chapter 2: adventures guild

The sun was beginning to dip lower in the sky, casting a warm, golden hue over the bustling streets of Myra. We had been wandering for hours, Alaria glued to my side like she belonged there, her antics growing more outrageous as time passed. She had taken to linking her arm with mine at every opportunity, leaning her head on my shoulder when we stopped to admire a street performer or chatting with vendors as though we were a couple. Every time someone gave us a knowing smile or muttered something about young love, I could feel my face flush, but Alaria only grinned wider, basking in the attention. "You're enjoying this way too much," I muttered as we passed a flower stall, her arm still looped through mine. "What's not to enjoy?" she said, her emerald-green eyes sparkling with mischief. "This city is beautiful, the weather is perfect, and I get to spend all day with you. Really, I'm living the dream."

I rolled my eyes but didn't bother arguing. She had made it abundantly clear that teasing me was one of her favorite pastimes. As we turned a corner, a large building came into view, its stone walls adorned with banners depicting swords, shields, and various crests. The words "Adventurer's Guild" were etched into a massive wooden sign above the entrance. I stopped in my tracks, my heart skipping a beat. "The Adventurer's Guild," I murmured, more to myself than to her. Alaria tilted her head, a playful grin tugging at her lips. "So, this is where the magic happens, huh? You've been talking about becoming an adventurer for months, and now here we are." She tugged on my arm. "Come on, let's check it out." I didn't need any more convincing. Grabbing her wrist, I practically dragged her toward the guild's heavy oak doors, ignoring her laughter as she stumbled along behind me.

The inside of the guild was even more impressive. The air buzzed with energy, voices overlapping as adventurers of all shapes and sizes filled the hall. Some were seated at tables, poring over maps or sharing drinks, while others were gathered around a massive quest board, their conversations heated as they debated which tasks to take.

"This place is alive," Alaria said, her voice tinged with genuine awe for once. I nodded, taking it all in. The walls were lined with weapons, trophies, and plaques commemorating great deeds. A long counter stretched across the far end of the room, where guild staff were busy assisting adventurers.

"Let's go sign up," I said, pulling her toward the desk. A woman with sharp features and an air of authority greeted us as we approached. She glanced at us over the top of her glasses, her expression unreadable. "New recruits?"

"Yes," I said, trying to sound confident. The woman nodded and handed us two forms. "Fill these out. Name, age, any combat or magical abilities. Once you're registered, you'll be ranked as Copper-level, the starting rank for all adventurers. From there, you'll take quests to earn points and advance through the ranks."

Alaria leaned against the counter, twirling a strand of her crimson hair. "What's the highest rank?" The woman's lips twitched, almost forming a smile. "Platinum. But don't get ahead of yourself. Most adventurers don't make it past Iron."

"Good to know," I said, elbowing Alaria lightly. She just winked at me and started filling out her form. After we handed the forms back, the woman stamped them with a seal and handed us each a small metal badge engraved with the guild's insignia. "Welcome to the Adventurer's Guild. If you're interested, there are beginner quests available on the board. I'd recommend starting with something simple to get your bearings."

"Thanks, but we'll wait until tomorrow," I said, slipping the badge into my pocket. "Suit yourself," she said with a shrug. "Good luck out there." We thanked her and made our way back outside. The streets were beginning to quiet as the day wound down, the golden light of the setting sun casting long shadows across the cobblestones.

"Well," Alaria said, stretching her arms above her head, "that was easy. Now we're official adventurers. What's next?" I glanced at her, then down at the coin pouch tied to my belt. "We find a place to stay. And with what little money we have, it's probably not going to be fancy." She groaned dramatically. "You're telling me I won't get to sleep in a luxurious bed tonight? What kind of adventure is this?"

"You're lucky if we even get a bed," I shot back, smirking despite myself. We wandered through the city, checking out a few inns and boarding houses along the way. Most were either too expensive or already full, and Alaria's grumbling grew louder with each rejection. Finally, we found a small, rundown inn tucked away on a quiet street. The sign hanging above the door read "The Rusty Coin," and the building looked like it hadn't been renovated in decades. "This is… charming," Alaria said, wrinkling her nose as we stepped inside. The innkeeper, a grizzled man with a kind smile, greeted us warmly and offered us a room for the night at a price we could actually afford. It wasn't much—just a small room with a single bed and a creaky wooden chair—but it would do. Alaria flopped onto the bed with a sigh, her crimson hair fanning out around her. "Well, it's no palace, but at least it's better than sleeping on the street." I sat down in the chair, exhaustion finally catching up to me. "Tomorrow, we'll take a quest and start earning some real money. Then maybe we can upgrade to a place that doesn't look like it's about to collapse." Alaria laughed, turning to face me with a grin. "I like the sound of that. But for now…" She patted the spot next to her on the bed. "You could at least make this cramped room a little more entertaining, darling." I rolled my eyes, ignoring her playful tone. "Get some rest, Alaria. Tomorrow's going to be a long day."

She pouted but didn't push further, curling up on the bed as I leaned back in the chair. The muffled sounds of the city outside faded as night settled over Myra, and despite everything, a small part of me couldn't help but feel hopeful. The room was quiet, the faint creak of the old inn settling into the silence of the night. I leaned back in the rickety wooden chair, staring at the faint cracks in the ceiling. Alaria had already drifted off, her slow, steady breathing filling the small space. She lay sprawled on the bed, her crimson hair cascading across the pillow like fire, her expression peaceful for once. I tried to close my eyes, but sleep wouldn't come. My mind was too full—plans for tomorrow, thoughts of home, and Veylara's silent presence, always there in the back of my mind like a shadow. I shifted uncomfortably in the chair, rubbing the back of my neck. The day had been long, and exhaustion tugged at me, but I couldn't let myself relax. Suddenly, there was a rustling from the bed. I opened my eyes to see Alaria stirring, her emerald-green eyes fluttering open as she stretched lazily. She blinked a few times, adjusting to the dim light, before her gaze settled on me.

"What are you doing?" she mumbled, her voice thick with sleep.

"Trying to get some rest," I said, gesturing to the chair. "Not that this thing is helping." She sat up slightly, propping herself on one elbow, her hair falling in soft waves over her shoulder. "You're seriously going to sleep there? All hunched over and uncomfortable? That's ridiculous."

"It's fine," I muttered, shifting again. "I don't mind." She rolled her eyes, then threw off the thin blanket and swung her legs over the side of the bed. Before I could protest, she was up and dragging me out of the chair by my arm.

"Alaria—what are you—"

"Come on," she said, her tone exasperated as she pulled me toward the bed. "There's enough space for both of us. You're not sleeping in that torture device all night." I hesitated, but she tugged harder, her strength surprising. Before I knew it, I was sitting on the edge of the bed, and she was pushing me down with a smirk. "There. Now lie down and stop being so stubborn," she said, climbing back onto the bed and curling up beside me. She pulled the blanket over both of us, her warmth immediately pressing against my side. "This isn't necessary," I said, my voice low as I stared at the ceiling.

"Stop complaining," she muttered, resting her head on my shoulder. "You're always so serious. Just… relax for once." I could feel her breath against my neck, soft and steady, and the faint scent of her hair—wild and earthy—lingered in the air. Her arm draped over my chest, and she shifted slightly, her body fitting snugly against mine.

"Alaria," I began, my voice strained, "this is—"

"Shh," she interrupted, her tone teasing but laced with genuine exhaustion. "Just sleep, Noctis. You'll thank me in the morning." I sighed, my body tensing instinctively before finally beginning to relax. Despite myself, her presence was comforting. The weight of the day seemed to lift, even if just a little, as the steady rhythm of her breathing lulled me closer to sleep.

As my eyes drifted shut, her soft voice broke the silence once more, barely above a whisper. "See? This isn't so bad, is it?" I didn't respond, but a small part of me knew she was right. For all her antics and teasing, Alaria had a way of making even the most chaotic situations feel… bearable. As the night deepened, I let myself drift off, her warmth and closeness anchoring me in the present, if only for a while.

The first rays of sunlight crept through the cracks in the worn wooden shutters, casting golden streaks across the room. I stirred slowly, the warmth of the morning contrasting with the faint chill still lingering in the air. For a moment, I couldn't place where I was—until I became acutely aware of the weight pressing against my chest. I glanced down, and there was Alaria, still curled up against me, her crimson hair spilling like molten fire over the blanket. Her arm was draped casually across my chest, and her face was relaxed, a small, almost innocent smile playing on her lips as she slept.

How did I let this happen again?

I sighed quietly, careful not to wake her as I shifted slightly. Her emerald-green eyes fluttered open almost immediately, and she yawned, stretching like a cat before fixing me with a sleepy grin. "Morning, sweetie," she murmured, her voice thick with sleep.

"Morning," I muttered, trying not to let my irritation show. "You didn't have to stay like this all night, you know." She sat up slowly, her hair falling over her shoulders in messy waves. "Oh, please," she said with a dismissive wave of her hand. "You were the one who needed the comfort, whether you admit it or not." I rolled my eyes, throwing the blanket off as I swung my legs over the side of the bed. "We have a long day ahead of us. We should get ready." She flopped back onto the bed with an exaggerated groan, stretching her arms over her head. "Ugh, already? Can't we sleep for a few more hours? We're adventurers now—we make our own schedule." I stood, grabbing my bag from the corner of the room. "If we don't take this seriously, we won't get anywhere. That means starting early and picking a good first quest." She propped herself up on her elbows, watching me with a smirk. "Fine, fine. You're no fun, but I guess that's part of your charm."

I ignored her as I rifled through my bag for a clean shirt. The inn's small, cracked mirror reflected my tired expression, but there was a flicker of determination behind the exhaustion. Today was the beginning of something new—a chance to prove myself.

By the time I finished dressing and strapping on my boots, Alaria had finally dragged herself out of bed. She stretched again, her movements fluid and almost deliberate as she retrieved her own pack. "So," she said, running a hand through her unruly crimson hair, "what's the plan? Something exciting, I hope. None of that boring fetch-and-deliver nonsense."

"We'll see what's on the board," I replied, fastening my belt. "But don't expect anything too glamorous. We're just starting out, remember?" She sighed dramatically, pulling her hair into a loose ponytail. "I know, I know. Copper rank and all that. Still, a girl can hope." Once we were both ready, we left the room, the creaky floorboards groaning beneath our feet. The innkeeper nodded to us as we passed through the common area, his grizzled face breaking into a faint smile.

"Off to the guild, are you?" he asked.

I nodded. "First day."

"Good luck, then," he said, his tone warm but laced with something that felt like a warning. "Don't bite off more than you can chew."

Alaria laughed lightly. "Oh, don't worry. We can handle ourselves." We stepped out into the bustling streets of Myra, the city already alive with activity. The morning sun bathed the cobblestones in a soft glow, and the air buzzed with the sounds of merchants setting up their stalls and townsfolk starting their day.

Alaria looped her arm through mine as we made our way toward the Adventurer's Guild. "This is going to be fun," she said, her emerald eyes sparkling with excitement. I glanced at her, unsure whether to be annoyed or amused by her relentless enthusiasm. Either way, she was right about one thing—today was going to be interesting. And with Alaria at my side, I doubted there would ever be a dull moment.