The Kaldrith’s massive body lay still, its deathly roar fading into the cold air. 

For a moment, there was only the sound of heavy breathing, the group trying to process what had just happened.

Suddenly, Nicholas sprinted over, his face filled with a mixture of shock and adrenaline. 

Elise and Gabriel weren’t far behind, their eyes wide as they closed in around Yvette and Ryu.

"What the hell was that?" 

Nicholas demanded, his voice breathless but urgent, his gaze shifting between Me and Ryu. 

"What did you just do?"

Elise, still catching her breath, pointed at Yvette's rifle, her expression bewildered. 

"And that—what is that thing? I've never seen anything like it. You put a hole through that thing's wing like it was nothing!"

Gabriel looked equally astonished, though his attention was split between Me and Ryu. 

"And you…" 

He turned to Ryu, shaking his head in disbelief.

 "How the hell did you block a hit from that beast? That should’ve crushed you!"

[Wow aren't they all such curious people…guess we took the spotlight…]

I let out a shaky breath, my muscles still tense from the fight. Everything had happened so fast. 

The Kaldrith, Cedric’s shield — it all felt like a blur now that the adrenaline was fading.

Ryu turned to me, his face calm as ever, though the exhaustion was starting to show in his eyes. 

Behind him, the sun was sinking slowly, casting long shadows across the snow. 

The fading light made the aftermath of the battle seem surreal, like a dream I hadn't fully woken from.

“This is one hell of a day…”

 he muttered, wiping some blood from his cheek.

I nodded, letting out a half-laugh that was more exasperation than amusement.

 “Yeah…yeah it is…”

Before I could fully process the weight of everything that had happened, Nicholas approached, his eyes scanning the aftermath.

 "Everyone, assess the casualties." 

he commanded, his tone firm but laced with sorrow.

"Let’s see who’s still standing."

I glanced around the clearing, the adrenaline finally fading as reality set in.

Elise came up beside us, her voice quiet, but steady. "The only two dead are Cedric and Alban."

A heavy silence followed her words. I swallowed hard, my throat tight. Cedric had saved me—more than once.

 Alban… 

I hadn’t even gotten a chance to know him.

 I could feel the loss in the air, hanging like a dark cloud over all of us.

Nicholas, his face grim, sat down on the ground with a long sigh. 

"I’ll have to write up a report for the syndicate when we head back,"

 he said, his voice weary. 

He wiped his brow, eyes dull with exhaustion, then turned to Ryu and me.

"You two,"

 he gestured toward the fallen Kaldrith, its massive head lying still in the snow.

"Take the Kaldrith’s head with you. When you reach Valenor, give it to a woman named Eloise at the Huntsman Syndicate Hall in the Amberfield district, tell her that Nicholas Forton sent you.”

“She’ll know what to do."

Ryu, without a word, walked over to the creature’s body, pulling out his sickle. 

He gripped the handle tightly, slicing into the beast’s thick neck with a precision that only someone like him could muster. 

The sound of flesh being cut filled the silence, but I couldn’t focus on it. 

I was too drained.

I sat down next to Nicholas, the cold snow seeping through my clothes, but it felt good. 

It grounded me, kept me from spiraling into the overwhelming mess of thoughts circling my head.

Nicholas glanced at me, his eyes softening just a bit. 

"I heard about your trouble with Emberstone…"

"This Kaldrith’s head should be enough to pay for an entire twenty years' worth of it."

I stared at him, my heart catching in my chest. Twenty years…?!

I shook my head, the thought weighing heavily on me. "I can’t accept that. It’s too much."

[Fuck me…Twenty years worth of emberstone…]

After a long moment of silence, I finally nodded, the weight of his insistence settling in my gut. 

"Okay...fine… I agree." 

I glanced down at the ground, feeling a mix of gratitude and reluctance. 

"Thank you."

Nicholas gave me a small nod, his eyes reflecting a weary kind of appreciation. 

"And thank you for saving our asses back there."

 He glanced toward the fallen Kaldrith.

 "That was one hell of a fight."

“You’re one hell of a mage, Yvette Auclair."

His compliment warmed me, a flicker of pride igniting in my chest.

"I'll put in a recommendation for you at the Huntsman Syndicate," 

he continued, his tone earnest. 

"In case you ever want to join. They could use someone with your skills."

"I appreciate that, but I have to decline," 

I replied, shaking my head gently.

 "Joining the Syndicate isn’t for me... at least not right now."

Nicholas nodded, understanding, but I could see the hint of disappointment in his eyes.

"But we could at least spend the night drinking and getting to know each other," 

I suggested, trying to lighten the mood.

 "And maybe Gabriel could teach me a thing or two about magic."

A grin spread across Nicholas's face at my offer, the tension from earlier beginning to lift.

“Alright then let's see if you can hold your liquor Mrs Auclair.”

When morning came, I was jolted awake by a gentle but insistent shaking.

“Yvette, wake up.” 

Ryu's voice cut through the fog of sleep, and I cracked my eyes open to see him hovering over me.

“What time is it?” 

I mumbled, rubbing my eyes and trying to shake off the remnants of last night.

“Sun’s already up,” 

he replied, his tone both urgent and calm.

 “We need to get moving.”

Ryu stood over me, wearing a makeshift bag crafted from wood and the remnants of the tent, the head of the Kaldrith slung over his shoulder like a morbid trophy.

“Here, help me with this…” 

he said, shifting the weight of the bag as he prepared to move.

I sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. 

“Let me borrow your sickle.”

He didn’t question it and handed it to me without hesitation, his expression serious.

I took a piece of the wood we had used for the fire last night, my fingers deftly carving the word ‘Goodbye’ into its surface.

 After finishing, I returned the sickle to Ryu.

“Let’s get moving.” 

I said, glancing at the rising sun, its rays casting long shadows across the campsite.

We gathered our things and set off, the weight of the Kaldrith's head heavy in Ryu’s makeshift bag. 

As we walked, the forest began to thin out, revealing more of the sprawling landscape ahead.

The vibrant colors of the wilderness gradually gave way to the stone and mortar of civilization.

 In the distance, I caught sight of a massive structure rising above the treetops. 

The towering gate of the Palevere District of Valenor loomed before us, its intricate carvings shimmering in the midday sun.

The scent of fresh bread and sweet pastries wafted through the air, mingling with the distant sounds of laughter and chatter that echoed from within the city.

As we stepped through the massive archway, the bustling streets of Valenor unfolded before us. 

Colorful banners fluttered overhead, and the cobblestone pathways were lined with vendors calling out to passersby, enticing them with their wares. 

Children dashed past us, their laughter ringing like music as they chased each other, their energy infectious.

“It’s a lot livelier than I expected.”

 I remarked, my eyes taking in the sights. 

The atmosphere buzzed with excitement, a stark contrast to the harrowing events of the previous day.

Ryu glanced around, his usual stoicism softening as he observed the vibrant scene. “It is nice to see life like this,” he agreed, a hint of a smile breaking through his otherwise serious demeanor.

We navigated through the throngs of people, weaving past stalls that overflowed with colorful fruits, handwoven textiles, and gleaming trinkets. The sounds of haggling filled the air, creating a symphony of commerce that thrummed beneath the laughter of the children.

“Before we get sidetracked,” I reminded him, nudging him slightly, “we need to find the Emberstone.”

Ryu nodded, his gaze focusing on the streets ahead. “Right, let’s get that first.”

As we walked further into the heart of the district, a shop caught my eye. The sign above the door read “Man Made Specials,” adorned with intricate designs that hinted at the craftsmanship within.

“That must be Mrs. Madeline’s place,” I said, pointing it out. “She’s a family friend of my father’s from his past.”

Ryu turned to me, curiosity lighting his eyes. “Is she the one who specializes in magical items?”

I nodded in response.

We approached the shop, the wooden door creaking slightly as I pushed it open. Inside, the dimly lit space was filled with a myriad of objects, each more intriguing than the last.

 Shelves lined the walls, stacked high with enchanted trinkets, shimmering potions, and strange contraptions that whirred softly.

Mrs. Madeline stood behind the counter, her striking white hair cascading down her back and framing her youthful face, accentuating her vivid yellow eyes that sparkled with a mix of wisdom and mischief. 

Despite her age, her body was as fit and agile as a twenty-year-old, radiating an infectious energy that filled the room.

“Ah, Yvette What brings you two here today?”

 she greeted, her voice a melodic blend of warmth and authority.

I exchanged a glance with Ryu, the weight of the Kaldrith's head still lingering in the back of my mind.

“We need some Emberstone. It’s... a long story.”

Her expression shifted, understanding dawning in her eyes. 

“I see. Your father mentioned you a few times during our conversations. I always wondered how you were doing.”

“I haven't seen you since you were such a cute little baby…”

She paused, her gaze softening. 

“You’ve grown into a fine young woman.”

A mixture of nostalgia and warmth welled within me. 

“Thank you, Mrs. Madeline. It’s good to see you.”

“Well, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve got some of the finest Emberstone in Valenor.” 

With a playful grin, she began rummaging through her shelves, her vibrant personality radiating through the shop.

Ryu and I watched as she pulled out a small pouch, its contents glowing faintly in the dim light. 

“Here it is. Just enough to last you a while, especially if you’re in a hurry.”

I nodded, grateful. 

“Thank you, Mrs. Madeline. I’ll be sure to pay you back.”

Her eyes sparkled with understanding, a warm smile playing on her lips. 

“You don’t need to worry about that, dear. Just promise me you’ll introduce me to your friend here later~.”

I chuckled, feeling a mix of embarrassment and amusement at Mrs. Madeline’s attitude. 

“I’ll see what I can do…” 

I promised, grinning at her.

Ryu shot me a sidelong glance, an eyebrow raised as we stepped out of the shop.

 “Do I really have to meet her again?”

“Oh, come on! She means well,”

 I said, nudging him playfully. 

“Besides, she’s a family friend. You might actually like her—if you can get past the whole ‘matchmaker’ vibe.”

As we walked down the cobbled street toward the Huntsman Syndicate Hall, the vibrant atmosphere of the Palevere District enveloped us.

 Merchants shouted their wares, and the smell of baked goods wafted through the air, mingling with the more pungent scents of the alleyways.

Suddenly, I felt a rough grip on my arm, pulling me to a stop. 

I turned to see a dirty man, his face obscured by a tattered hood. 

His clothes were ragged, and his hands trembled as he held out a small, cupped palm toward me.

“Please, miss! I haven’t eaten in days. Just a few coins—anything you can spare!” 

His voice was desperate, a haunting echo of despair.

“I’m sorry, I don’t have anything to give you,” 

I replied, my heart sinking at the sight of his pleading eyes. 

“I wish I could help.”

I pulled away gently, glancing back at Ryu, who had stepped back, observing the scene with an expression of concern.

“Yvette, what’s going on?”

 he asked, his brow furrowed.

I sighed, taking a moment to gather my thoughts. 

“The Palevere District has always been in poverty, especially since the War of Roses.” 

“Many people lost everything—their homes, their livelihoods. Those who live under the influence of the king often find themselves struggling to make ends meet. It’s heartbreaking.”

Ryu’s gaze softened as he took in my words. “So, this is what it’s like here? It’s a lot worse than I imagined.”

As we approached the Syndicate Hall, its grandeur loomed before us like a sentinel guarding the heart of the Palevere District. 

The massive cathedral-like structure was an architectural marvel, its stone walls adorned with intricate engravings that told stories of battles fought and heroes celebrated. 

Every carving seemed to breathe life, depicting fierce warriors, mythical beasts, and the enduring spirit of those who had come before.

I paused for a moment, taking in the sight. 

“It’s impressive, isn’t it?”