Don’t Drink and Journey

Kyren lay awake in bed, his mind swirling with too many thoughts to count. It wasn't the battles that weighed on him—not even Kyanna's fighting style, which reminded him so much of his own.

It was that brief moment in the woods.

Who had Kyanna been speaking to? And where had that voice come from?

He'd heard of Kyanna and Vireon, the last queen and king of Epsilon. But he had never seen the lion that stood by her side. Was it from the amulet? Or like the dreams that began when he first got the system?

He'd need to see more of them before he could decide.

Stretching his shoulders, Kyren opened his system window. It was time to spend his stat points. He placed 50 into Mana Pool, raising it to A-, and the remaining 100 into Physical Constitution, also raising it to A-.

The toll his body had taken in recent battles was starting to show, and while Lion's Requiem and Liora helped heal him, they couldn't fix everything. Strengthening his body was essential.

A heartbeat later, he felt his mana swell—deeper, richer, swirling like an ocean within him. His skin tingled, hardening—more resistant to blades and blunt strikes alike.

Kyren stood and stretched, then left the inn room. Downstairs, he found Runa sitting at a table.

"There was no food that wasn't rotten," she said, holding up a dusty bottle of alcohol. "This is all they had."

"I've never drunk before, if I'm being honest," Kyren admitted.

"Me neither. But it might be fun to try," Runa replied, a mischievous grin crossing her face.

Lydel walked into the dining area at that moment. "Runa, you found the good stuff! Put it in the bag," he said excitedly, slinging his satchel down.

"When have you even drunk before?" Kyren asked.

"My month at the academy wasn't just classes and heartbreak, Kyren. I hit a couple dorm parties," Lydel said proudly.

"At least it won't taste terrible," Runa said.

"Oh, I didn't mean good like that," Lydel replied. "It's just really strong."

Runa's smile faded slightly.

"It might taste awful," Kyren said, "but we'll still have fun."

With that, the group packed up and headed out, beginning their journey to Zybana.

Kyren opened the Wayfinder's Realm, letting Veldthar out. They loaded their bags onto his back and continued on foot. After two hours, the tall grass began to thin, giving way to dirt banks and a shallow river about ten feet wide and four feet deep.

The perfect opportunity for a much-needed bath.

Kyren summoned the tent and turned to Runa. "We'll stay inside while you wash. Just let us know when you're done."

Liora's voice rang out in all their minds. "I'll let you know if they try to spy, Runa."

Runa chuckled and began bathing.

Afterward, Kyren and Lydel took their turn while Runa dried off and relaxed. Once they finished, they filled their canteens and got back on the trail. The plains stretched on endlessly—pretty, sure, but after days of wandering, the wonder faded into monotony.

"Man, I'd rather be fighting another assassin than walking all damn day," Lydel groaned.

"Just keep walking," Kyren said. "Once the sun sets and the fire's lit, we drink."

"You sure it's safe to drink out here?" Runa asked.

"We've got Veldthar. Even drunk, with him around, we can beat anything," Kyren replied, patting the beast's side.

As they continued, something unusual appeared on the horizon—a stone hut built from massive rocks stacked in a box shape.

"Who the hell could've built that?" Lydel asked, jaw slack.

"Looks like it was made for a giant," Runa added.

"The only person I've seen strong enough to lift stones like that is my father," Kyren said grimly.

"Whoever built it is long gone. Let's stay here tonight," Lydel suggested.

"Better than sleeping in the open plains," Runa agreed.

They settled inside and gathered brush and sticks. Kyren started the fire and laid out meat to cook. Lydel popped the cork on the liquor bottle, took a swig with a grimace, and passed it to Runa, who coughed violently at the harsh burn. Kyren drank next—throat burning, stomach clenching.

Before long, all the meat was gone, and half the bottle emptied.

Lydel was on his feet, acting out scenes from their childhood, making the group laugh. Runa told stories of her homeland—strange hybrid animals, people fused with nature.

Then Kyren spoke.

"I've been having dreams," he said slowly. "I think they're visions—memories of my family's history. Not just the glory… the failures, too."

He looked at Lydel, the usual stoicism in his expression replaced by sorrow.

"Promise me you'll always be my brother."

"Of course," Lydel said, placing a hand on Kyren's. "Where's this coming from?"

"My ancestor and your ancestor—"

A thunderous crash cut him off. The ground trembled as an enormous bear—eighteen feet tall on its hind legs—burst through the grass, charging the camp.

Drunk and sluggish, they barely reacted in time.

Only Veldthar's massive bolt of lightning saved them, stunning the beast just long enough for them to grab weapons and armor.

Runa tried to summon her axe, but her aim was off. Lydel swung randomly, his drunk vision tripping him up until he fell flat. Liora, who'd been given a few drops of liquor herself, was asleep.

"Kyren, what do we do?" Runa asked.

"Fight smart. Hit it from behind—I'll aim for the legs."

Runa hurled her axe, but it wobbled in the air, the handle slamming uselessly against the bear's back. It didn't even flinch. The second throw hit harder, the axe embedding into its back—but her control was too weak to retrieve it.

The bear lunged, claws sweeping down.

Kyren activated Soundless Step, grabbed Runa, and tumbled to the ground just in time. She'd hit her head, and the alcohol made it worse—she couldn't get up.

Kyren dashed forward again, slashing at the bear's front leg, drawing blood. He barely dodged the next swipe, leading the beast away from his friends.

There was only one chance left.

He stowed Eclipsing Fang, pulled out his final health potion, and drank it. The fog in his mind lifted, and his body returned to peak condition.

The bear's front leg was already wounded—he only needed one more break.

Kyren surged forward, slicing through the hind leg's joint. The bear roared in agony, swiping wildly, but Kyren dodged again. Soundless Step. Another blur. His blade cut deep into the bear's stomach.

Then he activated Momentum Strike, severing the final hind leg.

The beast collapsed, still snapping and clawing, desperate in its final rage.

Kyren circled, dodging the last of its attacks, then drove his blade down, cleaving through the bear's neck.

The body went still.

Kyren, breathing hard, picked up the severed head and dragged it back to camp.

Lydel and Runa were unconscious, sprawled on the ground.

Kyren took a few final swigs from the liquor bottle, then tossed it into the fire.

"No more drinking in the plains," he muttered, watching the flames rise from the burning glass.