After days of travel and endless battles, the group finally reached Abridge, a bustling town nestled by a

crystal-clear river. Its cobblestone streets were lined with quaint buildings, and the town square buzzed with

activity.

Kira couldn’t help but sigh in relief as they stepped into the town. “Finally, civilization.”

Selvi smirked, nudging him playfully. “I hope this place has a decent tavern. We deserve a feast.”

Darumu rolled her eyes. “Tavern, sure. But first, we need to clean up. We look like we just crawled out of a grave.”

Mira, ever practical, pointed toward a nearby building with steam rising from its chimney. “There’s a sauna

over there. We should take the chance to relax before we plan our next move.”

The group quickly agreed, and before long, they found themselves inside the sauna, the air thick with

warmth and the scent of herbs.

The sauna was divided into private rooms, but Selvi, ever the bold one, suggested they all share a larger

chamber.

“It’s not like we haven’t fought side by side,” she said with a wink. “What’s a little steam between friends?”

Darumu groaned. “You’re impossible.”

Despite some initial protests (mostly from Kira, who was beet-red at the idea), they all ended up in the

same room. The chamber was spacious, with a central pool of steaming water surrounded by smooth stone

benches.

Kira sat awkwardly on one side, wrapped tightly in a towel, his gaze firmly fixed on the ceiling. “This… is

fine. Totally normal.”

Selvi, on the other hand, seemed perfectly at ease, stretching luxuriously. “Ahh, this is amazing. Just what I

needed.”

Darumu sat nearby, arms crossed, clearly trying not to look at Kira. Mira settled beside him, her usual calm

demeanor slightly softened by the heat and the relaxed atmosphere.

“You don’t have to look so tense, Kira,” Mira said gently, her voice like a soothing balm. “It’s just a sauna.”

Kira chuckled nervously. “Easy for you to say. You’re not surrounded by…” He trailed off, realizing how that

sounded, and Mira couldn’t help but laugh softly.

“By what? Friends?” she teased, her cheeks lightly flushed from the steam.

As the group chatted, Mira found herself stealing glances at Kira. Despite his awkwardness, there was

something endearing about him—his genuine kindness, his bravery, and the way he always put others

before himself.

When the conversation shifted to their next steps, Mira spoke up. “Kira, I’ve been meaning to say this…

You’ve come so far in such a short time. I don’t think we could have made it this far without you.”

Kira looked at her, surprised. “Me? I don’t know… I feel like I’m just trying to keep up with all of you.”

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Mira shook her head, her expression earnest. “You don’t give yourself enough credit. You saved Selvi, you’ve

stood your ground in every fight, and you’ve brought us together as a team. That’s no small feat.”

Kira’s face reddened, and he rubbed the back of his neck. “Thanks, Mira. That means a lot.”

The sincerity in his voice made Mira’s heart flutter, and she realized just how deeply she cared for him.

As the group started to leave the sauna, Mira lingered behind with Kira, pretending to adjust her towel.

“Kira,” she said softly, drawing his attention.

“Yeah?” he replied, turning to face her.

For a moment, Mira hesitated. The steam curled around them, creating an intimate cocoon. She took a

small step closer, her blue eyes searching his. “I just… I wanted to say I’m glad I met you. In this crazy,

dangerous world, you’ve been a constant. And… I feel safe with you.”

Kira’s breath caught. He wasn’t used to such direct words, especially from someone as composed as Mira.

“I’m glad I met you too,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Mira smiled, her cheeks flushed—not just from the heat. Before she could say anything more, Selvi’s voice echoed from the doorway.

“Hey, lovebirds! Are you coming, or should we leave you alone?”

Mira sighed, pulling away. “Let’s go before she gets any ideas.”

As they rejoined the others, Kira couldn’t shake the memory of Mira’s words—or the way his heart had

raced when she stepped closer.

Later that evening, as the group settled into their rooms at the inn, Darumu found herself pacing.

“What’s his deal with Mira?” she muttered to herself.

Selvi, lounging nearby, overheard and smirked. “Oh, come on. It’s obvious. She likes him.”

Darumu shot her a glare. “And what about you? You’ve been throwing yourself at him since day one.”

Selvi shrugged. “At least I’m honest about it. You, on the other hand, are just sulking.”

“I’m not sulking,” Darumu snapped, her cheeks reddening.

Selvi chuckled. “Sure, keep telling yourself that.”

As Darumu stormed out of the room, Mira watched her go, her own thoughts swirling. She couldn’t deny

her feelings for Kira, but with Selvi and Darumu both vying for his attention, she wondered if she should

even try to compete.

As the group prepared to head to the temple at the heart of Abridge, the tension between them was

palpable. Kira, oblivious to the growing romantic rivalries, focused on the task ahead.

“We’ll figure out what’s going on with the orb here,” he said, trying to rally the team. “And maybe we’ll get

some answers about the Dark God.”

Mira stepped forward, her calm voice cutting through the tension. “No matter what happens, we’re with

you, Kira.”

Selvi and Darumu exchanged glances, their rivalry momentarily set aside as they nodded in agreement.

With their bonds tested and new feelings emerging, the group ventured deeper into the mystery of the

orb—and the secrets it held.