camping

Camping

The sky blushed with hues of orange and purple as the sun dipped below the horizon. I glanced up, noting the dimming light, then turned to Rapunzel and Flynn.

"We'll make camp here for the night," I said firmly.

Flynn gave a short nod, already stretching his arms. "Got it."

"Gather branches for a fire," I added.

As he walked off toward the edge of the clearing, I turned to Rapunzel. She was still atop the Rumblehorn, her feet too injured to walk. Gently, I reached up and lifted her down, careful not to let her feet touch the ground. From my inventory, I pulled out a chair — not just any chair, but a rocking chair carved from rich mahogany, cushioned with enchanted fibers for unparalleled comfort. It was absurdly luxurious for a campsite, but I'd learned long ago that a little comfort could ease even the most stubborn pain.

She sat down slowly, and the moment she leaned back and the chair began to rock, her eyes widened in surprise. The tension in her shoulders eased, and a small, dazed smile crept onto her lips.

I turned away, letting her enjoy the moment, and sat against a nearby tree. From beneath my shirt, I pulled out a silver locket — old, worn, but cherished. I opened it, letting my fingers glide across the tiny painting inside. Merida. Her fiery red curls and fierce eyes captured in delicate strokes. Just this morning, I arrived on this land this morning… and not even an hour , I'd already conquered a kingdom.

The world will fall next.

And when it does, I'll have the power to bring you back, Merida.

"Hey… what's that?" Rapunzel asked softly, peering over from her chair.

I closed the locket with a quiet click and tucked it back into my shirt. "It's a locket," I replied, my tone distant.

She tilted her head. "What's a locket?"

"It's something that holds sentimental value," I explained. "Usually with a portrait or a strand of hair inside. Something… important."

"So what's inside yours?"

I paused, eyes falling to the firewood Flynn had yet to bring. "…It's not something I talk about."

Before she could press further, a loud crack of twigs snapped through the silence.

"Hey! I'm back," Flynn called, his arms full of branches. "Got plenty."

He stopped short, noticing the sudden quiet. "Uh… did I interrupt something?"

I raised a hand and snapped my fingers. Instantly, the pile of wood caught flame, a small but steady fire springing to life.

Flynn blinked. "How the hell did you do that?"

"Magic," I said simply.

Rapunzel gasped in awe, her eyes lighting up. "That was amazing! Can you teach me?"

She jumped up, excitement overpowering caution.

I narrowed my eyes. "Didn't I tell you to rest? Your feet still need time to heal."

Her enthusiasm wilted. She gulped, nodding, and returned obediently to the rocking chair, wincing as she sat back down.

Sigh.

She's a handful. But at least she's not asking the wrong kind of questions.

Then came the familiar gurgle of hunger.

I turned to see Rapunzel clutching her stomach with a sheepish look. "I'm hungry…"

I nodded, retrieving a set of neatly wrapped meals from my inventory and handing one each to her and Flynn — warm meat pies, roasted vegetables, and sweet bread. Nothing fancy, but satisfying.

I called the Rumblehorn over and fed him a mix of fruits and raw meat. He snorted in contentment. From the edge of the camp, Maximus the horse trotted closer, his curiosity plainly visible.

I tossed him a few apples.

He sniffed, then took a bite — and his eyes widened with delight. With a happy neigh, he nudged my shoulder before retreating to a comfortable patch of grass.

I allowed myself a small smile. Then I turned to the two humans in my temporary company.

"Eat, then get some sleep. Tomorrow, we head for the Kingdom of Corona."

They both nodded silently, the fire crackling between us as the stars began to twinkle overhead.

The Next Morning

The sun had risen, casting long golden rays across the forest clearing. I sat beneath the tree, silent and still. Sleep wasn't something I needed unless my mind demanded rest. Physically, my stamina was more than enough to carry me through the night without fatigue.

I turned my head slightly to glance at the others. Rapunzel was curled up in a rocking chair, her head tilted to the side as she drooled onto her shoulder. Flynn lay nearby, snoring and giggling in his sleep, muttering nonsense about gold and castles.

With a thought, I gave a mental command to the Rumblehorn.

A thunderous "ROAR" shook the clearing.

The effect was immediate.

Flynn sprang up like a startled cat, eyes wild, hand reaching for a non-existent sword. Rapunzel Maximus reared back, snorting, while Pascal tumbled off his perch with a squeak.

Everyone woke in a flurry of panic.

Everyone… except repunzel.

She merely grumbled and rolled over, tugging her cloak tighter around her shoulders, mumbling something unintelligible.

A vein pulsed in my temple.

Seriously? Even the lizard was awake.

I stood and strode over to her. Flynn, now laughing at his own reaction, gave me a sheepish look before dusting himself off. The rest were settling down, realizing it had only been the dragon.

I stopped in front of repunzel. Still asleep. Still mumbling.

I crouched beside her and leaned in, holding my hand just beneath her nose. With a flick of thought, I summoned a small, delicate vial from my inventory—a rare brew of honey, crafted personally from the nectar of thousands of exotic flowers harvested across three regions.

She sniffed.

Her nose twitched.

Her eyes snapped open. "What's that smell?"

I withdrew the vial, letting it vanish back into my inventory. "Honey."

"'Honey'?" she echoed, frowning groggily.

"It's something sweet made by bees. The kind you just smelled is one I created myself, infused with rare blossoms and enhanced for flavor."

Her eyes lit up. "Can I try some? Please?"

"No," I said flatly.

She blinked. Then tried to rise from her bedroll, but I fixed her with a stare sharp enough to freeze lava.

She slowly sat back down, lips pressed in a pout. "Erik, please?" she said again, this time with eyes sparkling like an actress begging for one last encore.

I turned away to avoid the look—only to find every other pair of eyes locked on me.

Drooling.

Even Maximus.

I sighed loudly. "Fine."

With a reluctant motion, I retrieved the honey again and brought out five pieces of freshly baked bread from my inventory. I spread a generous dollop of the golden liquid onto each piece and handed them out.

They took them reverently, as though accepting an offering from a god.

Then they bit in—together.

And froze.

Seconds passed.

Then a minute.

Then two.

I narrowed my eyes. "You've got to be kidding me."

Still no movement—just wide eyes, silent stares, and slack jaws.

"Wake up!" I snapped.

They jerked like they'd been hit by lightning and began devouring the bread like ravenous wolves. Crumbs flew. Pascal clung to his slice like a dragon guarding treasure.

I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose.

"Finish eating. Flynn, lead the way to the Kingdom of Corona."

Flynn, his face still smeared with honey, gave a thumbs-up. "Aye, aye, captain!"

Three Hours Later

We stood at the edge of the great stone bridge leading into the Kingdom of Corona.

The towering walls loomed in the distance, sunlight gleaming off the city's golden rooftops and spires. It was the kind of view that made poets cry and painters go blind from the urge to capture it all.

I walked at the front of the group, Flynn casually striding beside me with a cocky grin. The Rumblehorn lumbered behind us, each footstep echoing through the valley like distant thunder. Rapunzel rode atop his back, hair braided and fluttering in the wind as she looked ahead with wide, eager eyes.

Maximus followed with steady steps, his gaze locked on Flynn with unflinching suspicion.

As we approached the outer gates, the guards stationed there stiffened at the sight of us. One of them turned and bolted toward the city without a word.

The other stepped forward, saluting.

"Sir Erik," he said, voice respectful but slightly uncertain. "Welcome back. I'll inform your fleet of your return at once."

I nodded.

The guard hesitated, then rushed off.

Flynn whistled low. "You've got a bit of a reputation, huh?"

I didn't answer.

We entered the village as the civilians paused their work to watch us pass. Their eyes followed with curiosity, murmurs rippling through the crowd like wind across tall grass.

"Erik, look! The kids are playing something," Rapunzel said, her voice bright with excitement.

I followed her gaze and saw a group of children chasing each other around in a circle, laughing as they tossed a ball between them. I turned to her and nodded.

"Do you want to join them?"

"Yes!" she answered, her eyes sparkling.

I walked to the Rumblehorn's side and gently lifted her from its back, setting her down carefully on the grass.

"Just don't push yourself too hard. Try not to stress your feet."

"Okay! I promise!" she called over her shoulder as she ran toward the children, her laughter joining theirs.

I let her go, then looked around the square. A small, elegant fountain stood in the center, its gentle trickle of water somehow calming amidst the buzz of village life. I walked toward it and stood still for a moment, staring at the water's shimmering surface.

Merida would've loved this.

With a thought, I summoned a chair, an easel, a canvas, and a small set of brushes and paints. During the long, lonely days, I had found solace in creating—sculpting and painting Merida's likeness over and over until my hands memorized every curve of her smile, every strand of her wild hair. Eventually, I'd earned a skill for it—[Artist]—though I had grown frustrated at my inability to capture her perfectly. In desperation, I'd used gacha tickets to max out the skill.

Now, it came easily.

Children gathered slowly around me as I painted. I ignored their whispers and curious eyes, letting myself fall into the rhythm of each stroke. The sky came first, wide and clear.Then the walls of the city square. The fountain, delicate and stone-gray under sunlight.

And finally, them.

Merida, with her wild red hair, untamable as flame. Her dress, the one she had worn in my dreams—a deep forest green adorned with gold. Her smile, the one that always managed to silence the storm inside me. Her eyes, wide and full of wonder.

Next to her, Moon—our daughter. I painted her small hand in Merida's, her expression innocent and bright. Hair silver as snowfall, eyes gentle. The dress she wore was one I'd sewn myself, each thread woven with care and longing.

Last came me.

Golden-brown hair tied back, shoulders broad, frame tall. I painted myself in what I would've worn on our wedding day. But when it came to the face, I hesitated. My brush hovered over the canvas. I took a breath—and then began. Bright eyes. An excited smile.

But as I worked, my own expression didn't change.

When the final stroke was complete, I stepped back and looked at it. The painting was nearly perfect.

But not real.

Not yet. One day, though. Soon.

"Wow," Rapunzel whispered beside me.

I hadn't heard her return. I gave a small nod, then silently stored the painting in my inventory. As I turned, I noticed a crowd had formed. Dozens of eyes watched me, wide with awe.

Then I heard a voice cut through the murmur.

"My lord."

I turned.

It was Viggo Grimborn.

I nodded once. "Within a week, I want the men ready. We march for the next kingdom."

He bowed low. "Yes, my lord," he said, then turned and disappeared into the crowd.

Rapunzel tugged on my sleeve. "Who was that?"

"Viggo Grimborn. One of my generals."

"Wow… What's a general?"

I didn't answer. Instead, I summoned the Rumblehorn with a thought. It rumbled obediently through the kingdom's gate.

I lifted Rapunzel and placed her gently on its back. She clung to the saddle with ease, used to the motion by now. I took the reins and led the beast toward the castle, Maximus and Flynn falling in behind us.