Everything around me begins to glow bright, until I wake up, jolting upright in a bed. My heart races for a moment, disoriented, before I realize I'm no longer in the temple. I'm in a bedroom. I take a few deep breaths, letting the tension in my body slowly fade as I look around. It takes me a moment to truly believe it—this is real. I'm not in Ryu's head anymore.

The room is warm and inviting, a stark contrast to the dark chamber we had just escaped. The walls are adorned with tapestries depicting serene landscapes, their colors soft and calming. Golden light filters through a large window, casting a gentle, soothing glow across the room. The bed I'm in is large, the quilted blanket rich and soft against my skin. It feels like I haven't experienced this kind of comfort in forever.

As I sit up, something catches my eye. In the corner, standing tall in his knightly armor, is Apollo. His armor gleams even in the dim light, the intricate interlocking plates polished and ornate. Engravings swirl across the surface, each line meticulously crafted, giving the armor an elegant yet imposing look. A flowing red sash drapes over one shoulder, adding a regal touch to his already noble appearance. His helmet covers his entire head, enhancing his formidable presence.

Relief washes over me, stronger than I expect. It felt like an eternity since I last saw him—since I last spoke to him. I smile, the weight of everything that's happened still lingering but finally easing a little.

"I'm so glad to see you, Apollo," I say, my voice filled with genuine warmth.

Apollo, true to form, simply nods in response, his helmeted head tilting slightly. I can't help but chuckle softly at his silent, stoic acknowledgment. It's just so... him.

Beside the bed stands Llamiryl, a warm smile on her face. Her presence is calming, her serene expression a balm to my frayed nerves. The comforting scent of lavender and fresh linens fills the room, enhancing the sense of peace.

But despite the calm atmosphere, my mind races. "Did we succeed? Where's Nikko? How long were we out? Where is Ryu? Is he okay?" The questions spill out of me in a rush, one after another, my heart pounding with a mixture of anxiety and hope.

Llamiryl remains completely calm, her smile never fading. She raises a hand gently, making a simple gesture to stop my barrage of questions. "Yes, we did," she says softly, her voice like a soothing lull in the storm of my thoughts. "But you need to calm yourself. We were in Ryu's mind for six days and you, Talia, have been unconscious for another three days."

Her words hit me like a wave, and I suddenly realize just how exhausted I am. I blink, my shoulders slumping slightly as the weight of everything sinks in. The gravity of her words sinks in, and I ask, "How are Nikko and Ryu? Where are they?"

Llamiryl remains calm. "Nikko is downstairs eating, and Ryu... he left."

"Left?" I echo, my voice tinged with concern.

"Left as in headed into town," Llamiryl clarifies.

Apollo steps forward. "Ryu is getting supplies and seeking information on the Shadowfell. Lindórinan possesses a grand library. That is where Ryu went."

Relief washes over me, but I still try to get up again, struggling against the weakness. Just then, Elandor steps into the room, carrying a tray with a cup, a pitcher of water, a bowl of stew, and a small loaf of bread. He gently places the tray at the foot of the bed.

"You're finally awake," he says with a warm smile. "You must be starving."

I nod, scooting closer to the tray, immediately digging into the food. The warmth of the meal fills me with some much-needed comfort. Apollo and Llamiryl step toward the door, preparing to leave. As Llamiryl turns, she glances back, her expression calm.

"I'm needed at the temple, but if you need any help, I'd be glad to provide it," she says.

Before she can leave, I stop her, my voice soft but filled with sincerity. "Llamiryl, wait. I just... I want to thank you for everything. And... I hope you can keep what you saw a secret. I don't think Ryu wants to reveal who he truly is."

Llamiryl pauses, then smiles warmly. "Rest assured, I have no intentions of revealing anything of what I saw. Though I am still reeling from what we have witnessed." Her eyes soften as she continues, "Ryu has made it perfectly clear that he wants me to keep it a secret, and I intend to do so."

I feel a wave of relief wash over me. Llamiryl gives me a kind look before adding, "I'm glad I was able to help, but I only did so much. It was you who saved Ryu, Talia."

Her words sink in, and I feel the weight of their truth. Before I can respond, Llamiryl gives me one final smile and slips out of the room, leaving me to my thoughts.

Elandor lingers for a moment. "I'll be downstairs if you need anything."

Once alone, I realize just how hungry and thirsty I am. I devour the stew, tearing up chunks of bread and wolfing them down, drinking straight from the pitcher. In minutes, the meal and water are gone. My thoughts turn to Nikko, wondering if she is okay. Driven by concern, I quickly change into my clothes and armor, clipping on the sheathed short swords and placing the collapsed bow into a large pouch. I clip my pouch of holding onto my belt along with my larger pouch and head downstairs.

As I descend, I spot Nikko sitting by the dining table, enjoying a bowl of stew. She's wearing a green jacket with multiple pockets and brown straps over white trousers, her cat ears twitching with delight, and her tail swaying happily behind her. Apollo stands by the door, arms crossed. Elandor sets down a tray with a teapot and teacups.

Nikko sees me and rushes over, embracing me tightly. "You're finally awake!" she exclaims.

"Finally?" I ask, returning her hug. "Nikko, how long have you been awake?"

"Since we left Papa's mind," she replies. She pauses for a moment, watching me with curious eyes. Then she places grips my hand. "Don't worry, Talia, Papa is still here. He left this morning to do some research." Her words are soothing, but I find it odd she was able to sense my concern for Ryu.

We sit down by the dining table, Elandor pouring tea for everyone. I'm relieved to see Nikko in such a good mood as she continues eating her stew.

"Thank you for looking out for her, Elandor," I say sincerely.

He nods, a hint of a smile on his lips. "It's no trouble at all. She's a delightful child."

Nikko's ears perk up, and she smiles at Elandor before turning her attention back to her stew.

I take a sip of the tea, feeling the warmth spread through me. "I can't believe how long I was out."

"You needed the rest," Elandor says. "Your body went through a lot."

Nikko looks up at me, her eyes bright. "I'm just glad you're awake now. We've missed you."

"I've missed you too, Nikko," I say, ruffling her hair. "And I'm glad to see you're doing well."

She nods enthusiastically. "Papa said he'll be back soon with everything we need."

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

I smile, feeling a sense of normalcy returning. "That's good to hear."

We continue to drink our tea in a comfortable silence, the peaceful atmosphere a stark contrast to the chaos we had recently endured.

⚔⚔⚔⚔⚔

The door opens, and Ryu steps in, his presence commanding as always. He is clad in his usual gear: a black hood shrouding his face in shadows, leather armor over his chest plate, gloves, boots, and his sword sheathed on his back. The hilt of his lightsaber dangles from his belt, adding to his enigmatic appearance.

I immediately get up, unable to contain my joy, and embrace him tightly. The sudden movement surprises him, but he hugs me back, murmuring, "I'm happy to see you too."

Realizing what I'm doing, I feel my cheeks flush, and I step back, feeling a bit embarrassed.

Nikko rushes over and hugs her father, her tail swishing back and forth with excitement. Elandor, ever the gracious host, pours Ryu a cup of tea and asks, "Were you able to find anything?"

Ryu sits down, accepting the tea with a nod. "Nothing that I haven't already read in the library in Arroyo," he says, a hint of frustration in his voice. Nikko scoots her chair close to him, and he begins to pat her head. She purrs softly, her tail swishing even more.

"It's odd how there is so little on the Shadowfell," Apollo points out, crossing his arms. "It's almost as if any records of the Shadowfell were erased."

"I think so too," Ryu agrees, sipping his tea. He turns to me, his hidden eyes somehow conveying concern. "How are you? You had me quite worried there. I thought for a moment you would never wake up."

I give Ryu a reassuring smile, feeling my heart flutter in my chest. "I'm fine. A bit worn down, but otherwise fine," I say, my cheeks warming again. His concern for me sends my heart racing a little faster, and I can feel the heat rising in my face.

"I'm relieved to hear that," Ryu says, and the warmth in his voice makes me blush a little more.

But then the lightness fades as a thought presses on my mind. "The Shadowfell has been destroyed, hasn't it?" I ask, my voice tinged with hope, almost pleading for reassurance.

Ryu's expression darkens, and my heart sinks. He shakes his head slowly, his voice serious. "I thought so too, but I only destroyed a part of it. The Shadowfell is still out there, and we have to alert the king."

The revelation hits me like a punch to the gut. My stomach tightens, and my mind races. That was just a small part of the Shadowfell? The thought overwhelms me for a moment, and a deep unease settles in my chest. How powerful is it really? I feel a flicker of dread—it's not over yet, and there's more darkness ahead.

Ryu turns to Elandor, who has been quietly standing nearby, sensing the tension. "I understand this is your home, but could you..." Ryu begins, his tone respectful but edged with a hint of urgency.

Elandor raises his hand, cutting him off gently. "I understand. I'll give you some space," he says, disappearing into another room, leaving the four of us alone.

Ryu sits across from me, and I can feel my heart pounding in my chest again, this time from uncertainty. I'm not sure what's coming, but the way Ryu sits, the seriousness in his posture, makes me nervous. What's going on?

He takes a moment, his gaze shifting between Nikko and me before he begins. "I just want to take a moment," he says, his voice steady but laced with a hint of vulnerability. "I put you in serious danger. Not just you, but you as well, Nikko," he adds, turning to Nikko with a soft, regretful expression.

Nikko's ears twitch slightly, her eyes widening as she listens.

"You risked everything to save me, and I can't even really formulate how much that means to me." His words hang in the air, heavy with emotion.

I open my mouth to respond, but before I can speak, Ryu holds up his hand, stopping me. "Please, let me finish," he says gently.

I nod slightly, feeling my worry grow. Where is this going?

Ryu's voice softens, almost hesitant. "I tried to bury my past, and you know of which part I speak." His gaze turns to me, and I nod again, understanding. When he was a cold, merciless killer under the control of that Sith lord... I put the pieces together, my heart aching for him.

"It has haunted me my entire life," Ryu continues, his voice tinged with guilt. "I didn't even tell Lyra about it. It's not who I am anymore..." There's a hint of concern in his tone, and I can sense the weight of his past pressing down on him, the burden he's carried for so long.

Nikko watches him closely, her innocent eyes trying to make sense of it all, her small hand gripping Apollo's arm for comfort.

"What I'm trying to say is," Ryu begins again, his voice tight with uncertainty, "I understand if either of you feel that it's too dangerous to accompany me... or if you fear me because of my past."

His face is concealed in shadow, but I can feel his nervousness. He must be just as anxious, if not more so, than I am at this moment. I glance down at his hand, resting tensely on the table, and without thinking, I place my hand on his, giving it a gentle squeeze.

"Ryu, we're not going anywhere," I say softly, my voice filled with reassurance. I look up at him, meeting his gaze as a comforting smile spreads across my face. "I'm not afraid of you."

He remains still, as if he didn't expect those words but I know there's more I need to say.

I take a deep breath. "Though... what I saw, what you've been through—it will always disturb me. But..." I pause for a moment, gathering my thoughts, "I can wholeheartedly say that you are not the person you once were. You've changed, and you've fought so hard to become who you are now. I trust you, Ryu."

Nikko, sitting nearby, chimes in with a determined nod, her tail flicking in agreement. "I'm not scared either, Papa," she says softly, her eyes filled with innocence and love. Nikko then gets up, approaches Ryu, and hugs him tightly. "I'm not afraid of you, Papa. You're not that same person anymore. I love you and would never want you to leave."

Ryu hugs her back, his eyes softening. "I love you too, Nikko. Very, very much."

Ryu looks at us, his gaze flicking between mine and Nikko's. I can feel the tension in him start to dissolve, the weight of his past slowly lifting. He gently squeezes my hand in return, his grip firm but filled with gratitude.

"Thank you," he says, his voice thick with emotion, but steady. It's a simple phrase, but the depth behind it is overwhelming. He doesn't need to say more—the thankfulness, the relief, the acceptance.

Then the door Elandor has passed through opens and he steps into the room, carrying a large burlap sack. "I took the liberty of providing you with provisions for your journey. Amongst the provisions, I have also included herbs to help your mind focus, in case the Shadowfell's influence is still within you," he explains.

Apollo approaches the sack and easily picks it up, along with its shield and spear which is leaning by the door. Ryu stands up and stretches out a hand to Elandor. "I can't thank you enough for everything you have done. You have my gratitude," Ryu says sincerely.

Elandor smiles warmly and shakes Ryu's hand. "Of course. You all are always welcome here."

Nikko and I get up too, and we all head towards the door. As we leave, Ryu tells Elandor, "Please send Llamiryl my regards."

⚔⚔⚔⚔⚔

Elandor nods and wishes us a safe journey. With that, we step out, ready to face whatever challenges lie ahead. Far away from the village and deep in the forest, we finally reach Ryu's speeder bike. DP-7, upon spotting us, flies towards us, beeping in an excited flurry. The droid circles around Ryu, who watches it with a mixture of amusement and affection.

"Yes, I'm fine, DP-7. No, I am not sick anymore," Ryu assures the droid, which then buzzes over to me and Nikko, beeping heavily. Although I can't understand its exact words, the tone is unmistakable—relief and joy.

"I'm fine, DP-7. It's good to see you too," I tell it, smiling as the droid circles me. Nikko giggles when DP-7 orbits around her, her laughter a sweet, innocent sound amidst all our worries.

When DP-7 circles Apollo, he speaks in his usual monotone. "I am functioning optimally, DP-7."

We prepare to leave. Apollo and Nikko sit in the wagon, Nikko perched on Apollo's lap, her tiny hands gripping his armor and I step into the sidecar, my nerves making my hands tremble as I hold onto the edge. DP-7 lands on Ryu's shoulder as he turns on the speeder. It hums loudly, vibrating as it begins to hover above the ground.

As we take off, I grip the sidecar tightly, my stomach churning as we zip through the forest. Nikko's cheerful cheers fill the air, her excitement a stark contrast to my fear. How can she be enjoying this? I wonder, my fear mounting with each passing second.

As we head out, the desolation of Eldoria becomes impossible to ignore, and it hits me like a punch to the gut. Nikko stops cheering, her usual excitement fading as the grim landscape stretches before us. The fields, once full of life, are now dying—crops withering, their brittle, brown stalks barely standing. Dead livestock litter the ground, their bodies swollen and decayed, while buzzards circle above, feasting on the carcasses.

A foul stench clings to the air, thick and rancid, and even breathing feels like a challenge. Smoke rises in the distance, dark and ominous, marking where fires rage near the villages. My stomach churns as we pass one of them—a place that might have been bustling with life once, but now...

I catch a glimpse of something that shocks me to my core. Villagers are killing their livestock, cows, goats, chickens, all being slaughtered with grim efficiency. Their bodies are gathered and piled up to burn. The flames lick at the edges of the livestock heap, sending thick black smoke spiraling into the sky. Even the villagers look broken, their faces hollow as they set the fires, the desperation in their eyes clear.

A little further down the road, we pass a village that's already been burned down to nothing but blackened ruins. The smell of smoke and charred wood hangs heavy in the air, and the devastation is complete. Nothing stirs—not even the animals that once roamed here. The barren land is suffocating, every step through it a reminder of the destruction that has swept across the kingdom.

"This must have happened all over Eldoria," Ryu says, his voice heavy with concern as we set up camp for the night.

My heart aches at the sight of so much suffering. "How could so much happen in just nine days?" I wonder aloud, my voice trembling with fear.

"The Shadowfell's influence is spreading quickly," Ryu replies, his expression grim.