The city beyond the forest was alive with sound, smell, and chaos—exactly the kind of overstimulating mess that made Ren's head throb.
"…Okay," he muttered, ducking under a low-hanging sign. "Note to self: never trust a forest guide who says, 'This path leads to civilization.'"
Aeri, walking calmly ahead, glanced back. "You'll survive. Focus. And try not to get arrested, eaten, or cursed before lunch."
Ren groaned. "…Fine. But if I die before coffee, I'm haunting you. Fair warning."
A few blocks later, the pair stumbled upon a small café tucked into a cobbled alley. Its sign read "Ambrosia & Espresso: Divine Brews Since the Beginning of Time." The smell of roasted beans hit Ren's nose, and for a fleeting moment, he forgot about gods, echoes, and memory-fragment trauma.
"…Coffee," he whispered, reverently. "Finally. Sweet, caffeinated salvation."
The café's interior was warm and chaotic. Wooden tables were crowded with patrons — some human, some… less so. A delicate creature with wings no bigger than a sparrow fluttered overhead, leaving trails of glittering dust. Behind the counter, a tall, elegant woman moved with practiced grace, her golden hair catching the light.
"Welcome," she said with a voice that seemed to sing. "First time here?"
Ren froze. "…Uh… yes. And no. But mostly yes."
The woman smiled knowingly. "Then you'll want the Heaven's Blend. Strong enough to wake the dead, smooth enough to soothe the divine."
Ren blinked. "…You just described coffee and a god in the same sentence. I think I like this place already."
Aeri leaned over, whispering, "She's a retired goddess of hospitality. She's… safe. Mostly."
"…Mostly?" Ren muttered. "Why does 'mostly' sound like a bad Yelp review?"
They grabbed a table near the window. Ren's hands shook slightly as he held the steaming cup. The warmth spread through him, chasing away the last of the morning's adrenaline.
"Okay," he said, exhaling. "…Survived dragons, survived memory fragments, survived freezing divine enforcers mid-air. And now… coffee. I think I can survive the day."
Aeri chuckled. "…You'd better. Because the gods aren't done noticing you."
Ren froze mid-sip. "…Wait. They're still noticing me?"
Aeri nodded. "A messenger arrived. You're… officially on their radar."
"…Officially? That sounds like paperwork. Do they accept forms in triplicate?"
"Don't joke," Aeri warned, though her lips twitched. "They aren't patient with humor. Or mortal incompetence."
Ren gulped down the rest of the coffee. "…I'm incompetent, but caffeinated. Does that help?"
The café door jingled. A slender figure slipped inside, hooded and quiet. Aeri's eyes narrowed. "…We have company."
Ren followed her gaze. "…Uh-oh."
The figure approached the counter, placing a small, folded note in front of the goddess. She read it, eyebrows lifting, then glanced at Ren and Aeri. "…Interesting," she murmured.
Aeri's fingers twitched toward her dagger. "It's a message. From the gods. They know where you are. They're… curious."
Ren blinked. "…Curious? That sounds friendly. Friendly, with spears? Friendly, with death magic?"
"…More like… interested in your choices," Aeri said quietly. "And they won't wait forever."
Ren drained the last of his cup. "…Choices. Great. My specialty. Making bad ones under pressure. Perfect."
The goddess behind the counter smiled faintly. "You'll need allies," she said softly, almost to herself. "And coffee helps with decisions."
Ren snorted. "…Well, that's reassuring. I'll take two more."
Aeri rolled her eyes. "…Only you could be terrified of divine notice and still care about caffeine."
Ren grinned. "…Priorities, Aeri. Priorities."
Outside, the city carried on. Merchants shouted, children laughed, and somewhere above, golden eyes watched quietly. The Silent One had survived another trial, and the world's echoes whispered… intrigued.
To be continued…
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