The tavern sat near the edge of the village square, a squat building of old timber and stone, its roof slouched under the weight of years. Moss clung stubbornly to the corners of the shingles, and the wooden sign above the door creaked in the night breeze, its faded paint still just clear enough to read: The Ember Rest. Warm light leaked through the shutters, and laughter spilled faintly into the street. Though plain from the outside, the glow and hum of voices gave it a welcoming presence for weary travelers.
Inside, the tavern was nothing extraordinary. The floorboards were worn, the air held a faint smell of spilled ale and smoke, and the decorations were few—just some old shields and faded cloth hangings nailed to the walls. Yet, despite its humble state, the atmosphere was lively. The warmth of voices, laughter, and the clatter of mugs turned the place into something charming for Star and Abyss.
Evening was falling, and the tavern was filled—not overcrowded, but busy enough that every table had life to it. Star made his way toward the counter, where a woman was standing.
Her name was Edritha, a fifty-two-year-old widow. She had once run this tavern with her husband, but since his passing, she managed it with the help of her two children.
One of them was Raina, a nineteen-year-old with flowing black hair that reached down her back. She carried herself with quiet grace, her kindness shining through not just in her beauty, but in her heart. She spent her mornings studying and her evenings helping her mother around the tavern. Many patrons came not only for food and drink but also to see her. Some even began calling her "The Beauty of the Ember Rest."
Her younger brother, however, was the complete opposite. Lio, an eleven-year-old boy, was mischievous to the core. He disliked working in the tavern and much preferred running about and causing trouble. On the rare occasions he did help, he usually ended up creating more problems than he solved.
Star greeted Edritha with a faint smile."How have you been, Edritha?"
She wiped her hands on her apron and sighed. "Still living, I suppose. You, on the other hand, don't look a day older than when I last saw you."
Star chuckled lightly. "You're right about that."
They had first met twenty-five years ago, when Edritha had just married and worked alongside her husband, Vorrn.Star had stopped at the tavern one stormy winter night, snow falling thick as ash. Though he could have conjured himself a home with ease, he preferred the company of taverns and inns—the warmth, the noise, the small stories that lived in such places.
That night, however, peace had been broken.
Star had just taken a room and was sorting out a few of his stuff when he heard shouting from below. He went to check what was happening down stairs, when he went down the stairs, he found a broad, scarred man—clearly a criminal—arguing with Vorrn. The man jabbed a finger at Edritha."She spilled the drink on my goods now Someone has to pay!"
Vorrn raised his hands quickly. "Sir, I will compensate you myself. Please, leave her be."
The brute sneered. "Thirty gold coins, then."
The tavern went silent. For comparison, a night's stay here cost only two silver coins, and a single gold piece was worth a hundred silvers. Vorrn's face drained of color."Please, sir… I cannot pay that much."
"Then I'll take her instead," the man said coldly, seizing Edritha by the arm. Vorrn rushed forward, but the thug hurled him aside like a rag doll.
That was when Star stepped in. His voice was calm but sharp."Let her go."
The man scoffed. "And if I don't?"
Star smirked, then with a single motion hurled him across the room and into the wall."Then that happens."
The man roared in rage and barked for his men. A half-dozen ruffians rushed forward, knives flashing.
At first, Star only dodged—sidestepping blows, weaving between swings with effortless grace. The tavern-goers gasped as his cloak flicked past blades, his movements calm as water. When the men grew desperate, he struck back—quick jabs to the stomach, a sweep of the legs, a flick of his hand to disarm. One by one, they crumpled to the floor, moaning but unharmed.
When silence returned, Star brushed the dust from his hands then opened the bag with the supposed goods and said " these are not something worth thirty gold coins, hell I don't even think they are worth thirty silver coins "
"For all of the trouble you have caused you and your buddies will be going to jail not only that you will also compensate them with money as well "
After words Star goes to the shaken couple."They won't trouble you again. You can relax now."
Vorrn clasped his hand tightly. "If it weren't for you… I don't know what would have happened."
Edritha's eyes welled with tears. "Thank you… I don't even know what to say."
From that night on, the two had become close friends of Star, later even meeting Abyss as well— they later found out that he was one of the two people who were sent by the gods not knowing he was one of the gods him self.
Now, in the present, Star lowered his gaze slightly. "I'm sorry to hear about Vorrn."
Edritha exhaled softly. "His time came, and he left. There's no use in sobbing. What matters is taking care of my children now."
At the same time, Raina and Lio came in through the tavern door. Raina looked exhausted as she murmured, "I'm back," while Lio on the other hand was filled with energy. The moment they saw Star and Abyss, both lit up.
Lio sprinted to Star, latching onto him. "Uncle Star! Will you play with me with your magic?"
Star tried to decline, but the boy's hopeful eyes made it impossible for him to say no.
Meanwhile, Raina approached Abyss, her face flushed crimson. "H…hi, Abyss. H-how are y-you doing?" she stammered, looking ready to faint. She had harbored a quiet crush on him for some time, though she had never confessed.
Today… I'll say it, she told herself.
"I… I want to tell you something—" she began, her voice trembling.
But before she could finish, Edritha's sharp voice cut across the room.
"Give them space! Can't you see they have something important to do? Back to work, both of you!"
Raina and Lio flinched, then scurried off reluctantly.
Edritha turned back with a warm smile. "Here—your room is upstairs, last door on the left."
Star took the keys with a nod, and he and Abyss headed up the stairs.
Down below, Lio pouted. "I wanted to play with Uncle Star…"
Raina sighed, cheeks still red. "And I was just about to confess to Abyss… why now?"
"Are you two slacking again?" Edritha barked from behind the counter.
Both quickly scrambled back to work, leaving the tavern lively once more.
Upstairs, behind the closed door, Star finally had thee chance to tell Abyss about the message.