After hours of scanning the area, George finally cut his skill.
Exhausted. Faint. Pale. Almost gasping for air.
The medics scrambled around him.
"Check his vitals!"
"Quick… reload the blood packs!"
George tried to speak, each word a rasping struggle.
"No… leads… so far…"
"Alright," the boss said. "Good job. Rest for now."
George slumped, skill fully shut down. The medics scrambled to lift him onto a stretcher, but the uneven, bumpy ground made him bounce like a ragdoll as they rushed him into the massive tent.
Poor George.
The boss turned to Luar.
"Three days. If we don't get any leads… within three days… I'll crush your head."
Luar nodded, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
"Now, prepare some meals. I'm hungry!" the boss barked.
Everyone scrambled into action.
Night had fallen.
The elder guided Ahrie and Daiki through the village, showing them where they'd be staying.
They passed the crowd. Some were alert, others terrified.
"Don't mind them," the elder said quietly. "We've been hunted by your kind for years. Trust doesn't come easy… I wouldn't trust anyone either if it weren't for Princess Riel."
Daiki's eyes widened. "Princess…?"
The elder shot him a look of disbelief.
"That child… is the princess," Daiki muttered, shocked.
The elder pinched the bridge of his nose, muttering under his breath at Daiki's stupidity.
He turned to Ahrie.
Ahrie struck a pose, one by one, to explain.
"Muscle-Head… No-Brain."
The elder let out a long, weary sigh.
Both Ahrie and Daiki took in the view. Houses of all shapes and styles dotted the village—some perched on stilts, others woven into the trees, all looking like something out of a dream.
"Ohh ohh… that house might be it!" Daiki pointed toward a luxurious-looking home at the edge of the village.
Ahrie's eyes lit up. "Finally… a proper crib!"
The elder, slow and deliberate, started heading straight for the house.
"Oww oww oww!" Both of them cheered.
But then, mid-step, the elder suddenly changed direction, brushing his beard with his hands.
Ahrie and Daiki froze mid-celebration, eyes wide.
They looked at each other, sighed, and reluctantly followed again.
Then they looked at each other… shrugged it off… and just followed the elder again.
In their view, another cool-looking house appeared — a perfect spot for them to live in.
"Oww… oww… oww!" Both of them started celebrating again.
They started claiming their spots already.
"My room's on the left!" Daiki declared.
"Hah! No way, it's mine!" Ahrie shot back.
The elder continued walking toward the house, completely unbothered.
Ahrie and Daiki started a rapid game of rock-paper-scissors to decide once and for all who would claim the best room.
"Rock!"
"Paper!"
"Scisso—"
The elder veered off again, brushing his beard casually, a slow grin on his face.
"Hoii!" Both shouted in unison.
The elder didn't break stride. Just continued smiling, clearly enjoying himself.
They finally arrived at their temporary home.
A small wooden house sat quietly at the far end of the village, looking… well, modest.
Ahrie and Daiki both froze, faces falling.
"Ugh… this is it?" Ahrie muttered under his breath.
The elder sighed, noticing their expressions.
"I wanted to give you both a much better house… but my people are reluctant to live with you two. They fear you're like those greedy humans who've been hunting us. I can't change their minds… sorry about that."
Daiki rubbed the back of his neck, trying to hide his disappointment.
"It's okay, elder… we'll just stay here for the time being."
Ahrie crossed his arms and muttered, "Small wooden house… huh…"
The elder merely smiled faintly, as if he expected this reaction.
"Oh… and also… you'll be monitored," the elder continued, voice firm. "So our people are assured you won't do anything… shady. You're not allowed to interact with the other Floriae. They probably won't sell food to you. You'll have to cook, eat, and hunt by yourselves."
Haaa! Bring them here then! Ahrie ground his teeth, smiling with that pissed-off excitement only he could pull off.
"I'll give them something to fear—mmm"
Daiki shut his mouth off..
The elder left, and the two looked around the house.
Old. Dusty. Smelly. Perfect.
Both of them got to work cleaning, sweeping, and airing the place out.
A few moments later—
Knock.
Knock.
Daiki opened the door, frustrated. "What now—"
Then his annoyance vanished.
Amariel stood there, calm as ever, flanked by two guards.
Without a word, she and the guards stepped into the small, now half-cleaned room.
Ahrie's eyes narrowed. Oh… this is gonna be fun.
"So… what's the princess doing here?" Ahrie muttered, leaning against the wall, eyebrows raised.
Daiki stared at him, wide-eyed. "Wait… what? She's the princess… not the kid?"
Amariel gave a small, apologetic smile. "Sorry… I wanted to give you guys better treatment… but the people won't allow it."
"They don't deserve it," one of the guards said, smirking at Ahrie. The other guard mirrored the grin.
Ahrie's lips curled into a maniacal smile. "How about you say that… right. on. my. Face?"
Tension thickened in the room. Ahrie and the two guards stared each other down.
"Enough," Amariel said firmly. "Can you leave us for now?"
"B-but—" the guard started.
"Leave." Her voice was sharp.
Tch. The guards left, eyes still locked on Ahrie.
"I'm gonna go get some fresh air," Ahrie muttered.
"Hell nah you won't," Daiki snapped, rushing after him. He grabbed Ahrie and forced him down onto a chair. "Sit. Listen. Amariel's talking."
Amariel nodded, taking a deep breath.
"We received a report earlier from the Kingdom of Greenveil. The black market will start in two days. There's a high chance some of my people are trapped there."
Daiki's eyes narrowed. "I see… so what's the plan?"
"We, along with a few of our warriors, will head there before it starts—rescue them, and return. The Kingdom of Greenveil will handle the nobles."
"That's great then," Daiki replied, trying to hide his worry.
Ahrie, still glaring out the window, muttered, "…"
Daiki sighed. "This rascal acts like a rabid beast when he's angry…"
Amariel smiled faintly. "Yeah… he does."
"Do you mind?" Daiki asked cautiously.
Amariel winked. "Not at all… just don't overdo it. I'd appreciate it if you act like this against our real enemies, though."
"You heard that, right?" Daiki said, smirking at Ahrie.
"Of course… of course," Ahrie replied,
Ahrie slipped out of the house, moving silently. Step by step, he crept behind the two guards.
The guards were chatting, unaware of him.
"Why does the princess favor those humans so much? We've been hunted by them a bunch of times," the first guard muttered.
"Yeah… I get you," the other replied.
Then—snap. Something gripped both their shoulders from behind. A chill ran down their spines.
"Hello, motherfuckers—"