Adrian awoke to the sensation of something warm and soft brushing against his face. Light streamed through his heavy eyelids as he stirred, and when he finally forced them open, Mimi's worried eyes greeted him.

“Hey, Mimi,” he murmured.

He lifted his hand to scratch behind her ear, until he saw the many bandages wrapped tightly around his hand and stretched along his forearm, binding his skin. Realization spread through him, and he scanned the rest of his body, noting the countless other layers of cloth criss crossing his torso and limbs. How badly was I hurt?

The boy winced as his head throbbed, flashes of memory surging forward: the masked man, the wild explosion that tore through the air, the searing heat. I should have seen it coming.

A soft whine pulled him from the torrent of his thoughts. Mimi nudged at his side, her bright eyes narrowed in concern. Adrian took a breath, forcing a smile to his lips. “I’m okay, but...how did you make it out of the blast?”

Before he could say more, Mimi leapt gracefully into the air, vanishing in a swirl of green embers before materializing again near his shoulder, her paws touching down with the weightless grace of a spirit. She chirped, tilting her head as if daring him to doubt her.

Adrian chuckled softly. “Right, I keep forgetting you can do that.”

He watched her curiously. “How exactly does that disappearing and reappearing thing work, anyway?”

Mimi only tilted her head further, an expression of innocent confusion that made him laugh. Of course she can’t answer. He reached out, ignoring the ache in his body, and stroked her luminous fur. She purred softly, her warmth chasing away the cold that lingered from his ordeal.

Adrian played with Mimi for a while, letting her hop and flicker across the room. Her energy was infectious, and for a few precious moments, the pain faded.

That was, until the door creaked open. Adrian’s heart leapt as Anisa burst into the room, eyes wide and brimming with tears. She crossed the distance in seconds, pulling him into a fierce embrace despite the bandages. “Thank the stars, Adrian."

Marcus stepped in behind her. “Good to see you in one piece, kid."

Anisa finally released Adrian from her embrace, though her hands lingered on his shoulders, as if she needed to convince herself that he was truly there. “You’re really okay?”

Adrian nodded slowly to avoid the throbbing in his head. “I’m alive. Hurts a bit, but… I’ve had worse.”

“Adrian, what happened out there? We need to know.”

Adrian hesitated, the memory of the explosion and the masked figure burning bright in his mind. He could still feel the heat of it, the raw force that had nearly torn him apart. He glanced at Anisa and Marcus, their eyes filled with worry and a protective fierceness that made his chest ache. They don’t need the full story. Not yet.

“It was late, was out walking and couldn’t sleep. Guess my timing was lucky… or unlucky, depending on how you look at it.”

Anisa’s brow furrowed, but she didn’t interrupt. Marcus leaned forward, listening intently.

“I saw them,” Adrian continued. “A group of bandits. They were dragging people in chains, slaves most likely. I couldn’t just walk away.”

Marcus’s jaw clenched, and his eyes darkened with disgust. “Slavers. They’re still operating this close to Willowbrook?”

“It looks that way, I confronted them. Things got… heated.”

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Adrian let out a heavy breath, choosing his words carefully. “They didn’t want to be taken in. Fought hard to protect their cargo. It wasn’t right. I couldn’t let them leave.”

Anisa reached out, placing a steadying hand on his arm. “Of course you couldn’t, you did what you had to.”

The three of them stayed quiet for a moment. The warmth of the room and the gentle crackling of the fire in the hearth made the tension almost surreal, as if the danger Adrian had faced was a distant memory rather than something that just happened.

Marcus was the first to break the silence, his voice gruff but laced with concern. “Next time, you need to be more careful and pick your battles. You got lucky, kid. Too lucky.”

Adrian nodded slowly, his gaze falling to the blanket draped over him. “I understand."

“Do you need anything? Food, water, more rest?” Anisa asked, her tone warmer but tinged with worry.

Adrian smiled faintly, rolling his shoulders as if testing the movement. “Actually, I feel fine,” he said, moving his arms in slow circles. “See?” He flexed his fingers, though a slight wince betrayed the lingering ache.

Anisa’s brow furrowed deeper, and her lips pressed into a tight line. “Are you sure? You’re not exactly convincing me with that wince.”

“I’m sure,” Adrian insisted. He pushed the blanket off, planting his feet on the floor and standing up. His legs wobbled, but he straightened, steadying himself with a deep breath.

“Adrian—” Anisa’s tone turned sharper, maternal concern sharpening her words. “You’re pushing yourself too soon.”

“Anisa, give the boy some credit,” Marcus interjected, leaning casually against the wall. “He knows his limits.”

The words lit a spark, and Anisa spun to face him, her hands on her hips. “Oh, really? You think just because he can stand, he’s fine? That’s exactly how people end up worse off! Do you want him to collapse out there?”

“I’m just saying, the kid’s tougher than he looks."

“Oh, so now you’re a healer? Because last I checked, patching him up was my job."

“Hey, hey,” Adrian said quickly, stepping between the two. “I’m okay. I promise. And I’m grateful for everything you’ve both done. Truly.”

Anisa’s gaze softened, though the worry in her eyes didn’t fade entirely. “Just… promise you’ll take it slow, Adrian. I don’t want to have to see you like this again.”

“I promise that I'll be carefull."

Marcus clapped Adrian on the back. “That’s what we’re here for, kid. You keep getting into scrapes, and we’ll keep pulling you out.”

Anisa’s lips curved into a reluctant smile. “Just don’t make it a habit. I mean it.”

Adrian chuckled softly, glancing between the two of them. “Do you mind if I go for a walk? Just to stretch my legs?”

Marcus shrugged. “Go for it. Just don’t overdo it.”

“Don’t go too far, Adrian,” Anisa said, her arms crossing again, “If you so much as wince, you turn around and come back. Understood?”

Adrian smiled warmly, “I will. Don’t worry.”

As Adrian prepared to leave the house, he adjusted the clasp of his cloak and reached for the door. He paused, feeling a gentle warmth nestled atop his head. A small smile tugged at his lips, and he reached up to poke Mimi lightly.

“Hey, Mimi,” he murmured, tilting his head slightly upward. “Think you could hide again for a bit? Just until we’re out of sight.”

Mimi chirped in response. In a quick swirl of embers and light, she vanished, leaving behind a faint warmth that lingered on his scalp.

With that, Adrian left the house and moved down a familiar path, passing small houses and shops with shutters closed for the night. As he walked, he stretched his arms carefully, rolling his shoulders to loosen the tension in his muscles. Not bad. Seems like I didn't take too much damage from that explosion.

Rounding a corner, he slowed his pace, his thoughts drifting back to the masked figure and the red glow of malevolent mana. But then, a voice cut through his thoughts.

“Adrian.”

He turned sharply, senses instantly on high alert. Standing a few paces away was Galtier. What's he doing here?

The tall, imposing figure crossed his arms. “Are you free to talk?"

"And why do you want to talk to me exactly?"

"I heard about what happened, you have my sympathies."

Adrian forced himself to stay calm, his eyes narrowing as he watched Galtier’s imposing form step closer. “I appreciate the sentiment, but you still haven’t answered my question. Why do you want to talk to me now all of a sudden?"

Galtier’s armored footsteps echoed against the cobblestones as he moved closer. He halted a few paces away, arms still crossed. “Because you and I are in the same boat now.”

Adrian tilted his head slightly. “We’re already in the same party. You’re going to have to explain yourself better than that.”

For a moment, Galtier’s eyes, hidden behind his dark helm, locked with Adrian’s. Then, without another word, he turned on his heel. “Follow me, there’s something you need to see.”