Chapter 6: Tag

The two continued their journey across the vast grasslands, moving through the day, gathering resources, and taking in sights neither had ever imagined seeing with their own eyes.

At night, Viktor used his magic to construct a makeshift stone shelter, ensuring they had a safe place to rest.

In the mornings, they foraged for food—Viktor favoring fruits and vegetables while Kyoryn hunted small game, cooking her meals over an open flame.

One morning, after finishing his meal, Viktor pointed ahead. "There's a split in the road up ahead. The left path leads to the Lake of Eden, while the right leads to a settlement called Lokistead." He glanced at the wooden signpost, running his fingers over the worn carvings.

Kyoryn swallowed her last bite and was about to respond when both of their ears twitched.

A deep growl rumbled nearby.

A wolf lunged from the tall grass, its fangs bared as it leaped toward Viktor.

Without hesitation, Viktor calmly raised a hand and fired a burst of stone bullets, striking the wolf midair and sending it tumbling to the ground, whining in pain.

Kyoryn stared, wide-eyed. "That was… incredibly."

Viktor approached the injured creature, kneeling beside it. "Most likely, it was drawn by the scent of the food...but maybe it was secretly following us until we lower our awareness." He reached out, pressing a hand against its side. "It's okay, little guy. Just relax."

A soft red glow pulsed beneath his palm.

The wolf's wounds faded, transforming into a small red orb that floated into Viktor's hand.

Without hesitation, he swallowed it. A dull headache followed, but he shook it off.

The wolf immediately sprang up and, to Kyoryn's surprise, began licking Viktor's face.

"You tamed it?" she asked, stunned.

Viktor chuckled. "Not exactly. He just feels better now. He's grateful."

Kyoryn crouched down and grinned, her two tails wagging slightly. "Well, if he's friendly, then I'll give him a chance!"

Without warning, she pounced, running on all fours, playfully chasing the wolf as it darted through the field.

As she ran, patches of blue fur appeared on her arms and legs, and her nails sharpened into claws.

She laughed, tumbling through the grass with the wolf, their movements wild and untamed.

Viktor sat back, watching her curiously. Demi-humans really do behave like their animal counterparts… He narrowed his eyes. What else is she capable of?

Eventually, the wolf left, vanishing into the wild, and Kyoryn shifted back into a more human appearance.

She turned to find Viktor still staring at her, completely intrigued.

"Um," she said, raising an eyebrow, "Did I catch your attention or something?"

He smirked. "I was curious, that's all. You looked like you were having fun."

Kyoryn stretched her arms with a yawn. "It's natural for me. You should try it sometime."

Viktor floated lazily into the air, crossing his arms. "Maybe. But right now, we've got a path to choose—"

Kyoryn's ears twitched. "Actually, I have an idea."

She crouched slightly, her tails flicking.

Viktor instantly sensed the challenge in her stance. "Oh no."

"Oh yes," Kyoryn grinned. "Let's play tag. Loser has to forage alone tomorrow."

Viktor groaned but smirked. "Alright, fine. But good luck catching me."

He retrieved a small pocket watch and held it up. "Once I press start, you chase me."

Kyoryn's grin widened, her fingers digging into the dirt, her body tensed like a predator about to strike. "You better run fast, magic boy."

The moment Viktor clicked the watch, he shot into the sky.

Kyoryn immediately bolted after him, leaping high, her claws barely missing his ankle.

Viktor twisted midair, launching himself higher with a burst of wind magic. "Too slow!" he called down.

Kyoryn landed gracefully on all fours, her blue fur growing thicker as her form became more beast-like.

She narrowed her eyes, gauging his movements.

Then, without hesitation, she dashed forward, leaping from rock to rock, using the terrain to propel herself higher.

Viktor dodged, flipping in the air, but Kyoryn was relentless. "You're fast," she admitted, "but I can smell where you're going!"

Smell? Viktor barely had time to react before Kyoryn suddenly changed course, predicting his next move.

She sprang up higher than before, twisting midair, and—

THUD!

She tackled him mid-flight, wrapping her arms around him as they both crashed into the tall grass below.

"Gotcha!" Kyoryn grinned, straddling Viktor's chest triumphantly.

Viktor blinked up at her, winded. "That was...unexpected."

Kyoryn's tails wagged in victory. "Admit it. I'm faster than you."

Viktor groaned. "Fine. You win."

Kyoryn jumped off him, fist-pumping the air. "YES! You're going foraging alone tomorrow!"

Viktor sat up, brushing grass from his robes. "I'll keep my word… but next time, I won't go easy on you."

Kyoryn flashed a playful smirk. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

With the game settled, the two dusted themselves off and turned toward the split in the road.

The morning was still young, and their journey was just beginning.

"Alright," Viktor said, stretching. "Shall we head to Lokistead?"

Kyoryn nodded. "Race you there?"

Viktor groaned. "Oh no. Not again."

And just like that, they took off.