The night settled gently over the battered city, a welcome hush after the day's cyclops-smashing chaos. Between the crumbled walls and half-swept debris, a strange calm took hold: citizens either hid away in their homes or swapped wild war stories in taverns, while guild adventurers made sure no stray rubble decided to drop on someone's head.
Roy ambled past the guild hall, cloak trailing behind him. Eryndra strode at his side, practically gliding with that unshakeable poise. Teddy and Lincoln had gone off to help finish up the medical relief efforts. Turns out that debris from the boulder being shattered had practically carpet bombed a small section of the city. Lutrian was snoring somewhere, he'd practically keeled over from fatigue after hours of aiding Teddy and Lincoln.
"City's way more chill than it was a few hours ago," Eryndra remarked, glancing toward the battered gate.
Roy let out a drained chuckle. "Yeah… I figured we'd still be hearing people scream about giant monsters. Guess they got it all out of their system." He paused, massaging the back of his neck. "We should find a place to crash, though. Pulling an all-nighter after that fiasco seems like a dumb idea."
Eryndra dipped her head, stepping closer. "No arguments. You're about to topple any second—physically, not heroically."
Roy scoffed lightly. "Today's been weird: kill giant cyclops, distribute meds, scare some slavers. Y'know, average Tuesday. Not sure how we top this tomorrow."
Eryndra's lips tilted into a tiny smile. She looped her arm through his in a sudden burst of closeness that made Roy's heart do a weird jump. "We should get one room," she said quietly, something about her tone uncharacteristically timid.
Roy's eyebrows shot up. "Wait, what? One room? Uh… you lost me."
Eryndra gave a shrug that didn't quite hide her embarrassment. "Your mana tank is running on fumes after coordinating railgun shots."
"No they aren't, I don't even feel like i used any mana at all," Roy countered.
Eryndra effectively ignored his response. "If something happens and you collapse, or if someone tries to get revenge, I want to be right there. No big deal."
His cloak suddenly felt stifling. "Oh. Well, yeah—fine. But—two beds, though! T-two… and Teddy and Lincoln come with!"
"Yes! Of course I didn't mean—" Eryndra blurted, only to have Roy speed-walk ahead before she could finish.
They located a creaky old inn called The Silver Candle's Glow. The innkeeper nearly bowed himself into the floor in gratitude for Roy's heroics, calling him "Oh Great Thunder Rider" more times than Roy cared to count. Roy coughed awkwardly through it, eventually securing a key with a tight-lipped nod. Free lodging came with the territory of saving the city from monsters, but he would've paid to avoid all that "hero worship" talk.
Inside, the room turned out simple: two worn beds, a crackling fireplace, and a window overlooking a lamp-lit alley. Roy shrugged off his cloak, exhaling in relief. Eryndra hovered near the fire, hood still up, scanning for any hidden threats.
Roy whipped out a high-powered UV lamp, sweeping it around like a madman, then laid down plastic sheets on each bed followed by his own brough bed supplies. After all that he spritzed air freshener around the room. Satisfied with his quick "disinfection," he finally muttered, "All right, I call this bed by the door. You're on the one by the window."
Eryndra nodded, pulling back her hood so her pale hair tumbled free. "Fair enough." Her gaze sharpened with a hint of mischief. "So about that rematch..."
He blinked. "Rematch…?"
She cocked an eyebrow. "You know—our ping-pong rematch. You said I could have my revenge match after the last ball exploded mid-serve and you disqualified me. Or do I have to do something drastic to remind you?"
A grin found its way onto Roy's face. "It was the 9th ball you destroyed! But, if you promise not to obliterate the table again, I'll agree. When we get back I'm going to crush you, thoroughly!"
"I make no promises," she teased, crossing her arms. "But I might try to actually beat you this time."
They both fell quiet, the tension weirdly thick. Roy realized he was staring and forced himself to look at the rickety nightstand instead. "Uh, sleep. I need. Right now. And if you snore, I'm tossing you out the window."
Eryndra laughed under her breath. "Try it. I'll let you live with the guilt of failing to toss me. Also, if you do that babbly sleep-talking thing, I'm recording every word."
Roy scowled in mock offense. "I do not sleep-talk."
"Sure," she said lightly, drawing out the word.
Roy finally kicked off his boots and let the day's exhaustion sink in. Eryndra doused the beat up lanterns except one, and they both layed down, each on their own bed. The fireplace's glow highlighted the edges of her silhouette. Roy exhaled, telling himself not to think too hard about her presence just a few feet away.
Minutes ticked by in the crackling hush. At last, Roy broke the silence. "Eryndra?"
She turned her head on the pillow. "Yeah?"
He hesitated, then mumbled, "Thanks for looking out for me. Even if it's… weird sometimes."
She shifted, meeting his eyes. In the half-light, her expression softened. "Always," she said. "Now sleep, Captain."
Roy let out a grateful sigh. In the warmth of her assurance, his eyelids felt heavy.
Lincoln silently stepped into the center of the room and cleared his virtual throat. "Hey guys... You want to hear a funny joke about a boy and his pet beaver?"
"Shut the hell up, Lincoln!" Roy groaned.
"...but it's really funny..." Lincoln whispered to himself.
Morning arrived in a sunlit stretch across the floor. Roy groaned as he rolled over, noticing Eryndra was already awake, smoothing back her silvery hair. She tilted her head in greeting.
"Rest well?" she asked, voice still hushed.
He yawned. "No apocalypse in my dreams, so I'm counting this as a personal victory." A moment later, he swung his legs off the bed. "We gotta head back to our settlement before the next crisis decides to find me."
Eryndra smirked. "Your crises have a knack for following you no matter where you go."
Roy pressed a hand to his forehead. "Not helping, thanks."
They tidied up, then headed downstairs. The innkeeper practically tripped over himself trying to let Roy stay for free again. Roy insisted on paying something, tossing a few silver on the counter while the flustered man bowed repeatedly.
Teddy and Lincoln stood outside, entertaining a bunch of curious kids who marveled at the Presidroids' suits. Roy gently waved the children off, and Teddy promptly reported, "All quiet, Captain. Lincoln and I stayed up to help a few last folks who needed healing."
Lincoln gave a thumbs-up in confirmation. "Branch master wanted a word before we head out."
They wove through the bustling square to find the branch master wrapping up the leftover cleanup detail. He spotted Roy and walked over, staff in hand.
"You're off, then?" the branch master asked, voice edged with admiration.
Roy nodded. "My job here's done. We've got places to be…."
The branch master bowed slightly. "We owe you an unimaginable debt, Captain Roy Gunn. Words won't suffice."
Roy squirmed under the reverent tone. "Seriously, no big favor needed. Just watch over the people who took the medicine, okay?." Then, awkwardly, he rummaged for a gold pouch. "Here—twenty-five gold to help with repairs the city may need."
The branch master refused the pouch, shaking his head. "Please, keep it. You've already given us plenty—your time, your resources, your… thunder. We'll handle the rest."
A mix of relief and embarrassment caught Roy off guard. He managed a stiff nod, but he crammed the gold back into the branch master's hand. "Take it, its Eryndra fault for punching the boulder to pieces instead of pushing it away."
Eryndra chuckled to herself and dropped her head. "I'm a bit of an idiot, sorry."
The older man nodded and stepped aside, staff tapping the stone. "Safe journey, Captain—your thunderous wrath is always welcome here." He inclined his head toward Eryndra, who just offered a polite quirk of her lips while Roy let out a weary sigh.
Roy then radioed Serenity, ignoring the curious stares. Serenity's calm voice crackled through. She offered a helicopter pick-up, but Roy refused, not wanting to terrify the townsfolk any further. As they piled into the truck, Roy exhaled. "All right, folks, let's roll out!"
They set out from the city, Teddy and Lincoln at his flanks, Eryndra ahead, cloak catching the breeze like some theatrical banner. Lutrian jogged up, looking a little healthier than before, albeit still nursing sore legs.
"We're going pretty fast! Is this dangerous?!" the prince asked, half-panicked.
Roy shot him a dry look. "What? We are only moving at 45 miles per hour! You want to walk? It's good exercise, Your Royal Highness."
Lutrian huffed but seemed amused. "No, no, I trust you."
It took them much less time returning thanks to not having to slowly trail anyone. Eryndra kept a watchful eye on Roy, occasionally giving him a gentle poke whenever he looked too lost in thought.
They paused by a stream. Eryndra slid next to Roy, speaking softly. "You still owe me that ping-pong grudge match," she reminded him, gaze bright.
Roy smirked, cracking his knuckles theatrically. "Oh, it's happening. Brace yourself for defeat."
She gave him a cool little stare, faint color rising in her cheeks. "You talk big, Captain. Let's see if your paddle can keep up with me this time."
Lutrian watched the exchange with great confusion. "What the hell are you guys talking about?"
Finally, near dusk, they crested the last hill to the Triplet Village. Roy nearly gawked: an entirely new gold colored metal plating wrapped around the outer wall. The gates were also now fortified like it was preparing for war. Inside, new structures rose, and clusters of ex-slaves were bustling around in better clothes, looking unexpectedly healthy and happy.
Emiko, Hina, and Alejandro, Roy's old classmates turned town managers, waved from the gate. "Welcome back, Captain Gunn!" Hina hollered, her voice echoing across the clearing.
Roy stopped, speechless for a second. "You guys actually finished plating the wall that fast?"
Lutrian surveyed the robust fortifications. "Impressive city, Captain," he murmured, respect in his tone.
Eryndra studied the settlement's improvements, noticing how everyone moved with purpose instead of desperation. She gave Roy a thoughtful look. "Your plan's paying off," she said simply.
Roy shrugged, but a flicker of pride surfaced. "What plan? I'm just winging it." He strode toward the gates, which swung open to reveal a throng of ex-slaves turned volunteers, now greeting Roy like some returning champion. Teddy and Lincoln automatically checked for any trouble, but all they found was relief and gratitude.
To roys surprise, Hina hopped down from the tall main gate and landed without any strain, practically beaming. "We've all been dying to hear your next instructions, Captain. The walls are done, so we started building a proper medical station. The folks you rescued are settling in well. Though, you should have sent a heads up on how many!"
Roy glanced around at the newly raised houses, the cheerful faces, the clang of hammers building more huts. It felt surreal after the gloom of the slaver dens and monster-ravaged towns. "Sounds good," he said. "But let's just… breathe for a moment. Glad you're all okay."
He stood there, feeling a sense of genuine warmth at the scene. It was a far cry from the sweaty desperation of his last few days. Eryndra drew up beside him, sharing a moment's quiet understanding.
She tilted her head, her voice barely above a murmur. "Ping-pong?"
Roy nearly choked on a laugh. "Not until I've eaten, you absolute maniac."