A few hours passed beneath Zenith's starlit sky.
The scent of forest moss and fading embers clung gently to Raizo and his father, Lay, as they returned from the quiet woods. The soft crunch of gravel beneath their boots echoed faintly in the cool air.
Raizo pushed open the wooden door of their home.
Inside, the warmth of hearthlight and spices greeted them.
Reyna, standing by the pot near the table, turned with a bright smile.
"Welcome back, Raizo. Dinner's ready."
Raizo nodded, removing his coat. "Thanks, Mom."
The table was already set—wooden bowls steaming with vegetable soup and slices of rustic bread. Fenra was already seated at Raizo's left, her wolf ears perked. Silvia, calm and graceful, took her seat at Raizo's right. The flickering lantern light danced across their faces.
Lay sat down across from Raizo and folded his arms.
"So," he asked as he tore a piece of bread, "what are you doing here anyway? This isn't just a family visit, is it?"
Raizo took a slow sip of soup, then reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded parchment. He handed it to his father.
"A quest. Straight from the Adventurer Guild."
Lay opened it and scanned the writing.
"Flaming Salamander, huh?" His eyes rose, thoughtful. "Do you want advice on how to handle it?"
Raizo shook his head confidently.
"No need. We can handle it ourselves. We're the Dilhaze Party now, after all."
Lay chuckled softly. "Heh. Confident."
Dinner passed with light chatter, the clinking of wooden spoons, and a faint warmth that only a home could offer.
Later that night, as the house grew quiet and stars watched from above, Raizo retired to his old bedroom, sighing as he collapsed onto the bed. Sleep took him quickly.
Reyna and Lay turned in as well, the lanterns dimming one by one.
But not everyone was sleeping.
In the narrow hallway, Fenra padded quietly down the wooden floor, her tail twitching slightly behind her. She wasn't alone.
Ahead of her stood Silvia, her long, golden-blonde hair glowing under the moonlight that spilled through the hallway window.
Fenra narrowed her eyes. "You. What are you doing in front of Raizo's door?"
Silvia turned, her expression calm but challenging.
"Why, I'm going to sleep with him, of course," she said with a sly smile. "What about you?"
Fenra crossed her arms. "I had the same idea as you."
"Oh? Then it's a race," Silvia teased, her green eyes glinting with mischief. She reached for the doorknob—
Click.
Locked.
Silvia frowned and tugged again.
"Locked?!" she whispered sharply.
Fenra smirked. "Looks like Raizo knew we'd try something."
Silvia huffed. "Unbelievable."
With both of their plans foiled, they exchanged frustrated glances. The silent competition between them still burned brightly.
"…I guess we'll try again another night," Silvia muttered as she turned away.
"…Hmph. Just don't expect to win," Fenra added as she walked to her room.
Behind the locked door, Raizo slept soundly—completely unaware that the battle for his heart had already begun, not on a battlefield of blades, but in the quiet halls of his childhood home.
And as the stars glittered above Zenith Village, the Dilhaze party was closer than ever—closer to the next battle, and closer to a storm neither of the girls saw coming.