Yuna slowly opened her heavy eyelids. She didn't know how long she had been sleeping. As she stirred, a dull ache spread across her body. Bandages wrapped tightly around her limbs, and each movement sent small ripples of pain through her muscles.
She glanced to her left and saw Jin, still unconscious, his face peaceful despite the bruises and bandages. He wasn't as injured as she was, yet he remained asleep. The room around her was unfamiliar—the wooden ceiling was aged and dusty, a half-opened window allowed the harsh afternoon sun to spill in, and the faint aroma of bread and roasted meat drifted in the air.
Carefully, she slid out of bed, her feet touching the cool wooden floor. She descended the creaky stairs and found herself facing a blonde-haired beauty in her late teens, lazily counting silver coins from a small sack.
Remy: "Hey old man, ever thought of increasing my salary? You know plenty of them come here for my charm, right?"
Dereck: "Rhonda, add 20 bronze coins to the storm chirp's account as a bonus. Happy now?"
Storm Chirps, level 200+ creatures with a notoriously mischievous nature, use their extreme speed and small size to relentlessly pester any intruder in their territory. For adventurers, the only warning is a distant chirp—before chaos erupts around them. Supplies vanish, unseen strikes land, yet all they hear is that incessant chirping, a haunting memory that lingers in their minds. Given Remy's knack for persistence and subtle trickery, the comparison felt almost too fitting.
Remy: "Come on, old man, you know that isn't gonna help me much~"
Rhonda: "Don't push it, Rem. Here's the 20 coppers. Now leave it. It seems I have some guests to look after."
Rhonda's gaze shifted to Yuna, who had been slowly making her way down the stairs, catching bits of their conversation.
Yuna: "I'm sorry, Miss Rhonda, but… where—"
Rhonda: "It's okay, Yuna. The state you were in when you were brought here was serious. I understand your confusion. But it's okay now."
Before Yuna could process it, Rhonda gently pulled her into a warm embrace. For a brief moment, Yuna was stiff, unfamiliar with such kindness. But then it all came back to her—the Wildrush Boar, its terrifying rampage, Jin's reckless save, her sudden evolution, and their hard-fought survival. Memories flooded her mind all at once. Her body trembled as her lips quivered, and before she knew it, tears streamed down her cheeks.
A low cry echoed in the now-empty tavern, except for a bard sitting in the corner, a knowing grin on his lips. He picked up his lute and strummed a soothing melody, his voice weaving into the air:
"Oh weary child, rest thy soul
The battle fought has taken toll
But dawnlight breaks, and pain shall fade
For even steel is forged in blade"
"The road is long, the past unkind
Yet strength is born in heart and mind
So let thy sorrow cleanse the night
And rise anew in morning's light"
The melody wrapped the tavern in its embrace, as if the air itself carried warmth. Yuna's sobs quieted, her body relaxing as she wiped her tears away.
"I'm sorry…" she muttered, her voice hoarse.
Rhonda: "No need to apologize, dear. Sometimes, you just need to let it out."
A familiar voice groaned from upstairs. Jin, now awake, rubbed his temples before making his way down. His tired gaze scanned the room, landing on Rhonda and Dereck before settling on Yuna. His face showed relief to see her fine now. After calming down both kids were served Soup. After seeing the kids have settled Dereck spoke
Dereck: "You two were lucky. If it weren't for the bard here, you wouldn't have made it back."
Both Yuna and Jin blinked in confusion, looking at the bard, who simply grinned and took another swig of ale.
Yuna: "You… saved us?"
Bard: "Ahaha, well, you see, not exactly~ But let's say fate had a hand in it."
Jin: "Then who did?"
Dereck: "Doesn't matter. What matters is you're alive. So rest up." His gaze turned serious. "And it's fine to talk about what happened with Remy and the bard around. They're trustworthy, at least as far as I care."
Jin glanced at Yuna, who still seemed disoriented, but a silent agreement passed between them. If Dereck, a seasoned warrior, trusted them, they could at least share the story of the forest.
By the time he finished, silence weighed heavy in the air. Even Remy, usually playful, remained quiet.
Then, a loud thud echoed through the room as a wooden mug of ale was slammed onto the counter, making everyone jump. Dereck's frown deepened as he turned toward the bard.
Bard: "Wh-What? Th-That wasn't that loud, you know? Not as loud as the silence moments agooo~"
Dereck: "It's… unbelievable in many ways, but…"
He sighed, rubbing his temples.
Rhonda: "But it happened. And that means things are changing."
Yuna and Jin exchanged glances. They had survived, but something told them this was only the beginning.
Outside, the setting sun cast long shadows over the town of Zilt. The day had passed, and with it, the remnants of their battle. But deep within their hearts, a fire had been lit—a flame that would continue to burn, shaping their futures in ways yet unknown.