for you to pay me with breakfast|27AOg]]

Your confidence falters with every step. First, you stop at the cave entrance to peek outside. Seeing no one, you relax slightly and head toward the house. You climb the steps slowly, poking your head into the small living room first. No one. The couch is empty, and there isn't a single sound. The only thing betraying the fact that your friends were there recently is the delicious aroma of breakfast still hanging in the air and making your stomach growl. Seeing that the coast is clear, you step fully into the house. Your first steps are hesitant, until you continue to hear nothing and walk with more confidence toward the kitchen. With your eyes fixed on the pantry, you're about to cross the archway when… <<linkreplace "Continue">><<audio ":all" stop>><<audio "aQuietMoment" volume 0.5 loop play>>"You've been avoiding me." "Ah!" Your eager pace comes to a dead stop as a figure suddenly leans out from around the corner of the archway, planting $AOhimself_herself right in your path. You jump in fright, taking a step back before letting out a pained groan as you trip over the coffee table. Fortunately for your dignity, you keep your balance before hitting the floor, though you'll definitely have a bruise on your shin later. You turn to look at the person blocking your way, and your stomach sinks. $AO stands before you with a severely serious expression you've rarely seen on $AOhim_her. $AOHe_She shoots you a sharp look, crossing $AOhis_her arms as $AOhe_she raises an eyebrow. * [[You almost gave me a heart attack!|27AOthreesomeA]] * [[...I've been busy|27AOthreesomeB]] * [[Avoiding you? I can barely avoid tripping over the furniture|27AOthreesomeC]] * [[Okay, I admit it. I've been avoiding you|27AOthreesomeD]] * [[...I didn't know what to say|27AOthreesomeE]] <</linkreplace>>

"By all the gods and your mother, $AO!" you exclaim, resting a hand over your racing heart. "You could wear a bell or something. You almost gave me a heart attack!" "You'll survive," $AOhe_she replies, barely reacting to your outburst, and takes a step toward you. "Are we going to talk about what happened in Bucante once and for all, or what?" That question scares you more than $AOhis_her sudden appearance, especially since you've run out of excuses. Your mind races, looking for a way out in a matter of seconds. In the end, the only thing you can think of, though effective, is a bit radical and far from glamorous. Run away. "What happened?" you ask, feigning ignorance as you try to brush past $AOhim_her with as much naturalness as you can muster, heading for the main exit. "I don't know what you're talking about. A lot of things happened in Bucante. The merpeople almost killed us, we got saddled with a rescue mission, we almost got killed again..." But this time, $AO doesn't let you go. $AOHe_She stops your walking again, this time pushing gently just below your collarbone with $AOhis_her index finger. "Don't play dumb with me, $name. You know perfectly well what I'm talking about." [[Continue|28AOthreesome]]

"Avoiding you? Of course not!" you exclaim nervously. "I've just been, um... busy." $AO barely reacts, merely tilting $AOhis_her head slightly. "Funny. Because you've been 'busy' the exact moment I walk into a room for days now." You clear your throat, shifting your weight from one foot to the other. "Pure coincidence." "Don't lie to me. You're terrible at it," $AOhe_she snaps, taking a step toward you. "Are we going to talk about what happened in Bucante once and for all, or what?" That question scares you more than $AOhis_her sudden appearance, especially since you've run out of excuses. Your mind races, looking for a way out in a matter of seconds. In the end, the only thing you can think of, though effective, is a bit radical and far from glamorous. Run away. "What happened?" you ask, feigning ignorance as you try to brush past $AOhim_her with as much naturalness as you can muster, heading for the main exit. "I don't know what you're talking about. A lot of things happened in Bucante. The merpeople almost killed us, we got saddled with a rescue mission, we almost got killed again..." But this time, $AO doesn't let you go. $AOHe_She stops your walking again, this time pushing gently just below your collarbone with $AOhis_her index finger. "Don't play dumb with me, $name. You know perfectly well what I'm talking about." [[Continue|28AOthreesome]]

"Me? Avoiding you?" You let out a nervous laugh that you mask well by gesturing to the table. "$AO, please, I can barely avoid tripping over the furniture." But $AOhe_she doesn't laugh. If anything, $AOhis_her face hardens even more. "I'm not in the mood for jokes, $name." "Well, that's a change," you mutter, though you know $AOhe_she heard you by the way $AOhe_she narrows $AOhis_her eyes. You raise your hands in a gesture of surrender. "Sorry." $AOHe_She takes a deep breath to control the growing frustration clearly building inside $AOhim_her and takes a step toward you. "Are we going to talk about what happened in Bucante once and for all, or what?" That question scares you more than $AOhis_her sudden appearance, especially since you've run out of excuses. Your mind races, looking for a way out in a matter of seconds. In the end, the only thing you can think of, though effective, is a bit radical and far from glamorous. Run away. "What happened?" you ask, feigning ignorance as you try to brush past $AOhim_her with as much naturalness as you can muster, heading for the main exit. "I don't know what you're talking about. A lot of things happened in Bucante. The merpeople almost killed us, we got saddled with a rescue mission, we almost got killed again..." But this time, $AO doesn't let you go. $AOHe_She stops your walking again, this time pushing gently just below your collarbone with $AOhis_her index finger. "Don't play dumb with me, $name. You know perfectly well what I'm talking about." [[Continue|28AOthreesome]]

There's no point in lying. $AOHe_She's caught you, probably since day one. "Okay, yes, I admit it. I've been avoiding you," you answer with a few slight, guilty nods. "I didn't mean to make you feel bad, or... Well, you know." $AO narrows $AOhis_her eyes, $AOhis_her expression hardening further. "Well, that's exactly what you did." $AOHe_She takes a firm step toward you. "Are we going to talk about what happened in Bucante once and for all, or what?" That question scares you more than $AOhis_her sudden appearance, especially since you've run out of excuses. Your mind races, looking for a way out in a matter of seconds. In the end, the only thing you can think of, though effective, is a bit radical and far from glamorous. Run away. "What happened?" you ask, feigning ignorance as you try to brush past $AOhim_her with as much naturalness as you can muster, heading for the main exit. "I don't know what you're talking about. A lot of things happened in Bucante. The merpeople almost killed us, we got saddled with a rescue mission, we almost got killed again..." But this time, $AO doesn't let you go. $AOHe_She stops your walking again, this time pushing gently just below your collarbone with $AOhis_her index finger. "Don't play dumb with me, $name. You know perfectly well what I'm talking about." [[Continue|28AOthreesome]]

There's no point in lying. $AOHe_She's caught you, probably since day one. "I..." You look away with a guilty grimace. "Honestly, I didn't know what to say to you." $AO narrows $AOhis_her eyes, $AOhis_her expression hardening further. "Well, you could have started with that instead of avoiding me." You wince at $AOhis_her sharp tone. "I know. And I'm sorry." $AO watches you for an instant that feels eternal before taking a step toward you. "Are we going to talk about what happened in Bucante once and for all, or what?" That question scares you more than $AOhis_her sudden appearance, especially since you've run out of excuses. Your mind races, looking for a way out in a matter of seconds. In the end, the only thing you can think of, though effective, is a bit radical and far from glamorous. Run away. "What happened?" you ask, feigning ignorance as you try to brush past $AOhim_her with as much naturalness as you can muster, heading for the main exit. "I don't know what you're talking about. A lot of things happened in Bucante. The merpeople almost killed us, we got saddled with a rescue mission, we almost got killed again..." But this time, $AO doesn't let you go. $AOHe_She stops your walking again, this time pushing gently just below your collarbone with $AOhis_her index finger. "Don't play dumb with me, $name. You know perfectly well what I'm talking about." [[Continue|28AOthreesome]]

Now you truly cannot run. You have no choice but to face what you've been avoiding since you two left $MI's house. You swallow hard, wetting your parched throat, and take a deep breath before turning to look $AO in the eye. "Look, I wasn't ready to talk about it. I..." You clear your throat, steadying your voice. "I felt strange and uncomfortable. I needed to think about what happened before talking to you." $AO watches you intently, as if searching for something in your gaze. "So something //did// happen." "$AO..." You open your mouth to respond, but no sound comes out. It's as if the words vanish the moment they reach the tip of your tongue. Your heart races to the point where you think you might go deaf from the pounding in your ears. When you stand there for a moment, still unable to find the right words, $AO uncrosses $AOhis_her arms. "Fine. Enough with the teenage foolishness. I'm too old for that," $AOhe_she says, hands firm on $AOhis_her waist now. "So, if you don't want to talk, fine, don't. I'll do it instead, and I'll say it straight." You watch as $AOhe_she closes $AOhis_her eyes and takes a deep breath, releasing it almost instantly in a sharp, dry sigh. Suddenly, $AOhe_she looks nervous. More than you expected. $AOHe_She swallows and locks $AOhis_her dark gaze onto yours before continuing. "What happened with $MI… for me, that felt like more than just a simple threesome," $AOhe_she begins, pausing briefly to swallow. "In fact, it wasn't a threesome for me at all. There was only… you." Your eyes gradually widen in surprise. At the same time, an unexpected bolt of hope pierces your chest, making your heart skip a beat in the process. "I don't know how or why," $AOhe_she continues. "And honestly, I think I've been feeling our friendship turning into something else for a while now. But since that night, everything became clear." Suddenly $AOhe_she smiles. Warm and open. Vulnerable, yet brave. And it is the most beautiful thing you have ever seen. <<if $AOSex is true>>"I like you, $name. Not as a friend, but as something more. And if you feel the same —and seeing how you've been avoiding me ever since, I'd bet you do— what do you say we stop dancing around it and explore this properly?" $AOHe_She gestures between you and $AOhim_her. <<else>>"I like you, $name. Not as a friend, but as something more. And if you feel the same —and seeing how you've been avoiding me ever since, I'd bet you do— what do you say we stop dancing around it and explore this properly?" $AOHe_She gestures between you and $AOhim_her. "If what happened that night proves anything, it's that we have chemistry." <</if>>[[Continue|29AOthreesome]]

If words eluded you before, now you're truly speechless. And it is in this moment, when you're not desperately searching for what to say or how to act, that the chaotic haze in your mind clears, leaving only the truth you were so afraid to see. <<if $AOSex is true>> You feel the same way. You like $AO. It stopped being purely physical between you a long time ago. It's a beautiful yet terrifying feeling that fills your soul. $AO clears $AOhis_her throat, nervous about your prolonged silence. "Well?" A laugh escapes you before you can stop it, driven by the perfect blend of relief, tenderness, and sheer disbelief. "Gods… and to think we tried to keep it ‘no strings attached'… We didn't even last four months with that charade." $AO laughs with you, and the sound settles in your chest like a soft fire that doesn't burn, only warms. "Yeah… I really thought you'd be the first to fall. I just didn't expect it to be so fast, or that I'd fall right alongside you. In a threesome, no less." "Hey! It wasn't that fast, and you said it first!" "But this time without ulterior motives," $AOhe_she goes on, ignoring your protest. "No rush and doing things right."<<else>> You feel the same way. You like $AO. It's a beautiful yet terrifying feeling that fills your soul. $AO clears $AOhis_her throat, nervous about your prolonged silence. "Well?" A laugh slips out before you can stop it, pushed by relief, tenderness, and pure disbelief. "Wow… you've caught me off guard, honestly." "I figured," $AOhe_she says, $AOhis_her smile dimming slightly as a faint crease appears between $AOhis_her brows. "But… do you feel it too? It's okay if you don't. Just tell me so I don't make a fool of myself." Your laughter fades, replaced by a soft, genuine smile. "Yes. I feel it too. And I want to see where it takes us." $AO's smile blooms even wider than before. "Slowly. No rush, I promise. Let's do this right."<</if>> * [[No rush… but not too slow either (Kiss)|30AOthreesomeA]] * [[A bit late to take things slow, don't you think?|30AOthreesomeB]]

You curve a crooked smile, closing the last bit of distance between you as you cup $AOhis_her cheek with one hand. "No rush… but not too slow either." $AO arches an amused eyebrow, $AOhis_her voice dropping to a playful murmur. "Ooh… someone's impatient." You smirk. "After what happened? I don't really see the point in waiting, do you?" <<if $AO is "Ada">>Ada laughs, sliding her arms around your neck and pulling herself closer. "You know what? I don't really feel like waiting for this either." <<else>>Omar laughs, sliding his arms around your waist and drawing you closer. "You know what? I don't really feel like waiting for this either." <</if>>You both lean in almost at the same time, your breaths falling into rhythm as if they had always known how to meet. The first brush of your lips is tentative, a silent question disguised as a fleeting touch. A surge of electricity runs through you, something $AOhe_she must feel too, because you both move again in perfect unison, deepening the kiss as though your souls had aligned in that very instant. The kiss is slow, deliberate, and filled with a tenderness heavier than any words. Time loosens around you, and you rest a hand against $AOhis_her cheek as if afraid $AOhe_she might vanish. $AO responds by pressing a little closer. When you part, you do so reluctantly, your foreheads still touching. "This changes everything," $AOhe_she says with a thread of a smile. "Yes," you reply softly. "For the better." Suddenly, your stomach rumbles, demanding the breakfast you've neglected it for so long already. $AO chuckles and smacks your ass playfully. "All right, sweetcheeks. Let's get you something to eat before you pass out," $AOhe_she steps back and moves aside to gesture to the kitchen. "After you." You smile and nod before going straight to the pantry. The morning is soon filled with laughter and teasing that makes the tension you've accumulated for days melt away. In the end, you had nothing to worry about. [[Continue|37]]

You let out an amused laugh. "It's a bit late to take things slow, don't you think?" "Maybe, but we can pretend for a moment that we're starting from scratch," $AOhe_she replies and moves aside to gesture to the kitchen. "How about I make you breakfast? Before you pass out." You arch your eyebrow. "You? Really?" $AO puts a hand on $AOhis_her hip in a gesture that would be pure indignation if it wasn't for the amused look lighting up $AOhis_her face. "Should I be offended by that tone?" You raise an eyebrow. "I've never seen you make anything very elaborate. At least, not without a disaster following right behind it." $AOHe_She lets out a laugh and rubs the back of $AOhis_her neck, looking a bit sheepish. "Fine, fine. I think there are some leftovers from what $AL made. Would you settle for that?" Your stomach growls again at the thought of $AL's delicious food, and you nod. "Yes, please." "Perfect." $AO clasps $AOhis_her hands together in both adorable excitement and to make a small layer of fire cover $AOhis_her hands. "Have a seat. I'll heat up the food so well it'll feel like it's freshly made." "As long as you don't burn it..." "Hey! It's one thing to poke fun at my cooking skills, but doubting my magic is offensive," $AOhe_she retorts. You let out a chuckle and raise your hands in surrender. "All right, sorry. I trust you." "That's more like it," $AOhe_she says, satisfied. "I'll be quick." You smile and nod before stepping into the kitchen together. You take a seat at the table as you watch $AO take the leftovers in $AOhis_her warm hands. The aroma of freshly baked bread begins to fill the room again, and it's not long before you're savouring the delicious breakfast right beside $AOhim_her. The morning is soon filled with laughter and teasing that makes the tension you've accumulated for days melt away. In the end, you had nothing to worry about. [[Continue|37]]

<<add_diplomacy +1>>\ \ <<if $AO is "Ada">>"Just long enough to realize that you're still beautiful, even when you've just woken up," you reply with a soft smile. <<else>>"Just long enough to realize that you're still handsome, even when you've just woken up," you reply with a soft smile. <</if>>$AO lets out another laugh. "That sounded dangerously sincere for this hour of the morning." "What can I say?" You shrug as your smile widens. "I haven't had breakfast yet. I don't know how to lie this early." "How convenient…" <<if $AOnight is true>><<if $AO is "Ada">>Ada closes her eyes and stretches without a shred of shame, arching her back as she lets out a satisfied sigh. The movement tenses her figure for an instant, highlighting the soft curves of her body. Your gaze follows the motion, drifting over the fullness of her bare breasts to their tips, caught by the slow, almost hypnotic cadence of her movements and the way the morning light illuminates her dark skin. <<else>>Omar closes his eyes and stretches without a shred of shame, arching his back as he lets out a satisfied sigh. The movement tenses his figure for an instant, causing the sheet to slip and reveal even more of his dark skin. Your gaze follows the motion, moving down his abdomen to the fine trail of hair peeking out from his waist before disappearing beneath the fabric. <</if>><<else>><<if $AO is "Ada">>Ada closes her eyes and stretches, arching her back as she lets out a satisfied sigh. The movement tenses her figure for an instant, highlighting the soft curves of her body, and your gaze inevitably follows that motion, caught by the slow, almost hypnotic cadence with which she does it. <<else>>Omar closes his eyes and stretches, arching his back as he lets out a satisfied sigh. The movement tenses his figure for an instant, causing the sheet to slip and reveal even more of his dark skin. Your gaze inevitably follows the motion, moving from his smooth chest down to his abdomen. <</if>><</if>><<if $man_woman is "man">>"Hey, my eyes are up here, handsome." <<elseif $man_woman is "woman">>"Hey, my eyes are up here, beautiful." <<else>>"Hey, my eyes are up here, gorgeous." <</if>>You turn your head toward $AOhim_her the moment you catch $AOhis_her mischievous tone. $AO wears a crooked smile and props $AOhimself_herself up on one elbow, $AOhis_her head resting in the palm of $AOhis_her hand. $AOHe_She watches you with unmistakable amusement, charged with an intent that is barely disguised. "Unless you want to start the morning doing a bit of…" $AOHis_Her fingers walk slowly up your arm as $AOhe_she brings $AOhis_her face closer to yours to whisper the last word. "...exercise." * [[You did that on purpose|28AOa]] * [[Hey, I was being perfectly respectful!|28AOb]] * [[And if I want to start the morning that way? (Intimate scene)|28AOc]] * [[Well… if it's for health reasons… (Intimate scene)|28AOd]] * [[That sounds like a trap... (Intimate scene)|28AOe]]

<<add_fun +1>>\ \ "Five minutes. Ten at most." You offer a crooked smile, clearly amused. "I was just making sure you don't snore." $AO raises an eyebrow and points a finger at you after poking your nose. "Don't even try. I know for a fact I don't snore." "That's the good news," you say, your smile widening. "The bad news is that you talk in your sleep." $AOHe_She lets out another laugh, shaking $AOhis_her head slightly. "Well, as long as I'm not spilling secrets of the throne, it's no big deal." <<if $AOnight is true>><<if $AO is "Ada">>Ada closes her eyes and stretches without a shred of shame, arching her back as she lets out a satisfied sigh. The movement tenses her figure for an instant, highlighting the soft curves of her body. Your gaze follows the motion, drifting over the fullness of her bare breasts to their tips, caught by the slow, almost hypnotic cadence of her movements and the way the morning light illuminates her dark skin. <<else>>Omar closes his eyes and stretches without a shred of shame, arching his back as he lets out a satisfied sigh. The movement tenses his figure for an instant, causing the sheet to slip and reveal even more of his dark skin. Your gaze follows the motion, moving down his abdomen to the fine trail of hair peeking out from his waist before disappearing beneath the fabric. <</if>><<else>><<if $AO is "Ada">>Ada closes her eyes and stretches, arching her back as she lets out a satisfied sigh. The movement tenses her figure for an instant, highlighting the soft curves of her body, and your gaze inevitably follows that motion, caught by the slow, almost hypnotic cadence with which she does it. <<else>>Omar closes his eyes and stretches, arching his back as he lets out a satisfied sigh. The movement tenses his figure for an instant, causing the sheet to slip and reveal even more of his dark skin. Your gaze inevitably follows the motion, moving from his smooth chest down to his abdomen. <</if>><</if>><<if $man_woman is "man">>"Hey, my eyes are up here, handsome." <<elseif $man_woman is "woman">>"Hey, my eyes are up here, beautiful." <<else>>"Hey, my eyes are up here, gorgeous." <</if>>You turn your head toward $AOhim_her the moment you catch $AOhis_her mischievous tone. $AO wears a crooked smile and props $AOhimself_herself up on one elbow, $AOhis_her head resting in the palm of $AOhis_her hand. $AOHe_She watches you with unmistakable amusement, charged with an intent that is barely disguised. "Unless you want to start the morning doing a bit of…" $AOHis_Her fingers walk slowly up your arm as $AOhe_she brings $AOhis_her face closer to yours to whisper the last word. "...exercise." * [[You did that on purpose|28AOa]] * [[Hey, I was being perfectly respectful!|28AOb]] * [[And if I want to start the morning that way? (Intimate scene)|28AOc]] * [[Well… if it's for health reasons… (Intimate scene)|28AOd]] * [[That sounds like a trap... (Intimate scene)|28AOe]]

<<add_blunt +1>>\ \ "Long enough to decide that the rest of the day can wait a little longer," you reply with a soft smile. $AO looks at you, $AOhis_her expression more sincere now as $AOhe_she cups your cheek to brush $AOhis_her thumb gently on your cheek. "I don't know about you, but I'm in no rush at all to get out of this bed." <<if $AOnight is true>><<if $AO is "Ada">>Ada closes her eyes and stretches without a shred of shame, arching her back as she lets out a satisfied sigh. The movement tenses her figure for an instant, highlighting the soft curves of her body. Your gaze follows the motion, drifting over the fullness of her bare breasts to their tips, caught by the slow, almost hypnotic cadence of her movements and the way the morning light illuminates her dark skin. <<else>>Omar closes his eyes and stretches without a shred of shame, arching his back as he lets out a satisfied sigh. The movement tenses his figure for an instant, causing the sheet to slip and reveal even more of his dark skin. Your gaze follows the motion, moving down his abdomen to the fine trail of hair peeking out from his waist before disappearing beneath the fabric. <</if>><<else>><<if $AO is "Ada">>Ada closes her eyes and stretches, arching her back as she lets out a satisfied sigh. The movement tenses her figure for an instant, highlighting the soft curves of her body, and your gaze inevitably follows that motion, caught by the slow, almost hypnotic cadence with which she does it. <<else>>Omar closes his eyes and stretches, arching his back as he lets out a satisfied sigh. The movement tenses his figure for an instant, causing the sheet to slip and reveal even more of his dark skin. Your gaze inevitably follows the motion, moving from his smooth chest down to his abdomen. <</if>><</if>><<if $man_woman is "man">>"Hey, my eyes are up here, handsome." <<elseif $man_woman is "woman">>"Hey, my eyes are up here, beautiful." <<else>>"Hey, my eyes are up here, gorgeous." <</if>>You turn your head toward $AOhim_her the moment you catch $AOhis_her mischievous tone. $AO wears a crooked smile and props $AOhimself_herself up on one elbow, $AOhis_her head resting in the palm of $AOhis_her hand. $AOHe_She watches you with unmistakable amusement, charged with an intent that is barely disguised. "Unless you want to start the morning doing a bit of…" $AOHis_Her fingers walk slowly up your arm as $AOhe_she brings $AOhis_her face closer to yours to whisper the last word. "...exercise." * [[You did that on purpose|28AOa]] * [[Hey, I was being perfectly respectful!|28AOb]] * [[And if I want to start the morning that way? (Intimate scene)|28AOc]] * [[Well… if it's for health reasons… (Intimate scene)|28AOd]] * [[That sounds like a trap... (Intimate scene)|28AOe]]

<<add_blunt +1>>\ \ "You're the one in my room and hogging my bed," you reply with an arched eyebrow. <<if $AOnight is true>>$AO shoots you a mischievous look. "You didn't seem to mind much last night." "And I don't," you say as an amused smile begins to curl the corner of your lips. "But it's not like you've left me many other places to look." <<if $man_woman is "man">>"Good. Keep those pretty eyes on me, handsome," $AOhe_she purrs playfully. <<elseif $man_woman is "woman">>"Good. Keep those pretty eyes on me, beautiful," $AOhe_she purrs playfully. <<else>>"Good. Keep those pretty eyes on me, gorgeous," $AOhe_she purrs playfully. <</if>><<if $AO is "Ada">>Ada closes her eyes and stretches without a shred of shame, arching her back as she lets out a satisfied sigh. The movement tenses her figure for an instant, highlighting the soft curves of her body. Your gaze follows the motion, drifting over the fullness of her bare breasts to their tips, caught by the slow, almost hypnotic cadence of her movements and the way the morning light illuminates her dark skin. <<else>>Omar closes his eyes and stretches without a shred of shame, arching his back as he lets out a satisfied sigh. The movement tenses his figure for an instant, causing the sheet to slip and reveal even more of his dark skin. Your gaze follows the motion, moving down his abdomen to the fine trail of hair peeking out from his waist before disappearing beneath the fabric. <</if>><<else>><<if $man_woman is "man">>$AO shoots you a mischievous look. "And you thought that was a good reason to stare, handsome?" <<elseif $man_woman is "woman">>$AO shoots you a mischievous look. "And you thought that was a good reason to stare, beautiful?" <<else>>$AO shoots you a mischievous look. "And you thought that was a good reason to stare, gorgeous?" <</if>>You return the gesture with a smile. "Yes, I did." $AOHe_She chuckles and shakes $AOhis_her head. "Okay. I just wanted to confirm it." <<if $AO is "Ada">>Ada closes her eyes and stretches, arching her back as she lets out a satisfied sigh. The movement tenses her figure for an instant, highlighting the soft curves of her body, and your gaze inevitably follows that motion, caught by the slow, almost hypnotic cadence with which she does it. <<else>>Omar closes his eyes and stretches, arching his back as he lets out a satisfied sigh. The movement tenses his figure for an instant, causing the sheet to slip and reveal even more of his dark skin. Your gaze inevitably follows the motion, moving from his smooth chest down to his abdomen. <</if>><</if>>"But hey, my eyes are up here." You turn your head toward $AOhim_her the moment you catch $AOhis_her mischievous tone. $AO wears a crooked smile and props $AOhimself_herself up on one elbow, $AOhis_her head resting in the palm of $AOhis_her hand. $AOHe_She watches you with unmistakable amusement, charged with an intent that is barely disguised. "Unless you want to start the morning doing a bit of…" $AOHis_Her fingers walk slowly up your arm as $AOhe_she brings $AOhis_her face closer to yours to whisper the last word. "...exercise." * [[You did that on purpose|28AOa]] * [[Hey, I was being perfectly respectful!|28AOb]] * [[And if I want to start the morning that way? (Intimate scene)|28AOc]] * [[Well… if it's for health reasons… (Intimate scene)|28AOd]] * [[That sounds like a trap... (Intimate scene)|28AOe]]

<<add_diplomacy +1>>\ \ "I just like this moment," you reply softly, looking at $AOhim_her with a tender smile. "Let's make the most of it and stay in bed a little longer, before someone comes looking for us and have no choice but to leave." $AO looks at you, $AOhis_her expression now more genuine as $AOhe_she caresses your cheek. "Of course. I'm in no hurry to get up from here." <<if $AOnight is true>><<if $AO is "Ada">>Ada closes her eyes and stretches without a shred of shame, arching her back as she lets out a satisfied sigh. The movement tenses her figure for an instant, highlighting the soft curves of her body. Your gaze follows the motion, drifting over the fullness of her bare breasts to their tips, caught by the slow, almost hypnotic cadence of her movements and the way the morning light illuminates her dark skin. <<else>>Omar closes his eyes and stretches without a shred of shame, arching his back as he lets out a satisfied sigh. The movement tenses his figure for an instant, causing the sheet to slip and reveal even more of his dark skin. Your gaze follows the motion, moving down his abdomen to the fine trail of hair peeking out from his waist before disappearing beneath the fabric. <</if>><<else>><<if $AO is "Ada">>Ada closes her eyes and stretches, arching her back as she lets out a satisfied sigh. The movement tenses her figure for an instant, highlighting the soft curves of her body, and your gaze inevitably follows that motion, caught by the slow, almost hypnotic cadence with which she does it. <<else>>Omar closes his eyes and stretches, arching his back as he lets out a satisfied sigh. The movement tenses his figure for an instant, causing the sheet to slip and reveal even more of his dark skin. Your gaze inevitably follows the motion, moving from his smooth chest down to his abdomen. <</if>><</if>><<if $man_woman is "man">>"Hey, my eyes are up here, handsome." <<elseif $man_woman is "woman">>"Hey, my eyes are up here, beautiful." <<else>>"Hey, my eyes are up here, gorgeous." <</if>>You turn your head toward $AOhim_her the moment you catch $AOhis_her mischievous tone. $AO wears a crooked smile and props $AOhimself_herself up on one elbow, $AOhis_her head resting in the palm of $AOhis_her hand. $AOHe_She watches you with unmistakable amusement, charged with an intent that is barely disguised. "Unless you want to start the morning doing a bit of…" $AOHis_Her fingers walk slowly up your arm as $AOhe_she brings $AOhis_her face closer to yours to whisper the last word. "...exercise." * [[You did that on purpose|28AOa]] * [[Hey, I was being perfectly respectful!|28AOb]] * [[And if I want to start the morning that way? (Intimate scene)|28AOc]] * [[Well… if it's for health reasons… (Intimate scene)|28AOd]] * [[That sounds like a trap... (Intimate scene)|28AOe]]

<<add_fun +1>>\ \ "That depends." You smile crookedly, amused. "Will I go to prison for it?" $AOHe_She holds your gaze a second too long, one eyebrow raised deliberately slowly. Then $AOhe_she brings $AOhis_her hand to $AOhis_her chin and pretends to think. "Hmm... I'm considering my options." "I can bribe you." $AOHis_Her lips curve slightly, the intention clear in the mischievous sparkle that lights up $AOhis_her dark eyes. "Depends on what kind of bribe." You let out a soft chuckle. "I think I'll come up with the right one." <<if $man_woman is "man">>"I'm sure you will, handsome," $AOhe_she purrs playfully. <<elseif $man_woman is "woman">>"I'm sure you will, beautiful," $AOhe_she purrs playfully. <<else>>"I'm sure you will, gorgeous," $AOhe_she purrs playfully. <</if>><<if $AOnight is true>><<if $AO is "Ada">>Ada closes her eyes and stretches without a shred of shame, arching her back as she lets out a satisfied sigh. The movement tenses her figure for an instant, highlighting the soft curves of her body. Your gaze follows the motion, drifting over the fullness of her bare breasts to their tips, caught by the slow, almost hypnotic cadence of her movements and the way the morning light illuminates her dark skin. <<else>>Omar closes his eyes and stretches without a shred of shame, arching his back as he lets out a satisfied sigh. The movement tenses his figure for an instant, causing the sheet to slip and reveal even more of his dark skin. Your gaze follows the motion, moving down his abdomen to the fine trail of hair peeking out from his waist before disappearing beneath the fabric. <</if>><<else>><<if $AO is "Ada">>Ada closes her eyes and stretches, arching her back as she lets out a satisfied sigh. The movement tenses her figure for an instant, highlighting the soft curves of her body, and your gaze inevitably follows that motion, caught by the slow, almost hypnotic cadence with which she does it. <<else>>Omar closes his eyes and stretches, arching his back as he lets out a satisfied sigh. The movement tenses his figure for an instant, causing the sheet to slip and reveal even more of his dark skin. Your gaze inevitably follows the motion, moving from his smooth chest down to his abdomen. <</if>><</if>>"Hey, my eyes are up here." You turn your head toward $AOhim_her the moment you catch $AOhis_her mischievous tone. $AO wears a crooked smile and props $AOhimself_herself up on one elbow, $AOhis_her head resting in the palm of $AOhis_her hand. $AOHe_She watches you with unmistakable amusement, charged with an intent that is barely disguised. "Unless you want to start the morning doing a bit of…" $AOHis_Her fingers walk slowly up your arm as $AOhe_she brings $AOhis_her face closer to yours to whisper the last word. "...exercise." * [[You did that on purpose|28AOa]] * [[Hey, I was being perfectly respectful!|28AOb]] * [[And if I want to start the morning that way? (Intimate scene)|28AOc]] * [[Well… if it's for health reasons… (Intimate scene)|28AOd]] * [[That sounds like a trap... (Intimate scene)|28AOe]]

<<add_fun +1>>\ \ "Staring?" You raise an eyebrow, your smile widening with a playful touch. "Not at all. I was just making sure you didn't run away before paying me with breakfast." $AO laughs, still hoarse. "Oh, right. I should have guessed that sleeping next to you was clearly a trap." "A very elaborate one," you reply with a small chuckle of your own. <<if $AOnight is true>><<if $AO is "Ada">>Ada closes her eyes and stretches without a shred of shame, arching her back as she lets out a satisfied sigh. The movement tenses her figure for an instant, highlighting the soft curves of her body. Your gaze follows the motion, drifting over the fullness of her bare breasts to their tips, caught by the slow, almost hypnotic cadence of her movements and the way the morning light illuminates her dark skin. <<else>>Omar closes his eyes and stretches without a shred of shame, arching his back as he lets out a satisfied sigh. The movement tenses his figure for an instant, causing the sheet to slip and reveal even more of his dark skin. Your gaze follows the motion, moving down his abdomen to the fine trail of hair peeking out from his waist before disappearing beneath the fabric. <</if>><<else>><<if $AO is "Ada">>Ada closes her eyes and stretches, arching her back as she lets out a satisfied sigh. The movement tenses her figure for an instant, highlighting the soft curves of her body, and your gaze inevitably follows that motion, caught by the slow, almost hypnotic cadence with which she does it. <<else>>Omar closes his eyes and stretches, arching his back as he lets out a satisfied sigh. The movement tenses his figure for an instant, causing the sheet to slip and reveal even more of his dark skin. Your gaze inevitably follows the motion, moving from his smooth chest down to his abdomen. <</if>><</if>><<if $man_woman is "man">>"Hey, my eyes are up here, handsome." <<elseif $man_woman is "woman">>"Hey, my eyes are up here, beautiful." <<else>>"Hey, my eyes are up here, gorgeous." <</if>>You turn your head toward $AOhim_her the moment you catch $AOhis_her mischievous tone. $AO wears a crooked smile and props $AOhimself_herself up on one elbow, $AOhis_her head resting in the palm of $AOhis_her hand. $AOHe_She watches you with unmistakable amusement, charged with an intent that is barely disguised. "Unless you want to start the morning doing a bit of…" $AOHis_Her fingers walk slowly up your arm as $AOhe_she brings $AOhis_her face closer to yours to whisper the last word. "...exercise." * [[You did that on purpose|28AOa]] * [[Hey, I was being perfectly respectful!|28AOb]] * [[And if I want to start the morning that way? (Intimate scene)|28AOc]] * [[Well… if it's for health reasons… (Intimate scene)|28AOd]] * [[That sounds like a trap... (Intimate scene)|28AOe]]

"Hey!" You shove $AOhim_her playfully. "You did that on purpose!" "I didn't, actually. But it's nice to see you admiring the view," $AOhe_she replies with a wink. "I was admiring it before it started talking back." $AO snorts and plants a brief kiss on your lips before laying back down on the bed. "All right, I'll just be <<if $AO is "Ada">>beautifully<<else>>dashingly<</if>> quiet for you, then." You snuggle back under the sheet, slowly adjusting until you find a tolerable position in the narrowness of the bed. Your legs intertwine and your arms wrap around each other with a familiarity that should be surprising, yet doesn't feel strange to you at all. The cave is filled only by the distant murmur of the waves and the steady rise and fall of your breathing. You take a deep breath and let it out in a soft, almost lazy sigh. "Today is the last free day Abora gave us," you say at last, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled between you. $AO responds with a muffled groan. "Ugh. Don't remind me. I was already getting used to the vacation." "It had to end sometime." "I know, but I hoped it would take longer." $AOHe_She moves a bit closer to you, settling in with another soft sigh. "At least this morning is quiet." <<if $AO is "Ada">>Silence closes in over you again, dense and gentle. Ada settles her head more comfortably against your chest, and you feel her breathing begin to sync with yours, slow and deep. The sensation makes you close your eyes without even realizing it. <<else>>Silence closes in over you again, dense and gentle. You settle your head more comfortably against Omar's chest and listen to his heartbeat begin to sync with your own, a steady, relaxing sound. The sensation makes you close your eyes without even realizing it. <</if>>[[Continue|29AOa]]

"Hey!" You shove $AOhim_her playfully. "I was being perfectly respectful." $AO snorts. "Liar." $AOHe_She lays back down on the bed, sliding a hand behind $AOhis_her head, and your eyes can't help but wander over $AOhis_her body again for a moment before you catch yourself. "… Okay, maybe not perfectly." $AO chuckles. "That's what I thought." You snuggle back under the sheet, slowly adjusting until you find a tolerable position in the narrowness of the bed. Your legs intertwine and your arms wrap around each other with a familiarity that should be surprising, yet doesn't feel strange to you at all. The cave is filled only by the distant murmur of the waves and the steady rise and fall of your breathing. You take a deep breath and let it out in a soft, almost lazy sigh. "Today is the last free day Abora gave us," you say at last, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled between you. $AO responds with a muffled groan. "Ugh. Don't remind me. I was already getting used to the vacation." "It had to end sometime." "I know, but I hoped it would take longer." $AOHe_She moves a bit closer to you, settling in with another soft sigh. "At least this morning is quiet." <<if $AO is "Ada">>Silence closes in over you again, dense and gentle. Ada settles her head more comfortably against your chest, and you feel her breathing begin to sync with yours, slow and deep. The sensation makes you close your eyes without even realizing it. <<else>>Silence closes in over you again, dense and gentle. You settle your head more comfortably against Omar's chest and listen to his heartbeat begin to sync with your own, a steady, relaxing sound. The sensation makes you close your eyes without even realizing it. <</if>>[[Continue|29AOa]]

A shiver betrays you, but you refuse to look away. Instead, you tilt your head, letting your gaze drift over $AOhis_her face with equal boldness. "And what if I do want to start the morning that way?" you murmur, matching $AOhis_her tone as you lean in, your lips hovering just short of a smile. Just short of $AOhis_hers. $AO's eyes darken instantly, the playful glint giving way to something deeper, heavier. $AO's fingers curl slightly against your skin, grounding you and pulling you closer. "Then you shouldn't keep me waiting." "Fair enough," you whisper on $AOhis_her lips. * [[Continue|AOS-FTB]] /* * <<if $AO is "Ada">><<if $gender is "Male">>[[Continue (explicit)|AOS-AdaMMC]]<<elseif $gender is "Female">>[[Continue (explicit)|AOS-AdaFMC]]<<else>><<if $AOSex isnot true or $chest is undefined>>[[Continue (explicit)|AOS-AdaNBMC]]<<else>>[[Continue (explicit)|AOS-AdaNBMC2]]<</if>><</if>><<else>><<if $gender is "Male">>[[Continue (explicit)|AOS-OmarMMC]]<<elseif $gender is "Female">>[[Continue (explicit)|AOS-OmarFMC]]<<else>><<if $AOSex isnot true or $chest is undefined>>[[Continue (explicit)|AOS-OmarNBMC]]<<else>>[[Continue (explicit)|AOS-OmarNBMC2]]<</if>><</if>><</if>> */

A shiver betrays you, but you refuse to look away. Instead, you tilt your head, letting your gaze drift over $AOhis_her face with equal boldness. "Well… if it's for health reasons…" you murmur, matching $AOhis_her tone as you lean in, your lips hovering just short of a smile. Just short of $AOhis_hers. "Who am I to go against my doctor's word?" $AO's eyes darken instantly, the playful glint giving way to something deeper, heavier. $AO's fingers curl slightly against your skin, grounding you and pulling you closer. "It's my job to keep you nice and healthy," $AOhe_she whispers on your lips. "Starting with this..." * [[Continue|AOS-FTB]] /* * <<if $AO is "Ada">><<if $gender is "Male">>[[Continue (explicit)|AOS-AdaMMC]]<<elseif $gender is "Female">>[[Continue (explicit)|AOS-AdaFMC]]<<else>><<if $AOSex isnot true or $chest is undefined>>[[Continue (explicit)|AOS-AdaNBMC]]<<else>>[[Continue (explicit)|AOS-AdaNBMC2]]<</if>><</if>><<else>><<if $gender is "Male">>[[Continue (explicit)|AOS-OmarMMC]]<<elseif $gender is "Female">>[[Continue (explicit)|AOS-OmarFMC]]<<else>><<if $AOSex isnot true or $chest is undefined>>[[Continue (explicit)|AOS-OmarNBMC]]<<else>>[[Continue (explicit)|AOS-OmarNBMC2]]<</if>><</if>><</if>> */

A shiver betrays you, but you refuse to look away. Instead, you tilt your head, letting your gaze drift over $AOhis_her face with equal boldness for a moment before your lips curve in a smirk. "Exercise? At his hour? That sounds suspiciously like a trap," you murmur, matching $AOhis_her tone as you lean in, your lips hovering just short of a smile. Just short of $AOhis_hers. "Perhaps it is," $AOhe_she replies in barely a whisper now. "And yet you don't look like you're trying to escape." "I still need to gather more evidence." $AO's eyes darken instantly, the playful glint giving way to something deeper, heavier. $AO's fingers curl slightly against your skin, grounding you and pulling you closer. "Take your time, then." * [[Continue|AOS-FTB]] /* * <<if $AO is "Ada">><<if $gender is "Male">>[[Continue (explicit)|AOS-AdaMMC]]<<elseif $gender is "Female">>[[Continue (explicit)|AOS-AdaFMC]]<<else>><<if $AOSex isnot true or $chest is undefined>>[[Continue (explicit)|AOS-AdaNBMC]]<<else>>[[Continue (explicit)|AOS-AdaNBMC2]]<</if>><</if>><<else>><<if $gender is "Male">>[[Continue (explicit)|AOS-OmarMMC]]<<elseif $gender is "Female">>[[Continue (explicit)|AOS-OmarFMC]]<<else>><<if $AOSex isnot true or $chest is undefined>>[[Continue (explicit)|AOS-OmarNBMC]]<<else>>[[Continue (explicit)|AOS-OmarNBMC2]]<</if>><</if>><</if>> */

The swaying of the sea becomes more distant and blurred until it transforms into a constant murmur that lulls the stray thoughts still floating in your mind. The morning laziness slowly blunts the edges of the day ahead, and it reaches a point where you're not sure if you're awake or not. $AO moves slightly, $AOhis_her fingers gripping you a bit tighter in a minimal, almost unconscious gesture that you don't know if it's real. Your breathing becomes heavier and more regular. You mutter something half-asleep, not quite forming complete words, and receive no answer. <<if $AO is "Ada">>You adjust your arm around Ada and rest your cheek against her hair, letting her familiar scent envelop you. The world is reduced to that contact, to that shared refuge in the no longer quite dim light. The sun has been rising, and the morning light now hits the cave entrance directly, but neither of you notices at this point. <<else>>Omar's familiar scent envelops you as he adjusts his arm around you and rests his cheek against your head. The world is reduced to that contact, to that shared refuge in the no longer quite dim light. The sun has been rising, and the morning light now hits the cave entrance directly, but neither of you notices at this point. <</if>>Little by little, thought dissolves and the body gives in. Before you can fully notice it, sleep claims you again and slowly drags you back into unconsciousness. [[Continue|30AOa]]

You don't know how much time has passed, really. But a new sound begins to claim your attention. At first, it's just a distant murmur your mind pays no attention to, but its persistence slowly gives it weight. First, you distinguish a muffled voice drifting in from outside the cave, piercing through the stone and the murmur of the sea, but it has no shape yet. You need a few more seconds to make out the words. "Hello? Are you two awake?" The sound brushes against your consciousness without quite pulling you out of it. You frown, still caught between wakefulness and sleep, and it takes an instant longer to recognize $AL's voice. You open your eyes slowly, seeing how the daylight now fully illuminates the room. "$AO..." you mutter by instinct, barely a breath. $AOHe_She doesn't move. $AOHis_Her breathing remains deep and regular, oblivious to the interruption. You then hear your friend clearing $ALhis_her throat, followed by footsteps on the sand. "$name? $AO?" $AL insists, a bit closer. You let out a slow, resigned sigh as you sit up just enough to look toward the entrance, as if you could see $ALhim_her through the screen and the stone corridor. "Five minutes, $AL," you finally reply, your voice husky. "We'll wait for you at the house!" $ALhe_she says before you hear $ALhis_her footsteps fading away. [[Continue|31AOa]]

Once you stop hearing $ALhim_her, you turn toward $AO and place a hand on $AOhis_her shoulder, shaking $AOhim_her gently. "Come on, $AO. It's time to get up." $AOHe_She frowns and sinks further into the pillow, as if $AOhe_she could disappear inside it. $AOHe_She mutters something unintelligible, a mixture of complaint and thick sleep, and you insist a little more firmly. $AO lets out a sound between a growl and a moan. "I don't want to get up now, Mommy..." You raise an eyebrow. "Mommy? Are you dreaming?" No response. Just another murmur and a clumsy turn. You shake $AOhis_her shoulder more decisively. "Come on, sleepyhead, it's late." $AO complains again and turns $AOhis_her back to you, clutching the sheet. "Five more minutes..." "Not five, not three. Get up, they're waiting for us," you retort, and give $AOhim_her a light swat on the backside. "Just two— Ah! Ow!" "$AO!" You sit up immediately and peer over the edge of the mattress. $AO has slipped off the bed and fallen flat on $AOhis_her back onto the hard dirt floor, the sheet half-tangled around $AOhis_her legs. $AOHe_She blinks several times, $AOhis_her expression a mix of bewilderment and pain in equal measure. "Are you okay?" you ask. $AOHe_She pushes $AOhimself_herself back into a sitting position with a groan. One of $AOhis_her hands rests on the bed while the other rubs $AOhis_her lower back. "Yeah, don't worry," $AOhe_she replies, $AOhis_her voice thick, and lets out an annoyed sigh. "But if we're going to sleep together more often, we need to ask $RG for a bigger bed." You glance at the small space around you where it's certain a double bed won't fit. You show an amused smile and help $AO up to start getting dressed. Once you are both ready, you head out together toward $RG's house. [[Continue|37]]

The kiss is slow at first, exploratory, as if neither of you is in any hurry to reach the end of it. $AO's hand slides to your jaw, thumb brushing your cheek with surprising tenderness before the pressure deepens, drawing you closer still. The world narrows to the quiet, electric understanding passing between you, to shared warmth and breath. For a moment, neither of you feels the need to rush what the morning has so generously offered. Until restraint begins to slip. The sheets shift as $AO presses against you, closing the last inch of space between your bodies. Your hands glide over $AOhis_her smooth skin, learning its warmth and earning soft gasps that you steal away with your mouth. $AOHis_Her hand slips to the back of your head, firm and certain, guiding you as the kiss deepens. You roll on top of $AOhim_her, your lips trailing from $AOhis_her mouth to $AOhis_her chin, then to the line of $AOhis_her neck. $AO shivers beneath you, a quiet sound slipping free as $AOhis_her hands travel down your body, brushing over your chest, your stomach, and lower still. Gasps soften into muted moans, swallowed by the stone walls of the cave as your passion finds a rhythm you learn together. Outside, the morning light continues to spread across the beach, creeping farther into the cave, but it fades into the background as you focus solely on $AO. The day can wait. [[Continue|37]]

<<if $man_woman is "man">>"Rise and shine, handsome!" <<elseif $man_woman is "woman">>"Rise and shine, beautiful!" <<else>>"Rise and shine, gorgeous!" <</if>>"Ah!" The joyful shout explodes way too close for comfort. Your body reacts before your mind can catch up, jerking upright so fast your heart leaps into your throat and nearly shoots right out of your mouth. The sudden jolt throws off your balance, and in one clumsy, disastrous blur, you end up rolling off the bed with the sheets tangled around your legs. <<if $weapon is "Sword">>The impact against the hard dirt floor earns a pained groan from you as the world finally snaps back into place… but not before your sword slides off the wall and its pommel smacks you right in the forehead. <<elseif $weapon is "Bow">>The impact against the hard dirt floor earns a pained groan from you as the world finally snaps back into place… but not before your bow slides off the wall and smacks you right in the forehead. <<else>>The impact against the hard dirt floor earns a pained groan from you as the world finally snaps back into place. <</if>>"Ow..." "What are you doing on the floor?" a voice suddenly asks, one that makes your heart skip a beat, and not from the scare this time. You lift your head, still a bit dazed, just in time to see $AO walking into the room with a radiant smile that momentarily fades into a confused expression. $AOHe_She holds a tray in $AOhis_her hands with pride, the aroma of warm bread, something sweet, and sea salt hits you immediately as you focus on $AOhim_her. "$AO!" you exclaim, pushing yourself up into a sitting position. "Lingering in bed, huh? Get up, the day has already started!" $AOhe_she exclaims with a fresh, amused smile and an amount of energy that shouldn't be legal at this hour of the morning. "Look, I brought you breakfast." * [[You almost gave me a heart attack!|27AOc3A]] * [[These are not hours to shout like that|27AOc3B]] * [[Don't you know how to knock?|27AOc3C]] * [[Thanks for bringing me breakfast|27AOc3D]] * [[Smells wonderful|27AOc3E]]

"You almost gave me a heart attack!" you exclaim, leaning on the mattress to get up and sit on the bed. "If I die young, let it be on your conscience." $AO arches an eyebrow, amused. "Don't be so dramatic. You're still breathing and complaining. That's a good sign. It means you're still in one piece." "Yeah, painfully so," you retort, arching your back and stretching the arm that took the brunt of the fall. "But my pride isn't." $AOHe_She laughs. "That was already bruised when I got here." $AOHe_She leans in and gives you a brief kiss on the lips before sitting beside you on the bed. The gesture is surprisingly natural, sending a pleasant electric current through your skin. $AOHe_She hands you the tray, nodding toward the fresh breakfast. "Eat. $AL made it, which means it'll be delicious, and I'm dying to try it." You look at $AOhim_her with a raised eyebrow. "You haven't eaten yet?" "Nah. I wanted to wait and have breakfast with you," $AOhe_she answers with a shrug before grabbing a piece of pear and popping it into $AOhis_her mouth. "Good thing I came to get you, though. I was starving. And if I had to wait for you to get up on your own..." $AOHe_She shakes $AOhis_her head, exaggerating the gesture while $AOhe_she chews. You can't help but smile as you take your first bite. The bread is as good as it promised, crusty on the outside and soft on the inside, with just the right amount of sweetness from the honey. [[Continue|28AOc4]]

"$AO..." You let out a groan as you lean on the mattress to pull yourself up. "These are not hours to be shouting like that." $AO plants a hand on $AOhis_her hip in a gesture that would be a reprimand if not for the amused smile on $AOhis_her face. "The sun has been up for a while, and so have the rest of our friends. Who do you think made breakfast? Not me, I can tell you that much." $AOHe_She leans in and gives you a brief kiss on the lips before sitting beside you. The gesture is surprisingly natural, sending a pleasant electric spark through your skin and dissipating your irritation almost instantly. $AOHe_She hands you the tray, pointing at the meal. "Eat. $AL made it, which means it'll be delicious, and I'm dying to try it." You look at $AOhim_her with a raised eyebrow. "You haven't eaten yet?" "Nah. I wanted to wait and have breakfast with you," $AOhe_she answers with a shrug before grabbing a piece of pear and popping it into $AOhis_her mouth. "Good thing I came to get you, though. I was starving. And if I had to wait for you to get up on your own..." $AOHe_She shakes $AOhis_her head, exaggerating the gesture while $AOhe_she chews. You can't help but smile as you take your first bite. The bread is as good as it promised, crusty on the outside and soft on the inside, with just the right amount of sweetness from the honey. [[Continue|28AOc4]]

You let out an annoyed groan as you sit up on the bed. "Don't you know how to knock?" "Don't you mean 'shake the screen'?" $AO puts a hand on $AOhis_her waist, feigning indignation. "And I did! You just didn't hear me because you were sleeping like a log." $AOHe_She leans in to give you a quick kiss on the lips before sitting beside you. The gesture is natural and warm, making your annoyance vanish. $AOHe_She passes you the tray. "Come on, eat. $AL made it, which means it'll be delicious, and I'm dying to try it." You look at $AOhim_her with a raised eyebrow. "You haven't eaten yet?" "Nah. I wanted to wait and have breakfast with you," $AOhe_she answers with a shrug before grabbing a piece of pear and popping it into $AOhis_her mouth. "Good thing I came to get you, though. I was starving. And if I had to wait for you to get up on your own..." $AOHe_She shakes $AOhis_her head, exaggerating the gesture while $AOhe_she chews. You can't help but smile as you take your first bite. The bread is as good as it promised, crusty on the outside and soft on the inside, with just the right amount of sweetness from the honey. [[Continue|28AOc4]]

The pain vanishes almost instantly. Any trace of irritation from your clumsy awakening disappears at the sight of $AO's smile and the tray in $AOhis_her hand. You linger a second too long just watching $AOhim_her, which is how long it takes for your own smile to form. "You brought me breakfast?" you ask, as if a part of you still didn't believe it. $AO puts a hand on $AOhis_her waist in a gesture of mock offence. "Of course! Who do you take me for? I know how to make a romantic gesture every now and then." The fact that $AOhe_she comfirms it's a romantic gesture sends a thrill through you. You find the energy to get off the floor, lean in, and give $AOhim_her a soft, lingering kiss on the lips. "Thanks for doing this. You didn't have to bother," you murmur. $AO's expression softens, $AOhis_her free hand sliding around your waist to give you another quick kiss. "I wanted to. You deserve no less," $AOhe_she answers. Then, $AOhis_her mischievous smile returns, though this time it's joined by a slightly sheepish spark in $AOhis_her eyes. "Though... is this a bad time to mention that $AL actually made it?" You let out a laugh. "I should have guessed..." "Naturally. When have you ever seen me in a kitchen without something catching fire?" $AOhe_she replies with a self-deprecating gesture. "Come on, sit and eat. The good thing about $AL cooking is that it's going to be amazing, and I'm dying to try it." You sit on the bed and shoot $AOhim_her a look with an eyebrow raised as $AOhe_she hands you the tray. "You haven't eaten yet?" "Nah. I wanted to wait and have breakfast with you," $AOhe_she answers with a shrug before grabbing a piece of pear and popping it into $AOhis_her mouth. "Good thing I came to get you, though. I was starving. And if I had to wait for you to get up on your own..." $AOHe_She shakes $AOhis_her head, exaggerating the gesture while $AOhe_she chews. You can't help but smile as you take your first bite. The bread is as good as it promised, crusty on the outside and soft on the inside, with just the right amount of sweetness from the honey. [[Continue|28AOc4]]

Any irritation from your rude awakening vanishes the moment the aroma of breakfast envelops you. It smells of freshly baked bread, still warm and promising a crunchy crust. Alongside it comes a buttery scent melting in the air, and a sweet, natural note. Something sugary. Honey, perhaps. Among it all, the freshness of various fruits drifts in. You see a small pile of juicy pears, apples, and ripe, creamy bananas. It's a comforting, almost domestic smell that makes your stomach growl and your mouth water. "Gods... it smells wonderful," you say, taking a deep breath. "Did you really make this?" $AO puts a hand on $AOhis_her waist, $AOhis_her face lit with amusement. "Should I be offended by that tone?" You raise an eyebrow. "I've never seen you make anything too elaborated. At least, not without an accident involved." $AOHe_She laughs and rubs the back of $AOhis_her neck, looking sheepish. "Okay, you caught me. No, I didn't make it, gods forbid. $AL did." You snort as you climb onto the bed. "I figured as much..." $AO rolls $AOhis_her eyes and sits beside you, passing you the tray. "So this is the thanks I get for a romantic gesture? Stop picking on me and eat. The good thing about $AL cooking is that it's going to be amazing, and I'm dying to try it." You look at $AOhim_her with a raised eyebrow. "You haven't eaten yet?" "Nah. I wanted to wait and have breakfast with you," $AOhe_she answers with a shrug before grabbing a piece of pear and popping it into $AOhis_her mouth. "Good thing I came to get you, though. I was starving. And if I had to wait for you to get up on your own..." $AOHe_She shakes $AOhis_her head, exaggerating the gesture while $AOhe_she chews. You can't help but smile as you take your first bite. The bread is as good as it promised, crusty on the outside and soft on the inside, with just the right amount of sweetness from the honey. [[Continue|28AOc4]]

For a moment, everything clicks. The sea in the background, the light streaming through the cave entrance, the breakfast... It's not a grand feast, nor is it the quiet morning you initially imagined, but it feels... right. Without realizing it, the day stops feeling like an inevitable nuisance and begins to take shape around this simple, natural moment. "You know," you begin, breaking the silence. You swallow a piece of bread before continuing. "If it weren't for the magic surrounding this place, it would almost feel like a normal day back in Thaon." $AO glances toward the cave entrance hidden behind the screen, and lets out a sigh. "I know what you mean. It's easy to forget that today is our last day of freedom and that there're still worlds out there that need saving." "What do you think will happen?" you ask before picking up another piece of fruit with a bit of honey. "Honestly? I wish I had even the slightest clue." $AOHe_She shrugs, chewing on a piece of bread. "But I have no idea. And the truth is, I try not to think about it too much." "Really? Doesn't that worry you?" $AO presses $AOhis_her lips into a thin line, $AOhis_her gaze lost somewhere on the wall. $AOHe_She makes a thoughtful sound before answering. "Our lives could end in two seconds. I'd rather not waste time worrying about what's coming and stick with the now and focus on the people I love." $AOHe_She looks up at you, a tender smile forming as $AOhe_she gives you a gentle nudge with $AOhis_her shoulder. "Even if it's only for five minutes." You return the smile and lean in to plant a kiss on $AOhis_her shoulder. $AO snuggles a bit closer to you before letting out another long sigh. <<if $AriAlive is true>>"I'll admit I don't always succeed. I guess uncertainty is inevitable when you're facing something as big as we are, but I try." Then $AOhis_her brow furrows, the light in $AOhis_her face fading a little. "Especially when I wonder... how my father, Daira, and Arianna are doing. Not knowing what might be happening in Thaon is the worst part." <<else>>"I'll admit I don't always succeed. I guess uncertainty is inevitable when you're facing something as big as we are, but I try." Then $AOhis_her brow furrows, the light in $AOhis_her face fading a little. "Especially when I wonder... how my father and Daira are doing. Not knowing what might be happening in Thaon is the worst part." <</if>>"You miss them," you say, more as a statement than a question. "Terribly. Even more so when I can't do anything but wait," $AOhe_she replies in a softer tone. Then $AOhe_she straightens up, $AOhis_her voice more confident. "But they're the ones who make me want to keep going, you know? Wanting to keep them safe makes it so that it doesn't matter what comes my way. If I want to see them again, I have to help the gods stop the corruption, and failure is no longer an option." $AOHe_She smiles, almost mischievously now. "Which means everything will turn out fine. It has to." * [[Then we won't fail|29AOc5a]] * [[Well, if you decree it, I'm much more at ease|29AOc5b]] * [[I assure you that you'll see them again|29AOc5c]] * [[Good plan. 'Everything will work out because I say so.'|29AOc5d]] * [[We fail many times. But you have a point|29AOc5e]]

<<add_blunt +1>>\ \ "Then we're not going to fail, $AO," you say, a tone of fierce determination colouring your words. "Not because the gods ask us to, or because it's the right thing to do... but because I don't plan on letting you lose anyone else." Your words make $AO's eyes widen slightly in surprise. $AOHe_She blinks for a moment before $AOhis_her face softens with a mixture of tenderness and $AOhis_her own determination. "That sounds dangerously close to a promise," $AOhe_she says, a smile forming on $AOhis_her face. "It is." $AOHe_She laughs at your blunt response and leans more heavily against you. "If you put it like that, I believe you." You smile despite everything, and you both return to your breakfast. For a few minutes, no more words are needed. The bread is torn in silence, and fruit passes from one hand to the other before one of you chimes in again with more mundane conversation. $AO chews slowly, leaning against you, and you allow yourself the small luxury of being present without anticipating the next danger. For an instant, if only for one, the world of the gods stays on the sidelines. For a moment, there's no corruption, no different worlds, no renegades trying to destroy what you love, no destinies written in blood. Just a quiet, shared morning that looks enough like Thaon to hurt a little... and to remind you exactly what you're going to fight for. [[Continue|37]]

<<add_fun +1>>\ \ <<if $AOQK is true>>You let out a laugh. "Well, if everything has to turn out fine by the $AOKing_Queen's decree, I'm much more at ease." <<else>>You let out a laugh. "Well, if everything has to turn out fine by $AOPrince_Princess $AO's decree, I'm much more at ease." <</if>>$AOHe_She gives you a playful, light nudge with $AOhis_her shoulder. "Hey, my logic is impeccable." "Right. Impeccably optimistic," you retort with a raised eyebrow, amused. "What can I say? It's a talent," $AOhe_she responds with a nonchalant gesture. "A dangerous one." $AOHis_Her smile grows into a crooked smirk. "But effective." You let out another laugh, shaking your head, and then return to your breakfast. For a few minutes, no more words are needed. The bread is torn in silence, and fruit passes from one hand to the other before one of you chimes in again with more mundane conversation. $AO chews slowly, leaning against you, and you allow yourself the small luxury of being present without anticipating the next danger. For an instant, if only for one, the world of the gods stays on the sidelines. For a moment, there's no corruption, no different worlds, no renegades trying to destroy what you love, no destinies written in blood. Just a quiet, shared morning that looks enough like Thaon to hurt a little... and to remind you exactly what you're going to fight for. [[Continue|37]]

<<add_diplomacy +1>>\ \ "Then we have no choice but to win," you say, a tone of fierce determination in your voice. "I don't plan on letting you go without seeing them again, $AO. I promise you'll be back with them." Your words cause $AO's eyes to widen slightly. $AOHe_She blinks, $AOhis_her face softening with a mix of tenderness and resolve before that characteristic spark of mischief returns. "You're in protective mode today, aren't you?" $AOhe_she says, a smile forming on $AOhis_her lips. $AOHis_Her sudden playful tone catches you off guard and draws a light chuckle from you. "Call it interest if you want. I like your family." "So you're doing it for them and not for me? That hurts!" $AOhe_she exclaims, though $AOhe_she's still smiling. "It's a fifty-fifty split, really," you joke, making a gesture with your hand. $AOHe_She laughs and nudges you gently with $AOhis_her shoulder again. "You're an idiot. But you're my idiot." You smile despite it all, shake your head, and return to your breakfast. For a few minutes, no more words are needed. The bread is torn in silence, and fruit passes from one hand to the other before one of you chimes in again with more mundane conversation. $AO chews slowly, leaning against you, and you allow yourself the small luxury of being present without anticipating the next danger. For an instant, if only for one, the world of the gods stays on the sidelines. For a moment, there's no corruption, no different worlds, no renegades trying to destroy what you love, no destinies written in blood. Just a quiet, shared morning that looks enough like Thaon to hurt a little... and to remind you exactly what you're going to fight for. [[Continue|37]]

<<add_blunt +1>>\ \ "We fail quite often, actually," you correct $AOhim_her. Then you add, "But you're right about one thing. Giving up is not an option." <<if $blunt > $diplomacy and $blunt > $fun>>$AO watches you intently for a moment before raising an eyebrow. "Always the realist..." <<else>>$AO watches you intently for a moment before raising an eyebrow. "I didn't expect you to be the realist in this conversation." <</if>>You shrug. "Someone has to be." $AOHe_She laughs, shaking $AOhis_her head slightly. "Then I'll keep being the optimist." You smile despite everything and return to your breakfast. For a few minutes, no more words are needed. The bread is torn in silence, and fruit passes from one hand to the other before one of you chimes in again with more mundane conversation. $AO chews slowly, leaning against you, and you allow yourself the small luxury of being present without anticipating the next danger. For an instant, if only for one, the world of the gods stays on the sidelines. For a moment, there's no corruption, no different worlds, no renegades trying to destroy what you love, no destinies written in blood. Just a quiet, shared morning that looks enough like Thaon to hurt a little... and to remind you exactly what you're going to fight for. [[Continue|37]]

<<add_fun +1>>\ \ "It's reassuring to know your strategic plan is: 'everything will turn out fine just because I say so.'" $AOHe_She arches an eyebrow, feigning offence. "Excuse me. It's an impeccable strategy based on blind faith and stubbornness." "Right... two very solid pillars," you respond, amused. $AO lets out a loud laugh, slapping $AOhis_her thigh. "Ha! I knew you'd officially recognize it one day." You roll your eyes and laugh, shaking your head slightly before returning to your breakfast. For a few minutes, no more words are needed. The bread is torn in silence, and fruit passes from one hand to the other before one of you chimes in again with more mundane conversation. $AO chews slowly, leaning against you, and you allow yourself the small luxury of being present without anticipating the next danger. For an instant, if only for one, the world of the gods stays on the sidelines. For a moment, there's no corruption, no different worlds, no renegades trying to destroy what you love, no destinies written in blood. Just a quiet, shared morning that looks enough like Thaon to hurt a little... and to remind you exactly what you're going to fight for. [[Continue|37]]

Halfway there, you slow your pace, as if trying not to make unnecessary noise even though the constant murmur of the sea easily covers your tracks. The breeze brings the salty scent of the water back to you, mixed with the tepid warmth of the sun on your back. $LL doesn't look up. $LLHe_She remains focused on $LLhis_her notebook, brow slightly furrowed and lips parted, oblivious to the rest of the world. Something $LLhe_she wrote must not have convinced $LLhim_her, or perhaps $LLhe_she made a mistake, because $LLhe_she grimaces and scribbles over it. You stop a few paces away, hesitating. Suddenly, you're not sure if you should interrupt the calm $LLhe_she has built around $LLhimself_herself like a refuge. For a few seconds, you simply watch $LLhim_her, noting how the sea barely grazes the tips of $LLhis_her boots before retreating again. The tide is low today. The morning sun draws copper glints from $LLhis_her red hair, a bit tousled by the gentle wind that blows every now and then. The beautiful image makes your chest tighten with a familiar mix of admiration and a love you rarely allow yourself to name. Your gaze drifts down to the absence of $LLhis_her arm, hidden under a long sleeve. Strange, $LL doesn't usually wear long sleeves, not when the heat still clings to the air despite the summer starting to recede. $LLHe_She must be hot in that. You finally step closer, until your shadow lengthens across the sand and touches $LLhis_hers. Only then does $LL realize you're there. $LLHe_She jumps, caught by surprise. $LLHe_She drops the charcoal onto the sand to snap the notebook shut immediately as if $LLhis_her life depended on it, and then hides it from view by angling $LLhis_her body just right before snapping $LLhis_her head up to see you. * [[Sorry. I didn't mean to startle you|27LLa]] * [[You've been going off alone for days. I was starting to worry|27LLb]] * [[Hey, do I look like a demon or something?|27LLc]] * [[Aren't you hot in that?|27LLd]]

<<add_diplomacy +1>>\ \ You raise your hands in a calming gesture while offering an apologetic smile. "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. Are you okay?" $LL watches you with a tense expression. Knowing it's you doesn't seem to relax $LLhim_her at all. In fact, it almost seems to make it worse. The feeling makes you think that perhaps approaching wasn't such a good idea after all. Finally, $LLhe_she settles back into $LLhis_her spot. $LLHe_She no longer hides the notebook, but doesn't open it again either. "No, it's... it's not your fault. I was... distracted." You nod slowly, not quite knowing what to say. A slight silence settles between you. You rub the back of your neck and gesture vaguely behind you. "If you'd rather I leave—" "No," $LLhe_she interrupts surprisingly fast with a shake of $LLhis_her head. "Stay. Since you're already here..." You can't help your pulse quickening slightly at $LLhis_her soft, bright gaze, fearful and vulnerable. $LLHis_Her words mask the true meaning, but you see it reflected in $LLhis_her eyes. $LLHe_She wants you to stay. You bite the inside of your cheek to hold back a smile as you accept the spot $LLhe_she offers with a brief gesture to sit down beside $LLhim_her. Another surprise. //"Baby steps,"// you think. [[Continue|28LL]]

<<add_blunt +1>>\ \ You raise your hands in a calming gesture while offering an apologetic smile. "Sorry, I just wanted to make sure you were okay. You've been coming here alone for days and... I was starting to worry." $LL watches you with a tense expression. Knowing it's you doesn't seem to relax $LLhim_her at all. In fact, it almost seems to make it worse. The feeling makes you think that perhaps approaching wasn't such a good idea after all. Finally, $LLhe_she settles back into $LLhis_her spot, frowning slightly as $LLhe_she looks away. "I'm fine. I don't need to be watched over." "I'm not watching you, I just..." //I miss you.// You hold back the words before they can escape, pressing your lips into a thin line before clearing your throat. A slight silence settles between you as you rub the back of your neck and gesture vaguely behind you. "Never mind. Sorry for bothering you. I'll leave you alone—" "Wait," $LLhe_she interrupts surprisingly fast before you can take a step. "I... I'm sorry. I was just... thinking. You can... stay if you want." You can't help your pulse quickening slightly at $LLhis_her soft, bright gaze, fearful and vulnerable. $LLHis_Her words mask the true meaning, but you see it reflected in $LLhis_her eyes. $LLHe_She wants you to stay. You bite the inside of your cheek to hold back a smile as you accept the spot $LLhe_she offers with a brief gesture to sit down beside $LLhim_her. Another surprise. //"Baby steps,"// you think. [[Continue|28LL]]

<<add_fun +1>>\ \ "Whoa there, it's me," you say, raising your hands in a calming gesture with a crooked smile. "Based on your reaction, one would think I'm a demon. Do I have horns growing somewhere that I haven't noticed?" But the joke, far from relaxing $LLhim_her, seems to tense $LLhim_her up even more. Your smile falters, and you start to think that approaching wasn't such a good idea after all. Finally, $LLhe_she settles back into $LLhis_her spot. $LLHe_She no longer hides the notebook, but doesn't open it again either. "No, it's just... I was... distracted, that's all." "I see." Your words are more to fill the awkward silence that inevitably settles between you than a real response. Both of you look away at the same time, $LLhe_she toward the ground, and you pretending to watch the beach for a long moment. You rub the back of your neck and finally speak before the tension suffocates you. "Well, I just came to see if you were okay. And it seems you are, so..." You clear your throat and gesture vaguely behind you. "I'll leave you to it. Sorry for bothering you—" "Wait," $LLhe_she interrupts surprisingly fast. "I... I'm sorry. I was just... thinking, that's all. You can... stay if you want." You can't help your pulse quickening slightly at $LLhis_her soft, bright gaze, fearful and vulnerable. $LLHis_Her words mask the true meaning, but you see it reflected in $LLhis_her eyes. $LLHe_She wants you to stay. You bite the inside of your cheek to hold back a smile as you accept the spot $LLhe_she offers with a brief gesture to sit down beside $LLhim_her. Another surprise. //"Baby steps,"// you think. [[Continue|28LL]]

<<add_diplomacy +1>>\ \ "Whoa there, it's me," you say, raising your hands in a calming gesture before pointing to $LLhis_her shirt. "I just wanted to ask how you were. Aren't you hot in that? It's not exactly cold out here." $LL watches you with a tense expression. Knowing it's you doesn't seem to relax $LLhim_her at all. In fact, it almost seems to make it worse. The feeling makes you think that perhaps approaching wasn't such a good idea after all. After a few seconds, $LLhe_she looks down, watching the loose sleeve fluttering in the breeze where there's no arm to fill it, before looking away with a frown. "No. I'm fine," $LLhe_she answers, $LLhis_her tone somewhat curt. Now it's your turn to frown. You know $LLhe_she's lying, just as you know that confronting $LLhim_her will only make $LLhim_her shut down further. "Ah." The word is more to fill the awkward silence that inevitably settles between you than a real response. You rub the back of your neck and finally speak before the tension suffocates you. "Well, then, uh... since I see you don't need anything..." You clear your throat and gesture vaguely behind you. "I'll leave you to it. Sorry for bothering you—" "Wait," $LLhe_she interrupts surprisingly fast. "I... I'm sorry. I was just... thinking, that's all. You can... stay if you want." You can't help your pulse quickening slightly at $LLhis_her soft, bright gaze, fearful and vulnerable. $LLHis_Her words mask the true meaning, but you see it reflected in $LLhis_her eyes. $LLHe_She wants you to stay. You bite the inside of your cheek to hold back a smile as you accept the spot $LLhe_she offers with a brief gesture to sit down beside $LLhim_her. Another surprise. //"Baby steps,"// you think. [[Continue|28LL]]

The silence returns, though this time it feels a bit less sharp, allowing the rhythmic murmur of the sea to fill the gaps. This isn't the first time you've sat like this with $LL. In fact, that strange ability to be together without needing to fill the air with unnecessary noise used to be your favourite refuge. But this time isn't as comfortable. It's saturated with words stuck in your throat and that electric impulse to close the distance, not just the few inches separating your shoulders, but that emotional abyss that has turned a moment that should be pleasant into something strangely fragile. You loosely wrap your arm around your bent knees and roll your lips together, looking down at the sand for a brief moment as you try to find a way to fill the silence that you would have loved to enjoy any other time. You watch $LLhim_her out of the corner of your eye, trying to be subtle. $LL has $LLhis_her gaze lost on the shoreline, hypnotized by the flow of the water licking the sand before retreating with a whisper. Suddenly, $LLhe_she purses $LLhis_her lips, a minimal and almost imperceptible gesture, but enough to make your heart skip a beat. Somehow, you know $LLhe_she's thinking about the same thing you are. You know the elephant in the room has a name, and it's 'the kiss.' You still feel the trace of $LLhis_her lips' pressure no matter how many days pass. In fact, it seems that time, far from softening the sensation, is intensifying it, as if your mind doesn't want to let go for fear of never feeling it again. At some point, you'll have to talk about it. The problem is, you know $LL. If it were up to $LLhim_her, $LLhe_she'd dig a hole in that very sand and bury the memory ten meters deep. You're going to have to approach this another way. You offer a soft smile and point to the notebook. "What were you writing?" "Nothing," $LLhe_she answers immediately. The curt tone erases your smile. $LLHis_Her body tenses even more, if possible, as $LLhe_she hunches over $LLhimself_herself and tightens $LLhis_her grip on the notebook. Clearly, you're not going to get anywhere today. Again. You let the frustration shimmering inside you out in a sigh and press your hands into the sand. Better to leave $LLhim_her alone before you say something you might regret. [[Continue|29LL]]

"I wasn't writing." $LLHis_Her voice stops you just as you're about to make a move to get up. It's barely a murmur, yet loud enough to be heard over the rhythm of the waves. You turn back to $LLhim_her, blinking in confusion and surprised by the sudden shift in $LLhis_her tone, this one much softer, much more vulnerable. $LL looks down at the notebook, watching it in silence for a few seconds with a slight frown. $LLHis_Her jaw trembles subtly, and you only notice because you're right beside $LLhim_her, watching closely as $LLhe_she parts $LLhis_her lips a couple of times without making a sound. Finally, $LLhe_she swallows, takes a deep breath, and rests the notebook on $LLhis_her thigh to open it. "Here. This is... what I was doing." You lean toward $LLhim_her as $LLhe_she turns the first page, more out of instinct and curiosity than a conscious decision. With just the first glance, your eyes go wide and your jaw drops in genuine surprise. There's a drawing of a turtle occupying nearly the entire page, rendered with stunning precision. Each scale has its own depth, and you can almost feel the texture with your fingertips. The shadows are placed with a care that borders on obsessive, and its gaze feels so alive that if it were in colour, you'd doubt whether it was real or not. "Wow…" you can't help but exhale. $LL doesn't look up, cautiously turning the pages and pausing briefly on each one to let you take a look before moving to the next. Because there's more. Much, much more. You find a bit of everything, from everyday objects to people. You see mugs, cracked shells, daggers and swords, fabric falling in impossible folds, the sporadic face of one of your old neighbours from Sorrol, a highly detailed sketch of $RG's house… And, of course, animals of every kind. Some in motion, others at rest. There's a dog lying on a blanket of grass, a cat sitting with that elegant, typical feline poise, birds with wings tucked or in mid-flight, a close-up of an owl's eyes with the reflection in the iris and all… You also find several drawings of Enid in different forms and from every angle. Sleeping, sitting, eating… there's even a sketch of her with her wings out and the fire on her tail. $LL lets you flip through the pages at your own pace. Tense and nervous, but $LLhe_she lets you, as if each drawing were a part of $LLhim_her that $LLhe_she's afraid to show, yet wants to share with you anyway. * [["This is incredible, " + $LL|30LLa]] * [[Since when do you draw?|30LLb]] * [[Wow… Do you draw everything you see?|30LLc]] * [["You're so talented, " + $LL|30LLd]] * [[Seems like you Terrastars are all artists, huh?|30LLe]]

"By the gods, $LL," you finally say when your wonder allows it, letting out a soft laugh as you carefully slide your fingers over the paper. "This is incredible." "No," $LLhe_she says, shaking $LLhis_her head before pointing to a perfect portrait of a deer. "The shadow here is wrong. And the proportion of the left eye…" $LLHe_She grimaces, frowning. "It doesn't fit." You blink and look back at the supposedly imperfect drawing that only $LLhe_she can see flaws in. To you, it's perfect, filled with details that leave you speechless no matter which way you tilt your head to see it from another angle. "Honestly? I don't see a single flaw," you answer without taking your eyes off the page. "It's perfect, $LL." "Because you don't know where to look," $LLhe_she responds in a low voice. $LLHe_She turns another page, pointing to a drawing of a lizard this time. "This one isn't right either. The texture should be rougher here. And here…" $LLHe_She points to an almost invisible line, "my hand slipped." You follow every stroke $LLhe_she points out, your eyebrow slowly rising with each one. Each drawing feels alive, beautiful, made with delicate affection and a skill that borders on the inhuman, a raw sensitivity for capturing the world as it is… or even better. "If this is what you call imperfections, I don't want to know what you consider finished," you joke with a chuckle, turning to the next page. "Wait, not that one—" Before $LL can stop you, however, you've already seen the next drawing. [[Continue|31LL]]

"Wow…" you breathe out softly when your wonder allows it, your fingers tracing the paper carefully. "How long have you been drawing like this?" $LLHe_She shrugs. "Since before I knew how to fight." "It's amazing, $LL. Truly." "No," $LLhe_she says, shaking $LLhis_her head before pointing to a perfect portrait of a deer. "The shadow here is wrong. And the proportion of the left eye…" $LLHe_She grimaces, frowning. "It doesn't fit." You blink and look back at the supposedly imperfect drawing that only $LLhe_she can see flaws in. To you, it's perfect, filled with details that leave you speechless no matter which way you tilt your head to see it from another angle. "Honestly? I don't see a single flaw," you answer without taking your eyes off the page. "It's perfect, $LL." "Because you don't know where to look," $LLhe_she responds in a low voice. $LLHe_She turns another page, pointing to a drawing of a lizard this time. "This one isn't right either. The texture should be rougher here. And here…" $LLHe_She points to an almost invisible line, "my hand slipped." You follow every stroke $LLhe_she points out, your eyebrow slowly rising with each one. Each drawing feels alive, beautiful, made with delicate affection and a skill that borders on the inhuman, a raw sensitivity for capturing the world as it is… or even better. "If this is what you call imperfections, I don't want to know what you consider finished," you joke with a chuckle, turning to the next page. "Wait, not that one—" Before $LL can stop you, however, you've already seen the next drawing. [[Continue|31LL]]

"Wow…" you exhale softly, your fingers carefully brushing the paper. "Do you draw everything you see?" "Whatever is worth remembering," $LLhe_she replies. "It's incredible. Truly." "No," $LLhe_she says, shaking $LLhis_her head before pointing to a perfect portrait of a deer. "The shadow here is wrong. And the proportion of the left eye…" $LLHe_She grimaces, frowning. "It doesn't fit." You blink and look back at the supposedly imperfect drawing that only $LLhe_she can see flaws in. To you, it's perfect, filled with details that leave you speechless no matter which way you tilt your head to see it from another angle. "Honestly? I don't see a single flaw," you answer without taking your eyes off the page. "It's perfect, $LL." "Because you don't know where to look," $LLhe_she responds in a low voice. $LLHe_She turns another page, pointing to a drawing of a lizard this time. "This one isn't right either. The texture should be rougher here. And here…" $LLHe_She points to an almost invisible line, "my hand slipped." You follow every stroke $LLhe_she points out, your eyebrow slowly rising with each one. Each drawing feels alive, beautiful, made with delicate affection and a skill that borders on the inhuman, a raw sensitivity for capturing the world as it is… or even better. "If this is what you call imperfections, I don't want to know what you consider finished," you joke with a chuckle, turning to the next page. "Wait, not that one—" Before $LL can stop you, however, you've already seen the next drawing. [[Continue|31LL]]

"Wow…" you breathe out softly when your wonder allows it, your fingers tracing the paper carefully. "You have so much talent. The kind you can't just learn." "It's not talent," $LLhe_she responds seriously. "It's practice." "Not everyone practices like this. This is incredible, $LL. Honestly." "No," $LLhe_she says, shaking $LLhis_her head before pointing to a perfect portrait of a deer. "The shadow here is wrong. And the proportion of the left eye…" $LLHe_She grimaces, frowning. "It doesn't fit." You blink and look back at the supposedly imperfect drawing that only $LLhe_she can see flaws in. To you, it's perfect, filled with details that leave you speechless no matter which way you tilt your head to see it from another angle. "Honestly? I don't see a single flaw," you answer without taking your eyes off the page. "It's perfect, $LL." "Because you don't know where to look," $LLhe_she responds in a low voice. $LLHe_She turns another page, pointing to a drawing of a lizard this time. "This one isn't right either. The texture should be rougher here. And here…" $LLHe_She points to an almost invisible line, "my hand slipped." You follow every stroke $LLhe_she points out, your eyebrow slowly rising with each one. Each drawing feels alive, beautiful, made with delicate affection and a skill that borders on the inhuman, a raw sensitivity for capturing the world as it is… or even better. "If this is what you call imperfections, I don't want to know what you consider finished," you joke with a chuckle, turning to the next page. "Wait, not that one—" Before $LL can stop you, however, you've already seen the next drawing. [[Continue|31LL]]

You let out a chuckle, nudging $LLhim_her gently with your shoulder. "So, there's an artistic vein in your family, huh?" $LL's blush deepens slightly. "$AL is the artist. I just draw what I see. I don't create anything that doesn't already exist." "Forgive me for disagreeing, but this," you tap the paper, pointing to a drawing of a frog with damp-looking skin, "this isn't something just anyone can do. It's incredible, seriously." "No," $LLhe_she says, shaking $LLhis_her head before pointing to a perfect portrait of a deer. "The shadow here is wrong. And the proportion of the left eye…" $LLHe_She grimaces, frowning. "It doesn't fit." You blink and look back at the supposedly imperfect drawing that only $LLhe_she can see flaws in. To you, it's perfect, filled with details that leave you speechless no matter which way you tilt your head to see it from another angle. "Honestly? I don't see a single flaw," you answer without taking your eyes off the page. "It's perfect, $LL." "Because you don't know where to look," $LLhe_she responds in a low voice. $LLHe_She turns another page, pointing to a drawing of a lizard this time. "This one isn't right either. The texture should be rougher here. And here…" $LLHe_She points to an almost invisible line, "my hand slipped." You follow every stroke $LLhe_she points out, your eyebrow slowly rising with each one. Each drawing feels alive, beautiful, made with delicate affection and a skill that borders on the inhuman, a raw sensitivity for capturing the world as it is… or even better. "If this is what you call imperfections, I don't want to know what you consider finished," you joke with a chuckle, turning to the next page. "Wait, not that one—" Before $LL can stop you, however, you've already seen the next drawing. [[Continue|31LL]]

It's you. Or a version of you so precise that your chest tightens. Your own eyes stare back at you in a portrait so realistic it steals your breath away. You have an intense, vivid expression, with a very slight smile curving one corner of your mouth. If it weren't for the fact that it's in black and white —and that your own expression is nowhere near as interesting as the paper portrays it— you'd almost think you were looking in a mirror. "$LL..." you whisper, not realizing you've lowered your voice. You close your mouth, open it again, and close it once more when you can't find the words. You feel $LLhim_her tense beside you as $LLhe_she snatches the notebook from your hands. "This... this isn't finished," $LLhe_she says, $LLhis_her voice trembling. "It's just a sketch. It's still missing shading, some firmer strokes. This... this doesn't count." You slowly look up at $LLhim_her, seeing the flush covering $LLhis_her cheeks and how $LLhe_she avoids your gaze at all costs. $LL struggles with the notebook, trying to snap it shut quickly. "No," you say with gentle firmness, placing a hand over $LLhis_hers to stop $LLhim_her. "It does count, $LL." $LLHis_Her profile couldn't be more rigid if $LLhe_she tried, but even with $LLhis_her jaw clenched and $LLhis_her body drawn inward, $LL dares to look at you this time. There's shame and fear in $LLhis_her eyes, but also something deeper, something $LLhe_she doesn't know how to hide, and it draws a smile from you almost despite yourself. "Nobody has ever looked at me like that before," you continue in a low voice. "Not even myself." $LLHis_Her jaw trembles as $LLhis_her lips part. It takes $LLhim_her an extra second to respond, as if every word requires a monumental effort. "I don't usually show it. To anyone." "Thank you for showing me," you reply after a brief pause. [[Continue|32LL]]

<<audio ":all" stop>>\ <<audio "strings" volume 0.5 loop play>>\ \ The sea breaks softly against the shore, wrapping the moment in a gentle, steady pulse. For the first time in a long while, the silence that settles between you doesn't hurt. It's fragile, yes, but also warm. Your hand remains over $LLhis_hers, and without realizing it, you begin to stroke $LLhis_her skin with your thumb in an unconscious, almost reverent gesture. $LL doesn't pull away. $LLHe_She lifts $LLhis_her chin slightly, and your gaze drifts briefly to $LLhis_her lips. You begin to close the distance between you, so slowly it's barely noticeable at first, until $LLhis_her breath mingles with yours. You pause for a second, looking into $LLhis_her eyes and giving $LLhim_her the time $LLhe_she needs to move away if $LLhe_she wants to. The moment stretches, and $LL doesn't pull back. You lean in a bit more. $LLHe_She seems to as well… Until $LLhe_she turns $LLhis_her head abruptly and pulls away from you, as if the contact might burn $LLhim_her. $LLHe_She snaps the notebook shut and looks away for a moment before standing up. You remain still, as if needing a second to process $LLhis_her move. You close your eyes as you feel your heart sink, and let out a disappointed sigh. You should have seen it coming. [[Continue|33LL]]

You rest an arm over your bent knees and turn your head to watch $LLhim_her as $LLhe_she paces a few steps away. You see $LLhim_her rubbing the back of $LLhis_her neck, $LLhis_her eyes scanning the sand as $LLhe_she paces. $LLHe_She's not running away yet, you tell yourself, clinging to it like a small but steady anchor. So you simply wait, giving $LLhim_her the space $LLhe_she needs. Finally, $LLhe_she stops. $LLHis_Her shoulders rise and fall with a breath deeper than usual before $LLhe_she turns toward you, $LLhis_her eyes holding an awkward mix of shame and apology. "I'm sorry," $LLhe_she murmurs, so softly you're surprised you heard it. $LLHe_She shakes $LLhis_her head slowly. "All of this… it feels out of place for me." Your expression softens, and you purse your lips in a sympathetic gesture as you slowly stand up. "I understand. Truly," you answer, taking a step toward $LLhim_her. "We're living in a delicate time, with the Cycle and the worlds in danger—" "No. It's not that," $LLhe_she interrupts, running a hand through $LLhis_her hair. "It's not the corruption, or the gods. It's just—" $LLHe_She swallows and looks away. The silence stretches a second longer than necessary, and you close the gap with another small step. "Then what is it?" you nudge. $LLHis_Her eyes find yours again. There's vulnerability in them, fear… and a hint of desperation that pierces your chest with a brief, sharp sting. $LLHe_She opens $LLhis_her mouth to speak, but $LLhis_her lower lip trembles slightly under the tension of $LLhis_her jaw. $LLHe_She closes it, breathes, and forces $LLhimself_herself to speak. "I… I can't imagine being with someone," $LLhe_she finally confesses, stumbling slightly over $LLhis_her words, and shakes $LLhis_her head. "I can't picture myself walking hand-in-hand through a park. Or travelling and asking for a room with a double bed at the inn. Or saying goodbye with a kiss at the end of the day. I just…" $LLHis_Her voice cracks a bit, but without fully breaking. "I don't know how to do it." [[Continue|34LL]]

Your brows furrow in a sad expression, and look down for a second to process $LLhis_her words. Then, a soft breath escapes your mouth in soft sigh before looking up and closing the remaining distance. $LL tenses, but doesn't step back. "Okay. First of all, you don't have to imagine yourself with 'someone,'" you begin, a small smile taking shape at the corner of your lips. "You have to imagine yourself with //me//." $LL's eyes widen with a blink, as if your simple answer had opened a possibility $LLhe_she didn't know existed. "And second," you continue, your smile widening. "If you don't know how to do it… I'm right here. To teach you." You take the notebook from $LLhis_her hand and set it carefully atop a nearby rock. Once you're sure it won't fall, you turn back to $LL and hold your hand out to $LLhim_her. The warrior watches your open palm for a second before looking up at you. "What?" $LLhe_she asks, briefly arching an eyebrow. You chuckle at $LLhis_her suspicion and make a gesture with your fingers. "Give me your hand." $LL looks at your hand again, and you roll your eyes when $LLhe_she tenses $LLhis_her shoulders and winces. "Oh, come on, don't make that face. I don't bite!" you exclaim, half-amused, half-offended. "Okay, okay. Sorry." It takes $LLhim_her a moment, but eventually, $LLhe_she reaches for you. Slowly and carefully, $LL inches closer until $LLhis_her fingertips brush your skin. You're dying to close the gap and grab $LLhis_her hand, but you want $LLhim_her to be the one to do it. [[Continue|35LL]]

After a brief moment of hesitation, $LL finally rests $LLhis_her hand in yours, but you don't move until you feel $LLhis_her fingers curling around your palm. You step to $LLhis_her side, readjusting your grip to entwine your fingers with $LLhis_hers. $LLHe_She mimics the gesture shortly after. You fit perfectly. You find yourself a bit mesmerized, watching $LL inspect your joined hands thoughtfully. You smile and give $LLhis_her hand a soft squeeze to make $LLhim_her look up at you. Then, with a tilt of your head, you signal for $LLhim_her to pay attention and point down. "One foot…" you say as you take a short step forward. "Then the other…" Another step. "And the other…" $LL follows your movements reluctantly at first, not because of the situation itself, but because of your innocently silly instructions that make $LLhim_her roll $LLhis_her eyes. ...But that on $LLhis_her lips is definitely a smile. Slowly, the tension dissipates, and you begin to walk normally along the beach, your arms swaying gently between you with each step. "See how easy it is? It's just walking. You only have to take the first step," you say once you reach the end of the beach where the sand turns to stone, and you turn around to head back. "How do you feel?" "Strange," $LLhe_she answers, frowning slightly for an instant before $LLhis_her expression softens. "But it's… nice." "Do you want to stop?" $LLHe_She shakes $LLhis_her head. "No." Your smile grows, your chest warming at $LLhis_her simple yet sincere reply. "We'll keep practising, then," you murmur. [[Continue|36LL]]

After a while, you dare to pull $LLhim_her gently toward you until your shoulders touch, letting go of $LLhis_her hand to slowly wrap your arm around $LLhis_her waist, testing to see if you're going too far. $LLHe_She tenses for just a second before mimicking you and doing the same. Awkwardly, but $LLhe_she does it. <<if $LL is "Leire">>You linger for a moment, savouring the way her body adapts perfectly to yours. Then, you draw her closer still and lean your head slightly against hers. <<else>><<if $height is "Short">>You linger for a moment, savouring the way his body adapts perfectly to yours. Then, you draw him closer still and rest your head slightly on his shoulder <<else>>You linger for a moment, savouring the way his body adapts perfectly to yours. Then, you draw him closer still and lean your head slightly against his. <</if>><</if>>$LL hesitates for only a second. It's becoming easier and easier for $LLhim_her to adapt to each of your new movements. The contact is warm and close, and suddenly the whole world seems to shrink down to that point where your heartbeats sync up. You close your eyes, inhaling the salty breeze and $LLhis_her scent, feeling $LLhis_her presence envelop you with unexpected softness. No more words are needed between you, the shared silence is more eloquent than any sentence. Your walk along the beach continues, letting the sea breeze and the rhythm of the waves become the soundtrack to a moment that, though you know is fleeting, leaves a warmth in you that will remain long after duty calls and you have to part. Until then, however, you'll enjoy every second with $LLhis_her arm around you. //"Baby steps,"// you think, already planning the next practice session you'll use as an excuse to get close to $LL again. [[Continue|37]]

<<if $RGMIS is false and $maday is undefined>>''Before continuing, please answer this question. Did $RG call you //maday// at the end of Act 2? Choose 'Yes' only if you __didn't__ have a date with $MI. Otherwise, it could cause inconsistencies in the plot.'' * [["No, " + $RGhe_she + " didn't"|25RG][$maday to false]] * [["Yes, " + $RGhe_she + " did"|25RG][$maday to true]] <<else>><<goto "25RG">><</if>>

The first thing that catches your attention is a light trail of sand leading into an empty living room. You look around, wondering where everyone is, as you'd normally all be gathered for breakfast by now. However, the question vanishes as quickly as it arises when you hear the rhythmic, metallic clinking of pots in the kitchen. Almost at once, the air fills with a delicious aroma. Warm bread, mixed with a soft, enveloping sweetness, likely honey. There's a hint of something else too, perhaps butter slowly melting or fruit heating over the fire. Then you hear a low, carefree humming that rises and falls naturally. Your heart gives an unexpected leap as you recognize that tone of voice. You approach the archway leading to the kitchen slowly and silently. There, amidst the soft clatter of utensils and the quiet crackling of the fire, you find $AL preparing breakfast. $ALHe_She hums happily, a domestic sound that fills the room and your chest with a pleasant warmth. You stand still for a moment, leaning your shoulder against the wall as you listen to that sound with a smile on your face, watching the redhead nod $ALhis_her head slightly to the beat of $ALhis_her own music. * [["Approach silently and hug " + $ALhim_her + " from behind"|27ALa]] * [["Approach silently and surprise " + $ALhim_her + " with a kiss on the cheek"|27ALb]] * [["Let " + $ALhim_her + " know you're there"|27ALc]] * [["Keep watching " + $ALhim_her + " in silence"|27ALd]] * [["Approach in silence… and scare " + $ALhim_her|27ALe]]

You push off the wall with slow, calculated, almost feline steps, approaching until you're only a breath away. Without warning, you wrap your arms around $ALhis_her waist. $AL's body tenses for a second with a small jolt of surprise before $ALhe_she relaxes against you. "$name! You scared me!" $ALhe_she exclaims, tilting $ALhis_her head to look you in the eye. "Sorry. I couldn't help myself," you answer with a light chuckle, resting your chin on $ALhis_her shoulder as you squeeze $ALhim_her a little tighter. "I'm surprised to see you preparing breakfast at this hour. The sun is already high. Did you oversleep like I did?" "No, not really," $ALhe_she replies the moment you let $ALhim_her go, shaking $ALhis_her head gently. "I've been awake for quite a while, actually. It's just that..." $ALHe_She rubs the back of $ALhis_her neck with a shy smile. "I wanted to surprise you." You blink a few times at $ALhis_her vulnerable tone, tilting your head slightly. Something warm settles in your chest, expanding with an unexpected slowness. "But you always make breakfast for the whole group," you reply with a soft smile. Still, you can't help but be more touched than you'd admit aloud by the idea of $AL wanting to cook just for you. "It's not the same," $ALhe_she answers, as if $ALhe_she'd had the exact same thought. A light blush tints $ALhis_her cheeks. "I wanted it to be… special. But I guess it's not much of a surprise anymore." You watch $ALhim_her for a moment in silence. $ALHe_She looks a bit nervous, waiting for your reaction. Your gaze wanders briefly through the kitchen, with the morning light streaming through the entrance and the scent of warm food filling the air. Your expression softens. The surprise might have vanished, but the intention remains intact. And that carries much more weight. "Hey," you say finally, looking back at $ALhim_her. "Just because I showed up early doesn't make it any less great. In fact…" You pick up a pear, tossing it into the air and catching it a moment later. "Do you know what's more special than a surprise breakfast?" $ALHe_She blinks, looking at you with curiosity. "What?" With your smile widening, you pick up a knife and turn toward $ALhim_her. "A shared one. Pass me the cutting board, I'll help you finish." $AL's smile takes a second to appear, as if $ALhe_she needs to double-check that $ALhe_she didn't mishear you. Then $ALhis_her lips curve into a disarming warmth, slow and sincere. $ALHis_Her shoulders relax, and the shy glint in $ALhis_her eyes grows brighter, almost excited, as $ALhe_she nods. [[Continue|28AL]]

You push off the wall with slow, calculated, almost feline steps, approaching until you're just a breath away. Without warning, you wrap your arms around $ALhim_her and lean in with a quick movement to plant a kiss on $ALhis_her cheek. "Ah!" $AL jumps, nearly knocking over the honey jar, which fortunately only slides a bit across the counter. $ALHe_She snaps $ALhis_her head toward you, eyes wide… but they soften the moment $ALhe_she sees you. "$name! You startled me!" $ALhe_he exclaims, hand over $ALhis_her heart. "Sorry. I couldn't help myself," you answer with a light chuckle, resting your chin on $ALhis_her shoulder as you squeeze $ALhim_her a little tighter. "I'm surprised to see you preparing breakfast at this hour. The sun is already high. Did you oversleep like I did?" "No, not really," $ALhe_she replies as you let go, shaking $ALhis_her head gently. "I've been awake for quite a while, actually. It's just that..." $ALHe_She rubs the back of $ALhis_her neck with a shy smile. "I wanted to surprise you." You blink a few times at $ALhis_her vulnerable tone, tilting your head slightly. Something warm settles in your chest, expanding with an unexpected slowness. "But you always make breakfast for the whole group," you reply with a soft smile. Still, you can't help but be more touched than you'd admit aloud by the idea of $AL wanting to cook just for you. "It's not the same," $ALhe_she answers, as if $ALhe_she'd had the exact same thought. A light blush tints $ALhis_her cheeks. "I wanted it to be… special. But I guess it's not much of a surprise anymore." You watch $ALhim_her for a moment in silence. $ALHe_She looks a bit nervous, waiting for your reaction. Your gaze wanders briefly through the kitchen, with the morning light streaming through the entrance and the scent of warm food filling the air. Your expression softens. The surprise might have vanished, but the intention remains intact. And that carries much more weight. "Hey," you say finally, looking back at $ALhim_her. "Just because I showed up early doesn't make it any less great. In fact…" You pick up a pear, tossing it into the air and catching it a moment later. "Do you know what's more special than a surprise breakfast?" $ALHe_She blinks, looking at you with curiosity. "What?" With your smile widening, you pick up a knife and turn toward $ALhim_her. "A shared one. Pass me the cutting board, I'll help you finish." $AL's smile takes a second to appear, as if $ALhe_she needs to double-check that $ALhe_she didn't mishear you. Then $ALhis_her lips curve into a disarming warmth, slow and sincere. $ALHis_Her shoulders relax, and the shy glint in $ALhis_her eyes grows brighter, almost excited, as $ALhe_she nods. [[Continue|28AL]]

"Smells wonderful," you say softly to let $ALhim_her know you're there before crossing the kitchen archway. "Ah!" The sudden sound of your voice makes $AL jump, nearly knocking over the honey jar, which thankfully only slides a bit on the counter. You stop in your tracks, raising your hands in a calming gesture as $ALhe_she turns toward you quickly. "Whoa, easy, it's just me," you add with a small laugh. "Gods, anyone would think you'd seen a ghost." $ALHis_Her wide eyes soften at the sight of you, and $ALhe_she rests a hand on $ALhis_her chest with a smile that's half-relieved, half-embarrassed. "You scared me! I didn't expect you to show up so suddenly." "You must have been really distracted. It's not like I was trying to be quiet on purpose," you reply with a playful look, finally stepping closer and leaning your weight against the counter. "I'm surprised to see you preparing breakfast at this hour. The sun is already high. Did you oversleep like I did?" "No, not really," $ALhe_she responds, shaking $ALhis_her head gently, and rubs the back of $ALhis_her neck with a shy smile. "I've been awake for quite a while, actually. It's just that… I wanted to surprise you." You blink a few times at $ALhis_her vulnerable tone, tilting your head slightly. Something warm settles in your chest, expanding with an unexpected slowness. "But you always make breakfast for the whole group," you reply with a soft smile. Still, you can't help but be more touched than you'd admit aloud by the idea of $AL wanting to cook just for you. "It's not the same," $ALhe_she answers, as if $ALhe_she'd had the exact same thought. A light blush tints $ALhis_her cheeks. "I wanted it to be… special. But I guess it's not much of a surprise anymore." You watch $ALhim_her for a moment in silence. $ALHe_She looks a bit nervous, waiting for your reaction. Your gaze wanders briefly through the kitchen, with the morning light streaming through the entrance and the scent of warm food filling the air. Your expression softens. The surprise might have vanished, but the intention remains intact. And that carries much more weight. "Hey," you say finally, looking back at $ALhim_her. "Just because I showed up early doesn't make it any less great. In fact…" You pick up a pear, tossing it into the air and catching it a moment later. "Do you know what's more special than a surprise breakfast?" $ALHe_She blinks, looking at you with curiosity. "What?" With your smile widening, you pick up a knife and turn toward $ALhim_her. "A shared one. Pass me the cutting board, I'll help you finish." $AL's smile takes a second to appear, as if $ALhe_she needs to double-check that $ALhe_she didn't mishear you. Then $ALhis_her lips curve into a disarming warmth, slow and sincere. $ALHis_Her shoulders relax, and the shy glint in $ALhis_her eyes grows brighter, almost excited, as $ALhe_she nods. [[Continue|28AL]]

You stay leaning against the wall, observing $ALhis_her every move. You watch $ALhim_her carefully taste the crunch of the bread, frowning as $ALhe_she adjusts the heat before resuming $ALhis_her humming. Then $ALhe_she sets the knife down on the cutting board and reaches for the honey jar. There's something deeply comforting about seeing $ALhim_her like this, in such a domestic setting. The sight brings a smile to your face that's impossible to suppress. For a moment, you wonder if it will be like this when you return to Thaon. You don't know how long you stay there watching $ALhim_her, but eventually, $AL notices. $ALHe_She turns to grab a piece of cutlery… and catches you out of the corner of $ALhis_her eye. The reaction, however, isn't what you expected. $AL jumps so hard $ALhe_she nearly drops the honey jar. Luckily, your reflexes are sharp, and you move quickly to help $ALhim_her before it slips from $ALhis_her hands, though a couple of spoons do clatter to the floor. "Careful! Are you okay?" you ask as you both set the jar safely on the counter. "By the gods, $name!" $AL exclaims, hand on $ALhis_her chest, kneeling with you to pick up the fallen silverware. "Have you been there long?" "A little while," you answer, standing up and placing the cutlery in the sink. "Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you." "It's okay," $ALhe_she says, with a smile that mixes embarrassment and tenderness. "I just didn't expect you to appear so suddenly, but… I'm glad to see you." You return the smile, giving $ALhis_her hand a gentle squeeze before looking at the various ingredients scattered across the counter. "I'm surprised to see you preparing breakfast at this hour. The sun is already high. Did you oversleep like I did?" "No, not really," $ALhe_she responds, shaking $ALhis_her head gently, and rubs the back of $ALhis_her neck with a shy smile. "I've been awake for quite a while, actually. It's just that… I wanted to surprise you." You blink a few times at $ALhis_her vulnerable tone, tilting your head slightly. Something warm settles in your chest, expanding with an unexpected slowness. "But you always make breakfast for the whole group," you reply with a soft smile. Still, you can't help but be more touched than you'd admit aloud by the idea of $AL wanting to cook just for you. "It's not the same," $ALhe_she answers, as if $ALhe_she'd had the exact same thought. A light blush tints $ALhis_her cheeks. "I wanted it to be… special. But I guess it's not much of a surprise anymore." You watch $ALhim_her for a moment in silence. $ALHe_She looks a bit nervous, waiting for your reaction. Your gaze wanders briefly through the kitchen, with the morning light streaming through the entrance and the scent of warm food filling the air. Your expression softens. The surprise might have vanished, but the intention remains intact. And that carries much more weight. "Hey," you say finally, looking back at $ALhim_her. "Just because I showed up early doesn't make it any less great. In fact…" You pick up a pear, tossing it into the air and catching it a moment later. "Do you know what's more special than a surprise breakfast?" $ALHe_She blinks, looking at you with curiosity. "What?" With your smile widening, you pick up a knife and turn toward $ALhim_her. "A shared one. Pass me the cutting board, I'll help you finish." $AL's smile takes a second to appear, as if $ALhe_she needs to double-check that $ALhe_she didn't mishear you. Then $ALhis_her lips curve into a disarming warmth, slow and sincere. $ALHis_Her shoulders relax, and the shy glint in $ALhis_her eyes grows brighter, almost excited, as $ALhe_she nods. [[Continue|28AL]]

<<add_fun +1>>\ \ A mischievous smile begins to curl your lips, and you act as quickly as the intrusive thought arrives. You push off the wall with slow, calculated, almost feline steps, approaching until you're just a breath away. Just as $AL leans over a pot, you step in quickly and poke $ALhis_her sides. "Surprise!" "Ah!" $AL jumps so high $ALhe_she nearly drops the fork. Luckily, you have good reflexes and grab $ALhis_her arm firmly to help $ALhim_her steady $ALhimself_herself. "Whoa, hey, easy, it's just me!" you say with a laugh, letting go once you know $ALhe_she won't slip from the shock. "Are you okay?" $ALHe_She turns toward you with $ALhis_her heart in $ALhis_her throat, hand on $ALhis_her chest. "By all the gods, $name! You scared the life out of me!" Your smile widens, and you raise a hand with mock pride. "Guilty as charged. That was the intention." You chuckle, leaning against the counter. "Though I didn't expect you to be that startled. Now I actually feel a bit bad." $AL points a utensil at you, feigning severity, though $ALhis_her smile betrays $ALhim_her. "You should. That was very cruel." "Okay, okay, I'm sorry," you say, raising both hands in a gesture of surrender. Then, your gaze drifts to the counter, where you see the various ingredients still halfway done. "I have to say, I'm surprised to see you making breakfast at this hour. The sun is already high. Did you oversleep like I did?" "No, not really," $ALhe_she responds, shaking $ALhis_her head gently, and rubs the back of $ALhis_her neck with a shy smile. "I've been awake for quite a while, actually. It's just that… I wanted to surprise you." You blink a few times at $ALhis_her vulnerable tone, tilting your head slightly. Something warm settles in your chest, expanding with an unexpected slowness. "But you always make breakfast for the whole group," you reply with a soft smile. Still, you can't help but be more touched than you'd admit aloud by the idea of $AL wanting to cook just for you. "It's not the same," $ALhe_she answers, as if $ALhe_she'd had the exact same thought. A light blush tints $ALhis_her cheeks. "I wanted it to be… special. But I guess it's not much of a surprise anymore." You watch $ALhim_her for a moment in silence. $ALHe_She looks a bit nervous, waiting for your reaction. Your gaze wanders briefly through the kitchen, with the morning light streaming through the entrance and the scent of warm food filling the air. Your expression softens. The surprise might have vanished, but the intention remains intact. And that carries much more weight. "Hey," you say finally, looking back at $ALhim_her. "Just because I showed up early doesn't make it any less great. In fact…" You pick up a pear, tossing it into the air and catching it a moment later. "Do you know what's more special than a surprise breakfast?" $ALHe_She blinks, looking at you with curiosity. "What?" With your smile widening, you pick up a knife and turn toward $ALhim_her. "A shared one. Pass me the cutting board, I'll help you finish." $AL's smile takes a second to appear, as if $ALhe_she needs to double-check that $ALhe_she didn't mishear you. Then $ALhis_her lips curve into a disarming warmth, slow and sincere. $ALHis_Her shoulders relax, and the shy glint in $ALhis_her eyes grows brighter, almost excited, as $ALhe_she nods. [[Continue|28AL]]

$ALHe_She steps aside just enough to give you space, and soon your movements in the kitchen are perfectly coordinated. While you take over the cutting, $AL keeps an eye on the bread in the oven, waiting for the perfect point. When $ALhe_she decides it's ready, $ALhe_she takes it out and begins cutting slices, placing them in the pan with the melted butter. "So, has everyone else already had breakfast?" you ask, not out of a need to fill the silence that settles comfortably between you, but out of pure curiosity. $AL nods. "Yes. They finished just a little while ago. Right before you showed up, actually." "I thought so. The beach felt unusually quiet." For a brief moment, the kitchen is filled with the quiet sound of the knife slicing through pears before you set them on a plate. You pick up an apple and repeat the process. $AL makes a small sound of understanding. "Yes. It's incredible how you always find something to keep yourself busy, even though there isn't much to do in this place." "Where did they go? Do you know?" you ask, without stopping your work on the apple. "$RG… well, you know." $AL pauses briefly to flip the bread, then continues. "Same as the last few days." You purse your lips. "$RGHe_She's spent every single day in the forest since we arrived. I wonder if $RGhe_she's okay..." "I think $RGhe_she's worried about Enid," $AL replies, $ALhis_her expression darkening slightly. "She hasn't come back either. I hope Abora is helping her." <<if $belief isnot true or $corruption >= 4>>You doubt it, but you don't want to spoil the moment with your suspicions. You shake the thought away and simply nod. "And $AO and your $LLbrother_sister?" <<else>>"Yeah… me too," you say, nodding slowly. "What about $AO and your $LLbrother_sister?" <</if>>$AL lets out a small chuckle. "The second $AOhe_she finished breakfast, $AO grabbed $LL by the arm and dragged $LLhim_her straight to the mountain. $AOHe_She said $AOhe_she was in the mood for a morning hike and needed company to protect $AOhim_her from the bugs." * [["Meaning that " + $AO + " had way too much sugar"|29ALa]] * [[It's the bugs that need protection...|29ALb]] * [[How long until she turned it into a race?|29ALc]] * [["That's good. It'll help " + $LL|29ALd]] * [["What? But " + $AO + " hates hiking"|29ALe]]

<<add_fun +1>>\ \ You laugh, pointing at the half-empty honey jar. "Meaning that $AO has way too much sugar with $AOhis_her breakfast and had so much energy $AOhe_she needed to burn it off with the first person $AOhe_she could grab. Poor $LL." $AL's smile falters, turning into a sad grimace. "Yeah… something like that." You finish slicing the banana, arranging the pieces next to the pear and apple in neat little piles. Meanwhile, $AL finishes flipping the fourth slice of bread before placing it on the plate alongside the fruit. "You know why $AOhe_she does it, don't you?" $ALhe_she murmurs after a short silence. <<if $ALknows is false>>You tense up instantly. You do know. Perfectly, in fact. What you don't know is if $AL knows… or if $ALhe_she only thinks $ALhe_she does. Luckily, $ALhe_she's already grabbed the plate and turned around before $ALhe_she can see your reaction. You recover quickly, grabbing the silverware and the honey jar before following $ALhim_her to the table. "Why?" you ask, feigning ignorance. $AL purses $ALhis_her lips while your pulse quickens slightly. You manage to control your nerves by popping a piece of fruit into your mouth. "$LL looks like $LLhe_she's holding together on the outside, but… $LLhe_she's still not adjusting well to… you know." $ALHe_She finishes the sentence by gesturing toward $ALhis_her arm. So $ALhe_she hasn't found out about the verdiryum yet. That's good, a part of your mind tells you, while the other attacks you with reproaches, fuelling the knot of guilt in your stomach. You take a moment to steady yourself, pretending you need the time to swallow your bite before responding. "It's still early. Not much time has passed since… that," you say, trying to avoid mentioning it directly. It's something you've all been avoiding. "Give $LLhim_her a few more weeks. You'll see, $LLhe_she'll be $LLhis_her old self again." $AL nods slowly, thoughtful, as $ALhe_he chews a piece of buttery bread at the same pace. "Yeah… you're right." You watch $ALhim_her in silence for a moment, your brow furrowing. Your mouth burns with the urge to tell $ALhim_her the truth, but you can't. Not yet. Not until $AO and you make sure $LL is no longer in danger. Only then… when $LLhe_she's truly safe, you'll tell $ALhim_her. That way, you won't worry $ALhim_her unnecessarily. Or so you tell yourself to soothe the guilt consuming you from within, especially seeing the shadow cast over a breakfast that should have been full of joy. Determined to put a smile back on $ALhis_her face, you lean forward and take $ALhis_her hand, making $ALhim_her look you straight in the eye. "Everything will be okay, $AL. I swear it. $LL has us for support," you say, your voice intense and serious. Then you offer a playful smile. "You know how your $LLbrother_sister is. When $LLhe_she seems quiet, $LLhe_she's actually just gathering strength, and that usually ends in a lot of noise. When you least expect it, we'll be hearing $LLhim_her and $AO insulting each other over some foolish little thing again." "They might even be doing it already..." $ALhe_she comments, a small smile appearing on $ALhis_her face. You snort. "If those two have been out there alone this long? Probably." Then you turn serious again, giving $ALhis_her hand a gentle squeeze. "I'm telling you, $AL. $LL will be fine." $ALHis_Her green eyes shine with emotion, vulnerable, as $ALhis_her thumb strokes your skin. "I believe you." You smile and lean in for a brief kiss. $ALHe_She meets you halfway across the table, and you stay there, looking into each other's eyes for a moment before returning to your spots to finish eating. <<elseif $ALknows is "Talk">>You purse your lips. You do know. Perfectly, in fact. You close your eyes for a moment, letting out a sigh before nodding. "Yes… $AOheshe's doing it to help $LLhim_her," you finally answer, picking up the honey and silverware while $AL carries the breakfast plate to the table. "To ease the effects of verdiryum. How is $LLhe_she, by the way? Have you told $LLhim_her you know?" "No, not yet," $ALhe_she replies, shaking $ALhis_her head slowly. $ALHis_Her expression darkens even further. "I've been trying to think of the best way to bring it up, but… I can't think of anything that won't make $LLhim_her turn and run." You make a sound of understanding, swallowing a piece of fruit before speaking. "I think the sooner $LLhe_she knows, the better. That way, $LLhe_she'll have $LLhis_her big $ALbrother_sister as a pillar of support." You look down, your gesture both thoughtful and sympathetic. "I think… $LLhe_she needs it. More than ever." $AL nods slowly, absorbing your words as $ALhe_she chews a piece of buttery bread at the same pace. "I know… and I hate myself for hesitating so much." "Hey. No, none of that," you interrupt instantly, leaning in to take $ALhis_her hand and looking $ALhim_her straight in the eye. "Don't even think about going there. It's normal to have doubts. $LL is scared, I'm sure of it, and that's making $LLhim_her shut down. What you're doing is sensible, thinking about how to approach this for $LLhis_her comfort." Your thumb begins to slide across $ALhis_her warm skin in a caress. "Don't tear yourself down for putting your $LLbrother_sister's well-being first, $AL." The redhead looks up, a glint of emotion in $ALhis_her green eyes. But despite the sadness and fear you see there, a small smile begins to play on $ALhis_her lips. "Thank you, $name," $ALhe_she says after a brief pause. You tilt your head slightly, unable to help mirroring $ALhis_her smile. "For what?" "For being here with me. For supporting me and helping me with everything involving $LL. For… everything." $ALHis_Her words warm your chest, and you lean a little further forward, your voice softening to a murmur. "You don't have to thank me for any of that, $AL. I do it because I want to, and because you matter to me," you murmur softly. Then your expression turns serious, looking at $ALhim_her with determination. "Everything will be okay with your $LLbrother_sister. I swear." $AL swallows, $ALhis_her expression vulnerable, as $ALhe_she squeezes your hand and clings to you. "I believe you." You smile and lean in for a brief kiss. $ALHe_She meets you halfway across the table, and you stay there, looking into each other's eyes for a moment before returning to your spots to finish eating. <<else>>You purse your lips. You do know. Perfectly, in fact. You close your eyes for a moment, letting out a sigh before nodding. "Yes… $AOhe_she's doing it to help $LLhim_her," you finally answer, picking up the honey and silverware while $AL carries the breakfast plate to the table. "To ease the effects of verdiryum. How is $LLhe_she, by the way?" "$AO says $LLhe_she's fine. That as long as $LLhe_she doesn't get worse, it's good news." $ALHis_Her face falls even more. "To me, that just sounds like $LLhe_she isn't getting any better." <<if $job is "Doctor">>"$AO is right. Recovery for patients addicted to verdiryum is slow, and it's only been a couple of days." You chew a piece of fruit and swallow before continuing. "Give it time. It's still early. Not getting worse //is// good news, truly." <<else>>You let out a sigh, toying with a piece of fruit without actually eating it. "That's exactly what I told $AO a few days ago. Apparently, recovery is slow, and it's still too early to see the results." You look at $ALhim_her, worried but steady. "Let's trust $AO. And $LL. Let's trust that everything will be okay." <</if>>$AL looks up, meeting your gaze, and nods. Your words relax $ALhim_her enough that $ALhe_she finally begins to eat. "Thank you, $name," $ALhe_she says after a brief pause. "For what?" you ask after swallowing a bit of buttery bread. A small smile appears on $ALhis_her face. "For being here with me. For supporting me and helping me with everything involving $LL. For… everything." $ALHis_Her words warm your chest, and you can't help but smile at $ALhim_her tenderly. You lean forward to take $ALhis_her hand, your thumb stroking $ALhis_her skin. "You don't have to thank me for any of that, $AL. I do it because I want to, and because you matter to me," you murmur softly. Your smile fades slightly as you look at $ALhim_her with serious determination. "Everything will be okay with your $LLbrother_sister. I swear." $ALHis_Her green eyes shine with emotion, vulnerable, as $ALhe_she squeezes your hand, holding on to you. "I believe you." You smile and lean in for a brief kiss. $ALHe_She meets you halfway across the table, and you stay there, looking into each other's eyes for a moment before returning to your spots to finish eating. <</if>>The morning advances unhurriedly, woven between sweet bites, quiet smiles, and lingering looks that say more than words ever could. For a moment, you allow yourself the luxury of forgetting the shadows waiting beyond and the weight of what comes next, and abandon yourself to the simple pleasure of just being there, with $AL. It's a fragile, warm moment, the kind you lock away like treasure, and you wish it would stretch just a little longer before you both have to reluctantly answer the inevitable call of duty. [[Continue|37]]

<<add_diplomacy +1>>\ \ "Protect $AOhim_her from bugs?" you ask incredulously, an eyebrow arched. "If $AOhe_she gets scared and a spell slips out, it's the bugs that are going to need protection. I just hope $AOhe_she doesn't start a forest fire on the way..." $AL's smile wavers slightly. "Right… I thought the same thing." You finish slicing the banana, arranging the pieces next to the pear and apple in neat little piles. Meanwhile, $AL finishes flipping the fourth slice of bread before placing it on the plate alongside the fruit. "You know why $AOhe_she does it, don't you?" $ALhe_she murmurs after a short silence. <<if $ALknows is false>>You tense up instantly. You do know. Perfectly, in fact. What you don't know is if $AL knows… or if $ALhe_she only thinks $ALhe_she does. Luckily, $ALhe_she's already grabbed the plate and turned around before $ALhe_she can see your reaction. You recover quickly, grabbing the silverware and the honey jar before following $ALhim_her to the table. "Why?" you ask, feigning ignorance. $AL purses $ALhis_her lips while your pulse quickens slightly. You manage to control your nerves by popping a piece of fruit into your mouth. "$LL looks like $LLhe_she's holding together on the outside, but… $LLhe_she's still not adjusting well to… you know." $ALHe_She finishes the sentence by gesturing toward $ALhis_her arm. So $ALhe_she hasn't found out about the verdiryum yet. That's good, a part of your mind tells you, while the other attacks you with reproaches, fuelling the knot of guilt in your stomach. You take a moment to steady yourself, pretending you need the time to swallow your bite before responding. "It's still early. Not much time has passed since… that," you say, trying to avoid mentioning it directly. It's something you've all been avoiding. "Give $LLhim_her a few more weeks. You'll see, $LLhe_she'll be $LLhis_her old self again." $AL nods slowly, thoughtful, as $ALhe_he chews a piece of buttery bread at the same pace. "Yeah… you're right." You watch $ALhim_her in silence for a moment, your brow furrowing. Your mouth burns with the urge to tell $ALhim_her the truth, but you can't. Not yet. Not until $AO and you make sure $LL is no longer in danger. Only then… when $LLhe_she's truly safe, you'll tell $ALhim_her. That way, you won't worry $ALhim_her unnecessarily. Or so you tell yourself to soothe the guilt consuming you from within, especially seeing the shadow cast over a breakfast that should have been full of joy. Determined to put a smile back on $ALhis_her face, you lean forward and take $ALhis_her hand, making $ALhim_her look you straight in the eye. "Everything will be okay, $AL. I swear it. $LL has us for support," you say, your voice intense and serious. Then you offer a playful smile. "You know how your $LLbrother_sister is. When $LLhe_she seems quiet, $LLhe_she's actually just gathering strength, and that usually ends in a lot of noise. When you least expect it, we'll be hearing $LLhim_her and $AO insulting each other over some foolish little thing again." "They might even be doing it already..." $ALhe_she comments, a small smile appearing on $ALhis_her face. You snort. "If those two have been out there alone this long? Probably." Then you turn serious again, giving $ALhis_her hand a gentle squeeze. "I'm telling you, $AL. $LL will be fine." $ALHis_Her green eyes shine with emotion, vulnerable, as $ALhis_her thumb strokes your skin. "I believe you." You smile and lean in for a brief kiss. $ALHe_She meets you halfway across the table, and you stay there, looking into each other's eyes for a moment before returning to your spots to finish eating. <<elseif $ALknows is "Talk">>You purse your lips. You do know. Perfectly, in fact. You close your eyes for a moment, letting out a sigh before nodding. "Yes… $AOheshe's doing it to help $LLhim_her," you finally answer, picking up the honey and silverware while $AL carries the breakfast plate to the table. "To ease the effects of verdiryum. How is $LLhe_she, by the way? Have you told $LLhim_her you know?" "No, not yet," $ALhe_she replies, shaking $ALhis_her head slowly. $ALHis_Her expression darkens even further. "I've been trying to think of the best way to bring it up, but… I can't think of anything that won't make $LLhim_her turn and run." You make a sound of understanding, swallowing a piece of fruit before speaking. "I think the sooner $LLhe_she knows, the better. That way, $LLhe_she'll have $LLhis_her big $ALbrother_sister as a pillar of support." You look down, your gesture both thoughtful and sympathetic. "I think… $LLhe_she needs it. More than ever." $AL nods slowly, absorbing your words as $ALhe_she chews a piece of buttery bread at the same pace. "I know… and I hate myself for hesitating so much." "Hey. No, none of that," you interrupt instantly, leaning in to take $ALhis_her hand and looking $ALhim_her straight in the eye. "Don't even think about going there. It's normal to have doubts. $LL is scared, I'm sure of it, and that's making $LLhim_her shut down. What you're doing is sensible, thinking about how to approach this for $LLhis_her comfort." Your thumb begins to slide across $ALhis_her warm skin in a caress. "Don't tear yourself down for putting your $LLbrother_sister's well-being first, $AL." The redhead looks up, a glint of emotion in $ALhis_her green eyes. But despite the sadness and fear you see there, a small smile begins to play on $ALhis_her lips. "Thank you, $name," $ALhe_she says after a brief pause. You tilt your head slightly, unable to help mirroring $ALhis_her smile. "For what?" "For being here with me. For supporting me and helping me with everything involving $LL. For… everything." $ALHis_Her words warm your chest, and you lean a little further forward, your voice softening to a murmur. "You don't have to thank me for any of that, $AL. I do it because I want to, and because you matter to me," you murmur softly. Then your expression turns serious, looking at $ALhim_her with determination. "Everything will be okay with your $LLbrother_sister. I swear." $AL swallows, $ALhis_her expression vulnerable, as $ALhe_she squeezes your hand and clings to you. "I believe you." You smile and lean in for a brief kiss. $ALHe_She meets you halfway across the table, and you stay there, looking into each other's eyes for a moment before returning to your spots to finish eating. <<else>>You purse your lips. You do know. Perfectly, in fact. You close your eyes for a moment, letting out a sigh before nodding. "Yes… $AOhe_she's doing it to help $LLhim_her," you finally answer, picking up the honey and silverware while $AL carries the breakfast plate to the table. "To ease the effects of verdiryum. How is $LLhe_she, by the way?" "$AO says $LLhe_she's fine. That as long as $LLhe_she doesn't get worse, it's good news." $ALHis_Her face falls even more. "To me, that just sounds like $LLhe_she isn't getting any better." <<if $job is "Doctor">>"$AO is right. Recovery for patients addicted to verdiryum is slow, and it's only been a couple of days." You chew a piece of fruit and swallow before continuing. "Give it time. It's still early. Not getting worse //is// good news, truly." <<else>>You let out a sigh, toying with a piece of fruit without actually eating it. "That's exactly what I told $AO a few days ago. Apparently, recovery is slow, and it's still too early to see the results." You look at $ALhim_her, worried but steady. "Let's trust $AO. And $LL. Let's trust that everything will be okay." <</if>>$AL looks up, meeting your gaze, and nods. Your words relax $ALhim_her enough that $ALhe_she finally begins to eat. "Thank you, $name," $ALhe_she says after a brief pause. "For what?" you ask after swallowing a bit of buttery bread. A small smile appears on $ALhis_her face. "For being here with me. For supporting me and helping me with everything involving $LL. For… everything." $ALHis_Her words warm your chest, and you can't help but smile at $ALhim_her tenderly. You lean forward to take $ALhis_her hand, your thumb stroking $ALhis_her skin. "You don't have to thank me for any of that, $AL. I do it because I want to, and because you matter to me," you murmur softly. Your smile fades slightly as you look at $ALhim_her with serious determination. "Everything will be okay with your $LLbrother_sister. I swear." $ALHis_Her green eyes shine with emotion, vulnerable, as $ALhe_she squeezes your hand, holding on to you. "I believe you." You smile and lean in for a brief kiss. $ALHe_She meets you halfway across the table, and you stay there, looking into each other's eyes for a moment before returning to your spots to finish eating. <</if>>The morning advances unhurriedly, woven between sweet bites, quiet smiles, and lingering looks that say more than words ever could. For a moment, you allow yourself the luxury of forgetting the shadows waiting beyond and the weight of what comes next, and abandon yourself to the simple pleasure of just being there, with $AL. It's a fragile, warm moment, the kind you lock away like treasure, and you wish it would stretch just a little longer before you both have to reluctantly answer the inevitable call of duty. [[Continue|37]]

<<add_fun +1>>\ \ "I can see it now… it probably didn't even take $AO five minutes to turn the hike into a race to see who gets to the top first." You chuckle, shaking your head. "And $LL, obviously, wouldn't have been able to resist the challenge." $AL's smile falters, shifting into a sad grimace. "Yeah… I think so too." You finish slicing the banana, arranging the pieces next to the pear and apple in neat little piles. Meanwhile, $AL finishes flipping the fourth slice of bread before placing it on the plate alongside the fruit. "You know why $AOhe_she does it, don't you?" $ALhe_she murmurs after a short silence. <<if $ALknows is false>>You tense up instantly. You do know. Perfectly, in fact. What you don't know is if $AL knows… or if $ALhe_she only thinks $ALhe_she does. Luckily, $ALhe_she's already grabbed the plate and turned around before $ALhe_she can see your reaction. You recover quickly, grabbing the silverware and the honey jar before following $ALhim_her to the table. "Why?" you ask, feigning ignorance. $AL purses $ALhis_her lips while your pulse quickens slightly. You manage to control your nerves by popping a piece of fruit into your mouth. "$LL looks like $LLhe_she's holding together on the outside, but… $LLhe_she's still not adjusting well to… you know." $ALHe_She finishes the sentence by gesturing toward $ALhis_her arm. So $ALhe_she hasn't found out about the verdiryum yet. That's good, a part of your mind tells you, while the other attacks you with reproaches, fuelling the knot of guilt in your stomach. You take a moment to steady yourself, pretending you need the time to swallow your bite before responding. "It's still early. Not much time has passed since… that," you say, trying to avoid mentioning it directly. It's something you've all been avoiding. "Give $LLhim_her a few more weeks. You'll see, $LLhe_she'll be $LLhis_her old self again." $AL nods slowly, thoughtful, as $ALhe_he chews a piece of buttery bread at the same pace. "Yeah… you're right." You watch $ALhim_her in silence for a moment, your brow furrowing. Your mouth burns with the urge to tell $ALhim_her the truth, but you can't. Not yet. Not until $AO and you make sure $LL is no longer in danger. Only then… when $LLhe_she's truly safe, you'll tell $ALhim_her. That way, you won't worry $ALhim_her unnecessarily. Or so you tell yourself to soothe the guilt consuming you from within, especially seeing the shadow cast over a breakfast that should have been full of joy. Determined to put a smile back on $ALhis_her face, you lean forward and take $ALhis_her hand, making $ALhim_her look you straight in the eye. "Everything will be okay, $AL. I swear it. $LL has us for support," you say, your voice intense and serious. Then you offer a playful smile. "You know how your $LLbrother_sister is. When $LLhe_she seems quiet, $LLhe_she's actually just gathering strength, and that usually ends in a lot of noise. When you least expect it, we'll be hearing $LLhim_her and $AO insulting each other over some foolish little thing again." "They might even be doing it already..." $ALhe_she comments, a small smile appearing on $ALhis_her face. You snort. "If those two have been out there alone this long? Probably." Then you turn serious again, giving $ALhis_her hand a gentle squeeze. "I'm telling you, $AL. $LL will be fine." $ALHis_Her green eyes shine with emotion, vulnerable, as $ALhis_her thumb strokes your skin. "I believe you." You smile and lean in for a brief kiss. $ALHe_She meets you halfway across the table, and you stay there, looking into each other's eyes for a moment before returning to your spots to finish eating. <<elseif $ALknows is "Talk">>You purse your lips. You do know. Perfectly, in fact. You close your eyes for a moment, letting out a sigh before nodding. "Yes… $AOheshe's doing it to help $LLhim_her," you finally answer, picking up the honey and silverware while $AL carries the breakfast plate to the table. "To ease the effects of verdiryum. How is $LLhe_she, by the way? Have you told $LLhim_her you know?" "No, not yet," $ALhe_she replies, shaking $ALhis_her head slowly. $ALHis_Her expression darkens even further. "I've been trying to think of the best way to bring it up, but… I can't think of anything that won't make $LLhim_her turn and run." You make a sound of understanding, swallowing a piece of fruit before speaking. "I think the sooner $LLhe_she knows, the better. That way, $LLhe_she'll have $LLhis_her big $ALbrother_sister as a pillar of support." You look down, your gesture both thoughtful and sympathetic. "I think… $LLhe_she needs it. More than ever." $AL nods slowly, absorbing your words as $ALhe_she chews a piece of buttery bread at the same pace. "I know… and I hate myself for hesitating so much." "Hey. No, none of that," you interrupt instantly, leaning in to take $ALhis_her hand and looking $ALhim_her straight in the eye. "Don't even think about going there. It's normal to have doubts. $LL is scared, I'm sure of it, and that's making $LLhim_her shut down. What you're doing is sensible, thinking about how to approach this for $LLhis_her comfort." Your thumb begins to slide across $ALhis_her warm skin in a caress. "Don't tear yourself down for putting your $LLbrother_sister's well-being first, $AL." The redhead looks up, a glint of emotion in $ALhis_her green eyes. But despite the sadness and fear you see there, a small smile begins to play on $ALhis_her lips. "Thank you, $name," $ALhe_she says after a brief pause. You tilt your head slightly, unable to help mirroring $ALhis_her smile. "For what?" "For being here with me. For supporting me and helping me with everything involving $LL. For… everything." $ALHis_Her words warm your chest, and you lean a little further forward, your voice softening to a murmur. "You don't have to thank me for any of that, $AL. I do it because I want to, and because you matter to me," you murmur softly. Then your expression turns serious, looking at $ALhim_her with determination. "Everything will be okay with your $LLbrother_sister. I swear." $AL swallows, $ALhis_her expression vulnerable, as $ALhe_she squeezes your hand and clings to you. "I believe you." You smile and lean in for a brief kiss. $ALHe_She meets you halfway across the table, and you stay there, looking into each other's eyes for a moment before returning to your spots to finish eating. <<else>>You purse your lips. You do know. Perfectly, in fact. You close your eyes for a moment, letting out a sigh before nodding. "Yes… $AOhe_she's doing it to help $LLhim_her," you finally answer, picking up the honey and silverware while $AL carries the breakfast plate to the table. "To ease the effects of verdiryum. How is $LLhe_she, by the way?" "$AO says $LLhe_she's fine. That as long as $LLhe_she doesn't get worse, it's good news." $ALHis_Her face falls even more. "To me, that just sounds like $LLhe_she isn't getting any better." <<if $job is "Doctor">>"$AO is right. Recovery for patients addicted to verdiryum is slow, and it's only been a couple of days." You chew a piece of fruit and swallow before continuing. "Give it time. It's still early. Not getting worse //is// good news, truly." <<else>>You let out a sigh, toying with a piece of fruit without actually eating it. "That's exactly what I told $AO a few days ago. Apparently, recovery is slow, and it's still too early to see the results." You look at $ALhim_her, worried but steady. "Let's trust $AO. And $LL. Let's trust that everything will be okay." <</if>>$AL looks up, meeting your gaze, and nods. Your words relax $ALhim_her enough that $ALhe_she finally begins to eat. "Thank you, $name," $ALhe_she says after a brief pause. "For what?" you ask after swallowing a bit of buttery bread. A small smile appears on $ALhis_her face. "For being here with me. For supporting me and helping me with everything involving $LL. For… everything." $ALHis_Her words warm your chest, and you can't help but smile at $ALhim_her tenderly. You lean forward to take $ALhis_her hand, your thumb stroking $ALhis_her skin. "You don't have to thank me for any of that, $AL. I do it because I want to, and because you matter to me," you murmur softly. Your smile fades slightly as you look at $ALhim_her with serious determination. "Everything will be okay with your $LLbrother_sister. I swear." $ALHis_Her green eyes shine with emotion, vulnerable, as $ALhe_she squeezes your hand, holding on to you. "I believe you." You smile and lean in for a brief kiss. $ALHe_She meets you halfway across the table, and you stay there, looking into each other's eyes for a moment before returning to your spots to finish eating. <</if>>The morning advances unhurriedly, woven between sweet bites, quiet smiles, and lingering looks that say more than words ever could. For a moment, you allow yourself the luxury of forgetting the shadows waiting beyond and the weight of what comes next, and abandon yourself to the simple pleasure of just being there, with $AL. It's a fragile, warm moment, the kind you lock away like treasure, and you wish it would stretch just a little longer before you both have to reluctantly answer the inevitable call of duty. [[Continue|37]]

<<add_diplomacy +1>>\ \ You nod with a sound of understanding. "That's good. A walk will help $LL to clear $LLhis_her head. $LLHe_She's been going off by $LLhimself_herself every day after breakfast. A bit of company won't hurt." $AL's smile falters, turning into a sad grimace. "Yes… you're right." You finish slicing the banana, arranging the pieces next to the pear and apple in neat little piles. Meanwhile, $AL finishes flipping the fourth slice of bread before placing it on the plate alongside the fruit. "You know why $AOhe_she does it, don't you?" $ALhe_she murmurs after a short silence. <<if $ALknows is false>>You tense up instantly. You do know. Perfectly, in fact. What you don't know is if $AL knows… or if $ALhe_she only thinks $ALhe_she does. Luckily, $ALhe_she's already grabbed the plate and turned around before $ALhe_she can see your reaction. You recover quickly, grabbing the silverware and the honey jar before following $ALhim_her to the table. "Why?" you ask, feigning ignorance. $AL purses $ALhis_her lips while your pulse quickens slightly. You manage to control your nerves by popping a piece of fruit into your mouth. "$LL looks like $LLhe_she's holding together on the outside, but… $LLhe_she's still not adjusting well to… you know." $ALHe_She finishes the sentence by gesturing toward $ALhis_her arm. So $ALhe_she hasn't found out about the verdiryum yet. That's good, a part of your mind tells you, while the other attacks you with reproaches, fuelling the knot of guilt in your stomach. You take a moment to steady yourself, pretending you need the time to swallow your bite before responding. "It's still early. Not much time has passed since… that," you say, trying to avoid mentioning it directly. It's something you've all been avoiding. "Give $LLhim_her a few more weeks. You'll see, $LLhe_she'll be $LLhis_her old self again." $AL nods slowly, thoughtful, as $ALhe_he chews a piece of buttery bread at the same pace. "Yeah… you're right." You watch $ALhim_her in silence for a moment, your brow furrowing. Your mouth burns with the urge to tell $ALhim_her the truth, but you can't. Not yet. Not until $AO and you make sure $LL is no longer in danger. Only then… when $LLhe_she's truly safe, you'll tell $ALhim_her. That way, you won't worry $ALhim_her unnecessarily. Or so you tell yourself to soothe the guilt consuming you from within, especially seeing the shadow cast over a breakfast that should have been full of joy. Determined to put a smile back on $ALhis_her face, you lean forward and take $ALhis_her hand, making $ALhim_her look you straight in the eye. "Everything will be okay, $AL. I swear it. $LL has us for support," you say, your voice intense and serious. Then you offer a playful smile. "You know how your $LLbrother_sister is. When $LLhe_she seems quiet, $LLhe_she's actually just gathering strength, and that usually ends in a lot of noise. When you least expect it, we'll be hearing $LLhim_her and $AO insulting each other over some foolish little thing again." "They might even be doing it already..." $ALhe_she comments, a small smile appearing on $ALhis_her face. You snort. "If those two have been out there alone this long? Probably." Then you turn serious again, giving $ALhis_her hand a gentle squeeze. "I'm telling you, $AL. $LL will be fine." $ALHis_Her green eyes shine with emotion, vulnerable, as $ALhis_her thumb strokes your skin. "I believe you." You smile and lean in for a brief kiss. $ALHe_She meets you halfway across the table, and you stay there, looking into each other's eyes for a moment before returning to your spots to finish eating. <<elseif $ALknows is "Talk">>You purse your lips. You do know. Perfectly, in fact. You close your eyes for a moment, letting out a sigh before nodding. "Yes… $AOheshe's doing it to help $LLhim_her," you finally answer, picking up the honey and silverware while $AL carries the breakfast plate to the table. "To ease the effects of verdiryum. How is $LLhe_she, by the way? Have you told $LLhim_her you know?" "No, not yet," $ALhe_she replies, shaking $ALhis_her head slowly. $ALHis_Her expression darkens even further. "I've been trying to think of the best way to bring it up, but… I can't think of anything that won't make $LLhim_her turn and run." You make a sound of understanding, swallowing a piece of fruit before speaking. "I think the sooner $LLhe_she knows, the better. That way, $LLhe_she'll have $LLhis_her big $ALbrother_sister as a pillar of support." You look down, your gesture both thoughtful and sympathetic. "I think… $LLhe_she needs it. More than ever." $AL nods slowly, absorbing your words as $ALhe_she chews a piece of buttery bread at the same pace. "I know… and I hate myself for hesitating so much." "Hey. No, none of that," you interrupt instantly, leaning in to take $ALhis_her hand and looking $ALhim_her straight in the eye. "Don't even think about going there. It's normal to have doubts. $LL is scared, I'm sure of it, and that's making $LLhim_her shut down. What you're doing is sensible, thinking about how to approach this for $LLhis_her comfort." Your thumb begins to slide across $ALhis_her warm skin in a caress. "Don't tear yourself down for putting your $LLbrother_sister's well-being first, $AL." The redhead looks up, a glint of emotion in $ALhis_her green eyes. But despite the sadness and fear you see there, a small smile begins to play on $ALhis_her lips. "Thank you, $name," $ALhe_she says after a brief pause. You tilt your head slightly, unable to help mirroring $ALhis_her smile. "For what?" "For being here with me. For supporting me and helping me with everything involving $LL. For… everything." $ALHis_Her words warm your chest, and you lean a little further forward, your voice softening to a murmur. "You don't have to thank me for any of that, $AL. I do it because I want to, and because you matter to me," you murmur softly. Then your expression turns serious, looking at $ALhim_her with determination. "Everything will be okay with your $LLbrother_sister. I swear." $AL swallows, $ALhis_her expression vulnerable, as $ALhe_she squeezes your hand and clings to you. "I believe you." You smile and lean in for a brief kiss. $ALHe_She meets you halfway across the table, and you stay there, looking into each other's eyes for a moment before returning to your spots to finish eating. <<else>>You purse your lips. You do know. Perfectly, in fact. You close your eyes for a moment, letting out a sigh before nodding. "Yes… $AOhe_she's doing it to help $LLhim_her," you finally answer, picking up the honey and silverware while $AL carries the breakfast plate to the table. "To ease the effects of verdiryum. How is $LLhe_she, by the way?" "$AO says $LLhe_she's fine. That as long as $LLhe_she doesn't get worse, it's good news." $ALHis_Her face falls even more. "To me, that just sounds like $LLhe_she isn't getting any better." <<if $job is "Doctor">>"$AO is right. Recovery for patients addicted to verdiryum is slow, and it's only been a couple of days." You chew a piece of fruit and swallow before continuing. "Give it time. It's still early. Not getting worse //is// good news, truly." <<else>>You let out a sigh, toying with a piece of fruit without actually eating it. "That's exactly what I told $AO a few days ago. Apparently, recovery is slow, and it's still too early to see the results." You look at $ALhim_her, worried but steady. "Let's trust $AO. And $LL. Let's trust that everything will be okay." <</if>>$AL looks up, meeting your gaze, and nods. Your words relax $ALhim_her enough that $ALhe_she finally begins to eat. "Thank you, $name," $ALhe_she says after a brief pause. "For what?" you ask after swallowing a bit of buttery bread. A small smile appears on $ALhis_her face. "For being here with me. For supporting me and helping me with everything involving $LL. For… everything." $ALHis_Her words warm your chest, and you can't help but smile at $ALhim_her tenderly. You lean forward to take $ALhis_her hand, your thumb stroking $ALhis_her skin. "You don't have to thank me for any of that, $AL. I do it because I want to, and because you matter to me," you murmur softly. Your smile fades slightly as you look at $ALhim_her with serious determination. "Everything will be okay with your $LLbrother_sister. I swear." $ALHis_Her green eyes shine with emotion, vulnerable, as $ALhe_she squeezes your hand, holding on to you. "I believe you." You smile and lean in for a brief kiss. $ALHe_She meets you halfway across the table, and you stay there, looking into each other's eyes for a moment before returning to your spots to finish eating. <</if>>The morning advances unhurriedly, woven between sweet bites, quiet smiles, and lingering looks that say more than words ever could. For a moment, you allow yourself the luxury of forgetting the shadows waiting beyond and the weight of what comes next, and abandon yourself to the simple pleasure of just being there, with $AL. It's a fragile, warm moment, the kind you lock away like treasure, and you wish it would stretch just a little longer before you both have to reluctantly answer the inevitable call of duty. [[Continue|37]]

<<add_blunt +1>>\ \ You raise an eyebrow. "$AO wanting to go to the mountain? But $AOhe_she hates hiking." $AL's smile falters, turning into a sad grimace. "Yeah… I know." You finish slicing the banana, arranging the pieces next to the pear and apple in neat little piles. Meanwhile, $AL finishes flipping the fourth slice of bread before placing it on the plate alongside the fruit. "You know why $AOhe_she does it, don't you?" $ALhe_she murmurs after a short silence. <<if $ALknows is false>>You tense up instantly. You do know. Perfectly, in fact. What you don't know is if $AL knows… or if $ALhe_she only thinks $ALhe_she does. Luckily, $ALhe_she's already grabbed the plate and turned around before $ALhe_she can see your reaction. You recover quickly, grabbing the silverware and the honey jar before following $ALhim_her to the table. "Why?" you ask, feigning ignorance. $AL purses $ALhis_her lips while your pulse quickens slightly. You manage to control your nerves by popping a piece of fruit into your mouth. "$LL looks like $LLhe_she's holding together on the outside, but… $LLhe_she's still not adjusting well to… you know." $ALHe_She finishes the sentence by gesturing toward $ALhis_her arm. So $ALhe_she hasn't found out about the verdiryum yet. That's good, a part of your mind tells you, while the other attacks you with reproaches, fuelling the knot of guilt in your stomach. You take a moment to steady yourself, pretending you need the time to swallow your bite before responding. "It's still early. Not much time has passed since… that," you say, trying to avoid mentioning it directly. It's something you've all been avoiding. "Give $LLhim_her a few more weeks. You'll see, $LLhe_she'll be $LLhis_her old self again." $AL nods slowly, thoughtful, as $ALhe_he chews a piece of buttery bread at the same pace. "Yeah… you're right." You watch $ALhim_her in silence for a moment, your brow furrowing. Your mouth burns with the urge to tell $ALhim_her the truth, but you can't. Not yet. Not until $AO and you make sure $LL is no longer in danger. Only then… when $LLhe_she's truly safe, you'll tell $ALhim_her. That way, you won't worry $ALhim_her unnecessarily. Or so you tell yourself to soothe the guilt consuming you from within, especially seeing the shadow cast over a breakfast that should have been full of joy. Determined to put a smile back on $ALhis_her face, you lean forward and take $ALhis_her hand, making $ALhim_her look you straight in the eye. "Everything will be okay, $AL. I swear it. $LL has us for support," you say, your voice intense and serious. Then you offer a playful smile. "You know how your $LLbrother_sister is. When $LLhe_she seems quiet, $LLhe_she's actually just gathering strength, and that usually ends in a lot of noise. When you least expect it, we'll be hearing $LLhim_her and $AO insulting each other over some foolish little thing again." "They might even be doing it already..." $ALhe_she comments, a small smile appearing on $ALhis_her face. You snort. "If those two have been out there alone this long? Probably." Then you turn serious again, giving $ALhis_her hand a gentle squeeze. "I'm telling you, $AL. $LL will be fine." $ALHis_Her green eyes shine with emotion, vulnerable, as $ALhis_her thumb strokes your skin. "I believe you." You smile and lean in for a brief kiss. $ALHe_She meets you halfway across the table, and you stay there, looking into each other's eyes for a moment before returning to your spots to finish eating. <<elseif $ALknows is "Talk">>You purse your lips. You do know. Perfectly, in fact. You close your eyes for a moment, letting out a sigh before nodding. "Yes… $AOheshe's doing it to help $LLhim_her," you finally answer, picking up the honey and silverware while $AL carries the breakfast plate to the table. "To ease the effects of verdiryum. How is $LLhe_she, by the way? Have you told $LLhim_her you know?" "No, not yet," $ALhe_she replies, shaking $ALhis_her head slowly. $ALHis_Her expression darkens even further. "I've been trying to think of the best way to bring it up, but… I can't think of anything that won't make $LLhim_her turn and run." You make a sound of understanding, swallowing a piece of fruit before speaking. "I think the sooner $LLhe_she knows, the better. That way, $LLhe_she'll have $LLhis_her big $ALbrother_sister as a pillar of support." You look down, your gesture both thoughtful and sympathetic. "I think… $LLhe_she needs it. More than ever." $AL nods slowly, absorbing your words as $ALhe_she chews a piece of buttery bread at the same pace. "I know… and I hate myself for hesitating so much." "Hey. No, none of that," you interrupt instantly, leaning in to take $ALhis_her hand and looking $ALhim_her straight in the eye. "Don't even think about going there. It's normal to have doubts. $LL is scared, I'm sure of it, and that's making $LLhim_her shut down. What you're doing is sensible, thinking about how to approach this for $LLhis_her comfort." Your thumb begins to slide across $ALhis_her warm skin in a caress. "Don't tear yourself down for putting your $LLbrother_sister's well-being first, $AL." The redhead looks up, a glint of emotion in $ALhis_her green eyes. But despite the sadness and fear you see there, a small smile begins to play on $ALhis_her lips. "Thank you, $name," $ALhe_she says after a brief pause. You tilt your head slightly, unable to help mirroring $ALhis_her smile. "For what?" "For being here with me. For supporting me and helping me with everything involving $LL. For… everything." $ALHis_Her words warm your chest, and you lean a little further forward, your voice softening to a murmur. "You don't have to thank me for any of that, $AL. I do it because I want to, and because you matter to me," you murmur softly. Then your expression turns serious, looking at $ALhim_her with determination. "Everything will be okay with your $LLbrother_sister. I swear." $AL swallows, $ALhis_her expression vulnerable, as $ALhe_she squeezes your hand and clings to you. "I believe you." You smile and lean in for a brief kiss. $ALHe_She meets you halfway across the table, and you stay there, looking into each other's eyes for a moment before returning to your spots to finish eating. <<else>>You purse your lips. You do know. Perfectly, in fact. You close your eyes for a moment, letting out a sigh before nodding. "Yes… $AOhe_she's doing it to help $LLhim_her," you finally answer, picking up the honey and silverware while $AL carries the breakfast plate to the table. "To ease the effects of verdiryum. How is $LLhe_she, by the way?" "$AO says $LLhe_she's fine. That as long as $LLhe_she doesn't get worse, it's good news." $ALHis_Her face falls even more. "To me, that just sounds like $LLhe_she isn't getting any better." <<if $job is "Doctor">>"$AO is right. Recovery for patients addicted to verdiryum is slow, and it's only been a couple of days." You chew a piece of fruit and swallow before continuing. "Give it time. It's still early. Not getting worse //is// good news, truly." <<else>>You let out a sigh, toying with a piece of fruit without actually eating it. "That's exactly what I told $AO a few days ago. Apparently, recovery is slow, and it's still too early to see the results." You look at $ALhim_her, worried but steady. "Let's trust $AO. And $LL. Let's trust that everything will be okay." <</if>>$AL looks up, meeting your gaze, and nods. Your words relax $ALhim_her enough that $ALhe_she finally begins to eat. "Thank you, $name," $ALhe_she says after a brief pause. "For what?" you ask after swallowing a bit of buttery bread. A small smile appears on $ALhis_her face. "For being here with me. For supporting me and helping me with everything involving $LL. For… everything." $ALHis_Her words warm your chest, and you can't help but smile at $ALhim_her tenderly. You lean forward to take $ALhis_her hand, your thumb stroking $ALhis_her skin. "You don't have to thank me for any of that, $AL. I do it because I want to, and because you matter to me," you murmur softly. Your smile fades slightly as you look at $ALhim_her with serious determination. "Everything will be okay with your $LLbrother_sister. I swear." $ALHis_Her green eyes shine with emotion, vulnerable, as $ALhe_she squeezes your hand, holding on to you. "I believe you." You smile and lean in for a brief kiss. $ALHe_She meets you halfway across the table, and you stay there, looking into each other's eyes for a moment before returning to your spots to finish eating. <</if>>The morning advances unhurriedly, woven between sweet bites, quiet smiles, and lingering looks that say more than words ever could. For a moment, you allow yourself the luxury of forgetting the shadows waiting beyond and the weight of what comes next, and abandon yourself to the simple pleasure of just being there, with $AL. It's a fragile, warm moment, the kind you lock away like treasure, and you wish it would stretch just a little longer before you both have to reluctantly answer the inevitable call of duty. [[Continue|37]]

<<add_fun +1>>\ \ You grab her by the scruff out of pure reflex, adrenaline still buzzing through your veins, and hoist her up to eye level. "Do you have any idea how close you came to giving me a heart attack!?" Enid scrunches her face and rests her paws halfway down her torso in an unmistakable gesture of reprimand. Her limbs are a bit too short to reach her waist properly, which only makes the attempt look comical. "First, release me, mortal." You feel the tingle even before the electricity fully builds up. The memory hits you just in time, but not quite fast enough. Her fur begins to crackle and sizzle beneath your fingers, and you have no choice but to let go with a sharp groan as a shock jolts through your hand. "Ow!" you exclaim, shaking your wrist while she lands gracefully on the mattress. Enid shakes herself off with dignity, smooths down her fur with quick movements, and shoots you an offended look. "And second, you're still alive. So it wasn't that bad." "Tell that to my heart," you mutter, pressing a hand to your chest. You can feel the rapid thumping under your palm, still out of sync but slowly recovering. You close your eyes for a second, letting out a sigh before looking at her again. "But hey, what are you doing here? You've been with Abora for days. Does this mean everything is okay?" Enid's ears droop slightly and her face darkens just a bit. "I wouldn't say it is, to be honest." You frown. "Did something happen? Are you still in pain?" "We've spent these last few days trying to enter my soul, to go further than we did back in Bucante, but even Abora wasn't able to break through the barrier," she answers, shaking her head. "At least her spell worked. The pain isn't completely gone, but at least it's no longer unbearable. It's just a mild nuisance now." "That's good news, relatively speaking," you murmur, nodding slowly. "Did you manage to remember anything?" She grimaces and shakes her head again. "No, I'm afraid everything is still blank. Abora and Alcorac don't remember anything either, no matter how hard they try. They're quite worried about it." She looks down for a moment, frowning thoughtfully. "They say whatever happened must be linked to Acaymo." "And to find him, we have to find the Faycans." Enid nods. "Abora and Alcorac are already scanning the remaining worlds for $BN. We should hear from them this afternoon. But for now…" She grins again, her eyes bright with excitement, and licks her lips. "It's breakfast time! Everyone is already awake and waiting at the house. I can smell the food from here." Even with the heavy conversation, the mention of fresh food makes your stomach growl. You almost think you can catch the delicious aroma of bread drifting into your cave, but you can't tell if it's real or just your hunger-induced imagination. Enid steps aside to let you get up. After making the bed with the spirit's 'help,' you get dressed and head toward $RG's house with Enid perched on your shoulder. [[Continue|27]]

<<add_diplomacy +1>>\ \ You smile once the initial shock and surprise fade, adjusting yourself in bed. "Enid… it's good to see you again. I didn't think you'd be back so soon." Enid's grin widens even more, her ears perked up. "I'm glad to be back at last, too. It's been a boring few days." "How did it go, by the way?" you ask, your expression shifting to one of concern. "Is everything okay now?" Enid's ears droop slightly and her face darkens just a bit. "I wouldn't say it is, to be honest." You frown. "Did something happen? Are you still in pain?" "We've spent these last few days trying to enter my soul, to go further than we did back in Bucante, but even Abora wasn't able to break through the barrier," she answers, shaking her head. "At least her spell worked. The pain isn't completely gone, but at least it's no longer unbearable. It's just a mild nuisance now." "That's good news, relatively speaking," you murmur, nodding slowly. "Did you manage to remember anything?" She grimaces and shakes her head again. "No, I'm afraid everything is still blank. Abora and Alcorac don't remember anything either, no matter how hard they try. They're quite worried about it." She looks down for a moment, frowning thoughtfully. "They say whatever happened must be linked to Acaymo." "And to find him, we have to find the Faycans." Enid nods. "Abora and Alcorac are already scanning the remaining worlds for $BN. We should hear from them this afternoon. But for now…" She grins again, her eyes bright with excitement, and licks her lips. "It's breakfast time! Everyone is already awake and waiting at the house. I can smell the food from here." Even with the heavy conversation, the mention of fresh food makes your stomach growl. You almost think you can catch the delicious aroma of bread drifting into your cave, but you can't tell if it's real or just your hunger-induced imagination. Enid steps aside to let you get up. After making the bed with the spirit's 'help,' you get dressed and head toward $RG's house with Enid perched on your shoulder. [[Continue|27]]

<<add_blunt +1>>\ \ "You've been gone for a long time. Did Abora finally let you come back?" you ask with a frown, sitting up properly. "Are you okay?" Enid blinks in surprise and tilts her head. "Interesting. Most mortals would be annoyed at having their sleep interrupted." "I'd rather know you're safe," you answer seriously. "If you're here, does it mean everything is sorted out?" Enid's ears droop slightly and her face darkens just a bit. "I wouldn't say it is, to be honest." You frown. "Did something happen? Are you still in pain?" "We've spent these last few days trying to enter my soul, to go further than we did back in Bucante, but even Abora wasn't able to break through the barrier," she answers, shaking her head. "At least her spell worked. The pain isn't completely gone, but at least it's no longer unbearable. It's just a mild nuisance now." "That's good news, relatively speaking," you murmur, nodding slowly. "Did you manage to remember anything?" She grimaces and shakes her head again. "No, I'm afraid everything is still blank. Abora and Alcorac don't remember anything either, no matter how hard they try. They're quite worried about it." She looks down for a moment, frowning thoughtfully. "They say whatever happened must be linked to Acaymo." "And to find him, we have to find the Faycans." Enid nods. "Abora and Alcorac are already scanning the remaining worlds for $BN. We should hear from them this afternoon. But for now…" She grins again, her eyes bright with excitement, and licks her lips. "It's breakfast time! Everyone is already awake and waiting at the house. I can smell the food from here." Even with the heavy conversation, the mention of fresh food makes your stomach growl. You almost think you can catch the delicious aroma of bread drifting into your cave, but you can't tell if it's real or just your hunger-induced imagination. Enid steps aside to let you get up. After making the bed with the spirit's 'help,' you get dressed and head toward $RG's house with Enid perched on your shoulder. [[Continue|27]]

A light trail of sand leads you to the empty living room and continues to the archway that opens into the kitchen. You hear the rhythmic, metallic clinking of pots and, almost instantly, the air fills with a delicious aroma. Warm bread, mixed with the soft, enveloping sweetness of honey. There's a hint of something else too, perhaps butter slowly melting or fruit heating over the fire. From your position, you see half of the table to the left and part of the kitchen counter to the right. $LL is sitting with $LLhis_her back to you, with $AO in the seat opposite $LLhim_her. When $AOhe_she sees you, the doctor flashes a wide grin. "Look who finally decided to show up!" $AOhe_she exclaims, waving you over. "Did the bed hold you hostage or what?" They draw a tired smile from you, one that still carries the remnants of sleep. $LL turns to watch you arrive, and at the same time, $AL's head peeks around the archway. As usual, $ALhe_she's the one in charge of breakfast. $ALHe_She's the best cook of the five of you. "Good morning, $name! Did you rest well?" the redhead greets you. "Yeah. At least until I had a furry projectile launched at my chest," you reply. Enid rolls her eyes. "Mortals… always complaining about something." "Why the sudden burst of energy this morning, anyway?" you ask as you sit down next to $LL, ignoring the otter's comment. "It's earlier than usual." "It's our last day of freedom, and Enid being here confirms it," $AO answers. "So we thought we'd make the most of it. How long has it been since we all just hung out together?" "Saving worlds doesn't count as 'hanging out together'?" you joke with an arched eyebrow. Then you look around, frowning slightly. "And does that include $RG? $RGHe_She's spent all $RGhis_her time in the forest since we got here." "Yes, it includes me." [[Continue|28]]

The moment you finish your sentence, $RG's deep voice answers you. You turn to see $RGhim_her walking through the door, carrying a few pears, apples, and bananas. $RGHe_She barely sets foot in the house before Enid is already climbing up onto $RGhis_her shoulder. "Forgive my absence these past few days," $RGhe_she continues, offering a faint apologetic smile that could easily be mistaken for a grimace. "I've been… meditating. And training. I must be prepared for whatever may come." "What Abora told you about $BN got to you, didn't it?" $AO comments, following $RGhim_her with $AOhis_her gaze as the $RGgod_goddess crosses the room to leave the fruit on the counter next to $AL. "I must admit, I didn't take it well," $RGhe_she replies, frowning. $RGHe_She lets out a sigh. "I'm a guardian. Knowing there's a threat I cannot face is… not ideal, especially when there are people I must protect." The silence that follows isn't awkward, but it's heavy, as if the air had suddenly grown thicker. The crackling of the fire and the soft clinking of $AL's pots fill the space that no one else occupies with words. <<if $BNRomance is true>>You clench your jaw without realizing it as you feel that strange tug in your chest. $BN doesn't fit into a single emotion. There's something about $BNhis_her name that doesn't sound purely like an enemy, and that's what unsettles you most. You wonder, though you shouldn't, how $BNhe_she can command so much attention and fear at once. Or at least, you tell yourself it's fear you feel when you think of $BNhim_her. Yet, a part of you knows for certain you cannot hate $BNhim_her with the simple purity that would make things easier. This ambiguity weighs on you, and you find yourself clutching your pendant just to have something to hold onto. <<elseif $afraidOfB is true>>You feel a quiet, almost shameful cold. You can't deny that you feel afraid every time someone says $BN's name, as if the mere sound of it serves as a reminder that there's something in $BNhim_her that could break you without even touching you. <<else>>You clench your jaw as memories of Bucante resurface. It infuriates you that $BN is a threat impossible to strike, and that $BNhe_she makes your friend doubt $RGhimself_herself. Most of all, it angers you to feel that $BNhe_she's watching you from somewhere you cannot reach. <</if>>[[Continue|29]]

$AO leans forward, resting $AOhis_her forearms on the table. "Abora said only $AA can face $BNhim_her, right? It makes you wonder how powerful $BNhe_she really is." "It's not just a matter of brute power. At least, not solely," $RG answers, helping $AL cut the fruit. "If we're talking about someone superior to the Achimenceys, we're talking about a being comparable to Abora." "Or even superior to her," Enid adds, stretching along $RG's shoulders. "Abora has lost her memory too, and she's already told us her power isn't what it used to be." "Which is… concerning," the $RGgod_goddess murmurs. "Concerning is an understatement," you say with a soft huff. "If even the Creator admits to being incomplete, we have more problems than we thought." $AO makes a thoughtful sound. "Do you think $AA has lost $BNhis_her memories too? Because we could really use some information right about now." <<if $BNLove is true>>You look down at the pendant beneath your clothes, resting against your sternum. "I'll have to ask $BNhim_her… I don't know why $BNhe_she's not speaking right now. Maybe $BNhe_she's still recovering from…" Your heart races for a moment without your consent as you remember your date at the Tides Festival. Wait… did I just call it a 'date'? Feeling the heat rise to your cheeks, you shake your head quickly before the blush becomes visible. "From entering Locto's soul?" $AL asks. "Yes, that's what I meant," you answer, nodding with a slightly forced gesture. Luckily, no one seems to notice. <<else>>You look down at the pendant beneath your clothes, resting against your sternum. "I'll have to ask $BNhim_her… I don't know why $BNhe_she's not speaking right now. Maybe $BNhe_she's still recovering from the battle." <</if>>$AL slides the last piece of bread from the pan and places it on the final plate before wiping $ALhis_her hands on a cloth. $ALHe_She leans against the counter as $RG finishes slicing the last of the fruit. "Abora spoke of $AA as if $BNhe_she was… different. Have you noticed?" the redhead says, $ALhis_her expression more serious than usual. "Not just strong, but… necessary." "And that's what doesn't fit." $LL's intervention takes you all by surprise. $LLHis_Her gaze is fixed on the table, thoughtful, but $LLhe_she clearly hasn't missed a word. "When gods start talking about necessity instead of options…" $LLHis_Her jaw tightens, fist clenching. "Someone has already decided to sacrifice another in the name of some supposed 'greater good'." You purse your lips, pausing briefly before responding. "$AA hasn't tried to hurt me. On the contrary, $BNhe_she only wants to help. Whoever it may be." <<if $AriAlive is true>>$AO nods slowly. "I was going to say the same. It was thanks to $BNhim_her that we saved Ari." <<else>>$AO nods slowly. "I was going to say the same. It was thanks to $BNhim_her that we saved Lord Hillorwe." <</if>>"And $BNhe_she helped me in Bucante, too," $AL interjects with a soft smile. But even with your reassuring words, they seem to have the opposite effect on $LL. The more you talk about how much $AA has helped you, the more $LLhe_she frowns and tenses up, as if the mere mention of $BNhis_her name irritates $LLhim_her. [[Continue|30]]

$RG clears $RGhis_her throat, turning toward you with a smile while carrying a plate in each hand and levitating three others. "But all of this is something //I// should worry about. Just know that I'll do everything in my power to keep you safe. Even from $BN." The promise doesn't sound boastful, but firm. And that, curiously, is what unsettles you most. You share a quick glance with $AO and $AL before turning back to $RG and arching an eyebrow. "Are you saying that as a guardian, or as a friend?" $RG looks at you, pausing briefly before answering. "Both." $AO tilts $AOhis_her head, leaning a hand on the table as $AOhis_her eyes lock onto $RGhim_her with resolve. "Then you're screwed, big <<if $RG is "Rayco">>guy<<else>>girl<</if>>, because I have a habit of protecting my friends. And since you keep saying you gods are here to serve mortals…" $AOHe_She smiles with that characteristic spark of mischief. "I'm afraid you don't have a choice." "You know $BN isn't just any danger," the purple-haired $RGgod_goddess replies, $RGhis_her tone no longer light. "Too late. Mind's made up," the doctor responds, leaning back in $AOhis_her seat with a nonchalant gesture. You see $RG's face harden, $RGhis_her brow furrowing with a worry $RGhe_she doesn't try to hide. Before $RGhe_she can speak, however, $AL steps in. "All right, that's enough," $ALhe_she announces, catching one of the levitating plates with one hand while putting the other on $ALhis_her hip in a scolding gesture. "We said we were going to enjoy this last day together, so talking about threats is forbidden until at least after breakfast." The word breakfast acts as an immediate anchor. The aroma of buttery toast and the sweetness of warm fruit hit you full force, reminding you that you've been ignoring your hunger for a while now. "I second that," you answer as your stomach rumbles shamelessly. $RG presses $RGhis_her lips together, clearly reluctant, but finally lets out a sigh and relaxes $RGhis_her shoulders. "I can feel how hungry you all are. Fine, I'll drop the subject. For now." "Then bring that plate over before I faint!" $AO exclaims with a wave. [[Continue|31]]

It takes a moment for the tension to fully dissipate, but slowly, it does. Amidst the sound of cutlery and the honey jar being passed from hand to hand, shared laughter, slightly burnt toast, and the inevitable debates over who sliced the fruit better, even $LL lets a small smile escape as $LLhe_she listens to $AO exaggerate a childhood story. "You're making that up," the warrior states at an absurd detail. "Not at all, Red," $AO replies with a mischievous grin that already confirms $LL is right. "You should have seen the Marquis's face. You would have loved it." $LL raises an eyebrow. "You expect me to believe someone as scrawny as you moved a marble statue twice your height without using magic?" $LLHe_She snorts. "Yeah, sure." "I'll prove it to you if you want. $RG, do you mind if I move your house for a second?" The $RGgod_goddess smiles, amused. "Be my guest." The atmosphere grows warm, almost domestic, a fleeting bubble of normalcy in the middle of the storm of worries lurking outside. It feels dangerously like your evenings at the tavern in Sorrol. Even Enid steals food from a plate now and then without anyone noticing. It's just a quiet, shared morning that looks enough like Thaon to hurt a little... and to remind you exactly what you're going to fight for. Between bites and laughs at $AO's predictable failure to move the stone, the memory of $BN and the threats looming over everyone is momentarily pushed aside, replaced by the sound of everyday life. And as you watch your companions, you think that perhaps protecting each other is the only way to endure what's to come. [[Continue|37]]

The woman watches her beloved's face, how her violet eyes narrow as they sweep across the snowy ridge in a silent moment. She feels her tense up, and that wipes the smile from her face completely. "What do you feel?" Her beloved takes a second before answering. "Nothing. And that is what worries me." She takes one last look before turning her gaze to the woman. "The ring." The woman looks down at the object. The intricate engraving seems to pulse beneath the sun. She raises her hand, and a beam of light erupts from the metal, following the radiance that envelops it until it moves forward a few steps and stops. "It says it's here," her beloved announces, her frown deepening. "But there's nothing." "Perhaps beneath the ice…" the woman murmurs, thoughtful. Then Moti snorts again, as if trying to get his owner's attention. "Did you find something, boy?" The animal puffs again, looks at the ground, and gives a small hop, pointing. The two women approach and observe the broken wooden planks scattered across the snow. The younger of the two picks one up, careful not to catch a splinter. "This is too well-crafted to be natural," she comments after analysing it, tilting her head. "How could there have been a structure up here?" "It might be the one we're looking for," her beloved answers, face darkening. "But if it ended up in this state…" The woman's eyebrows knit together in a worried gesture, turning toward her beloved. "Do you think someone might have—?" [[Continue|39]]

A cold wind sends a shiver through her, but that's not what cuts her sentence short. The woman looks up, seeing the sky begin to cover with a blanket of gray clouds. That shouldn't be happening, not at this altitude. They left the clouds behind long ago. Her pet huddles close to her with nervous snorts. Mist begins to swirl around the three of them, dense, unnatural. The woman sees Moti pin his ears back and lower his head, dropping into a charging stance. Something is approaching. And it isn't friendly. They all know what it is. The woman grabs her bow and notches an arrow while her beloved draws her two long daggers. "Stay close," she says in a low voice, her glowing eyes scanning the growing fog. For a moment, aside from the whistling wind and Moti's ragged breathing, the woman hears nothing else… until a soft tinkling reaches her ears, making her pulse race. It's coming. [[Continue|40]]

It all happens too fast. Her pet snorts violently and, without warning, charges into the fog. "Moti, no!" The woman rushes forward, but her beloved pushes her back, stepping in front of her just as a corrupted creature bursts through the gloom. Her wings beat powerfully, and the iridescent glow sends out a pulse that clears the vision for a few meters around them… but the fog closes back in an instant. The tinkling draws closer. A deep roar shakes the mountain, accompanying that metallic sound she has learned to fear. It's followed by the woman's desperate scream. "Idaira!" [[Continue|41]]

//''[With $name...]''// <<if $RGLove is true or $AOLove is true or $LLLove is true or $ALLove is true>>It's well into the evening when Enid returns after several days with Abora. After a warm but brief welcome, the otter announces the goddess's desire to see you all and leads you back to the temple. You find Nauzet and Salva already gathered there, waiting for your arrival in the centre of the platform. The thin layer of water covering the floor emits a subtle, glowing mist that keeps the darkness of the night at bay. <<else>>It's well into the evening when Abora summons you. You find Nauzet and Salva already gathered there, waiting for your arrival in the centre of the platform. The thin layer of water covering the floor emits a subtle, glowing mist that keeps the darkness of the night at bay. <</if>>The temple feels a bit denser, and you can't help your pulse quickening as you step forward. After days of waiting and artificial calm, and though you knew it would end, you can't quite control the nerves surfacing at its conclusion. Abora and Alcorac wait patiently on their thrones until you approach before breaking the silence. "Welcome, mortals. We hope your rest has been sufficiently restorative," Abora announces. She doesn't wait for an answer before turning to Nauzet. "Have you and your companion found anything?" "Nothing relevant regarding the Faycans yet, Mencey," Nauzet replies with a shake of his head. "There are millennia of information to sift through. I'm afraid we need more time." Abora doesn't react, she simply closes her eyes slowly, as if she already knew what he was going to say. "Time is running out," she says. "Corruption continues to advance through the mortal worlds. $BN is moving. We can wait no longer." "Has something happened, Mencey?" $RG asks, $RGhis_her brow slightly furrowed. "I sense an anomaly in Valegon. Tibicenas are massing there," she responds, opening her eyes and focusing on you and your group. "You've had more than enough rest, Guayres. You will depart at first light." <<if $RGLove is true and $maday is true>>"Valegon?" you murmur, glancing up at $RG. The purple-haired $RGgod_goddess purses $RGhis_her lips. It's a slight, almost imperceptible gesture, but you know $RGhim_her far too well. It's the same stiffness $RGhe_she shows when $RGhe_she's trying to let nothing pierce through $RGhim_her, when $RGhe_she decides that feeling is a luxury $RGhe_she cannot afford. Not even when the world where $RGhe_she feels most at home is in danger. "What world is that?" $AO asks. <<elseif $ALLavi2 is true>>"Valegon?" you repeat, the name echoing in your memories. "That's the elven world, isn't it?" <<else>>"Valegon?" you repeat, tilting your head. "And what world is that?" <</if>>Enid lands on your shoulder. But despite her words, her expression is anything but playful. "You'd better pack your thickest furs, mortals. You're about to learn what real cold is." <div style="text-align: center;">''Chapter 2'' //''Chapter 2 is still under development and will be released as soon as possible. Be sure to follow me on <a href="https://www.tumblr.com/remnantsofthepast-if" target="_blank">Tumblr</a> for new announcements and updates!'' ''Also, if you'd like to support me and this project further, you can visit my <a href="https://www.patreon.com/RemnantsOfThePast" target="_blank">Patreon</a> or <a href="https://ko-fi.com/domakir" target="_blank">Ko-fi</a> page and consider becoming a patron! You'll get exclusive rewards like HD illustrations, extra scenes, a detalied walkthrough, and more! <h5>Plus, if you become a patron, I'll pay more attention to you. (Not really, but... what if I did? :P)</h5>''</div>

...At least until something rips you right out of your tranquillity. "Wake up, mortal!" "Ah!" You bolt upright in bed, your heart hammering against your ribs as the sudden shout nearly bursts your eardrums. For a second, you don't know where you are, when, or why your entire body has gone into high alert. The pillow falls to the floor as you snap to attention, your now wide open eyes scanning the cave with automatic reflexes, searching for a threat that doesn't exist until ashen blue fur fills your vision. Then, you feel the weight on your lap. "Enid!?" The name escapes you in a mix of reproach and relief. You haven't seen her in days, not since that conversation with Abora that left more questions than answers. She grins at you with a massive, almost proud expression, her whiskers twitching with an enthusiasm and energy that clashes violently with your half-conscious state. "Up, mortal! The sun is high and breakfast is ready." * [[I nearly had a heart attack!|26a]] * [[It's good to see you again, Enid|26b]] * [[Are you okay? You've been gone for days|26c]]

<span class="title">Remnants of The Past 3</span> <span class="author">Created by Domakir</span>

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<li><span class="credits">[[Credits]]</span></li> <li>[[Codex]]</li> <li>[[Old Diary]]</li>

<div style="text-align: center;"><h1>''Codex''</h1></div> * [[Main characters|Main_Characters]] * [[Secondary characters|Secondary_Characters]] * [[Gods]] * [[Places]] * [[Artefacts]] * [[Faycans]] * [[Tibicenas|Demons]] <<back>>

* [[Page of an old diary 1|DiaryPG1]] * [[Page of an old diary 2|DiaryPG2]] * [[Page of an old diary 3|DiaryPG3]] * ????? * ????? * ????? <<back>>

''Thaon:'' * [[Mauro Arastelia]] * [[Daira Belmonte]] * [[Jonay Arastelia]] * [[Arianna Bravo]] * [[Javier and Frederic Bonneville]] ''Bucante:'' * [[Soza Qaled]] * [[Salva Qaled]] * [[$MI + " Ulkrard"|MI]] * [[Locto]] ''Valegon:'' * <<if $valegonCodex is true>>[[Vhala Liorvael]]<<else>>?????<</if>> * <<if $valegonCodex is true>>[[Ilto Liorvael]]<<else>>?????<</if>> * <<if $valegonCodex is true>>[[Sarja Liorvael]]<<else>>?????<</if>> * <<if $valegonCodex is true>>[[Moti]]<<else>>?????<</if>> * <<if $kazkaCodex is true>>[[Kazka]]<<else>>?????<</if>> <<back>>

* [[Abora Oramas|Abora]] * [[Alcorac Oramas|Alcorac]] * <<if $RG is "Rayco">>[[Rayco Oramas|Rayco_Gara]]<<else>>[[Gara Oramas|Rayco_Gara]]<</if>> * [[Enid Oramas|Enid]] * [[Nauzet Oramas]] * <<if $idairaCodex is true>>[[Idaira Oramas]]<<else>>?????<</if>> * ????? * ????? <<back>>

* [[Thaon]] * [[Bucante]] * <<if $valegonCodex is true>>[[Valegon]]<<else>>?????<</if>> * ????? * ????? * [[Orahan]] * [[Echeide]] * [[Taoro]] <<back>>

* [[Verdiryum]] * [[Kalmitan]] * [[Moneiba's Orbs|Moneiba_Orbs]] * [[Eraorahan's Artefacts|Eraorahan_Artefacts]] * ????? <<back>>

The tibicenas are beings made of pure corruption born in the depths of Echeide and their sole reason for living is to steal the souls of mortals so they can multiply. Tibicenas are hierarchical, and depending on the level they are in, their abilities and appearance vary. * [[Scout]] * [[Behemoth]] * [[Guayota]] * ????? * ????? * ????? <<back>>

<span class="title">''Music by Kevin MacLeod''</span> <a href="https://incompetech.com">incompetech.com</a> Licensed under <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License</a> ------- * Revival * Zombie Hoodoo * Classic Horror 1 * Classic Horror 3 * Wounded ------- <span class="title">''Music by Justin Jet Zorbas''</span> <a href="https://www.patreon.com/rpgaudiovault/">RPG Audio Vault Patreon Page</a> ------- * Fade Away - Relaxing Harp & Bodhran Music * For the Forgotton Ones - Relaxing Harp Music ------- <span class="title">''Music by Alkakrab''</span> <a href="https://alkakrab.itch.io/">Itch.io</a> ------- * Call Of The Night ------- <span class="title">''Music and sound effects from Zapsplat''</span> <a href="https://www.zapsplat.com/">zapsplat.com</a> ------- <span class="title">''Music from Soundraw''</span> <a href="https://soundraw.io//">soundraw.io</a> ------- <a href="https://opendyslexic.org">OpenDyslexic Font</a> by Abbie Gonzalez ------- <a href="https://awmorgan.itch.io/twine-sugarcube-template">UI Template</a> by a.w. morgan on itch.io ------- Made with <a href="https://twinery.org/">Twine 2.8.1</a>, SugarCube 2.36.1 <<back>>

<div style="text-align: center;"><h1>''Thaon''</h1></div> Founded in the year 13,000, the Kingdom of Thaon consists of five major regions with a combined population of approximately 42.35 million. At its center lies Gipulma, home to the royal capital, Astian. To the south is Silbecan, a snow-covered region known for its fishing industry. Across the sea lie the merchant islands of Dinituv and Thiayuv. In the west, the mountainous region of Nustiria dominates the landscape. Thaon's origins trace back to the 15th day of the third moon, year 13,000, when Selene Astinia, captain of Silbecan, launched a campaign to conquer Gipulma from its ruler, San Tenoreo, whom she denounced as a heretic. Acting in the name of the Creator, Selene waged war for five years, facing strong resistance that drew other regions into the conflict. The war concluded when the Priests Order allied with Selene to capture Gipulma's capital. She renamed the city Astian after herself and was crowned the first queen of Thaon in the presence of the goddess Abora. With the realms unified under the monarchy, Astian became the official seat of power. Despite religious unity being declared, tensions between believers and non-believers persisted, especially in urban areas. Selene established Thaon as a devout realm but issued a decree forbidding mages from inheriting the throne, citing the destructive potential of their magic, a decision that remained a source of political dispute for decades. The monarchy remained under the Astinia bloodline for hundreds of thousands of years until the assassination of King Lemor Astinia, who left no heir. The crown then passed to the Arastelia family, who still rule today under King Mauro Arastelia. <<back>>

<div style="text-align: center;"><h1>''Orahan''</h1></div> Orahan is described in sacred tradition as the resting place of departed souls, located in a realm where the horizon blends sky and earth. It is said to exist under the protection of the celestial spirits of the Creator, offering a place of peace and renewal. The realm is depicted as an oasis surrounded by clear rivers whose waters carry a soothing melody. According to belief, the souls of the dead arrive by crossing a sacred arched bridge that connects the mortal world to Orahan. Upon entering, they are freed from sorrow and suffering. Orahan is considered a place where the division between life and death is no longer absolute, and where eternity is marked by harmony, peace, and divine love. <<back>>

<div style="text-align: center;"><h1>''Echeide''</h1></div> Echeide is described in ancient writings, religious texts, and oral teachings as the most remote and inaccessible place in the world, located beyond the deepest darkness. It is said to be a realm where demons exist in their purest form, free from any law or restraint, and where chaos and malevolence are constant. Accounts depict Echeide as a barren wasteland of jagged rock, swept by unending violent winds. A vast red moon dominates the sky, casting a scarlet light over the land. Rivers of blood are said to flow across the terrain, nourishing the black roots of withered trees that appear to rise from the abyss itself. The air is described as heavy, saturated with the stench of death and decay. Legends speak of an empty land devoid of natural life, inhabited only by demons and the echoes of the condemned. It is portrayed as a place where light does not exist and where evil thrives unchecked, a location mortals are warned never to enter. The truth of these descriptions is uncertain. Some believe Echeide to be real and claim that Abora separated it from the mortal world to protect her creation from corruption, citing this as a reason for devotion to the goddess. Others dismiss the accounts entirely as myth. <<back>>

<div style="text-align: center;"><h1>''Taoro''</h1></div> According to sacred tradition, Taoro is a divine realm located beyond the veil of clouds, hidden from mortal sight. It is said that only those deemed truly worthy may enter, since Abora resides there surrounded by her disciples in an environment of light, harmony, and abundance. Described in holy texts as a paradise, Taoro is depicted with flourishing greenery, vividly coloured flowers, and an abundance of fruit reserved for the chosen. Its trees shelter birds and butterflies, and sunlight is said to illuminate every part of the land, creating an atmosphere of peace and serenity. From Taoro, the gods are believed to observe and protect the mortal world, while Abora's disciples work to preserve the balance and order of Thaon. The realm remains untouched by mortal corruption, as ancient writings maintain that mortals and divine beings cannot coexist without disturbing the natural order. <<back>>

<div style="text-align: center;"><h1>''Bucante''</h1></div> Bucante is the home of the merpeople species, a world made mostly of water, with very few areas above the surface. ''Clans:'' The merpeople are divided into clans, each with its own territory and leadership. Currently, however, all clan leaders are united under one banner with the goal of uncovering the mystery surrounding recent disappearances. Their hierarchy is based on age and wisdom, with elders serving as guides for the rest of the community, along with the counsel of a trusted guru. There are four main clans: The Orcalius Clan, known for having a much broader and more muscular build than the others. Their skin comes in bluish-grey tones or in white-and-black patches. They resemble orcas or whales. The Serdinat Clan, whose bodies are slimmer and more elegant, with very pale features in light greenish hues or entirely white. Their scales share the same colour. The Ulkrard Clan, who, although not as much as the Orcalius Clan, display a stronger, more muscular physique. Their skin is akin to that of a shark, greyish, desaturated brown, or black along the back and white across the chest. The Qaled Clan, with a more humanoid structure and skin tone, though slightly pinker. Their bodies tend to be leaner and more toned. ''Culture and customs:'' In maritime society there are two important groups: the Adventurers' Guild, which explores the secrets of the past in search of knowledge and adventure, and the Defenders, who care for the cities and their residents. The merpeople are expert artisans, known for their skill in coral sculpture, crafting marine jewelry, and making musical instruments. In Bucante, celebrations are offerings to the gods. During the Tides Festival, its people dance to the rhythm of the waves and pay their respects to Abora by sending flowers to the surface. There's also a tradition of "smacking" a loved one with inflated fish bladders to show affection. Another of its traditions is The Final Wave, done in honour of the dead. During this custom, the deceased are sent to rest above the surface so the gods can send their souls safely to Orahan. After that, merpeople light hollow spheres called coralflames and place them around each city's square as a reminder that the dead are still a part of the ocean. ''Flora and fauna:'' In addition to common fish and marine creatures, there are adorable aquatic snakes whose scales shimmer in different colours depending on their mood. On the other hand, there are also fearsome leviathans, once guardians of Bucante and its inhabitants. However, with the arrival of demons, these beings have turned violent against those they once protected. Once grand and protective near the surface, they have now retreated to the darkest ocean depths, where they lie in wait and attack anyone who dares to approach. In Bucante, there is a natural wonder known as the Coral Gardens, filled with brightly colored corals, dancing anemones, and swaying algae. These gardens are where artisans find the best materials for their creations, although few are brave enough to venture there now, fearing an encounter with a leviathan along the way. On the seafloor, between the cities of the clans and the Void, lies The Seaweed Forest. This forest is the gateway to the Void, where giant seaweed rises to the surface from the darkest depths, creating a place of shadows and mystery where leviathans and ghost fish now reside. Most adventurers lose their lives here at the hands of leviathans and demons, trying to rescue their family members from their corrupted jaws. ''The Void (Lumora):'' The darkest and once most dangerous region of all Bucante, where light barely reaches and demons used to lurk in the shadows. Long ago, legend held that the king leviathan dwelled here, a tale fueled by bones found in the area. Adventurers, eager to uncover its secrets, ventured forth to find it and learn more about their ancestors' history. However, the pressure and darkness of the Void repel most, and very few have dared to enter. None that did returned. The Adventurers' Guild dedicated themselves to finding a safer, more effective way to enter. At least, until the demons arrived and the leviathans became aggressive. After the events on Bucante, is was discovered that the place they once called The Void was actually Lumora, the city of the now lost species known as grimpoteus. The merpeople's goal now that the corruption has disappeared from that place is to rebuild it to honour this ancient race. ''Life expectancy and height:'' Of all races, the merpeople have the shortest lifespan, living only up to 60 years if they are lucky. Their height ranges from 1.50 to 1.80 meters (4'9'' to 5'9''), with the latter being extremely rare among them and only possible for Clan Orcalius. <<back>>

<div style="text-align: center;"><h1>''$AO Arastelia''</h1></div> *''Age:'' 36 years old *''Height:'' 1,76m (5'9") *''Species:'' Human *''Build:'' Slim. No muscle. *''Eye colour:'' Dark brown *''Hair colour:'' Black *''Skin colour:'' Black *''Notable attributes:'' Mole under the left eye *''Weapon:'' Magic ------- ''Relationship:'' <<if $AOLove is true>>Adore<<else>>Friend<</if>> ''Romance:'' <<if $AOLove is true>>Active<<else>>Inctive<</if>> ------- Once a citizen of the great city of Astian, $AO left behind its bustling streets and political intrigues in search of change, seeking a life far from the endless games of power. That choice led $AOhim_her to a remote countryside village, where $AOhe_she now serves as its dedicated healer. In making this journey, $AOhe_she also parted ways with $AOhis_her father, whose disapproval was no secret, for what $AOhe_she's told you. When you ask about it, $AOhe_she only says: "I'm more needed here." ------- $AO Arastelia. The name reveals that Sorrol's healer is actually the $AOprince_princess and rightful heir to the throne of Astian. From $AOhis_her earliest years, $AO had little interest in politics, often evading royal duties to the point where the palace guard would bar the gates until the young $AOprince_princess had completed them. Aside from the rigid study schedules, $AOhe_she recalls $AOhis_her childhood in the castle with fondness. Trouble arose when $AOhe_she manifested magical ability. The revelation sowed discord among the noble houses, especially the Hillorwes, who feared a mage $AOking_queen would be a disaster waiting to happen. Protests followed, yet the King held firm, believing $AOhis_her child's magic would serve Thaon, not harm it. <<if $AOQKCodex is true>>------- Inspired by $AOhis_her companions and armed with newfound resolve, $AO embraced $AOhis_her royal heritage, ascending as the $AOking_queen of Thaon, a decision that surprised even $AOhim_her. Though it is too soon to judge the long-term effects of a mage's rule, $AO is now a respected figure among both Astian's citizens and the Council. Many believe the kingdom will set aside old prejudices and accept the $AOman_woman chosen by the gods to guide them toward a brighter future. <<if $fun > $diplomacy and $fun > $blunt>>No pressure for $AO, of course.<</if>> <<elseif $AOQKCodex is false>>------- When the Astian rebellion ended, $AO relinquished the royal title entirely, placing the kingdom's fate in Daira's hands. Free from a burden $AOhe_she never desired, $AOhe_she returned to $AOhis_her true calling, tending to the sick and the poor with unwavering dedication. <</if>><<back>>

<div style="text-align: center;"><h1>''$AL Terrastar''</h1></div> *''Age:'' 34 years old *''Height:'' <<if $AL is "Albert">>1,60m (5'3")<<elseif $AL is "Lavina">>1,70m (5'7")<</if>> *''Species:'' Human *''Build:'' Chubby *''Eye colour:'' Green *''Hair colour:'' Red *''Skin colour:'' Pale *''Notable attributes:'' Scar on the chest *''Weapon:'' Great axe ------- ''Relationship:'' <<if $ALLove is true>>Adore<<else>>Friend<</if>> ''Romance:'' <<if $ALLove is true>>Active<<else>>Inactive<</if>> ------- Kind, devoted, and considerate, $AL is Sorrol's master builder and the eldest of the Terrastars. $ALHe_She dedicates $ALhis_her days to caring for $ALhis_her younger $LLbrother_sister, with whom $ALhe_she shares one of the oldest houses in the region. Blessed with a melomaniac soul, the red-haired $ALman_woman proves to all that $ALhe_she is not only a master of the axe, but also a gifted musician. Whenever time allows, $ALhe_she can be found plucking the strings of $ALhis_her beloved lute, filling the air with melodies as enduring as the stones and wood $ALhe_she works. ------- What happened in Bucnate with $ALhis_her $LLbrother_sister affected $ALhim_her deeply, but thanks to $name's words and $AA's help, $AL has come out stronger than ever. $ALHe_She still has a long way to go, but $ALhe_she's definitely heading in the right direction. What remains of the small Terrastar family is close to putting the past behind them and moving on. Or at least, that's what $AL hopes. <<back>>

<div style="text-align: center;"><h1>''$LL Terrastar''</h1></div> *''Age:'' 28 years old *''Height:'' 1,68m (5'6") *''Species:'' Human *''Build:'' Strong and muscular *''Eye colour:'' Green *''Hair colour:'' Red *''Skin colour:'' Pale *''Notable attributes:'' Scars all over the body *''Weapon:'' Long sword and shield ------- ''Relationship:'' <<if $LLLove is true>>Adore<<else>>Friend<</if>> ''Romance:'' <<if $LLLove is true>>Active<<else>>Inactive<</if>> ------- A fearless warrior, as fierce in battle as $LLhis_her hair is red, $LL is known to make even demons tremble with a single glance. Serving as a guard in the town of Sorrol, $LLhe_she lives alone with $LLhis_her elder sibling, $AL, in the family home, an inheritance shadowed by tragedy after their parents died. $LL values $LLhis_her privacy above all and remains cautious about whom $LLhe_she allows into $LLhis_her life. Few have earned such trust, yet you are counted among them. Beneath $LLhis_her hardened exterior lies a complexity few have glimpsed, a depth that you sense you have only just begun to understand. <<back>>

<div style="text-align: center;"><h1>''$RG Oramas''</h1></div> *''Age:'' 50,000 years old *''Height:'' <<if $RG is "Rayco">>1,98m (6'6")<<else>>2,00m (6'7")<</if>> *''Species:'' <<if $codexRG is true>>$RGGod_Goddess<<else>>Human<</if>> *''Build:'' Strong and broad-shouldered *''Eye colour:'' Purple *''Hair colour:'' Purple *''Skin colour:'' Brown *''Notable attributes:'' Freckles on cheeks, nose and all over $RGhis_her back *''Weapon:'' Magic and spear ------- ''Relationship:'' <<if $RGLove is true>>Adore<<else>>Friend<</if>> ''Romance:'' <<if $RGLove is true>>Active<<else>>Inactive<</if>> ------- Tavern keeper of Sorrol, $RG is a friendly and generous $RGman_woman originating from a distant land known as Tamarant, from which $RGhis_her establishment takes its name. Despite $RGhis_her open demeanor, much of $RGhis_her past remains shrouded in mystery. Beyond the name of Tamarant, few details emerge, and the stories $RGhe_she shares of $RGhis_her childhood are ordinary, indistinguishable from any other. Repeated asks about $RGhis_her history have been met with evasive answers, making it clear that $RGhe_she prefers to keep those memories private. Eventually, your persistence waned, and you ended up dropping the subject. ------- The attack on Sorrol unveiled a startling truth: beneath the guise of humanity, $RG is in fact a $RGgod_goddess, a divine guardian sent from Taoro to bring an end to the Cycle and eradicate the tibicenas. This sacred mission comes at a great cost: $RGhis_her own life. The burden falls upon you, for your blood is bound to Eraorahan's pendant, the object you must use to drain $RGhis_her soul when the time arrives. There's no doubt that $RGhis_her title of achimencey seems to be one of the most important in the divine hierarchy. But then, why does $RGhe_she speak of $RGhimself_herself as if $RGhe_she's disposable? <<back>>

<div style="text-align: center;"><h1>''Enid Oramas''</h1></div> *''Age:'' Unknown *''Height:'' 30 cm long (11") *''Species:'' Celestial spirit *''Build:'' Slim *''Eye colour:'' Purple *''Fur colour:'' Ashen blue *''Notable attributes:'' Huge nose and has a gem embedded on her forehead *''Weapon:'' Magic ------- ''Relationship:'' Friend ------- $RG's pet. A river otter that resides in Tamarant, notable for unusually large nose. Affectionate and gluttonous are words that describe her personality perfectly. Endearingly adorable, Enid is well aware of her charm, a trait that often allows her to escape trouble despite her mischievous antics. Behind her bright eyes lies a sharp intelligence unlike that of any other creature you have encountered. ------- Far from an ordinary animal, Enid is a celestial spirit. She accompanies $RG on the sacred mission to protect the world from the tibicenas. Though her outward form remains that of a river otter —save for her distinct fur colour and the diamond embedded on her forehead— Enid's power is immense, capable of defeating a behemoth with a single strike. <<back>>

<div style="text-align: center;"><h1>''Scout''</h1></div> Among the tibicenas, scouts are considered the most common and weakest, though they are far from easy to kill. With canine features and exceptional hearing, they excel at detecting and stalking prey. When striking, they employ razor-sharp claws and unleash concentrated beams of light from their jaws. Scouts typically hunt in packs, using their numbers to overwhelm opponents, especially in urban environments. Lone attacks are rare and generally occur only when the scout holds a clear tactical advantage. <<back>>

<div style="text-align: center;"><h1>''Behemoth''</h1></div> Behemoths are among the largest tibicenas, standing over five meters tall and weighing more than six hundred kilograms. Their massive frames conceal remarkable strength, enabling them to deliver crushing blows that are difficult to evade in confined spaces. Despite their relatively low position in the hierarchy, their size, power, and endurance make them formidable opponents, particularly in terrain that limits an enemy's mobility. <<back>>

<div style="text-align: center;"><h1>''Guayota''</h1></div> A guayota is born from the deepest corruption of a soul, ranking among the highest in the hierarchy of the tibicenas. Its form is mutable, and each manifestation is equally fearsome. The one encountered in Thaon during the civil war was a ten meters tall skeletal lizard. It wields devastating magical abilities capable of warping reality itself, summoning flames, hurling explosive blasts, and casting soul-corroding curses. Its regenerative capacity is extraordinary, allowing it to heal almost instantly from grievous injuries, while its dulled sense of pain further compounds its resilience. Conventional means of demon-slaying are largely ineffective, and even divine beings have faced difficulty in overcoming it. The only confirmed method of their destruction lies in the use of the Eraorahan artefacts. If other means exist, they are unknown. <<back>>

<div style="text-align: center;"><h1>''Mauro Arastelia''</h1></div> Mauro Arastelia is the ruling monarch of Thaon and the father of $AO. Known for his dignified presence and commitment to duty, he is widely respected and loved by his people. Mauro prioritises the safety and stability of the kingdom and takes an active role in its governance. He maintains a long-standing rivalry with Felipe Hillorwe, the leader of the Silbecan house. Felipe resents Mauro for having inherited the crown and views him as undeserving of his position. Their relationship has grown increasingly strained since Mauro announced his intention to place his $AOson_daughter, $AOPrince_Princess $AO, as heir to the throne. This decision has not only intensified tensions with Felipe, but has also sparked discontent among other political leaders, many of whom oppose the idea of a mage ruling Thaon. Although Mauro shares a generally positive relationship with his $AOson_daughter, $AO has openly expressed a desire not to become $AOking_queen. Mauro continues to dismiss these wishes, which has led to frequent moments of tension between them. <<back>>

<div style="text-align: center;"><h1>''Daira Belmonte''</h1></div> Born into a plebeian family with a long-standing tradition of royal service, Daira Belmonte followed in the footsteps of her parents and grandparents. She currently serves King Mauro Arastelia and $AOPrince_Princess $AO, who has been her closest friend since childhood. From a young age, Daira understood the path her life would take. She embraced her responsibilities with enthusiasm, even when they demanded long hours and sleepless nights. A self-proclaimed lover of politics, she often compares her work to the excitement of a roller coaster. Demanding, unpredictable, but thrilling. Daira is widely recognised for her intelligence, efficiency, and professionalism. Her commitment to the well-being of the kingdom and its citizens often leads her to take initiative beyond her formal role, with the king's implicit support. While her involvement is appreciated by many, some political figures view her assertiveness as overstepping. <<if $AOQKCodex is false>>------- Following the end of the Astian rebellion, Daira was unexpectedly named the next ruler of Thaon by divine decree. The announcement, made by the gods themselves, sparked widespread reactions across the realm. Though her future reign remains uncertain, few now dare to challenge a queen chosen by the gods. <</if>><<back>>

<div style="text-align: center;"><h1>''Jonay Arastelia''</h1></div> Jonay was the four-year-old son of $AO, the $AOprince_princess of Astian. Energetic and cheerful, he was known throughout the city for his bright smile and joyful spirit. As the only child of the royal heir, he quickly became the focus of widespread affection and admiration. He was $AO's most precious treasure, and $AOhe_she devoted considerable time to his upbringing, often seen playing with him, sharing stories, and walking together through the streets of Pio Suave. The city's peace was shattered during a demon incursion caused by a breach in security. Among the casualties was Jonay, who died in the arms of his <<if $AO is "Ada">>mother<<else>>father<</if>>, during the chaos that engulfed Astian. The loss left a profound and lasting impact on $AO, who, even after a year and a half, has not recovered from the absence of $AOhis_her son. <<back>>

<div style="text-align: center;"><h1>''Arianna Bravo''</h1></div> Arianna is the sister-in-law of $AOPrince_Princess $AO Arastelia. Known for her determination and resilience, she is regarded as a decisive and fearless leader. Born into a plebeian family, Arianna's perspective on the nobility changed drastically after witnessing the execution of her sick neighbours, an act carried out to preserve medicine for the upper class. The event ignited her anger and solidified her resolve to oppose the ruling elite. Driven by a desire for justice and retribution, Arianna assumed leadership of the rebel movement. Among the rebels, she is respected for her strategic thinking and unwavering resolve, and she has become a prominent symbol of hope for the oppressed, representing their struggle for freedom. <<back>>

<div style="text-align: center;"><h1>''Javier and Frederic Bonneville''</h1></div> Javier and his nephew Frederic —known simply as Fred— are commoners renowned in Pio Suave for their skill in baking. Before the Astian rebellion, they ran a small family bakery, attracting locals with their craftsmanship and enthusiasm. Motivated by a desire for fairer treatment from the nobility and inspired by Arianna's vision of a more just society, both men joined the rebellion. Their talents in the kitchen quickly gave way to other duties when they were assigned to escort the $AOprince_princess of Thaon to the rebels' refuge. This mission led them to Calderon Square, where a sudden horde of demons ambushed $name and <<if $gender is "Male" or $gender is "FTM">>his<<elseif $gender is "Female" or $gender is "MTF">>her<<else>>their<</if>> companions. <<if $FredAlive is true>>Impressed by $name's actions, Javier and Fred extended an invitation to visit their bakery in the future, promising an otter-shaped cake in gratitude for <<if $gender is "Male" or $gender is "FTM">>his<<elseif $gender is "Female" or $gender is "MTF">>her<<else>>their<</if>> help during the incident in the cathedral.<<else>>Unfortunately, Fred didn't survive the encounter and was killed by a behemoth during the attack.<</if>> <<back>>

An order of fallen gods led by $BN. They seek to overthrow Abora from her throne and annihilate the mortal worlds to reshape them according to their ideals. The group includes the following members: *[[$BN + " Oramas"|Belicar_Nisa]] *[[Acaymo]] *[[Locto]] *[[Kazka]] *[[Cyanil]] <<back>>

<div style="text-align: center;"><h1>''$BN''</h1></div> *''Age:'' ????? *''Height:'' <<if $BN is "Belicar">>2,07m (6'10")<<elseif $BN is "Nisa">>2,15m (7'0")<</if>> *''Species:'' ????? *''Build:'' Athletic *''Eye colour:'' Left eye yellow with a crossed-shaped pupil. Right eye white with hints of a very dull blue, likely blind *''Hair colour:'' White *''Skin colour:'' Dull blue *''Notable attributes:'' Scar on $BNhis_her jaw and corrupted arms *''Weapon:'' ????? ------- ''Relationship:'' ????? ''Romance:'' <<if $BNLove is true>>Active<<else>>?????<</if>> ------- An enigmatic $BNman_woman encountered within your dreams, whose behaviour is both familiar and unsettling. $BNHe_She possesses knowledge beyond what $BNhe_she openly shares and appears to take amusement in provoking you. $BNHe_She claims to be a friend, offering reassurance that you are safe in $BNhis_her presence. However, this protection seems to carry an unspoken cost, and right now you don't know if it's worth paying. One word has lingered in your mind since the encounter: Pretenders. The suggestion that the gods themselves may be pretenders raises questions that don't align with what you know. $BNHe_She appears to hold the answers... but it remains to be seen whether $BNhe_she will reveal them. ------- It seems that $BN was once a $BNgod_goddess, one of the most powerful among Abora's circle. This immense power corrupted $BN's mind, persuading $BNhim_her to betray $BNhis_her family and attempt to overthrow Abora in a bid to take her place. The attempt failed thanks to a warrior named $AA, and $BN was imprisoned in Echeide, where $BNhe_she remained until the seal weakened and allowed $BNhim_her to escape to seek revenge on the gods. $BNHe_She is now the leader of the renegade order called Faycans. <<back>>

<div style="text-align: center;"><h1>''$AA Oramas''</h1></div> *''Age:'' ????? *''Height:'' ????? *''Species:'' $BNGod_Goddess *''Build:'' ????? *''Eye colour:'' ????? *''Hair colour:'' ????? *''Skin colour:'' ????? *''Notable attributes:'' ????? *''Weapon:'' ????? ------- ''Relationship:'' <<if $BNLove is true>>Interested<<else>>Ally<</if>><<if $BNLove is true>> ''Romance:'' Active?<</if>> ------- A skilled warrior who was once among the most powerful of the gods. $BNHe_She was the celestial who sacrificed $BNhimself_herself to stop $BN from overthrowing Abora and destroying the mortal realms. However, this heroic act trapped $BNhim_her inside your necklace. It is only a matter of time before you discover if $BNhe_she can be freed. <<back>>

<div style="text-align: center;"><h1>''Abora''</h1></div> Abora is revered in religious tradition as the Creator of all material existence. According to sacred texts, she formed the world eons ago and subsequently shaped the first men and women from water and earth, granting them land and livestock to sustain themselves. Later, she created additional people without such resources, instructing them to serve the first, thereby establishing the earliest social classes. The act of creation consumed much of Abora's magic, leaving her physically weakened. Her body grew thin, her muscle mass diminished, and her legs became immobile, compelling her to rely on her wings for movement and to remain upright. Her sacrifice elevated her status among mortals, leading to the formation of religious groups known as the Priests. Considered chosen by the Creator for their ability to wield magic, the Priests built the first temples in her name, recorded her deeds on sacred texts, and spread her teachings to gather more followers. These writings became the foundation of religious instruction, passed down from generation to generation. However, the growth of the faith also gave rise to opposition. Conflict between believers and non-believers culminated in a holy war, during which the destructive potential of magic was first witnessed. The Priests eventually secured victory, ending the bloodshed, though disbelief in Abora persisted. In modern times, religious disputes are generally less violent. Since the arrival of demons, many claim that Abora no longer responds to prayers. Explanations vary: some believe she has abandoned the world to create anew; others claim she never existed; and some view the demons as divine punishment, often blaming mages for the corruption. A portion of the population still holds faith that Abora's disciples will intervene. Regardless of belief, the world now faces a formidable enemy for which it is unprepared. <<back>>

<div style="text-align: center;"><h1>''Alcorac''</h1></div> Abora's consort and her most devoted supporter. According to Enid, he is a respected and well-liked figure among divine beings, frequently acting as Abora's public representative. Despite his prominence in the celestial realm, he remains largely unknown to mortals and is said to possess a cautious, if not mistrustful, disposition toward them. Any historical records describing his deeds alongside Abora have long since been lost. <<back>>

<div style="text-align: center;"><h1>Verdiryum</h1></div> Verdiryum is a rare, deep-green crystal mined from the depths of Thaon, prized for its use in crafting a drug of immense potency. Known as the "mage's drug," it amplifies magical ability and replenishes energy reserves, enabling the casting of more powerful spells over longer durations. Among common folk, it is valued for boosting stamina and physical strength. Highly addictive, verdiryum exacts a steep toll on long-term users. The most disturbing consequence is a descent into madness, heralded by the constant hearing of a song bearing the victim's own name. Survivors describe it as a sorrowful, inescapable melody that drives the listener toward unspeakable atrocities, none of which they will recount. Owing to these dangers, verdiryum is prohibited except under strict medical prescription and careful dosage. Nevertheless, many willingly risk the consequences, chasing the intoxicating power it grants while ignoring the ruin it inevitably brings. <<back>>

<div style="text-align: center;"><h1>Kalmitan</h1></div> Originating from a chance discovery in the mines of Nustiria, kalmitan is a semi-viscous liquid of deep bluish hue, unearthed from the rock veins far beneath the surface. Its unusual properties first drew the attention of scholars in Thiayuv, who noted a strange reaction when exposed to the corruption of demonic origin. With the aid of Thaon's most esteemed physicians, these researchers sought to turn kalmitan into a definitive cure, a vaccine that would purge the poison of the corrupted. For a brief, shining moment, hope swelled across the lands. Yet the promise proved false. The treatment merely slowed the transformation, but never halted it entirely. The illusion was shattered when a patient succumbed to the corruption, transformed, and slaughtered the very minds who had forged the cure. In modern practice, its use is rare, reserved only to buy precious time for those struck by demonic venom. Even then, survival is never assured. <<back>>

<div style="text-align: center;"><h1>''Orbs of Moneiba''</h1></div> Sacred relics and seeds of the drago, the celestial tree of Taoro, the five Orbs of Moneiba are the lifeforce cores of each world. They sustain creation itself. Should any fall into the wrong hands, the world they guard would perish. For this reason, the Orbs are concealed in the most remote depths of their respective realms, hidden far from the grasp of the greedy or power-hungry. They rest in places reachable only through the use of the Eraorahan artefacts. <<back>>

<div style="text-align: center;"><h1>Eraorahan's Artefacts</h1></div> The artefacts of Eraorahan are the keys to the cores of the worlds, able to open or seal the way to Moneiba's Orbs. Bound to specific bloodlines among each species and to the divine lineage of the achimencey, they serve as the sole weapons capable of draining the life-force of gods themselves to forge seal to protect the five worlds. Their forms are varied and deceptively mundane: a pendant, a bottle, or any unremarkable object. Yet each bears one thing in common, the sacred mark of the gods engraved upon its surface. <<back>>

<div style="text-align: center;">I've been looking at the stars for some time now in search of an answer. They have asked the planets, and the planets have asked the comets that were passing through, but not even the wisdom of the sun is able of appease my doubts. The march of corruption weaves its way between worlds, and I'm sure the source is somewhere here, in this place that is supposed to be a beacon of hope. We cannot let it continue. This situation cannot be repeated. What will become of future generations? I feel like I have to do something but I don't know where to start. I'll ask my mother, I'm sure she knows. She knows everything.</div> <<back>>

<div style="text-align: center;">I spoke to my mother, but I still haven't found what I was looking for. I left her chambers feeling something strange, something I'd never felt before. It's here. Something inside me screams it. I met Aunt Fayna soon after. Her calm presence soothed me, as always. She invited me to rest at her temple and offered those buttery cookies from other worlds she adores, while her lontros companion dried off from a swim. I told her about my worries when she asked. She's always had a talent for sensing other's distress. She listened in silence, patient as ever. And then, she offered her help in my search. My surprise turned to unease when she asked what the next step would be. My gaze went to the tree my parents once forbade me to approach, and fear gripped me. Aunt Fayna was the first to say it aloud, and that's when our feelings merged and I realised she felt it too. Suddenly, my legs began to move on their own, my aunt's shadow following close behind. I have to go. I have to answer the call. It's the only way to stop the tibicenas.</div> <<back>>

<div style="text-align: center;">Aunt Fayna and I spend our days beside the tree, where we find comfort in its gentle, velvety voice. We listen to its heartbeat inside its majestic trunk and feel the warm embrace of its leaves. But when I looked at my aunt today, I knew she felt the same as I did. There is something strange here, something hidden beneath all that calm. It spoke to us of dreams and desires that will never be fulfilled. We asked about them, and it told us of the tibicenas. It knows how to eradicate them completely, though it warns that we won't like the answers we seek. I looked upon the worlds we swore to protect, and what I felt was a deep sorrow. They do not deserve this suffering. I watched my aunt's reaction, and we both thought the same thing. What is the alternative? I drowned in that feeling and clenched my fists. Then I knew what my mission was. And when I saw the determination burning in Aunt Fayna's charoite gaze, I knew I wouldn't be alone. If anyone is going to put an end to the tibicenas, it will be us. No matter the cost.</div> <<back>>

<div style="text-align: center;"><h1>''Acaymo''</h1></div> Former achimencey of the human relam who apparently belonged to Abora's most trusted circle. He is described as a skilled fighter who was loved and respected among celestials. However, something caused him to betray the gods and become a renegade under $BN's command. Whatever his reasons were for turning his back on his family and joining the Faycans, remains unknown. <<back>>

<div style="text-align: center;"><h1>''Locto''</h1></div> As the last of his kind, Locto betrayed not only his world but also his own people when he wiped them out to absorb their powers and become stronger than any other mortal. This dark act piqued $BN's curiosity. After locating Locto, the leader of the Faycans offered for him to join their ranks, and Locto accepted. ------- After seeing his memories, you found out that Locto and his people were once inhabitants of Bucante, the grimpoteus, living peacefully with the merpeople, whom they considered their family. In the last Cycle, when Bucante was about to be destroyed, Locto and his kin made the decision to sacrifice their whole race to save the world and their scaly siblings. They used Locto as the vessel for their entire race's power. However, a misunderstanding made Locto believe Nauzet and the merpeople betrayed him when he was pushed into a corrupted rift. He ended up in Echeide, where $BN used his doubts and pain to corrupt him and make him join the Faycans. <<back>>

<div style="text-align: center;"><h1>''Kazka''</h1></div> Last being of the species once known as minotaurs. A renegade goddess who betrayed her family to join $BN to help $BNhim_her achieve $BNhis_her goal. You don't know more about her for now. <<back>>

<div style="text-align: center;"><h1>''Cyanil''</h1></div> Last being of the species once known as fae. A renegade god who betrayed his family to join $BN to help $BNhim_her achieve $BNhis_her goal. You don't know more about him for now. <<back>>

<div style="text-align: center;"><h1>''Nauzet Oramas''</h1></div> $RG's brother and achimencey of Bucante. Nauzet's journey to find his mortal companion and the artefact was a challenging one, made even more complicated when the leviathans forced the merpeople to share a single city. Amidst the heightened emotions of such a diverse population, Nauzet focused on becoming the Guru of the Elders, a feat he achieved with ease. This role provided him with the connections he needed to finally locate his companion. However, just as they were preparing to depart for Taoro, Nauzet's companion vanished without a trace. With $RG and $RGhis_her group of mortals, Nauzet hoped to fins both his companion and the Orb of Moneiba before it fell into the wrong hands, which ended up happening due to $BN's intrusion. In the end, Nauzet managed to get the orb safely to Taoro, but at the cost of his original companion's life. Now his determination to protect the worlds and strike $BN and $BNhis_her corruption down is stronger than ever. <<back>>

<div style="text-align: center;"><h1>''Soza Qaled''</h1></div> Soza Qaled, veteran of the Adventurers' Guild and the former mortal companion of the god Nauzet Oramas. Born into a family of explorers, Soza followed the path set by his mother and grandfather, dedicating his life to uncovering the mysteries of Bucante. For decades he charted forgotten ruins, unearthed ancient artefacts, and studied the vestiges of lost civilizations, building a reputation as one of the most respected adventurers of his age. When the former head of the Qaled clan passed away, Soza inherited the mantle of Elder, guiding his kin with the same resolve he had once carried into the wilds. During the events on Bucante, a report reached him of the discovery of the remains of an extinct species, a subject that had obsessed his mother and, later, Soza himself. Nauzet was certain that Soza has ventured into Seaweed Forest in search of those remains and followed his trail accompanied by $name and $his_her friends. $name and his son, Salva, managed to rescue him from his prison in The Void, but Soza ultimately died when he tried to protect Locto from $BN. <<back>>

<div style="text-align: center;"><h1>''Salva Qaled''</h1></div> A member of the Adventurers' Guild, son of Soza Qaled, and current mortal companion of the god Nauzet Oramas. At first. Salva was never been chosen for rescue missions. Part of the reason was his impulsive temperament, which lead his superiors to believe he wouldn't be able to stay calm when facing the more intelligent demons. On Nauzet's recommendation, Salva remained in Sisronia, assigned to minor tasks each time to keep him safe after Soza's disappearance. His restless, impulsive, and passionate nature contrasts with that of his best friend, $MI. Curiously, it is precisely this contrast that makes them inseparable. As his father often said, Salva and his friend are like two completely different puzzle pieces that fit perfectly together. <<back>>

<div style="text-align: center;"><h1>''$MI Ulkrard''</h1></div> $MI is a high-ranking member of the Ulkrard clan's healers, holding the title of Maelstrom's Cleric. $MIHe_She actively collaborates with the Defenders and is Salva Qaled's best friend. This $MImerman_mermaid abhors violence in all its forms and was one of the few who believed in your and your group's innocence from the very beginning. $MIHe_She is considered one of the most promising members of the Defenders due to $MIhis_her intelligence, teamwork skills, and affinity with the gods. Having participated in several rescue missions in collaboration with the Adventurers' Guild, $MI has saved multiple members who would have otherwise perished along the way. $MIHis_Her calm, thoughtful, and cautious nature contrasts with Salva's, and curiously, it is this very contrast that makes them inseparable. As Salva's father often said, his son and $MI are like two completely different puzzle pieces that fit perfectly together. <<back>>

<<set $BNRomance to 6>><div style="text-align: center;"><h1>''$name $lname''</h1></div> *''Age:'' 28 years old *''Height:'' <<if $height is "Tall">>1,85m (6'1")<<elseif $height is "Average">>1,75m (5'9")<<else>>1,65m (5'5")<</if>> *''Species:'' Human *''Build:'' Toned *''Eye colour:'' <<print $eyecolour.toUpperFirst()>> *''Hair colour:'' <<print $haircolour.toUpperFirst()>> *''Skin colour:'' <<print $skin.toUpperFirst()>> *''Weapon:'' $weapon ------- You were born in the mountainous city of Aelmere, in the region of Nustiria, where you lived most of your life alongside your mother, a priestess of the Temple of Abora who taught you the will of the gods and the teachings of the Creator. <<if $belief isnot true>>Although, much to her regret, you were never very interested in the matter.<</if>> You led a quiet life until a sickness took your mother when you were only eighteen, leaving you with nothing but her pendant to remember her by and some last words you couldn't understand. Years later, corrupted beings appeared in the world and ravaged your home, forcing you to leave everything you knew behind. You spent a long time learning to fight this new threat while travelling the world in search of a place to settle. You didn't have much success, and instead you became a demon hunter, offering your services in every city or village you came across in exchange for gold, food, or shelter. But your luck changed the day you passed through the region of Gipulma on your way to Silbecan, and a group of demons caught you off guard. You managed to defeat them but ended up wounded. The most natural thing would have been to give in to fate, but you refused to die transformed into one of those things, and something pushed you to carry on. Eventually, you found Sorrol, a small village lost in the countryside where you were cared for and, for the first time in a long while, you found what you had been searching for and had almost forgotten. ------- <h2>''Relationships:''</h2> ''__$RG:__'' Kind to everyone around $RGhim_her and calm even in stressful situations. There's something about $RGhim_her that interests you. You don't know if it's $RGhis_her peculiar hair colour, $RGhis_her exotic accent, or simply $RGhis_her personality, but you can't help feeling at ease in $RGhis_her presence. $RGHe_She's a $RGgod_goddess. You're still coming to terms with it. Now you know why you felt so at peace in Tamarant or when $RGhe_she was near. <<if $RGLove is true>>//''$name's notes:'' __- Entry 1:__ Lately $RGhe_she seems to look at me differently. Almost as if $RGhe_she's in pain, or feels guilty about something I don't understand. Sometimes, despite being a $RGgod_goddess, $RGhe_she looks like the most human of all. __- Entry 2:__ $RGHe_She can be cruel with $RGhis_her silence, and generous with the most subtle gestures. $RGHe_She makes me feel a lot of things, even when $RGhe_she says nothing. Especially then. __- Entry 3:__ That feeling I have for $RGhim_her grows a little more each day. I ache for one more look. For a touch that barely brushes me yet melts me from the inside. For another forbidden smile meant only for me. For counting each and every one of $RGhis_her freckles. And for feeling the softness of $RGhis_her feathers against my skin when $RGhe_she wraps me in $RGhis_her wings. Just thinking of any one of those things, and the longing in $RGhis_her eyes when $RGhe_she holds $RGhimself_herself back, pierces my heart again and again. And I don't know how much longer I can endure it.// <</if>>''__$LL:__'' A tireless warrior, as firm as the steel $LLhe_she wields and marked by war and loss. But $LLhe_she holds deep loyalties despite $LLhis_her tough exterior. If you have to choose someone to trust when things go wrong, without a doubt, it's $LL. <<if $LLLove is true>>//''$name's notes:'' __- Entry 1:__ Sometimes I forget that beneath that armour beats a heart so warm it could rival the sun. $LLHe_She rarely shows it, but lately it seems $LLhe_she's letting me see things $LLhe_she's never shown anyone. Just glimpses here and there... but truth is I can't wait to learn all $LLhe_she hides beneath that cold façade. __- Entry 2:__ Our relationship seems to be in a strange limbo between this friendship we've been sharing since we met... and something else I can't get to decipher. But everytime I try to approach to find out what it is, $LL closes up and backs away. Maybe I'm imagining it? __- Entry 3:__ The kiss we shared in Bucante plays over and over in my mind, bringing with it a mix of excitement, delicious uncertainty, and, above all, the craving for more. Yet even with the line of friendship already crossed and butterflies fluttering happily in my stomach, there is something that keeps $LL at a distance. $LLHis_Her constant flirtation with verdirium and solitude breaks my heart, and I no longer know what to do to help $LLhim_her, to keep $LLhim_her from falling into a dark abyss. Perhaps it's time to accept that $LLhe_she doesn't want to be rescued from anywhere. But what am I supposed to do, then?// <</if>>''__$AL:__'' Jovial and affectionate, $AL always finds the good even in the darkest moments. A single look is enough for $ALhim_her to know if you need a hug, and $ALhe_she's always ready to give it. It's as if $ALhe_she carries a light inside $ALhim_her and insists on sharing it in pieces. You wouldn't know what the group would do without $ALhim_her. <<if $ALLove is true>>//''$name's notes:'' __- Entry 1:__ I find myself getting lost in $ALhis_her smile as if it were a refuge, and sometimes I wonder if $ALhe_she notices I look at $ALhim_her longer than I should. $ALHe_She has always made my face light up the moment $ALhe_she walks through the door, but the way my heart races is new. I was comfortable in $ALhis_her presence before, but now I feel like everything is possible when $ALhe_she's near. That I could drop the masks and just be myself, without fear or shame. $AL is not just a friend. $ALHe_She is much more than that, though I don't yet know what to call it. __- Entry 2:__ We said we'd wait to talk about us when the mission ends. That was the plan we made on the ship right before the situation took an unexpected turn. Now we're in the middle of a divine crusade that we don't know how it's going to end. Is is worth it to keep waiting? We're surrounded by growing shadows and threats that don't stop coming. Is it worth to stay silent? To wait until everything's 'fine' when perhaps never will? I wonder if we're wasting our time, holding onto caution while the word crumbles all around us. Maybe we should just give in to this feeling. Becasue if not now, then when? What will remain of us before the storm? __- Entry 3:__ In a world that is slipping into darkness, I thought it would be impossible to fall in love with someone who makes everything feel easier. $AL is light. Not the kind that blinds, but the kind that warms you in winter. $ALHe_She always knows what to say, always shows up. Sometimes $ALhe_she talks and I don't listen, because I get lost in the way $ALhis_her mouth curves when $ALhe_she smiles. I don't know if $ALhe_she realises what $ALhe_she stirs in me. And maybe it doesn't matter, as long as $ALhe_she never stops looking at me that way.// <</if>>''__$AO:__'' Sometimes $AOhe_she talks so much it feels like $AOhe_she'll never stop. And sometimes, amid that noise, $AOhe_she says exactly what you need to hear. $AOHe_She's the kind of person who makes you laugh even when the world is falling apart. $AOHe_She's smart and intense, capable of laughing at the world and then crying for it when no one's looking. $AOHe_She has a special way of caring for everyone, even if $AOhe_she always pretends $AOhe_she doesn't take anything seriously. <<if $AOLove is true>>//''$name's notes:'' __- Entry 1:__ I keep thinking about everything that's happened to us in barely a week since we left Sorrol, and lately $AO is always in the middle of all those thoughts. From $AOhis_her surname, to $AOhis_her status, and now, also $AOhis_her deceased family. $AOHis_Her son. How long has $AOhe_she carried that pain inside without anyone noticing? I had never seen $AOhim_her so vulnerable until now. I'm surprising myself by thinking how much I want to protect $AOhim_her, even though I know $AOhe_she'd never let $AOhimself_herself be held. __- Entry 2:__ <<if $AOSex isnot true and $feelingsAO isnot true>>Sometimes I think $AOhe_she's too big of a mystery, a hurricane I don't know if I want to face or let it swallow me. There's something hidden in that harmless flirting, something that makes me doubt if it's truly just a game. I don't know if I should just ask $AOhim_her directly. It would be the most sensible thing. But for some reason, I doubt every time I think about doing it. What is it that scares me?<<elseif $AOSex is true>>$AO is fire and wind in one person. It's not just that laugh that disarms me, nor that gaze that strips me bare without a single word. Our occasional encounters have stopped carrying that spark of pure mischief they had at the beginning and have started to kindle another kind of flame. I don't know what it is, but I'm starting to think that maybe our friendship is slightly shifting. Especially when each day I catch myself thinking about $AOhim_her more than I should. And not to picture $AOhim_her in my bed, either.<<else>>The pain of rejection still lingers, like a needle permanently stuck in my heart, twisting from time to time. It hurts more than I want to admit to know that I'm nothing but a friend to $AOhim_her. That the laughs and jokes we share are only that: words hiding nothing more. Can I even avoid this feeling when we spend all day together? Sometimes it feels like $AOhe_she seeks me out, but other times I see in $AOhis_her eyes a distance I can't bridge. Maybe it's all just in my head. It's exhausting to care about someone so much when they seem to need no one at all.<</if>> __- Entry 3:__ I find $AO's way of making everything feel natural curious, even when our relationship has changed completely. 'Friends' no longer defines us. What we have now is something deeper and more intimate. In a world that is slipping into darkness, I thought it would be impossible to fall in love with someone who makes everything feel easier, even if at first it didn't seem that way. Time will tell what comes of this, but… if I'm honest with myself, I'm very optimistic. And I intend to enjoy every moment of it while I can.// <</if>>''__$BN:__'' $BNHis_Her presence unsettles you. You don't know if you feel hatred or fear when $BNhe_she appears in your mind. Or both at once. There's something dark and broken in $BNhim_her, something that doesn't want to be healed and that, in fact, $BNhe_she tries to keep intact. $BNHe_She doesn't hesitate to offer you a hand and let you take a look at that perspective of the world, but that would mean embracing the darkness completely... <<if $BNLove is true>>//''$name's notes:'' __- Entry 1:__ There's something strangely fascinating about $BNhim_her. Maybe it's $BNhis_her exotic appearance, or the knowledge $BNhe_she clearly has but refuses to share for now. Or maybe it's just the thrill of danger that forbidden things carry. Whatever it is, it's there. That I know. I'll have to be careful. Some things aren't worth it, no matter how tempting they seem. __- Entry 2:__ There's something in $BNhis_her rage that pulls me in, and sometimes I get the sense that what $BNhe_she actually feels is pain. I know I shouldn't, and every time I think about it I hate myself a little, but I can't help wanting to know more. Not just about all the knowledge $BNhe_she holds, but about $BNhim_her. In a way, I pity $BNhim_her. Sometimes I think that what $BNhe_she despises most about us is the very thing $BNhe_she envies the most. __- Entry 3:__ This is getting out of hand. Am I a bad person if I say I can almost understand $BNhis_her point of view? I want to break $BNhis_her soul to rebuild it. I want to tell $BNhim_her $BNhe_she isn't alone, even though the mere thought of it gnaws at me from the inside. Should I be worried that I'm glad every time I get to see $BNhim_her? Maybe I should. I think I'm losing my mind. Thank the gods $AA is with me to protect me. Even from myself.// <</if>><<back>>

<div style="text-align: center;"><h1>''Idaira Oramas''</h1></div> $RG's sister and achimencey of Valegon. Given the royal blood of the family her soul is bound to, Idaira had no trouble finding Sarja and her family within a few months of her arrival. However, the reason for her absence was tied more to her heart than to any conflict, for beyond her mission and divinity, she fell in love with Vhala, her current mortal companion. Due to her relative youth and the fact that Valegon wasn't being heavily attacked by demons, Idaira allowed emotion to win the battle against reason and granted herself permission to explore her feelings at a slower pace, protecting the world alongside her beloved from the few demons that appeared across the snowy steppes. However, when the corrupted creatures began to gather and the Tinkling Fog appeared, Idaira could no longer ignore her duty as achimencey. She set out on a journey with Vhala in search of the Orb of Moneiba. Yet upon reaching the location marked by the ring, the orb wasn't there. And now, each time the ring is used, it points to a different place. With $name and $his_her group's help, Idaira hopes to unravel the mystery of the ever-elusive orb. <<back>>

<div style="text-align: center;"><h1>''Vhala Liorvael''</h1></div> Daughter of the Queen of Valegon and mortal companion of Idaira Oramas. It is rare to see her without Moti by her side, a polar bear she rescued when he was little more than a cub after his mother was killed in a fight against a walrus. At eighty winters of age, she's the rightful heir to the throne and the guardian of the artefact of Eraorahan, a ring that her mother, bound by the weight of governance, entrusted to her along with the responsibility of serving as the companion of the achimencey of Valegon. She has a twin brother named Ilto, with whom she shares a deep and complex bond that only the two of them seem to truly understand. Ilto helps Vhala unwind from her royal duties and eases the burden of the crown that will inevitably rest upon her head the moment her mother dies. Far removed from the image of a princess confined within walls, Vhala is a hunter by both vocation and temperament. You find her roaming the snowy expanses alongside the Keepers, taking an active role in the search for answers surrounding the recent disappearances linked to the Tinkling Fog. Despite all that comes with being the companion of an achimencey, it was inevitable for Vhala to fall for Idaira. The mortal elf knows that her time beside her goddess is a fragile gift, and so she lives each moment intensely and unafraid of the end. <<back>>

<div style="text-align: center;"><h1>''Ilto Liorvael''</h1></div> Queen of Valegon, resident of the great palace in the city of Igrevalla. At one hundred and sixty-seven years of age, her presence is synonymous with elegance, wisdom, and stability. She's beloved by her subjects not only for her justice, but for her closeness and warmth. Although she should have been Idaira's mortal companion herself, Sarja was aware of the burden of the crown and chose to pass the artefact of Eraorahan and the divine mission to her daughter Vhala, trusting that she could reach places a queen could not. Despite her regal bearing, Sarja is no stranger to combat. She wields her magical sword with a mastery few can rival, reminding all that she was a warrior before becoming queen, and that a throne is upheld by words as much as by steel. <<back>>

<div style="text-align: center;"><h1>''Moti''</h1></div> A polar bear of imposing size and fur as pale as the frozen plains of Valegon, and Vhala Liorvael's fluffy companion. When he was little more than a cub, his life nearly ended beneath the tusks of a walrus that had killed his mother during a hunt. It was then that Vhala intervened, driving the animal away and carrying the frightened cub back to the palace. He grew up as a domestic pet, but never lost the wild spirit of the north. He's affectionate with Vhala, still seeking her touch as though he was that helpless cub, but with others he's the fierce beast he would have become in the wild. Moti is lethal and fiercely protective, aggressive toward anyone he perceives as a threat to his owner or her family. For this reason, to the people of Igrevalla he's less a mere pet and more an unofficial guardian of the royal family. <<back>>

<div style="text-align: center;"><h1>''Ilto Liorvael''</h1></div> Vhala's twin brother and prince of Valegon. Ilto Liorvael was born with the same blood and in the same winter as his twin sister, but not with the same destiny. In Valegon, the title of heir carries little weight when bestowed upon a man, and so Ilto grew up being politically invisible, yet deeply rooted in the city and its people. He's a tailor by trade, and not just any tailor. His patient hands and precise eye work in one of the most reputable shops in Valegon, where the needle replaces the sword and silence stands in for the roar of the court. Unlike his sister Vhala, and despite being a mage, Ilto doesn't know how to fight. Instead, he uses his magical abilities to aid him in working fabrics and garments within his shop. <<back>>

<div style="text-align: center;"><h1>''Valegon''</h1></div> Valegon is the world of the elves and nymphs. It's a land permanently covered in snow and ice, regardless of the region. The snow never melts, which is and advantage during the elven 'summer'. ''Culture and customs:'' The elves of Valegon are renowned for their elegance and their great mastery of magic. They live in large cities built amid frozen forests. Their society is ruled by a monarchy, but unlike other worlds such as Thaon, only female mages of great power may ascend to the throne. Valegon's social structure is entirely matriarchal. Women are associated with prudence, strength, perseverance, and above all wisdom, regarded as the most important value of elven culture alongside knowledge. Men are forbidden from holding positions of authority. As a result, they usually fulfil roles such as homemakers, jewellers, or merchants. Those with magical aptitude may attain slightly higher positions, such as low-ranking guards. Despite these severe restrictions, there is no discontent among male elves. They place complete trust in female leadership, as elven women are, by nature, more skilled in most disciplines. Valegon celebrates various ceremonies in honour of Abora and the spirits of ice and mist. The most important is the Festival of the Solstice Lights. During this event, magical torches are lit to illuminate the snowy landscape, and dances and music take place beneath the moonlight. The statue of Abora is carried through the different regions of the world in a procession lasting approximately one month, until it returns to its city of origin. ''Nymphs:'' In addition to elves, Valegon is home to the Ice Nymphs. They're female beings of great beauty, intelligence, and mental acuity. They live near lakes and streams of crystal-clear water that, inexplicably, never freeze. Their presence exerts a powerful attraction on those who approach their territories. Nymphs possess an exceptional memory passed down from generation to generation. Each new nymph inherits the memories of her mother, grandmothers, and great-grandmothers. However, the oldest memories are often vague and fragmented, and thus rarely given importance. They're not aggressive creatures and tend to flee at any sign of danger. Nevertheless, confronting a nymph is extremely unwise. They're beings of immense power, capable of shattering the minds of those with weak spirits merely by revealing their naked bodies. They despise evil and actively oppose any form of corruption. Their pure souls have made them natural guardians of the environment, dedicating themselves to healing wounded animals, restoring damaged trees, and bringing life back to withered flowers. This has led most elves to believe they are messengers of Abora that were sent to protect Valegon. Although they prefer to keep their distance from cities, they are sometimes drawn by the music of festivals held in Abora's honour and come closer to witness the celebrations. Many elves take advantage of these encounters to grow intimate with them, though this is an act born more of reverence than of lust. ''Flora and fauna:'' The fauna of Valegon is similar to that of Thaon, though it displays specific adaptations to survive the eternal cold. Among the most notable creatures are the crystal deer, transparent beings with iridescent reflections that blend in among the snow-covered trees. The ice wolves, which hunt in packs across the white plains. The blue flying hares, whose tails glow to attract prey and court their mates. The white bears that inhabit the oceanic coasts. And finally, the great southern mammoths that are currently at the verge of extinction. Despite the frozen terrain, Valegon hosts resilient flora. Ice flowers that gleam under the moonlight, and crystal trees whose branches shimmer beneath delicate snowflakes, are particularly noteworthy. Ice giants also inhabit this world, regarded as ancient protectors of Valegon who patrol the outskirts of the cities as guardians. ''The Tinkling Fog:'' A phenomenon known as the Tinkling Fog appeared in Valegon after the arrival of the demons. Reality becomes distorted within it, generating extremely convincing visions that drive those trapped inside into madness, accompanied by a faint, constant tinkling sound. When the mist dissipates, its victims vanish without a trace, regardless of their identity or status. Faced with this threat, the elves have found only one effective protective measure: taking refuge in their homes and waiting for the fog to pass, praying that no one has been caught by it. ''Life expectancy and height:'' The elves of Valegon can easily live up to 200 years, with some reaching 230. They are considered adults from the age of 60. They are the longest-lived race among mortals without counting the nymphs, who can live up to 500 years before their souls leave their bodies in search of a new one. As for height, elves are the second tallest species among the known worlds. Women stand at a minimum of 2 metres (6'6''), while men reach at least 1,95 metres (6'4''). Maximum height usually reaches around 2,20 metres (7'2'') in women and 2,15 (7'0'') in men. <<back>>