As the swirling magic of Alex's incomplete portal dissipated, the group found themselves standing back in the very place they had just escaped. The eerie calmness of Miria's territory settled around them like a heavy shroud. Rheus, Luisa, and Alex exchanged glances, their expressions a mixture of frustration and unease.
"We're back here?" Rheus growled, gripping his sword tightly. "That portal didn't work."
Alex cursed under his breath. His exhaustion was catching up with him, and he could feel the weight of his mistake. "I didn't have enough time to stabilize the spell."
Before any of them could react further, a familiar voice floated from the shadows, smooth and serene.
"You came back for me." Miria's soft, lilting voice carried across the space as she stepped out of the shadows, her cold demeanor replaced by a gleam of happiness in her eyes. "I knew you would."
Alex stiffened. "That's not—"
Miria's expression softened, and she smiled at him, ignoring his protests. "You don't have to say anything. I knew you'd return."
Rheus groaned in disbelief, his sword still drawn, though not out of fear but sheer exasperation. "This can't be happening."
Luisa raised an eyebrow, her hand gripping her bow. "We really don't have time for this. Alex, do something."
Alex took a step forward, his face flushed with embarrassment. "Look, Miria, we didn't come back on purpose. The portal malfunctioned. We need to get to Eryndor."
Miria's smile faltered for a moment, but then she tilted her head and chuckled softly, brushing a strand of dark hair behind her ear. "Eryndor, is it? The village of warriors? How quaint."
Her playful expression returned as she stepped closer to Alex, her cold fingers brushing his arm lightly. "I could help you, you know. Create a portal that will take you exactly where you need to go."
Alex hesitated, wary of her intentions. "What's the price?"
Miria's eyes gleamed mischievously as she leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a teasing whisper. "I'll take you and your friends to Eryndor in exchange for… a kiss."
The request hung in the air, shocking Rheus and Luisa into silence. Rheus's sword lowered as his jaw dropped, while Luisa blinked in surprise.
Alex's face turned bright red. "What?! No—I can't—"
"You can," Miria said, her tone soft but insistent. "It's a simple request. Nothing more."
Alex's mind raced. They didn't have time to waste—Shero was still out there, and they needed to train and grow stronger if they were to face him again. But the idea of kissing Miria made his heart race, and not in a good way. It was his first time—he had never been in this kind of situation before.
"I don't have a choice, do I?" Alex muttered under his breath, feeling trapped. His friends were counting on him. He glanced at Rheus and Luisa, who both looked away, trying to hide their awkward expressions.
"Fine," he said, his voice barely audible. "Just… get it over with."
Miria's smile widened as she leaned in closer, her eyes locking onto his. She placed her hand on his cheek, her touch as cold as ice, but her gaze held a strange warmth.
Alex's heart pounded in his chest, and before he could react, Miria's lips gently pressed against his. It was soft, lingering for a moment longer than he had expected. His first kiss. And it wasn't at all how he had imagined it would be.
When Miria finally pulled away, she looked at him with an amused glint in her eyes. "See? That wasn't so bad, was it?"
Alex's face was on fire, but he quickly stepped back, wiping his mouth awkwardly. "Just… get us to Eryndor."
Miria chuckled softly, clearly enjoying his discomfort. "As you wish." She waved her hand, and a portal shimmered to life in front of them. Unlike Alex's earlier attempt, this one was stable, glowing with a soft, magical light.
"There you go," she said, her voice returning to its calm, collected tone. "This will take you straight to Eryndor. But remember, Alex, I'll be watching. We're not done yet."
Without another word, Alex motioned for Rheus and Luisa to follow. They hurried through the portal without hesitation, desperate to escape the witch's territory once and for all.
---
The moment they stepped through the portal, the three of them were greeted by the vibrant sights and sounds of Eryndor. The village was alive with activity, warriors sparring in the training grounds, merchants selling weapons and armor, and the clanging of steel ringing through the air.
Eryndor was a haven for those who sought strength. Its towering walls were adorned with symbols of legendary fighters, and the atmosphere was filled with the energy of battle and discipline. The people here were strong, confident, and skilled.
"We made it," Rheus said, his voice filled with relief. "Eryndor."
Luisa took in the sights with wide eyes. "This place is incredible. If we're going to get stronger, this is where we need to be."
Alex remained silent, still shaken from the encounter with Miria, but also relieved to have finally reached their destination. "We should find a place to rest first," he said quietly, "then start our training."
Rheus nodded in agreement. "We've got a lot of work to do. Shero's not going to be an easy fight, even with the information Miria gave us."
As they made their way deeper into the village, they couldn't help but feel the weight of their upcoming challenges. Eryndor was filled with warriors far stronger than any of them, but they were determined to become stronger—to push past their limits and face whatever came next.
For now, they would train, grow, and prepare for the battles that awaited them. And somewhere in the back of Alex's mind, he couldn't shake the feeling that Miria's presence still lingered, watching, waiting for the next time their paths would cross.