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.
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Lilith crossed her arms and looked around. “Okay, we need somewhere to stay.”
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Eleo perked up. “Wait, can you tell me what a country is first?”
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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.”
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Eleo blinked. “Ohhh… so like… one REALLY BIG village?”
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“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.”
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Eleo scratched his head. “Huh… well, I still don’t really get it.”
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Lilith rolled her eyes. “Just explore a little, you’ll figure it out. Trust me.”
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She flicked his forehead lightly. “But right now, I need you to find us a place to stay.”
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Eleo blinked. “Huh? Me? But I don’t even know where we are!”
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Lilith smirked. “Yeah, but you’re Eleo—the strongest, bravest, most determined... c-cutest...”
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She paused, face turning red. “—uh, I mean, smartest bunny boy around! I’m sure you’ll figure something out.”
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Eleo tilted his head. “Really?”
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Lilith nodded quickly. “Yep! Totally. Hop to it, hero.”
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Eleo smiled proudly. “Alright, leave it to me!”
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Before she could react, he suddenly grabbed her and hoisted her up onto his back.
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“Wha—HEY! E-ELEO?! What are you doing?!”
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“I’m gonna find you a place to stay, duh!” he grinned. “So hold on tight!”
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“Wait—I didn’t mean like this!!”
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But he was already sprinting into the dark woods.
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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.
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“Ta-daaa!” Eleo declared. “You can stay here for the night!”
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Lilith looked at the cave… then back at him… then back at the cave.
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She blinked in disbelief.
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“…Eleo. I’m a princess. Not a cavewoman.”
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Eleo nodded, totally missing the sarcasm. “Yup, but trust me—it’s not so bad!”
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He held up a finger like he was sharing a wise secret.
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“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—”
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“OKAY—STOP! STOP!! That’s disgusting!!” Lilith waved her arms like she was swatting thoughts out of her head.
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Eleo set her down. “Don’t worry! I’ll stay with you and make sure no monsters sneak in.”
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Lilith gave a long sigh but nodded. “Well… okay then.”
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They stepped inside. The cave was dry and dim, with moss lining the walls and faint glowing mushrooms in the corners.
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Lilith scrunched her nose. “Eugh. It smells like wet socks in here…”
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Eleo plopped onto the dirt floor, grinning. “I know! Isn’t it great?!”
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Lilith groaned softly. “You have the worst taste ever…”
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Still, despite the smell and the setting, she found herself oddly… comforted.
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“Welp,” Eleo said, stretching. “Good night, Lilith!”
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He started walking back toward the cave entrance.
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But Lilith’s voice stopped him.
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“Wait… Eleo. Are you leaving?”
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He turned around. “Huh? No, I’m just guarding. Gotta protect the cave, y’know?”
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Lilith hesitated.
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“W-Well... can’t you just… stay in here? I mean, you can still guard while you're, you know… not outside.”
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Eleo blinked. “Ohhh. I guess that makes sense.”
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He yawned and walked back over, plopping down beside her with a soft thud.
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“Alright then… cave-guarding from inside!”
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Lilith laid down next to him, arms crossed. But after a moment, her voice softened.
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“…Hey, Eleo?”
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He looked at her, eyes heavy with sleep. “Yeah?”
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“…Thanks.”
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Eleo blinked. “For what?”
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“For… everything.”
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He smiled lazily, his ears twitching as he drifted off.
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“No problem, Lilith…”
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He was out.
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Lilith watched him for a moment, then curled up a little closer—just enough to feel the warmth.
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“…Idiot.”
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She closed her eyes, finally feeling safe.
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And they both fell asleep under the stars, deep in a cave that smelled like moss and wild dreams.
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The next day:
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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.
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Eleo yawned, rubbing his eyes as he slowly woke up.
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“Lilith…?”
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He blinked, sitting up groggily and glancing around the cave.
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Then he looked down.
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“...Huh?”
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Beneath him, a pair of legs.
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He froze.
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“OH NO—WAS I LAYING ON YOU?!”
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Lilith groaned under him, one eye twitching open.
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“YOU ABSOLUTE BASTARD—!!”
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BAM!!
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She slammed her glowing fist straight into Eleo’s face, launching him across the cave with a loud WHACK and a puff of dirt.
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He hit the wall, slid down, and laughed through a sore nose.
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“Haha—sorry, Lilith! I can’t sleep straight—I always roll around!”
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She stomped over to him, cheeks red with fury and embarrassment.
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“YOU COULD HAVE WARNED ME, YOU IDIOT!”
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“I mean, I would’ve, but I was already asleep.”
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“YOU—!!!”
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She raised her fist again… but sighed and dropped it.
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“…Ugh. Whatever. You’re lucky I didn’t light you on fire.”
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Eleo stood up and stretched. “Welp! I’m heading out. Time to find the strongest!”
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Lilith blinked. “You’re leaving?”
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He gave her a bright smile. “Yup. I’m gonna explore the con-try!”
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She winced. “COUN-TRY, you freaking dolt…”
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He laughed again. “Hehe… right, right.”
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She glanced at the cave wall. “I’ll probably stay here for now. Hide out from my people. Even though this cave is… is…”
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She shuddered. “I can’t even finish that sentence. It’s awful.”
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Eleo walked up to her and raised a hand. “Until we meet again!”
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Lilith stared at his hand for a second, then rolled her eyes with a smirk.
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“Until we meet again… bunny boy.”
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She shook it.
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They gave each other a nod.
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Then Eleo turned and hopped off down the trail, waving over his shoulder.
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Lilith stood in silence, arms crossed… then softly said:
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“...I’ll miss you, Eleo.”
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One hour later...
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Eleo walked through a field of crooked trees and glowing flowers, still totally lost.
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“Man… I have no idea where I am.”
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He scratched his head.
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“Hopefully I just, y’know, bump into the strongest eventually. That’s usually how it works in stories, right?”
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Up ahead, he saw it—a wooden building with tilted walls and a sign swinging on rusty chains.
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The sign read in huge, carved letters:
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“THE DIFFLER GILFFER”
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Eleo tilted his head.
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“…Wow. That’s a name.”
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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.
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Still, Eleo's eyes lit up.
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“About time I found a place! Let’s see if they’ve got food!”
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He walked inside.
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CHAOS.
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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.
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Everywhere Eleo looked—punches, flames, laughter, lightning spells, table flips.
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He grinned wide. “This place is AWESOME.”
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But then his eyes landed on the center of the action.
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Two figures were locked in an intense battle, surrounded by a circle of cheering drunks and spellcasters.
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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.
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The second—
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A pale-skinned swordsman with bright blue spiky hair, a s
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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.
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Eleo’s jaw dropped.
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“...Man. This place is super awesome.”
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