Dawn bled into the sky, brushing the forest canopy with light, a solitary figure sprinted along the narrow animal trail, his breath ragged, boots slapping the earth in rhythm with the desperate beat of his heart.
Jin ran like a man possessed, the heavy weight of a lizardman warrior slung across his back. Lyrderu's breathing was shallow, his body limp—but alive. Blood no longer poured from his wounds, thanks to a hasty Heal and several potions, but he remained unconscious.
- "Hang on, Lyr," Jin muttered through gritted teeth, "just a little longer."
By noon, the forest canopy parted just enough for Jin to see the familiar patch where he'd found the severed piece of Lyr's tail. He paused only long enough to retrieve it and secure it in his satchel before a rustling sound snapped his attention eastward.
He dropped to a crouch behind a bush, eyes narrowed, hand inching toward his sword. Friend or foe?
Figures emerged through the trees—lean forms moving with practiced care. Jin tensed until a voice rang out in relief.
- "Jin? Thank the gods, I found you at last!" Kaela burst into view, her red hair windswept, eyes widening at the sight of Lyrderu slumped across Jin's back. "Oh no... Sir Lyrderu!"
She turned to the tall elf beside her.
- "Selwyn! Fire the signal!"
- "Already done!" Selwyn replied, a flash of magic lighting up in his hand. A red sphere shot skyward and exploded with a pop, scattering scarlet light across the forest sky.
- "Emergency signal sent," he said.
Without needing to speak, Reene and Markel stepped in to support Lyrderu's weight, lifting him gently from Jin's back. Thaldrik moved to Jin's side.
- "You look like a rag. Are you alright, lads?"
- "I am," Jin replied, voice hoarse. "Let's go."
As they ran, Kaela filled Jin in between breaths.
- "Sir Obsidian didn't wait long. After you left, he summoned four parties including us to search and support you. We split up and headed out late yesterday—took time to prep, but it paid off. The moment we found you, protocol said to fire a signal."
- "And the signal colors?" Jin asked.
- "Red means urgent—we found you and Sir Lyrderu on the way and need immediate help at home. Purple means your location is unsafe, reinforcements are needed. Yellow means you're fine, we'll stay with you and others should return to town."
- "Thank you. I don't know what would've happened without you." – Jin nodded.
- "Obsidian's seen wars," Kaela said grimly. "He doesn't leave things to chance."
By the time they arrived at the Willowshade gates, the red signal had already done its work. Obsidian and WillowShade's Count Prigith awaited at the entrance, flanked by guild members and priestesses in white and gold robes. Serenya rushed forward the moment she saw Lyr. Her eyes widened at his pallor:
- "We need to bring him to the Adventurer Guild immediately. Let's hurry!"
Inside the guild's infirmary, Lyrderu was laid upon a wide, rune-etched bed. Serenya stepped forward while the other priestesses formed a sacred circle. Reaching her hands toward Lyrderu, magic swirled around her – pure, warm, radiant – then, it slowly expanded toward where he was laid.
- "Ultra Heal…Purification". – Serenya whispered.
A wave of golden light engulfed Lyrderu's body, seeping into every scale and scar. His body arched slightly—then relaxed.
Jin quietly observe Lyr's status bar, heart thudding in his chest. Slowly yet surely, Lyr's condition started to change:
[Unconscious]
...
[Stabilized]
...
[Healthy / Sleeping]
Lyrderu's complexion returned to a healthier hue. His wounds faded into smooth scales, the severed tail tip reformed seamlessly.
- "His tail—" Jin muttered, noticing it. The severed tail reattached, like it had never been cut. "Is this... an evolved version of Heal?"
Serenya smiled, the tension melting from her shoulders. Obsidian gestured for everyone to give Lyr space. They filtered out quietly, leaving only Jin, Kaela's party, Count Prigith and Serenya with Obsidian in his office.
Sat around the tea table, Jin recounted everything. From Lyr's battle trail to the humanoid Chimeras—two bearing the affiliation of the Varetheim Empire while the strongest one aligned with Ostrya Kingdom. Obsidian's brows furrowed deeper with every word, and the room was silence.
- "So, it was like that. From Lyr's last scouting reports, I mean…" – Obsidian broke the silence. "On it was only three words "Empire, Ostrya and Chimera". I had my suspicion, but also hope it was wrong. This isn't just rogue activity anymore; they dare to send Chimera – experimented beast into our kingdoms."
- "What do we do?" Prigith asked, his firmed voice now feel even more assertive.
- "This is no longer an isolated threat; we need to keep the information going." – Obsidian determined – "Jin—this must reach Solaria. You'll go to the Radiant Kingdom's capital city Solaria and report this to the King and Queen directly. This is now an emergency commission. I'll handle the paperwork by morning."
- "You want me to deliver the message?" – Jin replied
- "You were the first to uncover the truth. You fought the Chimeras. You saved Lyrderu. The King and Queen will want to hear it directly from you. This will be treated as an emergency Guild Quest—high priority." – Obsidian
A beat passed.
- "Then I'll leave as soon as I can." - Jin took a breath, nodding.
Obsidian gave a rare smile—small, grim, but proud.
- "Good. Because from here on, nothing will be the same."
Serenya's POV
As Obsidian finalized the mission details with Jin and the others, Serenya sat silently, hands clasped in her lap. She tried to appear calm, as composed as a priestess of the temple and dignified
But her heart betrayed her.
He's leaving.
The thought struck like a blow. Jin was to go to the capital. Alone.
Why does that bother me so much...?
Her eyes drifted to him – the man who had stood beside her every day for the past ten days, learning to heal with such sincerity. Who helped the townspeople without asking for reward. Who stood by Lyr's side and ran through a cursed forest to bring him back alive.
Her fingers tightened slightly.
He shouldn't be going alone.
But she couldn't just ask to go. Not without reason. Not just because she... wanted to.
Think. You need something more than emotion... something he'd accept.
Then it hit her.
She raised her head.
- "Vice Guildmaster Obsidian," Serenya said, firmly.
All eyes turned to her.
- "I request to accompany Jin to the capital as part of the emergency quest."
- "You're a priestess of Willowshade. Why the sudden request?" - Obsidian studied her.
She straightened her back.
- "If the Varetheim Empire and Ostrya Kingdom are involved in Chimera creation, we may be facing dark alchemy, soul manipulation, or even forbidden magics. I've read records in the temple archives on such things. Jin will need someone who understands divine magic and purification—especially…if another incident like Lyr's occurs."
Obsidian seemed to consider it.
Serenya continued.
- "And... if the capital requires a formal testimony from the Temple of Willowshade, I can serve as a representative. As both witness and healer."
- "Besides," she added softly, "if someone must ensure he doesn't overextend himself again... I volunteer."
There was a beat of silence.
Then, as if he would understand something while watching both Serenya and Jin, Obsidian nodded slowly.
- "Very well. Your logic is sound—and the capital may indeed need a testimony from both Guild and Temple. I'll include your name onto the mission."
Serenya exhaled quietly, relief washing over her.
Jin glanced at her, expression unreadable. "...Thank you."
She smiled, small and serene, though her heart fluttered wildly.
This is enough for now, she told herself.
Later that evening, inside the cathedral's garden courtyard, she stood beneath the flowering boughs of a moonlit cherry tree, face tilted to the wind. Thalira, her head priestess and mentor, approached with quiet footsteps.
- "It seems you're quite troubled by something, Serenya."
Serenya turned and bowed respectfully.
- "I apologize. I… I needed clarity before asking for your guidance."
- "Speak, you know you can tell me anything." – Thalira offered a kind smile, the kind that knew much more than it said.
- "I wish to accompany Jin to the Radiant Kingdom's capital. Guildmaster Obsidian has approved my participation in the emergency mission… but I want your blessing before I go." – Serenya
- "That's a long road. A dangerous one. You've never left Willowshade before." – Thalira retorted
- "I know," Serenya said, voice steadier than she felt. "But if the Chimeras he saw are only the beginning… if dark magic is rising, then the healing arts alone may not be enough. Jin may need more spell than just Heal and Purification. And the capital will need a record of what we witnessed. I'm… in a position to offer both."
The silence that followed was long, thoughtful. The Head Priestess stepped closer, her eyes searching Serenya's face.
- "Is that the only reason?" she asked gently.
Serenya's silence, then after a moment, she whispered
- "It's the truth. But… not the whole truth."
The older woman smiled again—wiser this time, almost amused.
- "Then tell me the rest, truthfully."
- "I…don't know what it means yet. But when I see him, I feel something settle inside me. Like I'm exactly where I need to be." She looked up again, calm and sure. "I don't want to watch from afar. I want…to stand beside him."
The priestess placed a hand on Serenya's head.
- "The path of devotion is not only to the gods. Sometimes, it walks beside those who need our light the most." - Her voice softened, affectionate - "Go. Not because the Vice Guildmaster nor I allowed it, not because the capital needs a witness—but because you chose it."
- "Thank you… I'll come back stronger." - Serenya smiled, warmth and resolve blooming in her chest.
- "Just promise me one thing," Thalira said with a knowing smile. "Protect him, and let him protect you in return. That, too, is divine."
As the moon climbed higher, Serenya began her preparations in quiet determination—her heart light, yet anchored with purpose. She would go to the capital not just as a priestess… but as Jin's companion, in every sense of the word.