Somewhere in the eastern province, Elron and Slyra faced each other on a grassy hill, swords clashing. With both hands, Elron heaved his sword downward, but Slyra parried the blow just enough to deflect it. In the same instant, she kneed him hard in the stomach, sending him stumbling backward. The pain was sharp, but Elron reacted swiftly. He casted Mana Step, vanishing and reappearing behind her before she could press her advantage.

Slyra gasped, her eyes widening, but she quickly followed suit, disappearing by her own means. Confused, Elron cast Shield, only for it to shatter instantly. His eyes darted frantically as he tried to pinpoint what had happened, but it was too late—Slyra’s dagger tip descended from above, piercing his skull.

The illusion dissipated, revealing a pile of dust where Elron had been standing. Slyra blinked in disbelief, then suddenly found herself on the ground, Elron’s blade hovering inches from her face.

“I yield! I yield!” she laughed, and Elron extended a hand to help her up.

From a distance, Kael clapped, breaking the silence. “Bravo, my prince! That was impressive,” he called out with a grin.

Elron scratched the back of his head, looking slightly embarrassed. “Ah, I wouldn’t go that far, Kael.”

The three began to make their way back to the town they had been staying in. Slyra, brushing some dirt off her cloak, remarked, “You’ve really gotten stronger. Do you think you’re stronger enough yet?”

Elron, sheathing his worn bastard sword while pondering her question. Before he could answer, Kael cut in with a sly grin. “Satisfied? You’ve got to be joking. This elf doesn’t know the meaning of the word. Every time we take on something new, it’s always, ‘What can we slay next?’ Maybe we should focus on slaying something else for once... like some she-elves.” He gave Elron a playful nudge.

Slyra rolled her eyes and smacked Kael on the back of the head. “Go be a pervert on your own time, and leave Elron out of it.”

Elron chuckled at the banter as they passed through the town’s gates.

“When did you two become a thing?” Kael muttered under his breath. “It’s a real buzzkill being the third wheel, you know.”

“We’re not a thing!” Slyra snapped, her eyes narrowing. “I just don’t want you corrupting our party leader.”

Kael raised an eyebrow. “Our party leader?”

Elron leaned in close, locking eyes with Kael. “Is that a problem? You don’t acknowledge me as your leader?”

Kael stammered, his eyes wide in alarm. “N-no, of course not, my prin—”

Elron burst out laughing and clapped Kael on the shoulder. “Relax, Kael. I’m only messing with you.”

As they approached the small house they had rented, Kael cast Open Lock on the door, and they all began to unwind. The interior was a mess—cluttered with typical elven household items, but also strewn with the group’s gear, a few kegs, and a large etch board with scribbled notes.

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Kael immediately gravitated toward the board, his brow furrowed in thought. Slyra, already heading for the kitchen, poured herself a drink. “Give it a rest for today, Kael. You can overthink tomorrow.”

Kael shook his head, pointing at the board. “We need to act soon. If we wait any longer, this town will be overrun with monsters by the next blue moon. But… now that I think about it, that might be our best chance.”

Elron, struggling to remove his half-plate armor, looked over at Kael. “What do you mean?”

Kael traced a line between several notes on the board. “If these shapeshifters can’t maintain their disguises under a certain moon, we could expose them. We kill them, collect our reward. Simple.”

Slyra sat down nearby, mug in hand. “You don’t even know what kind of shapeshifters we’re dealing with. There are tons of creatures that could fit the bill.”

Elron, finally free from his some of his armor, nodded. “She’s right. Even the mayor doesn’t know. The villagers burned the corpse before we could figure it out.”

Slyra rocked back in her chair, thoughtful. “Yeah… which is suspicious in itself. Someone definitely planted that idea.”

Kael scratched his chin. “We need more substantial leads.”

Elron leaned back on the couch, exhausted. “Agreed. Let’s split up tomorrow and see what we can find.”

Kael continued to stare at the board, frustration etched on his face. Elron sighed, “Go to bed, Kael. Cast Sleep on yourself if you have to.”

Kael reluctantly shuffled toward his room, muttering something about needing more answers.

Elron sprawled out on the couch, turning to Slyra. “Are you going to bed soon?”

“Yeah,” she replied, as she poured herself another drink.

Elron fluffed his pillow and pulled a blanket over himself. “I’m heading out early tomorrow to check the local inns and taverns.”

Slyra paused, her back turned to him. “You’d tell me if something was wrong, right?”

He hesitated. “Of course. You’re my teammate.”

“You know I can tell when you’re lying, right? I can see through most lies in general.”

Elron winced and sighed. “Sorry. A prince shouldn’t lie. It’s just... things happened in the ruins. I’m not entirely sure about it all yet, but there’s one thing I know for certain.”

Slyra turned slightly, looking at him from the corner of her eye. “And that is?”

He took a deep breath. “The old elven queen is trying to kill me.”

Slyra’s eyes widened. She dumped her drink and spun around, hair flipping wildly. “I knew something was wrong! Forget the shapeshifters, we need to handle this!”

Elron sat up, waving his hands to calm her down. “Quiet! Someone will hear you. It’s not that simple. Provoking her will only lead to—”

“Lead to your death,” Slyra finished for him, her voice dropping. “Isn’t the king your father? Can’t we get him involved?”

Elron stood and stepped toward her, his gaze dark. “No. I want nothing to do with that man, and I don’t want to hear his name again.”

Slyra, taken aback by his intensity, nearly snapped at him. But instead, pity softened her expression. “Fine. But you need to keep us in the loop. It’s not just your life on the line.”

Elron muttered in agreement, lost in thought.

“I’m going to bed,” Slyra said as she stumbled toward the hallway. “Try to get some sleep.”

Just as she left, Elron noticed the puddle of spilled alcohol on the floor. “Hey, are you going to clean this up?”

She waved him off, already halfway down the hall. “It’ll dry by morning.”

He shook his head, frustrated, and tried to get comfortable on the couch once more.