The golden resonance shockwave faded slowly, drifting like fireflies over the forest floor.
Zerrei sat curled in Lyra's lap, blinking up at the light with soft, mesmerized wonder.
"…pretty…" he whispered, brushing a tiny speck of shimmering gold with his fingertip.
Lyra stroked his hair.
"You helped me make it."
He glowed faintly.
"…Lyra strong… because Zerrei?"
"Because both of us."
He smiled—small, sleepy, and impossibly soft.
Arden stared openly.
"If the Creator doesn't kill us, the cuteness overload will."
Oren muttered:
"Focus, Arden."
THE GUILD ARRIVES
Leaves rustled.
Footsteps approached.
Lyra stiffened instinctively.
Zerrei's glow dimmed, his arms tightening protectively around her waist.
"…someone… coming…"
Arden unsheathed his sword, stepping in front of them.
"Yeah, I hear it too."
Oren sighed.
"That will be the Arnvale guild. They probably followed the explosion of golden light."
Lyra blinked.
"Oh no."
Zerrei trembled.
"…Lyra… danger?"
She pulled him closer.
"No. Not danger. Just… people."
Zerrei's glow flickered in unease.
"…don't want…"
She kissed his hair.
"I know."
Arden positioned himself protectively between them and the sound.
A moment later, several figures emerged through the trees:
Guild members.
Scouts.
Hunters.
Mages.
And trailing behind them—
Guildmaster Rhelm.
Grizzled.
Scarred.
Powerful.
He lifted a lantern powered by magic crystal and surveyed the clearing.
His eyes fell on Zerrei.
In Lyra's arms.
Broken.
Cracked.
Glowing.
And holding her like a terrified child clinging to warmth.
Silence.
Arden placed a hand on his sword.
Oren whispered quietly to Lyra:
"Stay calm. Zerrei reacts to your heart rate."
Lyra swallowed hard.
Zerrei pressed his forehead into her shoulder.
"…don't like… many eyes…"
"It's okay," she whispered.
THE GUILD'S FEAR
One of the hunters muttered:
"That's… that monster again."
Another stepped back.
"It evolved again…?"
A mage whispered:
"Those cracks—he looks like he's going to explode."
Arden snarled.
"Say one more thing and I'll help you explode."
Oren elbowed him sharply.
"We need diplomacy. Not threats."
Guildmaster Rhelm stepped forward, voice calm.
"Lyra. Arden. Oren.
We saw the sky tear open.
We felt something… unimaginable."
He looked again at Zerrei.
"Tell me what happened."
Zerrei hid further into Lyra's shoulder, trembling.
"…don't… look… at Lyra…"
Lyra stroked the back of his head soothingly.
"They're not going to hurt me."
His voice was small.
"…don't… trust…"
She kissed his cheek.
"I know."
Oren stepped forward and answered:
"Vessel Three attacked.
The Creator's projection manifested.
Zerrei protected Lyra at the cost of severe core damage."
Gasps rippled through the guild.
"But he's stable now," Oren added, "with Lyra's help."
Rhelm's eyes narrowed.
"Stable doesn't mean safe."
Arden snapped:
"He's not dangerous—"
"HE IS A VESSEL," the guildmaster said sharply.
Zerrei flinched so hard Lyra felt his whole body spasm.
She hugged him instantly.
"Shh—Zerrei, don't listen—"
"…vessel…" he whispered, shaking.
"…tool… purpose…"
"No!" Lyra's voice cracked. "You're Zerrei. You're not a tool."
His glow brightened—panicked—reaching for her hands.
"…Lyra… Lyra… Zerrei not tool…"
"Never," she whispered fiercely.
"You're mine. My Zerrei."
He relaxed slightly.
The guild watched with stunned expressions.
Rhelm spoke again, more cautiously.
"Lyra… is he… bonded to you?"
Lyra hesitated.
Oren murmured:
"Say yes. It's the safest answer."
Lyra nodded slowly.
"…Yes."
Gasps. Murmurs.
Rhelm sighed.
"That explains his behavior."
Zerrei's glow brightened protectively.
"…behavior…?"
Lyra kissed his cheek.
"It's okay."
Arden muttered:
"They're scared, but they're not stupid. They saw him protect her."
Oren added:
"And they're smart enough not to provoke him."
THE FEARFUL REQUEST
Rhelm cleared his throat.
"We're not here to fight. But Lyra—this creature—this boy—whatever he is…"
He stepped carefully closer.
"…can he control himself?"
Lyra tightened her arms around Zerrei.
"Yes."
Zerrei lifted his head weakly and looked at the guildmaster with soft, dim eyes.
"…Zerrei… not hurt… Lyra's people…"
Rhelm blinked.
"…He speaks?"
Arden crossed his arms.
"And he speaks better than most of your scouts."
Oren groaned softly.
Lyra stroked Zerrei's cheek.
"He understands kindness. He remembers warmth.
He protects those I care about."
Zerrei touched her face.
"…protect Lyra… always…"
The entire guild went silent.
Not in fear.
In awe.
Rhelm exhaled slowly.
"…Then I ask for the truth.
Is he dangerous to Arnvale?"
Lyra shook her head instantly.
"No. He saved us."
Zerrei nodded, placing a hand on her chest.
"…Lyra warm…
village warm…"
Rhelm stared at him.
Then at Lyra.
Then finally said:
"…Very well."
Arden sagged in relief.
Oren whispered:
"Thank all the stars."
Rhelm raised a hand toward Zerrei—slow, cautious.
"I'm not here to harm him. Only to ask something important."
Zerrei tensed.
Lyra whispered:
"It's okay. Listen."
He hesitated—
Then nodded weakly.
"…listen…"
Rhelm crouched to eye-level with them.
His voice lowered.
"Lyra. Zerrei.
Did the Creator… mark this forest?"
Oren stiffened.
Arden swore.
Lyra's eyes widened.
Zerrei whispered:
"…yes…"
Rhelm's expression hardened.
"Then Arnvale is no longer safe."
Zerrei clutched Lyra.
"…leave…?"
Lyra held him tighter.
"We will. Together."
Rhelm nodded solemnly.
"Then we will help you leave."