A warmth that Sanora hasn’t felt in a small eternity lies in her arms when she wakes up. Most of her body is still aching but the gentle feeling she has in her chest is making it bearable. How she missed waking up like this, under the blanket with someone she loves in her embrace. If it wasn’t for the ungodly amount of dried blood on them, this would be an absolutely perfect moment.

“I can’t believe you actually came into the bloody bed.” Sanora mumbles and Mari stirs awake.

“Mhh I was tired what do you want.” She stretches her arms and sits up.

“It was quite a night.” Sanora yawns and tries to sit up but falls back into bed when her back cracks painfully.

“You alright?”

“No. My back is killing me.” Sanora groans.

“I’d tell you to take it easy but…” Mari looks down at herself and Sanora. “We should take a bath. Or two.”

“Make that three.” Sanora slowly sits up, hissing as pain shoots through her. She clumsily peels off her tunic with her left arm and tosses it into the room, gracefully exposing her chest to Mari whose face shoots from normal to beet red in record time.

“What’s wrong?” Sanora tilts her head.

“Oh wow.” Mari says quietly, unable to hold eye contact with Sanora.

“Be a dear and pass me a tunic when you’re done staring.” Sanora chuckles and Mari breaks from her stupor.

“Oh yeah, s-sure.” She says after stealing one last glance at Sanora. She puts it on and falls straight back into bed.

“Just gonna go back to sleep now?” Mari raises an eyebrow as she sits down on the bed.

“Yes. Nighty night.” Sanora says and rolls over, snuggling into the blanket. At least most of the blood was dried the night before, so only their clothes are ruined.

Mari lets herself fall into bed again with a sigh.

“Maybe just a little longer.” She yawns and closes her eyes. Sanora turns around and looks at the girl, pondering.

“Hey Mari.” She says and shuffles over.

“Huh?” Mari opens her eyes and looks at Sanora when she suddenly moves in and kisses her. She freezes, relishing in the warmth of Sanora’s lips on hers as her heart goes into overdrive. After a way too short moment Sanora moves back and smiles at the girl.

“Thank you.”

===========================

The two of them cuddle a bit longer before getting out of bed to take a direly needed bath. The Vixen’s wooden tubs are by no means luxurious, but a bath is a bath. Even though they were just joking earlier the two of them have to actually take two baths to get properly clean.

Afterwards they meet up with Kera in the lobby.

“Slept well?” She greets them as they walk in.

“Like a stone.” Sanora says.

“Good to hear. How you feeling? Think you’re ready for work?”

“Does she look like she is?” Mari frowns at the woman who looks at Sanora. She still has a limp in her walk, her right arm can barely handle even the most basic tasks and the vision in her still bloodshot right eye is blurry.

Sanora opens her mouth, but Mari cuts her off.

“Don’t you even dare say you’re fine.” She raises a finger at Sanora. “You need to rest yesterday.”

“I know I know. But if they open without me around, they are taking a risk every day.”

“Then they’ll have to find a new bouncer for the time being.”

“But-“

“No buts. You promised to take it easy.” Mari pouts.

“Well, I figured as much.” Kera sighs. “We’ll just stay closed for a few days until I find someone to stand in for you. I’d rather you stay alive after all.”

“Are you sure? What about money?”

“Please Sanora, you know what we make.” Kera snickers. “We won’t go bankrupt from a three-day vacation. You go and take a rest. You deserve it after all you’ve done for us so far.” The woman smiles kindly.

“But I also kind of live here.”

“You can stay with me. Problem solved.” Mari nods.

“Wait, really? Are you sure about that?” Sanora looks at Mari surprised.

“Sure. Unless you mind sharing a bed?” She smirks at Sanora who chuckles.

“I can imagine worse.”

“It’s decided then.” Kera clasps her hands. “Go and get your things.”

“Already? Just like that?” Sanora says a bit deflated.

“Yep, you don’t work here, and I won’t let you scrounge a whole room. Go, shoo.”

“Charming as always.” Sanora rolls her eyes and limps upstairs to gather her few belongings.

Once she is out of sight Kera plops into her chair with a sigh.

“Finally.”

“Finally?” Mari furrows her eyebrows.

“Yes, finally. You think I can’t see how she’s destroying herself? Knowing her, I’m surprised she went so easily.” Kera snorts. “But this can’t go on. She’s been here for too long as is. Would hate to see such a nice girl wither away in a place like this. There aren’t many people this selfless, you scored big time, young lass.” She winks at Mari.

“I know. She really is special. I’ve never in my life met someone like her. It’s almost like she isn’t from this world.” Mari says with a smile while looking up at Sanora’s room.

“She’s certainly lost enough to be.” Kera chuckles. “You take good care of her.”

“I will.” Mari nods.

Soon Sanora comes down again, her stuffed backpack slung over her shoulder.

“I guess this is goodbye then, for now at least.”

“Considering how you ended up here the first time let’s hope it’s not just for now.”

“You’re making it really hard to miss you.” Sanora scoffs. “Thank you, Kera. For everything.” Sanora smiles at the woman who just nods.

“Go now, get your life together.”

Sanora rolls her eyes before she and Mari turn to leave. But just when they reach the door Sanora turns around one last time.

“Hey, when you see Elle say goodbye for me. And thanks for all the ‘emotional supprt’.”

“Will do.”

Sanora nods and they finally leave the Dancing Vixen.

Kera sighs.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

“You can come out now.”

The door behind the counter opens and Elle comes out.

“You sure you didn’t want to see her off?” Kera turns to her.

“Yeah. After all, my irresistible charms might have made her stay after all.” Elle says with a smirk.

“Yeah yeah, keep acting all tough but I can see how watery your eyes are.”

“You mean like yours?”

“Touche.” Kera chuckles wryly. “I’ll miss the lass.”

==============================

Mari and Sanora slowly walk through the town. It’s been a while since Sanora had a leisurely walk like this. It’s been so many days since she arrived in Deepvalley, but she can remember it as if it was yesterday. How she met Vadia in the woods, how they came here together, tinkering on her story as Sanora of Ginaeris. Her first meeting with the late lord of the city, the first time she met Liddy and Gia in the bath. The days spent in the castle, wandering in its lonely halls. How she met Jared. The members of Bullwind and their adventures. The pit she fell into after Vadia’s betrayal and the agonising days she spent alone in her room in the Dancing Vixen crying herself to sleep. So much has happened in her short live it is hard to believe.

Melancholy washes over her as she looks around these streets that felt like a maze not too long ago. Somewhere deep inside she knows that even though she said she would return, her days as the bouncer of the Dancing Vixen are over now. Ahead lies the live with Mari, and whatever that may bring. She still has to find the moon and return to River’s rest someday. A smile spreads on her face when she thinks about finally hugging Amni again, raising a toast with Bawarag as he wears his usual grin, telling Genny all about her adventures as she hangs onto every word with her curious smile.

Truly, this isn’t the end of Sanora’s journey, it is just the start.

They slowly walk through the city until they reach Mari’s house. Nothing in the small but cozy home has changed since Sanora was there last time. Mari takes Sanora’s bag off her shoulders and carries it upstairs for her while Sanora follows.

“Sorry it’s a bit messy but I didn’t expect any visitors. Or roommates.” Mari says as she opens the door and walks in. Light falls in from a window on the left, overlooking the street outside. The dust flying around the air is reflecting the golden sunrays. The bed is standing at the right wall, a wooden chest overflowing with all sorts of clutter at the end of it. In the right corner stands a small table with a mirror and way too many leather ties for hair on it. The chair in front of the small table is covered in clothes. The blanket is strewn on the bed. The only closet in the room is standing opposite of the entrance. Through the half open doors Sanora can see the outfit Mari wore when they went out for the first time. But aside from that and a few spare robes its mostly empty.

“I don’t mind. Its really cozy.” Sanora says as she looks around the room.

“Yes. When I first saw this house, I just knew this is it.” Mari sits down on the bed and pats the spot next to her. Sanora happily limps over and sits down next to the girl.

“I get what you mean. Reminds me of my place.” She says with a smile.

“Your place? You never really told me about it but weren’t you a noble or something?”

“Oh that. Yeah, that was all lies.”

“It was all lies?”

“Yep. Made it up so Vadia’s father would approve of us. I’m actually from River’s Rest.”

“River’s Rest?! You live this close?”

“Yes. I have a small log cabin in the woods there and that’s it. The great Sanora of Ginaeris, in reality just some plain country bumpkin.” Sanora chuckles and lets herself fall back into the bed.

“I mean I figured that something about was off, but I never quite expected that.” Mari lies down as well.

“I have been dying to tell you all, but it is quite a lie. But I guess you should know now.”

“I get you. Lying about being a noble to get into the castle is a bit… extreme.”

“And it was annoying. All the people making a fuss about you, hushed whispers behind your back. And the guilt whenever you order around one of the maids, ugh. I’m glad that’s behind me.”

“I can imagine.” Mari chuckles. “So, you were born in River’s Rest?”

“No. Or yes? Maybe? I don’t know.”

“You don’t know where you were born?” Mari raises an eyebrow.

“It’s a difficult story.” Sanora sighs. “I haven’t told a lot of people, but in a way I’ve only been around this world for a few saints. The first thing I remember is waking up in a cave in the mountains. Naked, covered in blood and scared shitless.”

“You lost all of your memories?”

“Everything.” Sanora nods. “Tombs, until recently I didn’t even know what the saints are called. Or what the Tombs even are! If I hadn’t met Bawarag back then, I would have probably stumbled out into the woods only to get torn apart by the first hungry wolf that found me.”

“No wonder you seem so lost all the time. Quite frankly, I’m surprised you made it this far.”

“So am I. Sometimes it feels as if my whole life was just one big stroke of luck. From meeting Bawarag all the way here.”

“But why did you leave River’s Rest then?”

“Ah, another difficult story.” Sanora chuckles wryly. “Ready for another weird revelation?” She looks at Mari who nods.

“Right. It was one day, somewhen in Trantis I think, when I got stung by a redback and fell into a coma. And in that coma, I had something like a dream, maybe a vision. It was weird. I was in a house made of white, smooth material that’s neither stone nor wood. It was filled with all sorts of weird stuff, the craftmanship would have made even the richest noble jealous. Everything was so sleek and smooth, like not from this world. And that’s where I saw her for the first time.”

“Her? Who was it?” Mari asks, barely able to hold back her curiosity.

“My mother. Up until that point I always had that feeling in my chest that I was missing something, a void gnawing at me at every moment. And when I saw her, I finally knew what it was. Somewhere, be it incredibly far away or in another world entirely, I left something, someone behind. All she really told me was to find the moon. And being young, or rather younger, and stupid as I was, I took that and just left.” Sanora finishes with a sigh. “And the rest is history.”

They both lie in silence for a while, staring at the ceiling.

“So,” Mari breaks the silence after a few minutes. “-you’re looking for your home.”

Sanora nods. “With barely any clue where it could be or where I could even start looking. But I figured that if I want and sort of lead, I wouldn’t find it in that small village. So, I left, leaving behind nothing but a stupid letter. If only I’d know back then…” Her jaw clenches and tears well up in her eyes.

“But no one knows how the future looks. You’re being too hard yourself.”

“But still, I shouldn’t have left like that. Amni and Bawarag gave me everything, a fighting chance in this world, a home, and I just left. I don’t know what’s worse. The thought that they might never forgive me, or that I sometimes don’t want them to.” Her lips start to quiver as the first tear rolls down her cheek.

“Oh you.” Mari shuffles over and gently pulls Sanora into a hug as she starts sobbing.

“I-I just feel so awful. I must have meant the world to them, but I abandoned them with nothing but a letter. They must hate me, and they have every right to do so. The only family I ever had in this world.”

Mari can feel her heart break as she watches Sanora break down in her arms. A demonic warrior at night, a sobbing mess at day.

“I don’t think they hate you. I won’t sugarcoat it, what you did wasn’t nice, but we all make mistakes. Bawarag and Amni are no exception, I’m sure. We all know that people make mistakes, and that’s why we can all understand, forgive.” Mari says, slowly stroking Sanora’s head as she sobs into her chest. “You just didn’t know better back then. I can almost promise you that if they could see you like this, the last thing they’d think of is being mad at you.”

Sanora looks up at Mari with her teary eyes and a crestfallen face.

“You really think so?”

“If they are anything like you told us they are, I’m sure.” She smiles at Sanora gently. The girls calms down a bit and nods before nuzzling back into Mari’s chest. She hugs her tight and they just lay there, enjoying each other’s warmth as the world around them seems to fade away. Not a minute later Sanora drifts off into a peaceful slumber, still in the arms of Mari who looks at her with an unyielding smile.

“Fuck, you’re just so damn cute you know that?” She whispers with a fuzzy feeling in her stomach and gives Sanora a kiss on the cheek before closing her eyes as well.

===============================

A gentle tab on her shoulder wakes Sanora up.

“Sanora. Sanora, wake up sleepyhead.” Mari says as Sanora slowly wakes up. She blinks a few times and wipes some drool off her mouth. The midday sun is long gone, replaced by the lazy golden rays of evening falling through the window.

“Mhhh? Why no sleep?” She asks Mari with slurred words. But her stomach rumbles, answering instead. Mari chuckles as Sanora’s face blushes a bit.

“You’ve been sawing away for a bit now. Let’s get some dinner?”

“Sounds like a plan.” Sanora yawns and pulls herself out of bed. She hisses when she tries to lean onto her arm and it gives out.

“Does it still hurt that much?” Mari looks at her with a gentle frown.

“Yeah.” She looks at her shaking arm. The tips of her fingers are starting to turn yellow, and she can spot a small black dot between the lines her veins from. “I really overdid it. But I just need some time. Now let’s get dinner, I’m starving.” She says with a smile before getting up with a groan. Mari looks at her concerned for a second but says nothing more and they head into town.

Both of them are feeling lazy, so they decide on eating at one of the restaurants near the main street. The noise of chatter and the smell of food comes at them when they walk in and sit down at one of the tables. The place is about half full, not too loud, not too slow. The perfect place for a relaxed dinner. The waiter comes over not long later. Sanora orders a glass of mead along with the houses long stew by Mari’s recommendation. It’s a kind of stew that has been cooking since early morning, giving it a special creamy and savoury taste. Mari just settles for some water along with the stew. They pass the wait with some nice small talk. It’s a slow evening. Just the two of them, eating out on a normal day. No monsters, no gangsters, no slinging bone spears and fireballs while dancing around death.

But something is itching in Sanora’s mind. A constant gnawing keeping her on edge, keeping her scan the room over and over, keeping track of people behind her with flesh sense, making her tense up every time someone gets up and walks past them. A dull ache spreads in her arm.

Her hand wanders to her empty belt, grabbing for a weapon that isn’t there when someone comes over to them until she realizes it is just the waiter bringing their food.

“There you go ladies. Enjoy.” He sets down the two bowls before tending to the next table.

“Ohh this smells amazing~” Mari picks up the spoon and starts digging in immediately. The smell wafts into Sanora’s nose, making her stomach demand it be fed already. With anticipation she picks up the spoon, but her hand can’t get a proper grip, shaking as she tries to hold it until it slips out of her grasp and falls back onto the table. She looks at Mari who is so engrossed in her stew that she luckily didn’t notice. Remembering last night Sanora lets a drizzle of magic flow through her arm and the pain immediately dies down. She manages to pick up the spoon and eat without any further incident, albeit a bit clumsy.

They eat up, stay a bit longer, talking away the time and pay up before heading back home where they cuddle up in bed together, bringing the first slow day of many to come to a close.