Chapter 8: The Stranger by the River
The forest path stretched on endlessly. Arjun's boots sank into the soft earth, and every step made his legs ache. The bandit fight still weighed on his mind, but his body was screaming louder. Sweat clung to his skin, his throat was dry, and his stomach growled with painful hunger.
Beside him, Seris walked with quiet grace. Her long black hair swayed behind her, and though she looked calm, Arjun could tell she was tired too. The faint glow on her wrists had dimmed, and her steps were slower than before.
"We need water," Arjun muttered. His voice was hoarse. "And food. Otherwise, we're not going to last long."
Seris nodded softly. "I hear running water nearby. A river, perhaps."
Arjun strained his ears. At first he heard nothing but the rustle of leaves and the calls of distant birds. Then, faintly, he caught it a gentle rush, like glass being poured. Relief washed over him.
"Lead the way," he said.
They pushed through thick undergrowth until the trees thinned, and the forest opened to a wide river. Clear water sparkled under the sunlight, tumbling over smooth stones. Wildflowers grew along the bank, their fragrance carried by the breeze.
Arjun dropped to his knees at the edge and scooped water into his hands. It was icy cold but fresh, sliding down his throat like life itself. He drank greedily until his stomach hurt, then splashed water over his face.
Seris knelt beside him, cupping water in her palms with quiet dignity. The sight of her long lashes and calm face reflected in the water made Arjun pause. Even in this dangerous world, she looked almost unreal.
Shaking his head quickly, he focused on practical matters. "We should rest here. Maybe catch something to eat if we can."
Seris glanced around. "But be careful. Rivers attract more than travelers. Beasts come to drink too."
Arjun sighed. "Of course they do."
He set his sword on the grass, rolling his shoulders. His body still wasn't used to fighting. His arms felt heavy, and his palms were raw from gripping the hilt.
The system chimed suddenly.
[Survival Tip: Freshwater located. Temporary Safe Zone created.]
[Time Remaining: 13 hours, 44 minutes.]
Arjun groaned. "Safe zone? That usually means we're not safe at all."
Seris tilted her head. "It means… danger still lurks?"
"Exactly," Arjun muttered.
Before he could say more, a branch snapped across the river. Both he and Seris froze, eyes fixed on the trees.
From the shadows, a figure emerged.
It was a woman.
She looked older than Seris, perhaps in her mid-twenties, with long auburn hair tied in a braid that reached her waist. Her clothes were simple but well-fitted dark leather armor with a green cloak thrown over her shoulders. A bow was strapped across her back, and at her hip hung a short blade.
She stepped lightly onto the riverbank, her boots barely disturbing the pebbles. Her amber eyes locked onto Arjun and Seris immediately.
"Well, what do we have here?" she said, her voice smooth but sharp like steel. "Two strays in the Azure wilds. Brave… or foolish?"
Arjun's hand shot to his sword. He stood quickly, shielding Seris behind him. "We don't want trouble."
The woman raised an eyebrow, amused. "Trouble? If I wanted you dead, you'd have an arrow through your throat already."
Arjun's heart skipped. He hadn't even noticed her draw the bowstring before.
Seris stepped forward calmly, though her chains flickered faintly at her wrists. "Who are you?"
The woman studied them for a long moment before letting out a soft chuckle. "Name's Lira. Ranger. Hunter. Sometimes mercenary. Depends on the day." Her amber eyes flicked over Seris's wrists. "And you… you're not ordinary, are you?"
Seris's lips pressed into a thin line, but she didn't answer.
Lira shrugged. "Fine, keep your secrets. I don't care who you are. What I care about is whether you're worth my time."
Arjun frowned. "Worth your time?"
She smirked. "The Azure wilds eat the weak. I've seen countless wanderers die on these paths. But you… you killed those bandits back there, didn't you?"
Arjun stiffened. "You were watching?"
"Please," Lira said, rolling her eyes. "Three idiots screaming in the trees? You'd have to be deaf not to notice."
Arjun clenched his fists. "So you just watched instead of helping?"
Lira's smirk widened. "Why should I help? Better to see if you can survive on your own. If you had died, I'd have taken whatever you left behind. Simple as that."
Arjun's jaw tightened. He hated her arrogance, but he also knew she wasn't lying. In this world, kindness probably got you killed.
Seris stepped forward, her voice calm but firm. "Then why approach us now?"
Lira's amber eyes softened slightly. "Because you didn't die. And because I saw something interesting." She tilted her head toward Arjun. "The way you fought. Desperate but stubborn. I like that." Her gaze slid to Seris. "And those chains of yours… they're rare. Dangerous. That makes you valuable."
Arjun narrowed his eyes. "Valuable how?"
Lira shrugged. "Companions. Allies. Call it what you like. Point is, you'll need someone who knows this land. I know where to find food, where to avoid the worst beasts, where bandits hide. I could guide you."
"And what do you want in return?" Arjun asked suspiciously.
Her grin widened. "Half of whatever loot we find. And a share of whatever rewards you're chasing."
Arjun almost laughed. "Rewards? You think we're adventurers or something?"
Lira shrugged again. "Everyone out here is chasing something. Gold, glory, revenge, power… doesn't matter. You wouldn't be wandering the Azure wilds without a goal."
Arjun glanced at Seris. She said nothing, only watching Lira with unreadable eyes.
The system's voice whispered in Arjun's head.
[Potential Bond Candidate Detected: Lira.]
[Compatibility: 62%.]
[Warning: Bond not yet established. Trust must be earned.]
Arjun groaned inwardly. "Of course she's a candidate."
He ran a hand through his messy hair, then sighed. "Fine. If you're really offering to guide us, prove it. Find us food. We're starving."
Lira smirked. "Easy enough."
She pulled the bow from her back in one smooth motion, notched an arrow, and aimed across the river. Arjun barely had time to follow her gaze before she released.
A rabbit squealed in the distance. Lira strode across the stones, retrieving the animal with practiced ease. She returned, holding it up by the ears. "Dinner."
Arjun blinked. "That was… fast."
Seris's lips curved faintly. "Impressive."
Lira dropped the rabbit onto the grass and crouched beside it, drawing her short blade. "I'll prepare it. You two keep watch. If wolves smell blood, they'll be here fast."
Arjun sat reluctantly, keeping his sword close. As Lira skinned and cleaned the rabbit with efficient movements, he muttered, "So we're just trusting her now?"
Seris's calm voice answered. "Trust is not given. It is tested. For now, we watch."
Arjun sighed. "Fair enough."
When the meat roasted over a small fire, the smell made Arjun's stomach twist with hunger. He devoured his portion without shame, grease dripping down his chin. Seris ate quietly, while Lira chewed with a smirk.
"You eat like a starved wolf," Lira teased.
Arjun glared at her but kept eating. "Haven't exactly had many feasts lately."
When the meal was finished, the three of them sat in silence, the river's gentle song filling the air.
Finally, Lira stretched, her cloak rustling. "So. What's next for you two? Just wandering until the beasts tear you apart?"
Arjun glanced at Seris, then back at Lira. His grip tightened on his sword. "We survive. That's the only goal right now."
Lira's smirk returned. "Then you'll need me. Trust me, the wilds get much worse than bandits and wolves. Stick with me, and maybe you'll live to see another sunrise."
The system chimed again.
[New Option: Invite Lira as Companion.]
[Warning: Choice will affect future bonds.]
Arjun stared at the glowing text only he could see, his stomach twisting. Another bond candidate. Another piece of the "harem system" nonsense.
He looked at Seris, calm and quiet beside him, then at Lira, smirking confidently across the fire.
For the first time, Arjun wondered just how complicated this journey was going to get.