The atmosphere inside the Stormberg temple was now deathly silent, leaving only the sound of water dripping from the ceiling and the remnants of dust dancing between the shattered pillars. In a corner of the hall, Eins slowly opened his eyes. The pain searing through his chest felt like a branding iron, but he reached for the small pouch at his waist with trembling hands.
He pulled out a small vial of emerald liquid—an emergency healing potion. With a single gulp, the sharp, bitter taste spread through his throat, gradually easing the tightness in his lungs and stanching the internal bleeding caused by Leonika's tail.
"Eins..." The voice was barely a whisper.
Eins turned his head. Lysara was kneeling beside him, her head bowed so low that her gray hair completely obscured her face. Her shoulders were shaking. For the first time, the mighty Guardian looked utterly fragile and broken.
"Why... why did you do that?" Lysara whispered, tears falling into her lap. "I almost killed you. These claws... they were meant to protect you, but my foolish rage almost tore your face apart."
Eins took a long, shaky breath, enduring the lingering sting, and reached out. Gently, he stroked Lysara's gray hair, combing through the strands with his warm fingers.
"Lysara, look at me," Eins said softly.
Lysara slowly lifted her face. Her eyes were puffy and red. Eins offered her a sincere smile—the same one he had given her when they first met in the depths of the dungeon.
"I stopped you because I knew you wouldn't be able to forgive yourself if you killed your own sister in a fit of rage. And I did it because I believe in you. I knew you would stop in time. See? I'm still breathing, aren't I?"
Lysara didn't answer, but she leaned her face into Eins's palm, savoring the warmth of a human she once thought was impossible to love.
Once Eins was stable enough, they began to pack. He noted his final findings in a notebook stained with droplets of blood, while Lysara ensured no more threats lurked in the shadows.
They exited the temple to find their horse still faithfully waiting beneath the oak tree. The journey back to Ark Town felt different. A sunset of violet and orange accompanied their pace.
Throughout the trip, Lysara spoke very little. She sat behind Eins, hugging his waist tighter than usual. She kept her head rested on his shoulder, occasionally nuzzling her cheek against his cloak as if to reassure herself that this man was truly there—real and warm.
Eins remained quiet, letting her do as she pleased. He understood that the battle against Leonika had unearthed old traumas of loss and betrayal. To Lysara, Eins was no longer just a researcher; he was the anchor keeping her from drifting back into a cold sea of emotion.
Upon arriving in Ark Town, they went straight to the library. Lady Silvet greeted them with a worried expression at the sight of Eins's cracked glasses and torn clothes, yet she remained professional as she accepted the Stormberg research.
"This is an extraordinary discovery, Eins. The information regarding the dragon statue's mechanism will save many lives," Silvet said, handing him extra silver pieces as a hazard bonus.
After the library, they stopped by the Guild to report the quest completion and collect their reward. With his pouch heavy again, Eins turned to Lysara.
"Today, I'm going to pamper you," he said.
Eins bought her all sorts of delicacies, from sweet pastries to the highest quality roasted meats. He even took her to a specialized Beastfolk grooming salon to have her thick tail brushed until it shimmered, and bought her fragrant bath supplies.
The highlight was when Eins led her into a luxury clothier and chose a long nightgown made of soft, ivory-white silk.
"It's too much, Eins..." Lysara murmured, though her eyes betrayed a hidden spark of joy.
"Think of it as compensation for making you worry," Eins replied with a smile.
That night at the inn, the mood was serene. Eins set down his research bag and removed his leather jacket, feeling an immense relief to be back in the safety of their room.
Suddenly, the bathroom door creaked open. Lysara emerged wearing the silk nightgown. The fabric clung perfectly to her athletic frame, her gray hair cascading over her pale shoulders. Her curved horns gave her an air of mystical elegance under the dim glow of the oil lamp.
Eins, sitting on the edge of the bed, suddenly stiffened. His face flushed crimson. He quickly looked away, not daring to meet her eyes as his heart hammered against his ribs.
"Eins?"
Suddenly, he felt soft but strong arms wrap around his neck from behind. Lysara embraced him, pressing her face against his back. The scent of floral soap and her natural warmth flooded his senses.
"Thank you..." Lysara whispered. Her voice vibrated with deep emotion. "This is the first time in a thousand years... I have felt precious. Thank you for giving me this new world, Eins."
Eins was stunned. He held her hands where they crossed over his chest. "I should be thanking you, Lysara. Without you, I'm just a lonely researcher in a dusty library."
They eventually lay down on the same bed. Though exhausted, Eins remained awake for a while. In the silence of the night, he heard Lysara mumble his name repeatedly in her sleep.
"Eins... don't go... don't leave me..."
Her voice trembled as if she were reliving the nightmare of her sealing or the moment he was struck at the temple. Seeing this, Eins felt a pang in his heart. He never imagined that a being as powerful as Lysara could harbor such a profound fear of loss.
Eins shifted closer. He stroked her hair with extreme tenderness, trying to project a sense of calm. Then, he pulled Lysara into his arms, holding her tightly as if making a silent vow that he wasn't going anywhere.
Lysara slowly stopped trembling. She curled into his embrace, and a small, peaceful smile finally touched her lips. In that quiet room, two souls from different eras finally found their home in one another.
To be continued...