Alo sits with Liv on the steps of their home, holding her tightly. The night breeze carries the scent of the evils that are just within the edge of the forest. Before them Iris moves with a grace befitting of an elf despite her recent injuries .

"Iris has begun to regain her strength," Alo says, his voice a low rumble in the night. "We will be heading towards the capital come morning."

Liv leans into his embrace, her fingers running over his coal black hair . "Do you think Lord Marm truly has good intentions ?" she asked, her voice filled with uncertainty. Alo's gaze drifts towards the tree-line. "He may not be trustworthy, but he has coin and in these times that is is worth seeking out," he replied gruffly.

As dawn slowly breaks over the trees, Alo holds Liv tightly in his arms, his heart heavy with the weight of their impending departure. He presses his lips to hers in a loving kiss, savoring the time, knowing that it might be the last time they would share such a moment for a long while.

Liv clings to him, her fingers grasping the back of his head. "Just promise me you'll be careful, I don’t want to see either of you return to me in the condition you did this time." she pleads, her voice filled with emotion.

Alo brushes away a tear from her cheek. "I swear it," he vows, his voice strong but struggling to hide his emotion. "I won't let anything happen. I will return the same way I leave you, I promise."

With one final embrace, Alo reluctantly pulls away from Liv, mounting his horse alongside Iris, the beast letting out a huff as Alo brings over his leg . He takes one last glance back at her, his whole heart lies here but he knows what must be done. He knows that their journey is just beginning, and that they have much to accomplish before they could truly be together again.

With a silent nod to Liv, Alo urges his horse forward, into the grim embrace of the forest. As they disappear into the darkness of the wood , Liv stands alone at the door of their home, watching them go with a mixture of love and fear in her heart, hoping only for his safe return.

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As Alo and Iris venture deeper into the forest, the sun slowly begins to hide behind the canopy. Alo's grip on his horse's mane tightens as he thinks about Liv. Iris rides beside him, despite her recent injuries her elven grace is undeniable, a true testament to her resilience and determination but he would never acknowledge this to her.

As they rode on, the forest begins to thin, giving way to the farmlands and rolling hills that surround the capital. The sun hangs low in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the landscape as they press onward towards the silhouette of Derraf.

Hours passed in silence as they continue onwards, the sound of hooves against the earth the only sound. Alo's thoughts drift back to Liv, her tear soaked face burned into his mind. He longs for the day when they will be reunited, a day with true peace for them. For now Alo knew that he could not dwell on his thoughts of home. His goal was far from complete, and they still have ground to cover before they could even begin to uncover the truth behind Lord Marm’s intentions in bringing him here.

As the sun once again dips below the horizon, casting darkness across the landscape, Alo and Iris finally reach the outskirts of the capital city. The towering walls loom before them, a showing of the power and influence of those who dwell within. Alo urges his horse forward, he prepares himself for the challenges that might lay ahead. The journey had only truly just begun, and the road ahead promised to give the danger he so craved.

As they approach the outskirts of the capital, the stench of the city assaulted them seeming to grow stronger with each passing moment. Alo wrinkles his nose in disgust .

"I can't stand this place," Iris groans, her voice filled with disgust as she glances around at the city before them. "The stench of shit and piss never leaves the air and they treat my kind as a subpar race."

Alo nodded in agreement, his jaw set with determination. "It's a shithole full of the worst people, neither of us will be very welcomed here." he replies, his voice monotone and tired. "But it's where we must go if we are to uncover the truth behind Lord Marm's intentions."

They ride on, the noise of the city growing louder with each step they take. Alo can’t help but feel a sense of unease settle into his mind as they draw closer to the heart of Derraf. He knows that they are entering a dangerous territory for both of them , but he also knows that they have no choice but to press forward.

As they passed through the gates of the city, Alo can’t shake the feeling that they are walking into the lion's den. Together, they will face the that challenges lie ahead, united in their mission and connected their shared hatred for the city that threatened to consume both of them.