chapter 14: asking around more

The dim morning light filtered through the small window of the inn room, casting a soft glow over the tangled sheets and warm, intimate stillness. I stirred awake, my head nestled against the pillow, the faint scent of lavender lingering in the air—a scent I'd come to associate with Elaris. Her golden hair spilled across the bed like streams of sunlight, her peaceful expression softening the already serene moment. I smiled to myself, a quiet, private happiness blooming in my chest. I shifted slightly, trying not to disturb her, but as I moved, my eyes darted toward the corner of the room. There she was—Veylara. Her veils shimmered faintly, black and silver threads that seemed to move like living shadows, and her golden eyes glowed faintly as they locked onto mine. She stood there, motionless yet imposing, her presence as heavy as the silence that suddenly pressed against my chest.

"You've gotten quite comfortable," she whispered, her voice smooth and cutting as it echoed in my mind. "But don't forget, Noctis—your path isn't here. You're mine as much as you're hers." I swallowed hard, forcing myself to look away. I didn't respond to her. I couldn't—not now. I turned back toward Elaris, trying to let her warmth drown out the cold weight of Veylara's gaze. But even as I did, I felt the specter of her presence lingering like a chill in the air. Elaris began to stir beside me, her soft breathing shifting as her eyes fluttered open. She smiled when she saw me, her lavender eyes filled with the quiet affection that never failed to make my heart race. "Good morning," she murmured, her voice warm and gentle.

"Morning," I replied, my voice quieter than usual. I didn't want to draw her attention to the corner of the room where Veylara stood. I didn't want her to know. Elaris stretched, her golden hair catching the light as she sat up, the sheets slipping from her shoulders. I turned away slightly, my face heating at the sight. She chuckled softly, a teasing lilt to her voice. "Oh, don't go shy on me now."

"I'm not shy," I muttered, though the blush creeping up my neck betrayed me. "I'm just… trying to be respectful."

"That's adorable," she said with a laugh, leaning over to press a quick kiss to my cheek. "But we should get dressed. We don't want to keep the others waiting." I nodded, standing and pulling on my clothes while doing my best not to glance toward the corner again. By the time we were both dressed, the tension in my chest had eased slightly. Elaris took my hand as we left the room, her fingers lacing with mine in a way that felt as natural as breathing.

The common room of the inn was already lively when we stepped downstairs. The smell of roasted meat and fresh bread filled the air, mingling with the hum of chatter and the clinking of mugs. As always, Daren was easy to spot, leaning casually against the bar as he flirted shamelessly with one of the barmaids. She laughed at something he said, though it was hard to tell if she was genuinely amused or just being polite. Elaris and I found an empty table near the hearth and sat down, still holding hands. She looked around the room, her expression softening as she took in the lively atmosphere. "It's nice to see everyone so relaxed," she said, her tone thoughtful. "After everything we've been through, it's a welcome change."

I nodded, though my thoughts were still clouded by Veylara's earlier words. Elaris squeezed my hand gently, drawing my attention back to her. "You okay?" she asked, her lavender eyes searching mine.

"I'm fine," I said quickly, forcing a smile. "Just… a lot on my mind." Before she could press further, Daren sauntered over, a cocky grin plastered across his face. "Morning, lovebirds," he said, sliding into the chair across from us. "You two look suspiciously well-rested." Elaris rolled her eyes, though her cheeks flushed slightly. "Good morning, Daren. Did you enjoy entertaining the barmaid?"

"Always," he replied with a smirk, leaning back in his chair. "But enough about me. What's the plan for today?" Before I could answer, Kaivya appeared, her golden, reptilian eyes gleaming with amusement as she approached the table. "What, no drinks yet?" she teased, crossing her arms as she stood beside us. "You're all slacking."

"It's barely morning," Elaris pointed out, though there was a hint of amusement in her voice. "Not everyone drinks like you do, Kaivya." Kaivya shrugged, a sly grin tugging at her lips. "Your loss. Anyway, what's the plan? Are we sticking around here, or are we finally doing something interesting?"

I glanced between them, the familiar banter easing some of the tension I'd been carrying. "We'll figure it out," I said, my voice steady despite the lingering weight in my chest. "Let's just… take it one step at a time." As the conversation shifted to lighter topics, I couldn't help but feel grateful for the people around me. Despite everything, despite the secrets and the shadows, I wasn't alone. And for now, that was enough. The warm, lively atmosphere of the inn had settled into a comfortable hum as the morning stretched on. The soft clinking of mugs and the distant chatter of patrons filled the room, blending with the occasional crackle of the hearth. Elaris was still seated beside me, her fingers loosely intertwined with mine. Kaivya leaned back in her chair across from us, idly playing with the hilt of her dagger as Daren recounted one of his usual tales—likely embellished, as always.

Just as I was beginning to relax, a sharp creak of the stairs broke through the background noise. I glanced over just in time to see Alaria descending from the upper floor, her emerald-green eyes narrowed in a grumpy glare that matched the deep scowl on her face. Her crimson hair was messier than usual, falling around her shoulders in untamed waves, and her posture screamed irritation. "Oh, here we go," Kaivya muttered under her breath, her golden eyes gleaming with amusement as she tilted her chair back. Alaria stomped her way to our table, her gaze immediately locking onto me. Without a word, she pulled out the chair next to mine—but instead of sitting in it, she dropped herself directly onto my lap. Her arms draped over my shoulders as she leaned in, her lips curling into a smug smirk. "Morning, Noctis," she purred, her tone dripping with feigned sweetness. "Miss me?"

I froze, my entire body tensing as her presence loomed over me. "Alaria," I began, my voice cautious, "what are you doing?"

"Making up for lost time," she replied, ignoring the tension in my voice as she traced a finger down my chest. "We don't spend nearly enough time together anymore, you know." The atmosphere at the table shifted instantly, the air growing thick with tension. Elaris' lavender eyes darkened, her usually calm demeanor giving way to an uncharacteristic sharpness as she straightened in her seat. "Alaria," she said, her voice steady but laced with warning, "get off of him. Now." Alaria tilted her head, her smirk widening as she glanced at Elaris. "Oh? And why would I do that?"

"Because he's mine," Elaris snapped, her words cutting through the air like a blade. "We're together now, in case you missed that." Alaria's expression shifted, the playful glint in her eyes giving way to something colder, more dangerous. "Yours?" she repeated, her tone mocking as she leaned back slightly. "Since when does Noctis belong to anyone?"

"He doesn't," Elaris shot back, her voice firm. "But we're in a relationship, Alaria. And that means you need to respect our boundaries." Alaria laughed, the sound sharp and humorless. "Boundaries? Please. Don't act like you've suddenly claimed him just because you've got your claws in him now. Noctis and I go way back. I was here first."

"Enough," Daren said suddenly, his deep voice cutting through the argument like a knife. He leaned forward, his gray eyes sharp as he looked between the two women. "It's too early in the day for this. You're making a scene." Alaria glared at him, but Daren didn't flinch. He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. "Besides," he continued, "we've got more important things to talk about. Like that shrine-looking thing Noctis and I found in the forest yesterday." The mention of the shrine immediately shifted the focus of the conversation. Elaris frowned, her anger momentarily forgotten as she turned to me. "Shrine? What shrine?"

"It wasn't exactly a shrine," I explained, grateful for the change in topic. "But it was… something ancient. The air around it felt heavy, almost suffocating. There were carvings on the walls—symbols I didn't recognize. And the energy inside…" I trailed off, my gaze drifting to the table as I remembered the oppressive weight of the place. "It wasn't normal," Daren finished for me, his voice unusually serious. "Whatever that place was, it wasn't built for anything good. We left as soon as we felt it was too much." Elaris' expression grew concerned, her fingers tightening around mine. "That sounds dangerous," she said softly. "Do you think it has anything to do with what's been happening in the village?"

"Maybe," I admitted, my thoughts swirling. "I'm not sure. But there's something about that place… It feels connected to something bigger." Kaivya leaned forward, her golden eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Bigger how? Like, world-ending bigger? Or just creepy and mysterious bigger?"

"I don't know," I said honestly. "But it felt… alive. Like it was watching us."

"That's not unsettling at all," Kaivya muttered, though her tone was more intrigued than worried. Alaria, who had been silent since Daren changed the topic, suddenly leaned closer. "You should take me there," she said, her emerald eyes glinting with something I couldn't quite place. "I want to see it."

"No," I said firmly, my tone leaving no room for argument. "It's not safe." She smirked, tilting her head. "Afraid I'll find something you don't want me to?"

"That's enough," Elaris said sharply, her protective nature flaring again. "This isn't about you, Alaria. If Noctis says it's not safe, then it's not safe." Alaria rolled her eyes, leaning back with an exaggerated sigh. "Fine. Whatever. But don't come crying to me when you realize you should've brought me along." The tension lingered for a moment longer before Kaivya clapped her hands together, breaking the silence. "Well, this is officially the most entertaining breakfast I've had in a while," she said with a smirk. "But maybe we should focus on figuring out what to do next. You know, before we kill each other."

Despite the heaviness in the air, I couldn't help but let out a small, tired laugh. "Agreed," I said, glancing at Elaris. "We'll figure this out. Together." Elaris smiled, her fingers brushing against mine again. And for a moment, despite the chaos around us, I felt a flicker of calm.

The table fell silent for a moment, the weight of the conversation settling over us like a heavy blanket. Elaris still held my hand, her lavender eyes filled with concern, while Kaivya leaned forward, her tail flicking behind her as if she were itching for action. Alaria crossed her arms, sulking slightly but still listening, her emerald eyes occasionally darting toward me. Daren broke the silence, his gray eyes sharp and calculating as he spoke. "If we're going to do this," he said, his tone steady, "we need to be smart about it. That place wasn't normal, and if we just charge in blind, it's going to end badly." Elaris nodded, her expression thoughtful. "We'll need to prepare. If the energy there is as oppressive as you said, it could interfere with magic—or worse. We'll need potions, maybe some wards to counter whatever is causing that heaviness."

"I can handle the potions," Kaivya chimed in, her golden eyes gleaming with excitement. "There's a shop in the village that sells alchemical supplies. They should have what we need."

"And what about defenses?" Alaria asked, her voice sharp but genuinely curious. "If that place is as bad as you're making it sound, there's no way we're walking out of there without a fight."

"I'll handle that," Daren said confidently, tapping the hilt of his sword. "But we'll need to make sure everyone's equipped properly. Noctis, do you still have that light blade of yours?" I nodded, summoning the faint glow of the light configuration in my hand for a moment before letting it dissipate. "Yeah, it's ready. But I'll admit, I don't know if it'll be enough against whatever's in there." Elaris placed a comforting hand on my shoulder, her touch grounding me. "Your light magic is rare for a reason, Noctis. It has the potential to cut through even the darkest of forces. Don't doubt yourself." I gave her a faint smile, her words offering some reassurance. "Thanks, Elaris."

"So, we're really doing this?" Kaivya asked, leaning back in her chair with a smirk. "Going into a creepy, ancient shrine with who-knows-what lurking inside? Sounds fun." Alaria snorted, her mood seemingly lifting slightly. "You're far too eager for this, Kaivya. But fine, if Noctis is going, I'm going too." Elaris frowned, her protective instincts flaring. "Alaria, if this is just another excuse to—"

"It's not," Alaria interrupted, her tone surprisingly sincere. "Look, I know we don't always see eye to eye, but I'm not about to let anything happen to Noctis—or any of you, for that matter. So, like it or not, I'm coming." Elaris studied her for a moment before letting out a sigh. "Fine. But you'd better be ready to pull your weight."

Alaria smirked. "I always do."

Daren leaned forward, his voice cutting through the brewing tension. "Alright, enough bickering. We need a plan. Kaivya, get the potions. Elaris, can you work on some protective wards? Something that'll help us resist whatever's in that shrine?" Elaris nodded. "I'll do what I can. I'll need some materials, but the village should have what I need."

"And you?" Kaivya asked, her gaze flicking to Daren. "What's your grand plan?" Daren smirked. "I'm going to see if we can get any information out of the locals. Someone must know something about that place. It didn't just appear out of nowhere."

"And me?" I asked, looking around the table.

"You're coming with me," Daren said firmly. "You've already been there, so you might notice something I miss. Plus, I'd rather not have you wandering off on your own." I nodded, feeling a mix of apprehension and determination settling in my chest. "Alright. Let's do this." The group exchanged glances, a silent agreement passing between us. Whatever was waiting for us in that shrine, we were going to face it together. One by one, we stood from the table, each of us heading off to prepare for what lay ahead. As Elaris and Kaivya left to gather supplies, I followed Daren out into the village. The cool morning air was refreshing, the faint hum of activity around us a stark contrast to the heavy, suffocating energy of the shrine. Daren walked with purpose, his sharp eyes scanning the streets for anyone who might be able to help.

"Do you think anyone here knows about that place?" I asked, breaking the silence. Daren shrugged. "If they don't, they've probably heard stories. Shrines like that don't just exist in isolation. Someone knows something—we just have to find the right person to talk to." I nodded, my thoughts drifting back to the oppressive energy of the shrine. Veylara's words echoed faintly in my mind, her cryptic hints about its purpose and origin. I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this than any of us realized.

"Something on your mind?" Daren asked, glancing at me. "Just… thinking," I said, hesitating before adding, "About what we might find in there." Daren's expression softened slightly, his usual sharpness giving way to something more understanding. "Whatever it is, we'll deal with it. That's why we're here—to face the things others can't. You've got this, Noctis." I nodded, his words offering a small measure of comfort. But as we continued through the village, the lingering unease in my chest refused to fade. Whatever was waiting for us in that shrine, I knew it was only the beginning.

The sun had dipped below the horizon, and the once-bustling village had quieted under the silver glow of the full moon. Daren and I trudged back along the cobblestone path leading to the inn, the faint chirping of crickets and the occasional hoot of an owl our only companions. My legs ached from the day spent asking around for information about the shrine. Hours of conversations with wary villagers had yielded little more than cryptic warnings and vague legends. Frustration simmered beneath my skin, but I kept it to myself. Daren, on the other hand, seemed unbothered. His stride was easy, his posture relaxed, and his usual smirk played on his lips as he glanced over at me.

"Long day, huh?" he said, breaking the silence.

"Yeah," I muttered, running a hand through my hair. "And not a lot to show for it." He chuckled softly. "That's how it goes sometimes. People in places like this don't like to talk about things that scare them. Makes them feel like they're inviting the trouble in."

I nodded, my gaze fixed on the moonlit path ahead. "Still, it feels like we're missing something important. That shrine isn't just some old ruin—it's got power. And if no one here knows anything, then…"

"Then we'll figure it out ourselves," Daren finished, his voice steady. "We've got a good group, Noctis. Elaris, Kaivya, even Alaria—they're all capable. We'll handle it." I glanced at him, his confidence a stark contrast to the doubt gnawing at me. "You really believe that?" He shrugged, a faint grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I believe in us. And, for what it's worth, I believe in you. You've got more in you than you realize, Noctis." I didn't know how to respond to that, so I stayed quiet. The moon hung high above us now, its silver light casting long shadows across the ground. The air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of pine from the nearby woods. Daren broke the silence again, his tone turning playful. "So, about you and Elaris…"

I groaned, already knowing where this was going. "Do we really have to talk about this right now?"

"Absolutely," he said, grinning. "I mean, it's not every day that Mr. Serious Noctis gets into a relationship. I've got to enjoy this while it lasts." I rolled my eyes but couldn't help the faint smile that tugged at my lips. "Fine. What do you want to know?"

"Oh, nothing much," he said, his grin widening. "Just… what's the plan? You two settling down? Buying a house? Having little lavender-eyed, golden-haired kids running around?"

I nearly tripped over a loose cobblestone, my face heating at his words. "Daren!" He laughed, the sound echoing through the quiet night. "I'm just saying, Noctis. You're head over heels for her, and she's clearly just as into you. It's only a matter of time."

"You're impossible," I muttered, though there was no real bite in my words.

"Maybe," he said, his grin softening into something more genuine. "But for what it's worth, I'm happy for you. Elaris is a good one. Just… don't screw it up, yeah?" I nodded, his words settling into the back of my mind. "Thanks, Daren. I'll… try not to." By the time we reached the inn, the village was completely still, the only light coming from the faint glow of the moon and the flickering lantern outside the inn's entrance. Inside, the common room was empty, the faint embers in the hearth casting a dim orange glow over the wooden tables and chairs. It seemed everyone had already gone to bed.

"Well," Daren said, stretching his arms over his head. "Guess that's our cue. Goodnight, Noctis."

"Goodnight," I replied, watching as he headed off toward his room. I climbed the creaking staircase, my footsteps soft against the wooden planks. When I reached my door, I hesitated, my thoughts still swirling from the day's events. With a quiet sigh, I pushed the door open—and stopped in my tracks.

There, curled up on the small bed, was Elaris. Her golden hair fanned out across the pillow, catching the faint moonlight filtering through the window. Her face was serene, her soft breathing the only sound in the room. She must have come in after I left earlier, choosing to wait for me rather than sleep alone.

A small smile tugged at my lips as I stepped inside, closing the door quietly behind me. I moved to the side of the bed, careful not to disturb her as I removed my armor and set it aside. The exhaustion from the day finally caught up with me as I slid under the blanket beside her. The bed was small, forcing us to lay close, but I didn't mind. The warmth of her presence was comforting, grounding. As I lay there, staring up at the ceiling, the faintest flicker of unease stirred in the back of my mind. A familiar presence, heavy and cold, seemed to linger just beyond the edge of my awareness. I closed my eyes, trying to push it away. For now, all that mattered was the soft rhythm of Elaris' breathing beside me.

Sleep came quickly, and when it did, it pulled me into a dream that felt all too real.