“Ignite!” Lorian snapped his fingers over the firewood beneath the iron stove, murmuring a spell under his breath. His spellbook was open in his other hand, a faint glow illuminating the intricate runes on the page. In response, a small flame leaped from his fingertips and caught on the firewood, which began to crackle and burn, casting a warm, golden light across the room. As the flame grew, the iron wok on top of the stove began to heat, and Caelus leaned over, a slab of butter in hand, watching as it sizzled and melted, coating the base of the pan in rich, golden liquid.

They were preparing their meal without the usual sense of urgency—there was no mission waiting for them tomorrow, no looming task that would demand their attention. Tomorrow, they could do whatever they wanted. The weight of the journey seemed lighter tonight, and their tasks were infused with a relaxed rhythm, as if the evening itself knew there was nothing to hurry for.

Once the butter had spread evenly, he lifted a large cut of Erymanthian boar meat, laying it carefully into the wok. The meat hit the hot butter with a loud sizzle, and a savoury aroma filled the room, mingling with the earthy scent of burning wood. Caelus glanced over his shoulder, catching a glimpse of Cheese as it bounced up from the floor, curiosity in its beady eyes. It hopped from the floor, to a chest, then to the counter, finally stopping to peer over the edge of the stove, eyes wide with wonder as it took in the sizzling slab of meat.

Caelus watched the steak intently as it began to sear, letting it form a deep, caramelised crust before he reached for a sprig of fresh thyme. He added it to the pan, and instantly, the fragrant herb released its oils, melding with the butter and sending waves of earthy, mouthwatering aroma into the air. He tilted the pan, scooping up the bubbling, golden butter with a spoon and gently basting the steak, each warm cascade soaking into the meat and adding layers of rich flavour.

As the butter sizzled, popping softly with hints of thyme, he flipped the steak. The meat gave a satisfying, juicy hiss, and the room filled with an even richer scent that danced through the air, warm and savoury.

“It smells incredible! I can’t wait to try it!” Lorian’s eyes gleamed as he leaned in, his nose twitching, almost entranced by the scent. His mouth watered with anticipation, unable to resist the promise of the flavours mingling in the pan before him.

Caelus chuckled, his eyes twinkling with satisfaction. "We’re eating good tonight, that’s for sure."

With practised care, he sliced the steak in half, choosing the slightly larger portion for Lorian. He set both plates on the small, timeworn desk by the window, where the faint glow of twilight spilled over the worn wood, casting a warm hue across their meal. The desk was a tight fit for two people, with barely enough room for their plates, utensils, and Cheese’s small bowl, but they made it work, squeezing everything onto the surface with an almost cosy precision.

Before sitting down, Caelus reached for a few apples from their haul, slicing them into neat, crisp wedges. The knife sank through the fruit with a satisfying crunch, releasing a subtle, fresh aroma. He gathered the apple slices into a rustic wooden bowl, one of the few items left behind in the room when they moved in—a relic of previous travellers, perhaps, and now, a perfect addition to their meal.

With their modest table now set, Caelus handed Lorian his utensils and then took his seat across from him. Both held their forks and knives, pausing a moment to soak in the rare feeling of a home-cooked meal in the middle of their journey.

“Let’s dig in,” Caelus said, his voice warm with a hint of pride. His stomach gave a faint growl, as if to second the motion, ready to finally enjoy the fruits of his labour.

Lorian needed no further encouragement. With eager anticipation, he cut a generous slice of the steak, bringing it to his mouth. The moment he took a bite, his eyes widened, his expression melting into pure satisfaction. His gaze softened, and he let out a deep hum of approval, savouring each tender, buttery chew as the steak's rich flavour bloomed across his palate. “Mmm…” he sighed, eyes closing as he let the taste linger, a soft smile pulling at his lips.

Seeing Lorian’s reaction, Caelus couldn’t help but grin. He cut a small, juicy piece and offered it to Cheese, who eagerly opened its little mouth and gobbled up the morsel. The tiny slime let out a gleeful gurgle, its colour shifting to a light, happy pink as it relaxed, spreading out on the counter in complete, blissful contentment. Its little eyes turned into joyful crescents as if it were in absolute heaven.

When Caelus finally took a bite, the flavour hit him like a revelation. The meat was incredibly tender, each bite practically melting in his mouth as the butter and thyme wrapped around the juices, enhancing every savoury note. The thyme added a gentle, earthy fragrance, and the butter gave it a deep, rich finish, perfectly balanced with the meat's natural flavours. It was simple yet unforgettable, the kind of hearty meal that soothed both body and soul—a reminder of home, of comfort.

The three of them ate in contented silence, each savouring the meal in their own way. The quiet was filled only by the rhythmic clink of forks on plates, the soft scrape of knives, and occasional murmurs of satisfaction. Now and then, Lorian let out a low hum of pleasure, his eyes shining as he cut into another juicy slice. Cheese lay sprawled in a happy pink puddle, occasionally reaching out with a tiny tendril to nab another morsel Caelus offered. For that brief moment, all worries and burdens seemed to fade, leaving only the warm, comforting glow of shared, simple pleasure.

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As they finished their meal, Caelus and Lorian carried their plates to the sink, falling into an easy rhythm of washing and drying. The kitchen filled with the warm scent of soap and the gentle clink of dishes as they worked, each small task drawing them into a quiet, shared sense of satisfaction. The camaraderie of these simple moments filled their modest space, lending it an unexpected sense of home—a place where laughter and routine met, despite the weight of the world outside.

Just as Caelus dried the last plate, his vision flickered slightly, and a subtle, bluish glow appeared in the corner of his eye. His Soulbound Interface pulsed to life, casting a faint shimmer across his line of sight as a message unfurled before him: “INCOMING CALL” from “DARIUS.” The notification floated with soft edges and clear, elegant script, the virtual text hanging midair before him as if etched in light. Familiar with the gesture, Caelus raised his hand and tapped the hovering button, the movement instinctive from his previous life, despite the otherworldly technology now at his fingertips.

“Hello?” he greeted, his voice soft, even as curiosity sparked within him.

Darius’s voice crackled through Caelus’s Soulbound Interface, filling the quiet room with a burst of static before his familiar, boisterous tone. “Hey! First time using this… call thing,” he muttered, his voice rough and unpolished but filled with a warm, rugged charm. Caelus could almost see Darius fumbling with the unfamiliar Interface, likely tapping at random parts of the screen. Darius cleared his throat, adjusting his voice with a gruff cough before continuing, a bit more smoothly this time. “Anyway, I wanted to see if you two would like to join me tomorrow over at the royal dragons’ stables. Figured it’d be a good chance to teach you the basics of dragon riding. And don’t worry, I’ll let the others know, too.”

The mere mention of dragons sent a rush of excitement through Caelus. He exchanged a quick glance with Lorian, who was standing beside him, eyes widening at the thought of riding one of the magnificent creatures. The flicker of excitement in Lorian’s gaze was unmistakable, and Caelus felt his own heart quicken, as if a hidden childhood dream were suddenly coming true. “Absolutely. I’m in!” Caelus replied eagerly, feeling the spark of anticipation between them. He gave Lorian a nod. “Lorian’s right here, and he’s on board too,” he added with a grin.

Darius chuckled on the other end, the warmth in his voice unmissable. “Good! Let’s say nine in the morning, right at the stables. That work for you?”

“Perfect,” Caelus replied, his mind already racing with images of the stables, the glinting scales, and the majestic dragons he’d only glimpsed before. Lorian’s face lit up, his expression a mix of awe and excitement.

As the call was ending, they heard Darius’s voice again, this time half-muffled and almost panicked: “Whoa, hey, not the tail!” Just before the screen blinked out, the Interface faded, leaving Caelus and Lorian standing there in stunned silence for a moment before they burst out laughing.

They each flopped onto their beds, sinking into the worn mattresses with a contented sigh as the room dimmed to a cosy glow. The only light came from the faint, warm embers still smouldering in the stove, casting a soft orange hue that flickered against the wooden walls and low ceiling beams. The warmth seeped into their bones, soothing away the stiffness from days of travel and heavy packs, and the silence wrapped around them like a soft blanket, the only sounds a faint crackle from the stove and the occasional creak of the inn settling around them.

Lorian lay back, eyes drifting to the beams above, where shadows danced gently with each flicker from the stove. He began to giggle, soft at first, as though he couldn’t contain the lingering excitement from Darius’s call. His shoulders shook with laughter, the sound bright against the quiet, and his eyes sparkled in the dim light as he looked over at Caelus with an unspoken thrill.

“What’s so funny?” Caelus asked, a small grin creeping onto his face as he watched Lorian, the laughter infectious.

Lorian shook his head, still giggling as he stared up at the beams. “This world… It’s strange. And incredible. I didn’t expect it to be… so fun.”

Caelus chuckled, a warm huff of air escaping as he settled back, his own gaze tracing the ceiling. “Yeah,” he murmured, letting the laughter linger between them. “I know exactly what you mean.”

For a while, they lay in the stillness of the room, the only sound the soft crackling of the embers in the stove. The flickering glow from the fire bathed the room in a warm, soothing light, casting long shadows on the walls. Each of them absorbed the strange, yet familiar, comfort of the space, their thoughts drifting to the world they had found themselves in. The weight of their journey had lifted, and for the first time in what felt like ages, they both felt truly at home, though it was in a place that was still new, still unfolding.

Lorian broke the silence, his movements slow and deliberate as he reached down to pick up Cheese, cradling the little slime gently in both hands. The tiny creature wriggled happily in his grasp, its usual blue hue slowly shifting to a soft, warm yellow as if it could sense the affection in Lorian’s touch. Lorian held the slime up to his face, watching its little body jiggle with a soft chuckle, a rare, unburdened smile spreading across his features. It was a fleeting moment of peace, a playful, quiet joy in the simplest of things.

The room seemed to quiet even further as Lorian’s gaze lingered on Cheese, his smile fading into something more contemplative. The warmth of the fire seemed to fill the space between them, but also, an unspoken question that hung in the air. After a long pause, Lorian's voice broke the stillness, softer than before, almost hesitant as if unsure of the direction his thoughts were taking.

“Caelus?” he murmured, his fingers absently stroking the surface of Cheese as the Slime nestled into his palms.

Caelus turned his head, drawn by the quiet tone in Lorian’s voice. His eyes softened with mild curiosity, the question hanging in the air between them as the silence stretched on. “Hm?” he responded, his voice low and steady.

Lorian hesitated for just a moment, his gaze still locked on the little slime in his hands, as if seeking the right words. “Do you… ever regret saving that boy?”