Chile laid back in the bed provided by the scholars, staring up at the wooden beams above him. The soft bedding felt unfamiliar, too plush compared to the rough ground he was accustomed to. The strange girl—Mira—had given him a whirlwind tour of the place earlier, talking a mile a minute while he barely kept up.
It wasn’t that she wasn’t smart or capable, but her energy was overwhelming, a complete contrast to his more reserved nature.
She had droned on about the place they were staying—some sort of weird communal inn mixed with a scholar’s dwelling. It reminded him of the mega-inns in larger cities, the ones built to house dozens of travelers, with amenities like large communal baths and watering pools. The more Mira had rambled on, the more he’d tuned her out, letting her words fade into the background as he mentally planned the trip into Greythorn.
But one thing had stuck in his mind—the pools.
She’d gone on about their supposed healing properties and the magic infused in the water. Chile sat up in bed, the thought of cool water suddenly more appealing than he wanted to admit. His muscles were stiff, and the idea of soaking in a pool alone, away from everyone’s noise, sounded tempting.
“Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to check it out,” he muttered to himself, swinging his legs over the side of the bed and standing up. He glanced at the small pack of clothes he always carried—mostly practical gear, nothing suited for lounging around in waterholes.
Then he noticed something odd. In the small closet next to the bed, there were spare clothes of different sizes and styles—even bathing garments.
How thoughtful.
Chile raised an eyebrow, half impressed and half bewildered. It wasn’t exactly the rugged, carefree adventurer lifestyle he was used to, but he figured it was better than nothing. He eyed the shorts with mild disdain before slipping them on. They fit snugly, though he couldn’t help but feel strange in them.
His life had always been one of necessity and practicality—this was far from that.
He moved over to the small mirror hanging on the wall, glancing at his reflection with a critical eye. His rugged, scarred chest and arms looked even more pronounced against the dark fabric. His fingers absently traced one of the longer scars running down his side, the memories of where each mark came from flashing briefly in his mind.
He shook his head and turned away from the mirror. No point in thinking about the past, he thought. Just relax and enjoy the water.
Just as he was about to grab a towel and head out, a sudden knock on the door made him jump. His heart raced as he rushed to open it, half expecting something urgent—but instead, there stood Mira, beaming with excitement, and Thivian standing right behind her, looking as grumpy as ever.
Mira’s eyes went wide the moment the door opened, her gaze darting straight to his bare chest before she instinctively took a step back, bumping into Thivian. Her face flushed a bright pink, and she sputtered, “Uh—oh, I—I didn’t realize you were—um, ready!”
Chile blinked, unsure of what to say. Mira was standing there in a swimsuit herself, an awkward silence hanging in the air as she fumbled for words. She seemed embarrassed, far from the confident, chatty girl he’d dealt with earlier.
Thivian, however, looked utterly unfazed, his usual flat expression barely shifting as he cleared his throat. “Mira thought it would be fun to ask if you wanted to join us at the pool.” His voice was subdued and dry, like he’d rather be anywhere else. “I said it didn’t matter, but apparently, it’s a ‘team bonding’ thing.”
Chile glanced between them, his brow furrowed. “You two are going together?” he asked, the idea of hanging out with others not quite fitting into his original plan.
Mira nodded quickly, still avoiding eye contact as her cheeks remained flushed. “Yeah! I mean, we thought it’d be nice. The pools are magical, and it’s good to relax before we head out on the mission.”
Thivian grunted in agreement, though his eyes said otherwise. “It was Mira’s idea,” he clarified. “But I suppose you could come along. Or not. Your call.”
Chile hesitated. This wasn’t exactly what he’d had in mind. He’d wanted peace and quiet, not a forced bonding session with two people he barely knew. But at the same time, rejecting their offer might make things even more awkward than they already were.
After a long moment, he sighed. “Fine. I’ll join you.” He stepped out of the room, making sure the door clicked shut behind him.
Mira’s face lit up, and she nearly bounced on her feet with excitement. “Great! It’ll be fun, I promise.” She gestured for him to follow as they made their way down the corridor, Thivian trailing behind.
The walk to the pools was uneventful, though Mira couldn’t help but chatter the whole way, talking about the healing properties of the water, the way the magic worked, and how she’d read countless studies on its effects. Chile listened with half an ear, more focused on getting this over with than actually paying attention to the details. Thivian seemed equally unenthused, his tail flicking occasionally as they walked.
When they reached the entrance to the pools, Mira beamed, pushing open the ornate wooden door to reveal a spacious, open area. The pools themselves were stunning—large, clear bodies of water surrounded by smooth stone and lush greenery. The soft glow of magical light shimmered just beneath the surface, giving the pools an unearthly, inviting appearance.
Chile had to admit, it was impressive.
“See?” Mira said, her voice full of pride. “Isn’t this place amazing? And it’s empty right now, so we have it all to ourselves.”
Thivian gave a half-hearted grunt in response, while Chile simply nodded. “Yeah, not bad,” he muttered, though his eyes lingered on the shimmering water.
Mira didn’t waste any time. She set her things down by the edge of the pool and quickly stepped into the water, letting out a small sigh of relief as the warmth enveloped her. Thivian, on the other hand, moved at a slower pace, dipping one foot in with a grumble before lowering himself into the pool with all the enthusiasm of someone being forced to relax.
Chile stood there momentarily, watching them, unsure if he wanted to join. But the cool air against his skin and the gentle glow of the water finally convinced him. With a resigned sigh, he slipped into the pool, the water instantly soothing his aching muscles.
Ever the talker, Mira floated closer to him with a bright smile. “So, do you feel it? The magic in the water?”
Chile gave her a sideways glance. “It’s water. Feels like water.”
Mira rolled her eyes, clearly not impressed by his lack of enthusiasm. “You’ll feel it soon enough,” she assured him, sinking deeper into the pool with a content sigh. “It’s like... a healing embrace.”
Thivian, lounging at the far side of the pool, let out a sarcastic snort. “If that’s what you want to call it.”
Chile smirked, feeling a little more at ease with Thivian’s dry humor. He could get used to quiet moments like these where the pressure wasn’t on him. But as Mira floated beside him, clearly wanting to continue the conversation, he couldn’t help but brace himself for another round of questions.
“So, Chile,” she began, her voice softer now, “have you always been a rogue? Or is that something you...fell into?”
Chile raised an eyebrow, his mind already trying to formulate the least revealing answer possible. “I’ve always been good at it. That’s all there is to it.”
Mira tilted her head, clearly intrigued but respecting his brief answer. “I see. You must have some incredible stories. I’d love to hear them.”
Chile gave her a wry smile. “Maybe another time.”
Mira grinned, knowing full well he probably wouldn’t tell her anything. But the night was young, and she had plenty of time to crack his shell.
As the three of them settled into the warm waters, the silence between them grew more comfortable. Chile leaned back, eyes closing for the first time since he’d arrived at the inn, and let the warmth of the pool wash over him. He wouldn’t admit it aloud, but this wasn’t so bad after all.
At least for now.
Thivian dunked his massive, scaled body fully into the pool, sending ripples of water splashing outward. Within seconds, his tail swirled, and he propelled himself through the water with alarming speed, making a beeline straight for Mira. She squealed in surprise, laughter echoing off the stone walls as she tried to splash him back.
"Thivian! Stop it!" Mira giggled, swatting at him with her hands as he darted past, sending another wave her way.
"You're too slow, Mira," Thivian teased, his voice deep and rumbly even as it carried across the water. His tail flicked out again, whipping up more water, causing Mira to shield her face with her hands.
"Oh, you're asking for it now!" Mira retaliated, playfully kicking water toward him as she floated back to gain some distance. Thivian just grinned, swimming in lazy circles around her like a predator toying with its prey.
Chile sat back, watching the two bicker like a couple of children, the rare hint of amusement pulling at his lips. The two of them were a strange pair, yet there was something endearing about their camaraderie.
Such scary creatures, indeed. Just like all the storybooks said they would be.
But before he could settle into the comfortable quiet again, Mira’s eyes gleamed mischievously, and she flung a handful of water straight at him.
"Chile! Don’t think you can sit there peacefully while we’re having fun!"
Before he could react, Thivian joined in, sending a splash in his direction as well. "Yeah, rogue. You’re not getting off that easy."
Chile frowned, raising his hands in mock defense. "I’m not getting involved in whatever childish mess you two are—"
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But it was too late. Both Mira and Thivian lunged at him, their combined efforts dragging him down beneath the surface. He struggled for a moment, purely out of instinct, before the cool water enveloped him completely.
To his surprise, once he was submerged, the water felt different. His wide-open eyes under the surface didn’t sting at all, and the world beneath the surface came into sharp focus. It was as if the water had some sort of magical clarity to it, allowing him to see perfectly. Thivian, his large form surprisingly graceful in the water, swam past with ease, his long tail sweeping behind him. Mira floated nearby, her hair fanning out around her like a silvery halo as she pointed down toward the deeper sections of the pool, clearly urging him to follow.
Chile hesitated. The pool was deeper than he’d anticipated, with glowing coral formations lining the stone walls and strange, shimmering creatures darting between the rocks. He hadn’t expected there to be so much life beneath the surface—this wasn’t just any ordinary pool.
He glanced back at Mira, who was now swimming toward him. Her eyes were bright with excitement as she gestured for him to keep moving. Her mouth moved as though she were still talking, though only bubbles escaped her lips. She quickly shut her mouth with an annoyed look, realizing her mistake.
Chile raised an eyebrow at her but found himself amused despite the oddness of the situation. Against his better judgment, he pushed himself forward, following Mira and Thivian deeper into the pool. The water remained pleasantly warm as they descended into what seemed to be an intricate series of underwater tunnels, clearly designed for creatures that could hold their breath for extended periods.
Chile couldn’t quite explain it, but something about this felt safe. Like he could trust them to lead him through this unfamiliar terrain. The further they swam, the more the walls of the pool opened up, revealing a massive underwater cavern filled with bioluminescent plants and intricate stone carvings that glowed with ancient magic. It was like an entirely different world down here.
A small, glowing fish zipped past his face, and he instinctively reached out to touch it, his fingers barely grazing its slippery skin before it darted away. He glanced over at Mira, who was watching him with a wide smile, her expression full of wonder. She motioned toward a path that led even deeper into the cavern, beckoning him to follow her once again.
Chile hesitated, his hand trailing over the smooth surface of one of the glowing corals. Something about this place tugged at his instincts, a primal sense of curiosity and awe. He found himself following Mira and Thivian once more, the three of them swimming through the tunnels with an ease that belied the situation.
As they ventured deeper, the tunnel walls became more elaborate, adorned with carvings that seemed to tell stories—ancient legends, perhaps, or warnings from a time long past. Chile couldn’t be sure. He wasn’t one for reading history in stone, but the artwork was impressive nonetheless.
Mira floated closer to one of the walls, her fingers gently tracing the carvings as she studied them, eyes alight with curiosity. She turned to him, clearly wanting to explain what she’d discovered, but once again, bubbles erupted from her mouth instead of words. She huffed, her face scrunching up in frustration as she clamped her mouth shut. Chile stifled a laugh, shaking his head.
He followed her down another passage, the light dimming slightly as they moved deeper into the cavern. It was quiet here, almost peaceful. Chile found himself relaxing more and more, the earlier tension he’d felt now fading into the background. There was something almost meditative about the way the water swirled around them, guiding them forward with a gentle current.
As they continued onward, a soft glow began to fill the space ahead. Chile swam a little faster, eager to see what lay ahead. Mira floated beside him, her eyes wide with excitement as they reached what appeared to be the heart of the underwater cavern.
What greeted them was nothing short of breathtaking—a massive chamber bathed in soft, ethereal light, with towering stone pillars rising from the floor to the ceiling. Between the pillars were intricate statues of long-forgotten deities, their eyes glowing faintly with an otherworldly energy. A swirling vortex of water and magic shimmered at the center of the chamber, casting an iridescent glow over the entire space.
Chile paused, momentarily stunned by the beauty of it all. He had seen many things in his travels, but this... this was something else entirely.
Mira’s hand gently touched his arm, pulling his attention back to her. She pointed toward the vortex, her eyes alight with a mixture of excitement and awe. Chile glanced at the vortex. Whatever this was, it was powerful.
But before he could think too deeply about it, Mira gave him a playful shove, motioning for him to keep moving forward, her wide grin hidden behind the soft bubbles escaping her lips.
As Chile floated there, staring at the mesmerizing glow of the vortex in the heart of the cavern, he suddenly felt his chest tighten. His eyes went wide as the realization hit him—his breath was running out. Instinctively, his hands flew to his throat, grasping at it as if that would somehow help him draw air. His lungs screamed for oxygen, and the panic that usually simmered beneath the surface began to rise uncontrollably.
His heartbeat pounded in his ears, louder and louder, as his mind raced to find a solution. But before he could fully descend into panic, Mira appeared in front of him, face calm but focused.
Without hesitation, she floated closer, her long, delicate fingers reaching up to cradle his head gently in her hands. Chile blinked, confused and lightheaded, watching Mira's white, inky eyes soften. Her lips, framed by the glowing bubbles that escaped her, pressed softly against his in a swift, fluid motion. The initial shock of it jolted him, but he didn’t have time to process the meaning behind the gesture.
Instead, he felt a sudden, tremendous rush of air push into his mouth. It was cold and fresh, almost icy, filling his lungs in a way that made him shiver. His eyes widened in realization—Mira was using her magic, sharing her breath with him to keep him alive. He instinctively parted his lips, allowing more of the air to pass between them, his body relaxing as the suffocating panic ebbed away.
The kiss wasn’t romantic, but there was an intimacy to it that Chile hadn’t expected. His hands, which had been grasping at nothing in desperation moments before, now floated upward. Without thinking, his fingers tangled themselves in the loose locks of Mira’s floating silver hair. He tugged gently, feeling the soft strands wrap around his fingers like silk.
Mira’s eyes shot open in surprise, and though her lips remained pressed to his, he could feel her body react. She gasped into his mouth, the sudden intake of air surprising even her. Her long nails brushed against his skin as she jerked back slightly, and with a small, indignant smack to his arm, she pulled away completely, leaving him with just enough air to keep his composure.
Chile, blinking in confusion, couldn’t help but smirk slightly through the water. Mira’s face, though still flushed from the exertion of swimming, had turned a shade pinker as she huffed in frustration. She crossed her arms over her chest, expression a mixture of annoyance and embarrassment. But Chile didn’t miss the way her eyes darted to the side, avoiding his gaze, as though she wasn’t entirely sure how to feel about what had just happened.
Before he could react, Mira spun away with a dramatic flick of her hair, her body gliding through the water with graceful ease. She shot off toward where Thivian had swum ahead.
Chile exhaled slightly, watching as her form disappeared into the glowing depths of the cavern. He could still feel the ghost of her lips against his, the chill of the magic she had shared lingering in his chest. His fingers tingled where they had touched her hair, and he couldn’t help but smirk to himself as he slowly followed after her, body adjusting to the surreal rhythm of the underwater world.
Chile felt a subtle shift in the current as they pushed through the water. The soft glow from the coral below began to fade, and up ahead, the water rippled differently—a break in the surface. His heart pounded, anticipation stirring within him as he followed Mira and Thivian through the final stretch of the underwater tunnel.
Suddenly, they emerged from the water into a deep underground cave, their heads breaking the surface with a rush of cool air. Chile took a deep breath, grateful for the fresh oxygen that filled his lungs. He looked around, blinking water from his eyes as he took in the cavern before him.
It was unlike anything he had expected. The walls of the cave had been carved out and smoothed over by centuries of wear, but it wasn’t just a hollowed-out space. Strings of delicate, glowing lights crisscrossed overhead, casting a soft, warm glow throughout the cavern. Small, colorful trinkets and decorations were scattered about, giving the place an oddly lived-in feel.
It felt... personal.
As Chile pulled himself out of the water, shaking off the last of the chill from his skin, he noticed that Mira was keeping her distance, her usual energetic demeanor replaced by an awkward stiffness. Her cheeks were still faintly pink from their earlier exchange, and she avoided looking directly at him, instead focusing on wringing out her hair with determined concentration. Thivian, on the other hand, had surfaced behind them and watched the interaction with quiet confusion—and maybe a hint of suspicion—but he didn’t say anything. His golden eyes flicked between them before settling back into his usual unbothered state.
Thivian stepped out of the water, stretching his long limbs as droplets cascaded off his crimson scales. He grunted, breaking the silence. “This is our hidden getaway,” he explained, his deep voice reverberating against the cave walls. “We come here to study, train, and get away from the noise above.”
Chile nodded slowly, glancing around as he took in the two distinct areas of the cavern. One side was set up like a scholar’s sanctuary. Shelves carved into the stone held piles of books, scrolls, and small magical trinkets. A wooden desk stood in the corner, cluttered with quills, inkpots, and an assortment of magical commodities. Teapots and cups were scattered about, giving the space an oddly cozy feel despite being underground. It was clear this was Mira’s domain—a place where her academic mind could thrive.
The other side of the cave was a stark contrast. It was a more utilitarian space, designed for physical training. A large, well-worn punching bag hung from a hook on the ceiling, and there were racks of various weights and training tools stacked neatly along the walls. A sizeable open container filled with neatly labeled vials of different animal blood was at the back of the space. The labels were meticulous, each one marked with the type of creature and its properties—obviously Thivian’s collection for his blood magic.
Chile let out a low whistle, nodding in appreciation. “It’s, uh... clearly you two,” he said, glancing from the cozy study corner to the training area. “But why bring me here?”
Mira, still keeping a bit of distance, finally spoke up. Her voice was softer than usual, almost shy. “We thought...well, we figured you might need a place to escape to as well,” she explained, her eyes darting nervously toward Thivian as if seeking confirmation. “A place where you don’t have to worry about anything for a bit. You know, before we dive into the mission!”
Chile raised an eyebrow, unsure of how to respond. The idea of a hidden getaway wasn’t something he’d ever considered for himself. He had always been the type to keep moving, never staying in one place for too long. Having a spot like this—somewhere to relax and unwind—felt foreign to him.
Mira seemed to sense his hesitation and, perhaps to distract herself from her own embarrassment, smiled a little as she motioned toward her side of the space. “Come on, I’ll brew some tea,” she offered, her voice returning to its usual chipper tone. “You’ll like it. It’s calming.”
Chile followed her cautiously, glancing back at Thivian, who had already made his way to the training area. The dragoniod had begun wrapping his hands in cloth, preparing to take a few swings at the sandbag hanging from the ceiling. He gave Chile a brief, unreadable glance but remained silent as he started punching the bag, the dull thud of his strikes filling the cavern.
Mira, meanwhile, was in her element. She moved with practiced ease around her little study corner, pulling out a small teapot and setting it over a magical flame. The water began to heat up almost instantly, and she reached for a jar of herbs, tossing a handful into the pot with a practiced flick of her wrist.
As she worked, Mira’s earlier tension seemed to ease. She hummed softly to herself, her hands moving with precision as she prepared the tea. Chile watched her in silence, still trying to make sense of the situation. There was something oddly comforting about her focus, the way she poured her energy into even the simplest tasks.
After a few minutes, Mira poured two cups of tea and handed one to him, her expression softening as she spoke. “It’s nothing fancy, just a blend I’ve been working on. Helps with stress.”
Chile took the cup, staring down at the steaming liquid. The scent was earthy and calming, with a hint of something floral. He sipped it cautiously, nodding in approval.
“Not bad,” he muttered.
Mira’s eyes lit up at the small compliment, and she took a sip from her own cup, relaxing into one of the chairs near the desk. For a moment, they sat in comfortable silence, the soft sound of Thivian’s punches in the background the only noise in the cave.
Chile leaned back in his chair, letting himself relax for the first time in what felt like weeks. This place was... strange, but not unwelcome. And for once, he didn’t mind the company.
As they sat there, Mira glanced over at him, her earlier embarrassment replaced by curiosity. “You know,” she began, her voice thoughtful, “you don’t have to keep everything so close to your chest all the time. It’s okay to let people in. At least a little.”
Chile raised an eyebrow, not sure how to respond. He had never been one to open up easily, and Mira’s comment caught him off guard. But there was no pressure in her words; just a quiet understanding that made him feel less on…edge.
He took another sip of tea, letting the warmth settle into his chest. “I’ll think about it,” he muttered, though he wasn’t entirely sure he meant it.
Mira smiled softly, as if that was enough for now. “Good,” she replied, her gaze drifting back to the magical flame dancing under the teapot.
In the background, Thivian’s punches echoed through the cave, a steady rhythm that filled the space with a sense of purpose and calm.
For the first time since arriving, Chile felt like he was exactly where he needed to be.