The air smelt like meat, and the bitter sweetness of wine. The sounds of drumming and singing filled the air, only overshadowed by Captain Kruz’s bellowing laughter. Her big forearms rested on the table. One of her hands held a cup that seemed way too small in her big hand, and the other she raised to pat Rian, who was seated next to her, on the back, causing him to drop his fork.
«Oh, don't worry pup,» Kruz said. «You are better than Rian was when he started! He was barely able to hold his wooden sword and stand upright!» Another bellowing laughter came from her and she almost threatened to break Rian — who looked tiny compared to her — apart. «This guy had everything, but talent!»
Cira learned against a nearby house — and to her own astonishment, was still sober — and chuckled as she took a sip of her own wine. It was a strong, potent wine of orange color. It had a very fruity taste with a hint of mint, to cover the stronger alcohol content. And even though this drink was dangerous for how fast it could get you drunk, Cira loved it.
She will never let that go Rian, Cira thought with a shrug after Rian through her a helpless gaze as Kurz continued to shout out embarassing stories of Rian's time as a recruit.
Rian squinted his eyes at her and Cira responded by sticking her tongue out and chuckled again, when Kruz gave Rian another slap on the back, making him fall forward a little, dropping his fork once again.
«Isn’t that nice,» Lina asked and stepped next to Cira. Her own drink smelled like spices. Well not only her drink, but also Lina’s breath smelt like spicy wine. «Finally, everyone is just having fun and relaxing.» She flinched when Rian ran past them and away from Kruz. «Well, almost everyone,» Lina corrected herself.
Cira giggled, as Rian dodged around a group of villagers, almost tripping over his own feet as he escaped Kruz’s grasp. He shot a quick glance back, sticking his tongue out defiantly, but nearly collided with a stack of crates in the process. The onlookers chuckled, a few clapping and cheering him on, while Kruz took her time, rolling her eyes with exaggerated patience.
«Seems like he’s having a bit too much fun,» Cira remarked, nudging Lina playfully with her elbow.
Lina raised her glass in mock salute, her eyes twinkling. «Well, he deserves it after all he’s been through. And you—» she leaned in, her voice warm and a little teasing, «look like you could use a bit more of that yourself.»
Cira rolled her eyes, but her smile lingered. «I am relaxing, see?» She lifted her own drink, an orange concoction she had grown fond of. The sweet, citrusy flavor balanced perfectly with the slight burn of alcohol, and the color reminded her of sunsets on cooler days. She took a long sip, savoring the familiar taste. «Besides,» she added, glancing over to where Rian and Kruz were now in some sort of standoff, «someone has to be the responsible one.»
Lina laughed softly. «Responsibility can wait—at least for tonight.» She slipped her hand into Cira’s, pulling her a little closer, and the two of them stood together, watching as the laughter and festivities spread through the village.
As Cira took another sip of her drink, she saw Jacc making his way through the crowd towards them. He was hard to miss—he was tall, broad-shouldered, and carried an air of quiet authority. His tanned skin was weathered from years of leading his group of travelers outside the village, and his long, dark hair was tied back, revealing a sharp, well-defined face. A thick beard decorated his jawline, streaked with silver that made him look a little older than he probably was. He always moved with a casual, confident stride, like someone who had seen too much to be fazed by anything.
Jacc’s group had been operating on the outskirts of the village for a while now, trading supplies and news with the locals. Unlike some of the other outsiders, Jacc had earned the respect of the villagers through his dealings and his willingness to lend a hand when needed. His group had become almost an extension of the village, but there was still an edge to him—something wild that reminded people he didn’t entirely belong here.
«Cira!» Jacc’s deep voice carried over the din of the crowd as he approached, a warm smile breaking across his face. «I was wondering when I’d run into you.»
Cira smiled back, her hand still intertwined with Lina’s. «Jacc. You missed all the chaos,» she said, glancing over to where Rian was now mock-wrestling with Kruz in front of an amused crowd. «But I’m sure you’ll make up for it.»
Jacc chuckled, his eyes briefly following her gaze. «I’ll pass on getting dragged into that mess,» he said with a grin, before turning his attention back to Cira. «How’ve you been? I heard about your little run-in with that Gammawolf.»
Cira nodded, her smile fading a little as she remembered the fight. «Yeah… it wasn’t pretty. But I’m still here.»
Jacc gave her a measured look, his dark eyes studying her closely. «Barely, from what I heard,» he said, his tone a little more serious now. «You need to be more careful, kid. Those things don’t mess around.»
Cira shrugged, trying to play it off. «It wasn’t my finest moment, but I managed.»
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«Managed,» Jacc repeated, shaking his head. «You’re too stubborn for your own good, you know that?» But there was no real reprimand in his voice—just the kind of concern that came from someone who had seen too many close calls. He shifted his gaze to the drink in her hand and raised an eyebrow. «At least you’re taking it easy tonight. Though, if I didn’t know better, I’d say that’s a little weak for someone like you.»
Cira laughed, her mood lightening again. «Oh, it’s stronger than it looks,» she said, lifting the glass. «Sweet and strong—just like me.»
Jacc snorted. «I’ll take your word for it. Speaking of which,» he added, leaning a little closer, «you ever think about joining us out there? We could use someone like you.»
Cira blinked, caught off guard by the question. «Out there? You mean with your group?»
«Why not?» Jacc said, his tone casual, but there was something behind his eyes—something like a challenge. «You’re tough, you’ve got skills, and you know how to handle yourself. You’d fit right in.»
Lina squeezed Cira’s hand a little tighter, and Cira glanced at her, seeing a flicker of uncertainty in her girlfriend’s eyes. She leaned closer to Cira and whispered: «Meet me by the river when you're done here.» Without another word, Lina slipped out of Cira's grasp and disappeared into the dozens of villagers.
Cira watched Lina disappear into the crowd, her steps light but quick. Her sudden departure left a strange tension in the air, a tightness that settled in Cira’s chest.
Jacc cleared his throat, pulling her attention back to him. His smile was still in place, but there was an intensity in his eyes that she hadn’t seen there before. «So, what do you say?» he asked, crossing his arms. «You’d get to see more than just this place. You’ve done your time here, protected the village. Now maybe it’s time for something bigger.»
Cira hesitated, turning the idea over in her mind. Jacc’s group was known for their mobility, scavenging from ruined cities and wastelands far beyond the village borders. They weren’t a bad lot, but they lived on the edge, always moving, never quite safe. Joining them meant excitement, adventure, and constant danger.
«Seems like you’ve already made up your mind that I’m coming along,» Cira said, her tone lighter than her thoughts. She shifted from foot to foot, feeling the weight of the decision Jacc was dangling before her.
Jacc shrugged, but his grin widened. «Just saying you’d be an asset. Think about it—you’ve already taken down a Gammawolf. Not many can say that.»
«That wasn’t exactly easy,» she said dryly. «Almost died, if you recall.»
«Yeah, but you didn’t.» Jacc stepped closer, lowering his voice. «Look, Cira, there’s more out there than just keeping this place safe. You can do more—see more. Don’t you want that?»
Cira opened her mouth to respond, but the words caught in her throat. Did she want that? She’d spent so much time focused on protecting the village, on fighting to survive, that she hadn’t stopped to consider what came after. If there even was an after.
She glanced again in the direction Lina had gone, her thoughts swirling. She knew Lina wanted something different for her—something calmer, safer—but part of her couldn’t deny the pull of Jacc’s offer. The need to prove herself, to push past her limits, to keep moving forward.
«I’ll think about it,» she said finally, her voice more uncertain than she intended.
Jacc nodded, seeming satisfied. «That’s all I’m asking. We leave in a couple of weeks if you’re interested. You know where to find me.» With that, he gave her a friendly pat on the shoulder and walked off, disappearing into the crowd much like Lina had.
Cira stood there for a moment, staring after him. The noise of the village swirled around her, but it felt distant, muffled. She glanced down at her hands, flexing her fingers as if trying to grasp something tangible, something that wasn’t slipping through her control.
With a sigh, she turned and started making her way toward the riverbank, her feet moving automatically, weaving through the groups of villagers still caught up in the feast’s revelry. By the time she reached the river, the sun had dipped lower in the sky, casting a golden glow over the water. Lina was already there, sitting on a fallen log, her eyes fixed on the slow-moving current.
Cira approached quietly, her steps soft on the grass. She sat down beside Lina, neither of them speaking for a moment, the sounds of the river filling the silence between them.
Finally, Lina broke the quiet, her voice soft but steady. «You’re thinking about it, aren’t you?»
Cira sighed, rubbing her hands together. «Jacc thinks I’d be a good fit for his group.»
«I know.» Lina’s voice was calm, but there was a heaviness to it. «And part of you thinks he’s right.»
Cira turned to look at her, seeing the concern etched in her features. «What am I supposed to do? Just stay here forever? There’s always going to be something dangerous. And what if next time I’m not fast enough, or strong enough? I could do more out there.»
Lina shook her head, a soft smile tugging at her lips. «You don’t always have to be doing more, Cira. You’ve done enough.»
«That’s not how it works,» Cira said, her frustration rising. «If I stop, if I just sit around, then what’s the point? I’ll be useless.»
«You’re not useless.» Lina reached out, placing a hand on Cira’s. «You’re more than just the girl who fights monsters. You’re more than just a protector.»
Cira stared at her, feeling the weight of those words sink in. She wanted to believe it, but it was hard—harder than she expected. «I don’t know how to do anything else.»
Lina squeezed her hand, her eyes soft but firm. «Then maybe it’s time to learn. You don’t have to chase danger every time it knocks. You could live for more than just adventure, Cira. You could live for us—for yourself.»
Cira’s heart clenched at that. The thought of settling into something quieter, something stable—it was both comforting and terrifying. She didn’t know if she could just let go of the part of herself that always needed to be fighting, to be pushing forward. But Lina’s words lingered in her mind, echoing louder than the river’s gentle flow.
«I don’t know,» Cira whispered, her voice barely audible. «I don’t know if I can.»
Lina leaned her head against Cira’s shoulder, her breath warm against her skin. «You don’t have to decide right now. Just… think about it.»
Cira nodded, closing her eyes as she rested her head on top of Lina’s. The river flowed on, the sun sinking lower behind them, casting the world in soft hues of orange and pink. For now, the decision could wait.
The peaceful moment by the river broke in an instant as a piercing scream echoed from the village. Cira’s head snapped up, her heart seizing in her chest.
“What the—?” Lina was already on her feet, eyes wide with alarm.
Without a word, Cira surged forward, sprinting toward the source of the chaos. Her body protested, the ache in her ribs flaring up with every step, but she ignored it. Lina was right behind her, their footsteps pounding the ground in unison as they raced back through the trees
By the time they reached the village, the air was thick with tension. Villagers stood frozen in place, their faces pale with fear, and in the center of it all, Cira saw them—a group of Ascended, standing tall and unflinching in the middle of the square. Their armor glinted in the dying light, dark and menacing, each of them carrying strange, angular weapons.
Kruz and Rian’s troupe stood in front of the villagers, weapons raised, muscles taut as if ready to strike at any moment. Rian’s face was set in a hard line, his eyes locked on the invaders, but Cira could see the uncertainty there. The Ascended were nothing like the beasts they’d faced before—this was something far worse.
Cira’s breath caught as she scanned the group of Ascended, her pulse quickening. And then, her gaze met the eyes of their leader.
He stood at the front of the group, his eyes cold and calculating, boring into hers with an intensity that made her blood run cold. One of the eyes seemed to focus and unfocus multiple times.
For a long, tense moment, they simply stared at each other—Cira frozen, unable to look away, while the village seemed to hold its breath.