Leo continued to thread the path back to the hill where Ranna's office stood. His mind was still reeling from the encounter in the dungeon and the power he had just discovered within himself. The sun was beginning to dip in the sky, casting long shadows across the farm. The smell of earth and hay hung in the air, mixed with the distant scent of wildflowers blooming nearby.
As he neared the house, a tangle of thoughts raced through Leo’s mind—his newfound strength, the destruction he had caused, the haunting encounter with Kurea. And amidst it all, one thought gnawed at him: I can't let Amanda see me like this. Not yet. Not until I figure out what all of this means.
He saw people walking towards the other side of the hill but didn’t pay much attention to them, his focus solely on reaching home. The soft crunch of gravel under his boots echoed his hurried footsteps. When he reached the back of their house, he carefully scanned the area, making sure no one was around. The wooden walls of the house were warm to the touch, still holding the day’s heat. He tip-toed towards their door, trying to remain unnoticed, the creak of the old wood underfoot betraying his movements.
He was almost at the side of their house, just a few steps away from the stairs, when he heard a shout. "Hey, why are you still here?!" Joe's voice rang out, filled with shock.
Leo turned to see Joe staring at him, eyes wide. People who remained working at the farm started gathering around, drawn by the commotion. Leo's heart raced as he realized there were women among them, their curious gazes making him uncomfortable. The breeze carried the faint scent of lavender from the fields, but Leo barely noticed as he looked around frantically, searching for something to cover himself with. Finding nothing, he bolted towards their house, the cool air biting at his bare skin.
Amanda, who had been working a bit farther away, noticed the movement. She saw someone hurriedly entering their house and decided to check on the situation. The late afternoon light filtered through the leaves, casting a dappled shadow on the ground as she murmured, "Recall," and in an instant, she was transported back to their home.
Leo, now inside the house, shut the door firmly behind him. He paused for a second, catching his breath. The familiar scent of the herbs Amanda used for cooking and the faint, earthy smell of wood filled his senses. He started to walk towards the center of the house, his eyes scanning for a place to hide or at least catch his breath.
Just as he reached the middle of the room, Amanda appeared in a flash of light, the magic of her recall spell bringing her there instantly. In his haste, Leo bumped into her, and they both tumbled to the ground, with Leo landing on top of Amanda. The shock of the sudden collision left them momentarily stunned. The scent of freshly cut wood and herbs was replaced by the warmth of Amanda’s skin, the soft fabric of her work clothes brushing against his bare chest. Amanda's eyes widened as she looked up at Leo, her face a mixture of surprise and concern.
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Both of them were panting, Amanda from her hard work outside and Leo from his frantic run. Their bodies collided with a surprising softness, a jarring reminder of how close they had become. Amanda’s breath hitched, her fingers unintentionally gripping Leo’s arm, and for a split second, their eyes locked. The awkwardness thickened in the air, mingling with the lingering scent of sweat and herbs, both of them acutely aware of the heat radiating between them.
Amanda was caught off guard. Looking up, she saw Leo on top of her, his bare chest glistening with sweat from the exertion. He wasn't wearing a shirt, and his body was vastly different from what it had been over the past seven years. His physique was now well-built, like that of a seasoned adventurer. Broad shoulders, chiseled muscles, and a form that seemed sculpted to perfection. Seeing this transformation up close made her weak to her core; she was stunned.
Leo, noticing her widened eyes and the flush creeping up her cheeks, felt a surge of embarrassment. The warmth of her body beneath him was both comforting and startling. "S-sorry, Amanda!" he managed to stammer, struggling to find the right words as he immediately scrambled off her. The sound of his heart pounding in his chest seemed to fill the room.
Amanda, still trying to process what she was seeing, took a deep breath, her face also flushed. She leaned on her elbows, trying to prop herself up, her eyes never leaving his. The room was thick with an awkward tension, the faint creaking of the wooden floor beneath them the only sound.
She was about to say something when the door suddenly opened. It was Ranna, panting as well. When she saw the scene inside the house, she couldn’t help but tease the two of them. The sudden interruption only made the situation more embarrassing, causing Leo and Amanda to feel their faces burn even hotter.
He stood there, still feeling the warmth of Amanda’s body pressed against his moments ago. But the mood quickly shifted when he noticed Ranna’s expression darken, signaling that whatever she was about to say was far from light-hearted.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" she teased with a grin.
Amanda, eyes wide, scrambled to explain, "It's not what it looks like!"
Leo immediately stood up and echoed her, "Yeah, really! We just bumped into each other!"
Ranna laughed heartily, her teasing words dancing in the air like the light of a setting sun. But as quickly as the laughter had come, it vanished, replaced by a shadow that crossed her face. Her voice dropped, laced with a weight that sent a chill down Leo’s spine. "I’m sorry for interrupting, but I have important news," she said, gently grabbing Amanda by the shoulders.
"Someone defeated the Orc Lord."