For the rest of the night, there were no more interruptions. The tense stillness hung in the air, but Vivienne noticed something peculiar—the taste of fear aether had vanished entirely from the tavern. It was as though the building had been abandoned, emptied of its occupants. She tilted her head, bemused by the strange quiet.

“Evacuated, maybe?” she mused to herself, her voice barely a whisper. The thought made her grin. Fear had its uses, but this absolute absence was unsettling in its own way. She couldn’t shake the image of herself as a coiled serpent, tasting the air with unseen senses but tasting fear rather than… whatever snakes tasted. "A snake with too many teeth," she murmured with amusement.

Her thoughts wandered to Rava, whose breathing had slowed into the steady rhythm of sleep. The woman had endured a lot in the short time they’d been together—more than most mortals would manage without breaking. Vivienne leaned back against the wall, claws idly tapping against her arm as she reflected.

Rava was an oddity. Tough, stubborn, and fiercely protective despite her sharp tongue. She was the kind of person who didn’t scare easily. And yet, Vivienne wondered if there was anything left that could shake her to her core. The idea stirred something playful and dangerous in her—though she quickly pushed it aside.

The hours passed, and Vivienne’s predatory gaze remained fixed on the door, her posture still but relaxed. As the first hints of dawn crept into the room, the faint sounds of the village stirring reached her ears. It seemed the night’s tension hadn’t spilled over into chaos—yet.

When Rava finally stirred, blinking groggily, Vivienne greeted her with a grin. "Morning, sunshine. Sleep well?"

Rava groaned, rubbing her eyes. "You let us survive the night. Thanks."

"Don’t mention it," Vivienne said lightly, though the sharp glint in her eyes remained. "What’s next on today’s agenda? Winning the hearts of the villagers or just surviving breakfast?"

“I doubt they’ll let us do anything but leave, so we will be doing that. Leaving.”

Vivienne’s grin stretched a little wider at that, the corners of her mouth twitching as though she couldn’t help herself. "Oh, how disappointing. I was just starting to enjoy myself." She gave a dramatic smile, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.

Rava rolled her eyes, already standing and reaching for her gear. "You enjoy chaos far too much. I swear, you're like a child with too many toys."

"Chaos is an art form," Vivienne replied with mock seriousness. "And I’m quite the artist." She leaned back in the chair, letting her claws tap against the wood rhythmically, her gaze flitting toward the window. The village outside seemed eerily calm, a quietness that felt almost like a warning.

Rava’s fingers brushed the hilt of her weapon—though it was more habit now than anything. "Whatever you say," she muttered, securing her things. "You just keep that appetite of yours in check."

"Hey, I’m not picky." Vivienne stretched lazily, her long form unfolding in a fluid motion. "Besides, we’re leaving now, right? The sooner we go, the sooner I get to hunt something more interesting than tense villagers."

Rava shot her a sidelong glance as she adjusted her pack.

Vivienne chuckled, the sound dark and teasing. "Don’t worry, I’m not that hungry yet." She waved a hand dismissively, though the glint in her eyes said otherwise. "Besides, I’ve already had a taste of the fear in this place. Let’s go find something with more flavour."

The tension that had clung to the room last night was gone, replaced by the almost palpable anticipation of what lay ahead. With Rava ready, Vivienne followed her to the door. The tavern outside was quiet, the early morning sun casting long shadows over the empty streets. It felt too calm, as if the village was holding its breath.

“Lead the way,” Vivienne said, her voice soft but still carrying that edge of playful menace.

Rava nodded curtly, her tail flicking in annoyance as she stepped outside. "And keep your claws to yourself, Viv. I don't need you tearing through anyone's livestock on the way out."

Vivienne smirked, stepping into the sunlight. "Fine, fine. But you’re missing out on the fun."

Rava sighed, her ears flicking back in irritation, but she didn’t comment further. The village around them was eerily quiet—no sounds of people starting their day, no chatter from nearby homes, just the soft hum of the wind through the trees. The contrast to the chaos of the previous night was stark.

As they moved through the streets, Rava kept her pace steady, her senses alert for any sign of trouble. She’d been in enough tight spots to know that when things seemed too quiet, it was usually a sign that something was off.

Vivienne, on the other hand, appeared utterly unfazed, her eyes scanning the empty village like it was her playground. "I thought these places were supposed to be charming," she muttered, half to herself. "Bit too quiet for my taste."

Vivienne smirked, her eyes gleaming as she glanced toward the slightly ajar door of one of the nearby homes. She pointed at it with a long, obsidian claw. "Looks like they’re waiting for us to leave with bated breath," she said, her voice dripping with amusement.

Rava shot her a sharp look, her patience wearing thin. "Hurry up, Viv, let's go."

Vivienne's grin only widened. She slowed her pace just enough for her presence to bleed into the air, letting the tension hang thick and uncomfortable. As they walked, she made no effort to hide her amusement. Her aura felt like an oppressive weight in the atmosphere, enough to send a ripple of nervous energy through the villagers inside.

A soft, sinister chuckle escaped her lips as she added, "I can't resist a good scare. They won’t forget us anytime soon."

Rava groaned, rolling her eyes but keeping her pace steady. "Can we go one day without scaring people half to death?"

Vivienne, quick as ever, darted to Rava's side. She tilted her head and looked up at the taller woman with a feigned innocence, her lips curling into a sweet smile as she batted her asymmetrical eyes. "No?" she said, the single syllable dripping with mischief.

Rava shot her a sideways glance, but the corner of her mouth twitched despite herself. "You're impossible."

Vivienne's grin only grew wider, and she skipped a step ahead, clearly enjoying the little back-and-forth. "You keep saying ‘entertaining’ wrong.” she teased, flicking her tail with an almost childlike glee.

Soon, they reached the edge of the village, the oppressive silence following them like a shadow. No one dared whisper, no one dared linger. It was as if the entire village exhaled in unison, a collective sigh of relief marking their departure.

Vivienne stretched her arms over her head, her claws glinting in the soft morning light. “Sooo,” she drawled, her tone light and playful, “how much longer till we get wherever we’re going? My legs are getting tired.”

Rava snorted, her ears twitching as she adjusted the straps of her pack. “Your legs? Can you even get tired?”

“Of course! Probably. Perhaps. I’m conserving energy!” Vivienne replied, feigning indignation as her feet hovered just above the ground for emphasis. “Can’t be too careful, you know. What if a wild beast attacks and I need to… pounce?” She flashed a wicked grin, her teeth gleaming.

Rava shot her a glare but kept walking. “It’s another day or two at least. Maybe less if you actually walk a proper pace and stop distracting me with your nonsense.”

“Oh, so it’s my fault we’re slow now?” Vivienne teased, her voice lilting with mock hurt. She drifted closer to Rava, tilting her head. “You’re the one who insisted on taking the scenic route.”

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

“The scenic route is also the safer route,” Rava retorted. “Or would you rather walk straight through aetherbeast-infested swamps?”

Vivienne tapped her chin, pretending to think it over. “Hmm. Depends. Do the aetherbeasts taste good?”

“Viv.”

“Kidding!” Vivienne said quickly, though her grin suggested otherwise. “Mostly.”

Rava sighed, her patience fraying but not breaking. “Let’s just focus on getting to the Serkoth Clanhome without tripping on the nearest hazard. For once.”

Vivienne tapped Rava on the shoulder with a claw, earning herself a glare sharp enough to cut stone. Predictably, Vivienne didn’t flinch. If anything, she leaned into it with a grin that practically begged for trouble. “Too late,” she purred, gesturing with one wickedly curved talon. “Look over there.”

Rava followed the motion, her tail flicking with irritation as her sharp eyes focused on the scene ahead. She groaned and shot Vivienne an exasperated look. “Are you a magnet for trouble? I swear to Serranos, this is the most eventful journey I’ve ever had—and not in a good way.”

“Trouble? No, no, you wound me.” Vivienne pressed a hand to her chest in mock affront. “That’s not trouble, Rava. That’s dinner.”

Ahead of them, a pack of reptilian aetherbeasts prowled in a loose circle, their elongated bodies slinking with a predatory grace. Each beast was the size of a small horse, their vermilion scales shimmering with an unnatural gleam under the autumn sun. Their heads were crowned with spiked frills, and their sinuous tails swayed like lethal whips.

Surrounded by the creatures was a group of five figures—likely soldiers or guards, judging by the mismatched scraps of armour they wore. Their weapons glinted in the sun, but their formation was sloppy, their fear palpable even from a distance.

Rava growled low in her throat. “Looks like they’re in over their heads.”

Vivienne licked her lips, her eyes glinting with an unsettling hunger. “Perfect. A little appetiser before we move on.”

Rava grabbed her arm before she could step forward. “We don’t even know who they are, Viv. Maybe leave the cannibalistic tendencies on hold for a second?”

“Firstly,” Vivienne held up a claw, “I am not human, neither are they, so technically it wouldn’t be cannibalism.” She then held up a second claw. “Secondly, I meant the aetherbeasts, you dolt.” She reached up with her scaled hand and bopped the lekine warrior on the head.

Rava grumbled but thought about that. “Well, if it helps you… Fine. They look like clanhome guards, if their armour is anything to go by. Let's go help.”

“Yay! Dinner time!” Cheered the little nightmare, clapping her hands together.

Vivienne darted ahead with unnatural speed, her movements fluid and predatory, while Rava followed at a measured pace, muttering under her breath about her companion’s antics.

The guards had formed a shaky defensive line, their spears and swords raised against the circling aetherbeasts. One of the creatures lunged, its massive jaws snapping, only for a guard to narrowly deflect it with a spear.

Before anyone could react further, Vivienne barreled into the fray. She leapt onto one of the beasts, her claws sinking into its neck as it writhed beneath her. “Hello, gorgeous!” she cooed, her voice dripping with mock sweetness before she tore into its flesh. Golden aetheric blood sprayed across her face, and she inhaled deeply, shuddering as if savouring the taste.

Vivienne threw her head back, letting out a dramatic sigh of ecstasy. “Oh, the rivers and the seas! Cool and fresh! This taste is immaculate.” she declared, her voice dripping with exaggerated reverence.

Before Rava could scold her for her theatrics, Vivienne’s mouth split wide, revealing rows of jagged teeth. With a feral gleam in her eyes, she sank her fangs into the neck of the aetheric salamander, the golden glow of its aether pooling around her claws as she fed.

Vivienne didn’t even pay attention to the other salamanders or the guards who were staring at her in abject horror, too absorbed in her meal. The salamander’s body writhed weakly beneath her as its aetheric essence flowed into her, illuminating the dark veins of her otherworldly body. When she finally pulled back, her mouth snapping shut with an audible clack, she wiped her lips and grinned at Rava.

Rava rolled her eyes, stepping closer to the guards who stood frozen, their weapons still drawn. “She’s... harmless,” Rava said as a sickening snap of bones could be heard. “Mostly.”

One of the guards, an older man with a bloodied gash along his cheek, pointed his spear warily in Vivienne’s direction. “That’s what you call harmless? She just devoured a creature like it was her breakfast.”

Vivienne licked her lips, her grin widening. “Breakfast? Please. That was an appetiser.”

“Viv!” Rava snapped, glaring at her companion. “You’re not helping.”

The older man’s grip on his spear tightened, his eyes narrowing. “What kind of creature is she? And what business do you have here?”

“Fight now, talk later!” Rava barked, her fists crackling with the force of the tempest as she drove it into the snapping jaws of another approaching lizard. The impact sent the creature skidding backwards, its snarls fading into a pained whimper.

The guards, startled but emboldened by Rava’s intervention, reformed their shaky line. “Focus on the beasts!” the older guard shouted, his spear plunging into the side of one of the reptilian monsters.

Vivienne rolled her eyes dramatically but stepped into action, her claws glinting as she intercepted another lizard mid-lunge. “Oh, fine,” she muttered, twisting gracefully to avoid its venomous bite. With a swift movement, her claws sliced through its scaled hide, the creature’s essence spilling out in shimmering waves.

As more of the lizards closed in, Rava worked alongside the guards, her strikes precise and brutal. Every punch was followed by a crackle of energy that sent the beasts reeling. Vivienne, meanwhile, moved with a predator’s grace, her strikes less about defence and more about savouring the hunt.

“Can you not look so delighted while doing this?” Rava called out between breaths, her tone laced with irritation.

Within moments, the field quieted, the last of the aetherbeasts collapsing in a heap. The air was thick with the scent of blood and the faint hum of dissipating aether. Vivienne stood atop the heap of fallen creatures, her shimmering black claws slick with gore as they tore effortlessly through the thick hide. Each swipe sent glinting splatters of blood into the grass, and with each bite of aether-rich flesh, her form seemed to pulse faintly, the veins in her body glowing momentarily like molten gold.

The guards stood frozen, their weapons slack in trembling hands as they watched the nightmare unfold. Vivienne was a vision of terror—her body drenched in blood, her predatory movements more beast than human. She tore another chunk free with her fanged maw, the sound of crunching bone and snapping sinew audible even over the uneasy silence. When she swallowed, her glowing eyes flicked to the guards, as if daring them to say something.

"Vivienne!" Rava’s voice cut through the oppressive quiet, sharp and commanding. “You’re scaring the gods-damned locals,”

Vivienne paused mid-bite, her bloodstained grin widening at the interruption. “What? Tell them to turn around,” she purred, licking a streak of blood from her claw. “Waste not, want not.”

Rava growled, striding toward her with purpose. She gestured sharply at the group of guards, who looked like they might bolt at any moment. “And you’re making my job harder.”

Vivienne’s head tilted sharply toward Rava, her gaze weighty and feral. “This feast will sate me for a while,” she hissed. “You want me at my best, don’t you?”

Rava exhaled through her nose, trying to suppress her irritation. She couldn’t deny the logic. With any luck, the meal would last Vivienne several days—even if her appetite seemed bottomless.

Maybe not completely endless, she thought, glancing at her companion. Vivienne hadn’t eaten since the raid on the Aegis watchtower, and she had taken some bad hits during that skirmish. Rava grudgingly accepted the necessity.

Fine. She can have this one.

Turning to the frozen guards, Rava squared her shoulders, standing tall and commanding. Her voice rang out clearly. “I am Ravanyr Serkoth, Twilight Fang of Korriva Serkoth. I am returning home after an assignment. This,” she gestured toward Vivienne, who was still gleefully tearing into the aether-rich corpses with no sign of hesitation, “is my companion. She saved my life, and I owe her mine in return.”

The guards exchanged uneasy glances, their hands gripping their weapons tightly but not yet raising them. One, a younger man with trembling hands, stammered, “That thing—she’s eating them! What is she?”

Vivienne’s sharp laugh broke through the tension. “Oh, sweet boy,” she said, her voice dripping with mockery, “I’m the thing that keeps your nightmares company.”

“Viv,” Rava snapped, shooting her a warning glare. “Enough.”

With a bloodied claw held to her chest in mock penitence, Vivienne smirked. “Of course. Always ruining my fun, Rava.”

The eldest of the guards finally spoke, his grizzled features set in a firm scowl. “If she’s with you, she stays your problem. We’ll tolerate her—for now. But don’t think we’ll forget what we saw here today.”

Rava inclined her head curtly. “Fair enough. We’ll be out of your way as soon as we’re finished.” She turned back to Vivienne. “And by we, I mean you.”

Vivienne gave a theatrical sigh but resumed eating. “Oh, you’re no fun. I’m almost done anyway. Don’t worry, my dear Rava. I’ll save room for dessert.”

The guards visibly flinched but held their ground.

Rava muttered under her breath, “You are the dessert, idiot.”

Vivienne’s laughter echoed across the field. “What a flirt.”