Raizo and his party continued their journey through the vast and mysterious Forest of Vellium. The trees towered overhead, their leaves forming a dense canopy that filtered the sunlight into shafts of golden light. As evening approached, the group decided to set up camp beside a worn dirt road, where the trees thinned just enough to create a small clearing.
Fenra took the lead in gathering firewood, moving swiftly through the underbrush with her beast-like agility. Her wolf ears twitched as she listened for any signs of danger. Meanwhile, Silvia and Shekiah worked together to pitch their tents, their movements practiced and fluid. Raizo wandered a short distance from the camp, collecting useful herbs and ingredients, his eyes scanning the forest floor with experience. Once everyone returned, Raizo used his fire magic to ignite the firewood, creating a warm, crackling campfire in the center of their temporary haven.
Raizo sat near the flames, watching the three girls talk and laugh among themselves. Their voices blended with the sounds of the forest, creating a peaceful ambiance. As he stared into the flickering fire, a nostalgic smile spread across his face. In his mind, he reminisced, "Man, this takes me back. I remember when I was in grade six. My classmates and I sat around a campfire just like this during a school trip. It feels like a lifetime ago..."
With a slight shake of his head, Raizo focused back on the present and looked at his companions. Curious about their progress, he activated his Appraisal skill.
Fenra
ATK: 650
DEF: 590
STA: 580
MANA: 700
MAGIC: Fighting, Wind
ABILITY: Beast Transformation
Silvia
ATK: 610
DEF: 500
STA: 600
MANA: 639
MAGIC: Wind, Plant
ABILITY: Eagle Eye
Shekiah
ATK: 590
DEF: 600
STA: 500
MANA: 600
MAGIC: Fighting, Earth
ABILITY: Terra Defense
Raizo leaned forward and addressed the group. "Um, tomorrow we'll stay here for a couple of hours."
The girls turned toward him, intrigued by the sudden announcement. Fenra asked, "But why, Raizo?"
Raizo replied, "We need to get your stats up to almost 1000."
Silvia blinked. "1000? That's going to be hard."
Raizo smiled. "It's no problem. Thanks to Lloyd's artifacts—this necklace—and the Gluttony ability I shared with you three, it's totally doable."
Shekiah nodded in understanding. "Oh yeah, that's right."
Raizo continued, "It'll only take a few hours tomorrow."
Fenra let out a yawn, her purple eyes growing heavy. "Raizo, I'm going to sleep," she said with a slight blush. "Will you sleep with me?"
Silvia and Shekiah were visibly shocked.
"No way, mutt!" Silvia cried. "Raizo will sleep with me!"
Shekiah crossed her arms. "No, you two. He will sleep with me, and that's that."
Raizo gave an awkward smile, caught off guard by the sudden competition.
Fenra's eyes lit up with determination. "Fine! Let's settle this with rock-paper-scissors."
Silvia and Shekiah nodded in agreement.
"Rock, paper, scissors!" they said in unison.
Fenra won.
"Yes! I win! Yes, I win!" she cheered, jumping up in excitement.
Silvia frowned. "Wait, wait. Let's ask Raizo if he wants to sleep with you."
She turned to him and asked, "Raizo, do you want to sleep with Fenra?"
Fenra blushed deeply.
Raizo's mind raced. "Uh... what have I done in my life? If I refuse, Fenra will be mad. If I agree, the other two will be mad. What should I do?"
With a calm breath, Raizo said, "Fine, I'll sleep with her."
Fenra's violet eyes sparkled with joy. Silvia and Shekiah, however, looked devastated.
Feeling their disappointment, Raizo added, "How about this? Tonight I'll sleep with Fenra. Tomorrow, Silvia. Then the next day, Shekiah. After that, I'll sleep alone. We'll rotate."
The three girls nodded. "Sure."
And so, Fenra and Raizo slept together in one tent under the starry sky.
---
Morning came, bright and clear. The forest slowly came to life as the sun rose higher. As the group resumed their journey, every monster they encountered was handled by the three girls. Each battle brought a surge of energy, power, and experience. With each victory, their stats rose. Raizo stayed on the sidelines, observing and guiding when needed.
By the end of the day, they had reached the edge of the Forest of Vellium. The oppressive atmosphere gave way to open skies and fresh air.
Raizo once again activated his Appraisal skill.
Fenra
ATK: 990
DEF: 900
STA: 1000
MANA: 1200
MAGIC: Wind, Fighting, Earth, Plant, Metal, Poison
ABILITIES: Beast Transformation, Poison Immunity, Water Absorb, Fire Absorb, Pressure, Generation
Silvia
ATK: 900
DEF: 850
STA: 910
MANA: 1020
MAGIC: Wind, Plant, Earth, Ice, Poison
ABILITIES: Eagle Eye, Health Generation, Static, Toxic, Klutz
Shekiah
ATK: 920
DEF: 1005
STA: 870
MANA: 1000
MAGIC: Earth, Fighting, Ice, Poison, Lightning
ABILITIES: Terra Defense, Body Armor, Magnet Pull, Arena Trap, Moxie
Raizo smiled proudly. "You three have almost caught up to me."
They made camp just outside the forest. As the sun dipped below the horizon, Shekiah volunteered to take the first guard shift. A few hours later, Fenra quietly woke her and took over, letting Shekiah rest.
Inside the tent, Silvia was excited. It was her turn to sleep beside Raizo. She tried to act casual but couldn't hide her joy as she lay next to him.
Fenra stood outside, watching the moonlit woods. She glanced at the tent where Silvia and Raizo slept peacefully. With a whisper, she said, "Next time, I'll kiss Raizo. I'll be the first to kiss him on the lips." She smiled, the cool night breeze brushing her cheeks as she stood guard.
---
The next morning, Raizo woke up to the delicious aroma of food. His stomach rumbled.
"What's that smell?" he mumbled, sitting up.
Shekiah greeted him with a smile. "Good morning. It's time for breakfast."
Raizo looked around. "I guess you two are already eating?"
Fenra and Shekiah nodded. "Yes, we were hungry," Fenra replied cheerfully.
Raizo yawned. "Alright. After we eat, let's continue walking."
The three girls nodded in agreement.
Together, they sat down around the campfire once more, ready to continue their journey. The path ahead was uncertain, but Raizo knew—whatever came next—they would face it together.