Moments later, Carai arrived at the entrance, Saeriel trailing behind her. They noticed men moving busily up at the cave entrance.
"Is this place always this busy?" Carai glanced back at Saeriel.
"Honestly? It's only been this lively since you guys showed up," Saeriel replied.
"So… we're the problem, then," Carai said, stepping closer and resting a hand on Saeriel's shoulder.
Saeriel flinched, then let out an awkward laugh.
"Hey, what happened here?"
The man straightened immediately. "Oh, boss… well, Boss Dravena ran into trouble and had to be saved by Boss Kayon."
Saeriel's eyes widened in panic. "What happened, is Dravena okay?"
"She's alright," the man replied firmly.
Carai stepped closer, her gaze sharp. "Where is she?"
"She's resting at her tent," he answered.
"Alright, you can leave now," Saeriel commanded, dashing toward Dravena's tent.
When they arrived, they found Dravena sitting upright, clutching her lips and muttering, "That still counts as a kiss, right?"
Saeriel blinked. "What counts as a kiss?"
Dravena yanked the blankets over her head and let out a high-pitched scream. "Ahhhhhh!"
Carai followed behind. "Well, I've never heard you scream like that before."
"Actually, it's my first time too," Saeriel added, grinning.
Dravena tried to swing her legs out of bed, only to be stopped halfway by Carai.
"Where do you think you're going?" she asked, forcing her back onto the mattress. "Just rest for now."
Dravena sighed and gave in, lying back down. "When did you guys get back?"
"We just did… wait" Saeriel leapt onto the bed, eyes wide. "What was this about a kiss?"
Carai's ear twitched. "Ohhh, a kiss, eh?"
Dravena broke into a cold sweat, her voice trembling. "What are you talking about? I didn't say any such thing!"
Saeriel and Carai planted themselves on either side of the bed, gently pinning Dravena down, their eyes fixed on her like predators waiting for a confession.
"D-didn't you guys say I needed rest?" Dravena stuttered, eyes wide.
"Cut the crap," Saeriel said firmly.
"We're not leaving," Saeriel tightened her grip.
"Not until you start talking."
Carai leaned closer,
"And don't skip anything."
Dravena hesitated, glancing nervously between them.
"Everything," Carai said softly.
"Start at the part you're trying to hide," Saeriel added.
Dravena let out a deep sigh and began recounting the events.
Saeriel grabbed her hair, eyes wide.
Her grip tightened.
"Whaaaat?!" Her jaw practically dropped.
"Wait, he kissed you?!"
Carai leaned in, voice low, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Tell us everything, Don't leave out a single detail."
Dravena's cheeks flushed crimson. "Yes he did. But to be honest, I was dying and woke up to him kissing me," she paused, "and my wounds were healed."
Saeriel froze for a moment, then let out a squeaky laugh. "Wait he just fixed you with a kiss? That's insane!"
Carai's smirk widened. "Ohhh, I see. So that's what you meant by a 'kiss'." She leaned back slightly, crossing her arms,
Dravena squirmed. "I told you everything now get off me!"
Dravena laughed, then winced slightly, pressing a hand to her side.
The room quieted… just for a second.
"But that's lucky," a vein popped up on Saeriel's side temple. She jolted to her feet. "But… why didn't he kiss me when I was injured?"
She froze,
Slowly glancing down and immediately noticed the other two staring at her, Their gaze locked onto her.
Saeriel glanced toward the exit. "Is it just me" sweet drops from her face, "or is it getting hot? I think I need some fresh air." She turns and starts moving out , but hands grabbed her firmly on both shoulders.
Carai, on her left, smirked. "Nothing happened, huh?"
Dravena leaned in, sniffing Saeriel's right cheek. "Mmm… I smell fear."
She tried to run, but they were too fast hands pinning her firmly to the bed.
"From the beginning," Carai said softly.
"Everything," Dravena added.
Saeriel whimpered, tears welling in her eyes.
Her hands shook.
"I… I followed him…" Her voice trembled.
"…and things… things got out of hand."
She swallowed hard, eyes wide.
"He almost… killed me!"
Dravena leaned in, one eyebrow raised. "Almost? what did you do"
Carai smirked, tilting her head. "Oh, really? Almost killed? Sounds like someone got a front-row seat to danger."
Saeriel blushed furiously, squirming against their grip. "It wasn't like that! I just… thought I could get us some time alone," Her gaze looks away.
Carai leaned closer, voice teasing. "Keep going, Saeriel. Don't leave anything out. Every little detail counts."
With a shaky breath, Saeriel relented, telling them everything from how she had followed him to every near death moment,
"I never knew Kayon could be that threatening," Carai said, arms crossed.
The room went quiet.
Saeriel and Dravena stared at her.
"What?" Carai frowned.
"You've been with him this whole time," Saeriel said slowly, "and you still don't see it?"
Carai tilted her head slightly, thinking.
Then she shook it.
"No."
Her voice was calm. Certain.
"You're the ones exaggerating."
Dravena's expression didn't change.
"We're not."
A pause.
"You're just the only one he hasn't decided to break yet."
Carai didn't answer immediately, her eyes narrowed faintly.
Then she smiled.
"He won't."
Carai frowned, thinking hard about Kayon… and the only image that came to mind was a tiny, harmless puppy with Kayon's face.
"I just, can't picture it," she admitted. "He's always been like a puppy to me."
Neither of them laughed.
"Right… a puppy," they said. "Like he's a puppy!" they yelled in unison.
Carai stood, brushing herself off. "Why are you looking at me like that? This was entertaining, but I should take my leave."
"Alright, thank you for stopping by."
"I was checking up on a mistress." She paused at the door. "Congratulations." With that, she pulled the curtains aside and left.
Saeriel glanced at Dravena. "You must be happy."
"I'm… both scared of Carai and happy about the kiss," Dravena admitted.
The room fell silent.
Saeriel leaned in and whispered,
"Let's just try not to agitate Carai."
"That's a plan," Dravena replied.
Carai reached the tent and pushed it open slowly. Inside, Kayon wasn't meditating. He was just sitting.
"Oh, Carai, you're here," he said, standing as he prepared the bath. "I was waiting for you. The bath is ready."
She froze for a moment, then stepped closer, her gaze locking on him.
"what's wrong" he stepped back.
"Yeah… I still can't see how this face is supposed to be terrifying." She turned back waving her hands.
"Huh? What do you mean?"
She paused, sliding her fingers along the edge of her clothes. "Nothing." Slowly, she let them fall.
The water embraced her as she stepped in. "Ah… this feels nice," she murmured, her eyes finding his.
"You're not getting in?" She tilted her head, voice soft, teasing.
"Why… you want a massage again?" Kayon grinned.
Then with a gentle curl of her fingers.
"Yes," she whispered, swallowing hard. "I want you in here."
His lips curved into a small smile. "You always know what to say to me."
With a shiver, Kayon stripped and slipped into the warm water, the ripples brushing against them. The space between them was charged, the steam curling around their bodies, and for a heartbeat, the world outside the tent ceased to exist.
Soon after, Kayon laid Carai to rest and slipped in beside her. She curled against him, clutching him tightly, and whispered, "You'll always be mine."
He tilted his head, a soft smile brushing his lips.
"I'll always be here."
The night stretched in silence, their breathing syncing with the gentle darkness.
A low tremor.
The air… tightened.
Like the space itself had drawn a breath.
Carai's eyes snapped open.
"did you feel that?"
Kayon's gaze lifted slightly.
Still calm.
Silence.
A heartbeat.
BOOM.
The world shattered.
The ground lurched violently beneath them as the explosion tore through the cave, the shockwave slamming into the tent.
Dust rained down.
A scream ripped through the distance.
Carai sprang to her feet. "What happened?"
Footsteps stopped at the door. Dravena's voice called through the curtains. "We have two intruders at the entrance."
"Alright, I'm coming." Kayon grabbed his clothes.
"Wait, love. We can handle this," Carai said, holding him back.
"Are you sure?" he asked, searching her eyes.
She gripped her sword, determination flaring. "Trust me." With that, she darted forward.
Dravena stood by the tent as Carai rushed away.
"Come on. Let's go!." Carai called.
Dravena followed behind.
Reaching the narrow tunnel leading out, Saeriel waited by the ruined entrance, her gaze flicking between them.
"He's not here," Carai said, stepping past her. "We're handling this ourselves."
Two figures loomed in the distance, their eyes glowing a menacing red through the darkness.
The clouds shifted, letting moonlight fall across them, revealing a tall man in a black coat and a shorter woman clad in black armor.
The woman tilted her head, smiling faintly.
"Evan…"
"…do you feel that?"
Her eyes gleamed.
"Some new toys just walked out."