The sky turned deep indigo, stars blinking into existence one by one. The warm colors of sunset faded into cool blues, and the air grew crisp.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7etKU3uB7
Lilith crossed her arms and looked around. “Okay, we need somewhere to stay.”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdTy10jNeU
Eleo perked up. “Wait, can you tell me what a country is first?”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxG1B7GJppx
Lilith sighed, brushing hair from her face. “Ugh… fine. A country is… basically just a really big island, alright? Like… super big. It’s got towns, cities, kingdoms, regions—stuff like that.”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qWOmyJtYV
Eleo blinked. “Ohhh… so like… one REALLY BIG village?”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0e5YNsFQY1
“Sure. Close enough.” She shrugged. “I don’t really know all the places either. I’ve been stuck in demon territory most of my life.”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcFR7v242y
Eleo scratched his head. “Huh… well, I still don’t really get it.”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjAJzXIUoB
Lilith rolled her eyes. “Just explore a little, you’ll figure it out. Trust me.”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKthGr9R4jO
She flicked his forehead lightly. “But right now, I need you to find us a place to stay.”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWK67eMeLV2
Eleo blinked. “Huh? Me? But I don’t even know where we are!”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOzDNNKknF
Lilith smirked. “Yeah, but you’re Eleo—the strongest, bravest, most determined... c-cutest...”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3HIVtHFIW
She paused, face turning red. “—uh, I mean, smartest bunny boy around! I’m sure you’ll figure something out.”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsU9qYBj9pk
Eleo tilted his head. “Really?”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUusDUNqSg
Lilith nodded quickly. “Yep! Totally. Hop to it, hero.”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMVprMXrmP
Eleo smiled proudly. “Alright, leave it to me!”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfA45OmHUwU
Before she could react, he suddenly grabbed her and hoisted her up onto his back.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVTvVQQ1Zn
“Wha—HEY! E-ELEO?! What are you doing?!”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67g57WwWdb
“I’m gonna find you a place to stay, duh!” he grinned. “So hold on tight!”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJTa6ASj4f
“Wait—I didn’t mean like this!!”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztHlwzmtlF
But he was already sprinting into the dark woods.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGwt57roUJ
After a few minutes of blur-speed hopping through trees and bushes, Eleo skidded to a stop in front of a rocky hill with a small cave at the base.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8n9amyk5DO
“Ta-daaa!” Eleo declared. “You can stay here for the night!”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡap2NZyOEVD
Lilith looked at the cave… then back at him… then back at the cave.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnQnkWUaDk
She blinked in disbelief.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZG001w06w
“…Eleo. I’m a princess. Not a cavewoman.”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ912fuD5BSs
Eleo nodded, totally missing the sarcasm. “Yup, but trust me—it’s not so bad!”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQtj2RmbD4
He held up a finger like he was sharing a wise secret.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0ifyzz1OW
“I once slept in a cave for three whole nights! It was really cozy—once you get used to the spiders, and the worms, and the—”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFQWl5KWGr
“OKAY—STOP! STOP!! That’s disgusting!!” Lilith waved her arms like she was swatting thoughts out of her head.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfdG7M5Z2Y
Eleo set her down. “Don’t worry! I’ll stay with you and make sure no monsters sneak in.”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujG3LB1ZxY
Lilith gave a long sigh but nodded. “Well… okay then.”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJ6YXI2rnr
They stepped inside. The cave was dry and dim, with moss lining the walls and faint glowing mushrooms in the corners.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3amXQoKex
Lilith scrunched her nose. “Eugh. It smells like wet socks in here…”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhtb50YSrS
Eleo plopped onto the dirt floor, grinning. “I know! Isn’t it great?!”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqmRBtaWeW
Lilith groaned softly. “You have the worst taste ever…”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpnzZ8PHUh
Still, despite the smell and the setting, she found herself oddly… comforted.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQxjYqytDa
“Welp,” Eleo said, stretching. “Good night, Lilith!”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvOd4XADfl
He started walking back toward the cave entrance.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGAVPmQHtJ
But Lilith’s voice stopped him.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXhUYk1HwY
“Wait… Eleo. Are you leaving?”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfMq2u4oK1
He turned around. “Huh? No, I’m just guarding. Gotta protect the cave, y’know?”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93oVpruXxt
Lilith hesitated.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWRX1jzJ5W
“W-Well... can’t you just… stay in here? I mean, you can still guard while you're, you know… not outside.”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡes7yGs4lAG
Eleo blinked. “Ohhh. I guess that makes sense.”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeaMQLuWva
He yawned and walked back over, plopping down beside her with a soft thud.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG657S6vDmI
“Alright then… cave-guarding from inside!”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRPiCpSg9F
Lilith laid down next to him, arms crossed. But after a moment, her voice softened.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8y8PzvQt1H
“…Hey, Eleo?”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Hf4pVgQkr
He looked at her, eyes heavy with sleep. “Yeah?”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnt2AmFP5C
“…Thanks.”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVSjyrSKym
Eleo blinked. “For what?”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYA6SS0w8KS
“For… everything.”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfsHx6rzDI
He smiled lazily, his ears twitching as he drifted off.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hl3AbegHx
“No problem, Lilith…”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RtURzxadl
He was out.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEf6m9WWFJi
Lilith watched him for a moment, then curled up a little closer—just enough to feel the warmth.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3PZL7XYQk
“…Idiot.”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqZ7Hfsalu
She closed her eyes, finally feeling safe.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDe3J7mjCFw
And they both fell asleep under the stars, deep in a cave that smelled like moss and wild dreams.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4Hnre7RID
The next day:
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweu7VcGjO5
Morning sunlight crept through the cracks in the cave, casting pale golden rays over the mossy walls. A few sleepy birds chirped in the distance.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9InfrYqbEe
Eleo yawned, rubbing his eyes as he slowly woke up.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLtaH02ORV
“Lilith…?”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbhAz7XTbG
He blinked, sitting up groggily and glancing around the cave.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrNmKHRGO0
Then he looked down.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5hDWQl2tG
“...Huh?”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvI0OndNa9
Beneath him, a pair of legs.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloh4M516FV
He froze.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmooND2BhIS
“OH NO—WAS I LAYING ON YOU?!”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CsDTSs2It
Lilith groaned under him, one eye twitching open.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIM4r1puLZW
“YOU ABSOLUTE BASTARD—!!”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIJ63KS6DI
BAM!!
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6iP7w2fB0
She slammed her glowing fist straight into Eleo’s face, launching him across the cave with a loud WHACK and a puff of dirt.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdeirH0Esb
He hit the wall, slid down, and laughed through a sore nose.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGDp1bRiVi
“Haha—sorry, Lilith! I can’t sleep straight—I always roll around!”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmheF00sSu
She stomped over to him, cheeks red with fury and embarrassment.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Qgh8INmAR
“YOU COULD HAVE WARNED ME, YOU IDIOT!”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWcaE0OdDO
“I mean, I would’ve, but I was already asleep.”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lhv2MsNGA
“YOU—!!!”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLqZ0KYR0m
She raised her fist again… but sighed and dropped it.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxigMn19nG
“…Ugh. Whatever. You’re lucky I didn’t light you on fire.”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5TKFqIJ5X
Eleo stood up and stretched. “Welp! I’m heading out. Time to find the strongest!”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRZpXttiRv
Lilith blinked. “You’re leaving?”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpopwwxTZlZ
He gave her a bright smile. “Yup. I’m gonna explore the con-try!”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtHYpucICJ
She winced. “COUN-TRY, you freaking dolt…”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vWECvlzWx
He laughed again. “Hehe… right, right.”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWiShQWwHs
She glanced at the cave wall. “I’ll probably stay here for now. Hide out from my people. Even though this cave is… is…”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfPgsqePuG
She shuddered. “I can’t even finish that sentence. It’s awful.”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgPia7Svfi
Eleo walked up to her and raised a hand. “Until we meet again!”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FofqE3J8W
Lilith stared at his hand for a second, then rolled her eyes with a smirk.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYAIRTCxkL
“Until we meet again… bunny boy.”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGyPkyzoKq
She shook it.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqbLDDIgVL
They gave each other a nod.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kjXPQ1beD
Then Eleo turned and hopped off down the trail, waving over his shoulder.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3sJjqp898
Lilith stood in silence, arms crossed… then softly said:
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOfHB3cmI5
“...I’ll miss you, Eleo.”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dip3RB6Rr
One hour later...
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwdeNyMlRG
Eleo walked through a field of crooked trees and glowing flowers, still totally lost.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyX3rxGqtw
“Man… I have no idea where I am.”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqSBXhONAb
He scratched his head.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcql1DjlvhJ
“Hopefully I just, y’know, bump into the strongest eventually. That’s usually how it works in stories, right?”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9oa3zKaON
Up ahead, he saw it—a wooden building with tilted walls and a sign swinging on rusty chains.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3G1ga8KUjA
The sign read in huge, carved letters:
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBorQ69Nn7
“THE DIFFLER GILFFER”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzd6o4BC8W2
Eleo tilted his head.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eHnY6ZK2L
“…Wow. That’s a name.”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PU37xVvWU
The building looked like it had been built by a drunk wizard—wooden beams bent at weird angles, stairs that led nowhere, and glowing barrels nailed to the ceiling.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaajO6xeNoo
Still, Eleo's eyes lit up.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WZjYJ9X19
“About time I found a place! Let’s see if they’ve got food!”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIusN53EhJA
He walked inside.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnpz0wkEjt
CHAOS.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetgvWvUXU1
Chairs flew through the air. A tankard smashed against the wall. A man was headbutting a minotaur in the corner while someone else juggled knives blindfolded.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVory3sdJIG
Everywhere Eleo looked—punches, flames, laughter, lightning spells, table flips.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPWl6SPWTz
He grinned wide. “This place is AWESOME.”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9LgcqBP7x
But then his eyes landed on the center of the action.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUH1CLwy86
Two figures were locked in an intense battle, surrounded by a circle of cheering drunks and spellcasters.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOS04KaSeAL
The first was a brown-skinned guy with golden-yellow eyes, thick natural dreadlocks, and a loose white shirt with a simple symbol near the chest. His eyes were wild with excitement, and his movements were smooth and confident, weaving through the fight like wind.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLM5Rtdt8W
The second—
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAiEu7MbwX
A pale-skinned swordsman with bright blue spiky hair, a s
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKvuHf9Ys8
erious glare, and a blue kimono-style robe with a deep collar. His blade glinted in the tavern lights as he moved with razor precision, slicing falling chairs in half midair.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lFRRRMozf
Eleo’s jaw dropped.
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6fZvByzIq
“...Man. This place is super awesome.”
19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWKyl2Vo96
