The sun hung low, casting golden rays across the rugged path winding through the Elderglow Mountains.
Mandira, a mage with sharp eyes and a keen sense, led the way, her staff tapping the earth rhythmically. Behind her trudged Shennong and Romina whose steps faltered under the weight of exhaustion.
Mandira’s brow furrowed as she glanced back at her companions. "I’ve never worked with monsters like this before," she said, her voice laced with unease. "Especially succubi. They’re dangerous, you know. Most mages and knights would’ve eradicated them on sight."
Shennong, adjusting the pack slung over his shoulder, chuckled softly. "I don’t know about other succubi, but Rilith, Velara, and Yenissa? They’re not bad people. Monsters aren’t bad either—they’re just trying to survive, sa as us."
Mandira sighed, her staff pausing mid-step. "I know that, Shennong. It’s just... their ideals, their way of living—it clashes with ours. That’s where the conflict cos from."
Shennong tilted his head, his dark eyes glinting with curiosity. "So, what’s the plan, then? Are humans just gonna keep tiptoeing around, killing monsters on sight? Or are we gonna solve the problem for good?"
Mandira’s lips pressed into a thin line. "Knights? They’d rather kill every monster they see. But mages... we see further. We know wiping out monsters entirely would disrupt the balance. Research says our magical powers—my powers—exist because of the collision between our world and the otherworld. If monsters vanish, so does the magic."
Shennong’s brows shot up. "That’s... an interesting concept. But what about my skills? They don’t rely on magic. What happens to them if the monsters are gone?"
Mandira shrugged, her cloak rustling. "That’s a mystery, even to us. Skills like yours—non-magical, grounded in the earth—they’re beyond our understanding. Only the creators of this world would know the answer."
Shennong grinned, brushing dirt from his hands. "And who do mages think these creators are?"
"Gods and goddesses, of course," Mandira replied, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
Behind them, Romina lagged, her footsteps sluggish. Shennong slowed, glancing over his shoulder. Without a word, he reached out, gently taking her hand and pulling her forward. "Co on, Romina. Walk beside . I want to talk."
Romina’s cheeks flushed a soft pink as his calloused hand enveloped hers. She stumbled slightly, caught off guard by the warmth of his touch. Mandira, ever observant, smirked. "Shennong, do you have so special effect on won or sothing?"
Shennong blinked, releasing Romina’s hand with a sheepish grin. "Not really. Why do you ask?"
Mandira waved a hand dismissively. "Oh, nothing. Just... noticing things."
Shennong turned to Romina, his expression softening. "You look tired. Want to rest for a bit?"
Romina’s eyes widened, and she shook her head quickly. "Weren’t we supposed to reach Marshal Peak and the Mage Sanctuary before nightfall?"
"That’s just the optimal route," Shennong said with a shrug. "I don’t mind stopping. You need to take care of yourself, Romina. I’ll look out for you."
Romina’s blush deepened, and she ducked her head. "Thank you, Shennong. You’re... you’re really a good man."
Shennong’s smile was lopsided, almost wistful. "I wonder about that."
Mandira’s staff tapped the ground sharply, drawing their attention. "We need to stay sharp. We’re nearing the borders of Sturgon and Leige. These days, those borders are a powder keg. War could break out any mont."
Shennong waved off her concern, his tone light. "No worries. If things get dicey, we’ll just dig deep and slip away. I’m good at that."
Mandira snorted, rolling her eyes. "You really are like a mole rat."
"I’ll take that as a complint," Shennong shot back, grinning.
As the sunset, Shennong knelt beside a neatly arranged pile of firewood, his hands deftly adjusting the logs to ensure the flas would catch well. The crackle of the budding campfire filled the air, a comforting sound against the encroaching chill of the night. Romina and Mandira sat nearby on a fallen log, their faces illuminated by the soft glow of the firelight. The trio had been traveling together for days, bound by a shared purpose yet still learning to understand one another.
"Alright, Romina," Shennong said, brushing his hands together as he stood. "Ti to light this up. Can you give us a spark with that fire spirit of yours? Use Agni to create a little spark."
Romina’s eyes widened, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her cloak. "? I... I don’t know if I can do that, Shennong. I an, I’ve never really tried sothing like this before."
Mandira, sitting cross-legged beside her, tilted her head, her purple hair catching the glow of the setting sun. "Give it a go, Romina. You’ve got Agni’s power in you. A little spark shouldn’t be too hard, right?"
Romina bit her lip, her brows furrowing in concentration. She closed her eyes, her hands hovering over the pile of wood. A faint warmth pulsed in the air, and for a mont, it seed like sothing might happen. But then, nothing. The wood remained unlit, and Romina’s shoulders slumped. "I... I can’t. It’s not working."
Mandira placed a gentle hand on Romina’s shoulder. "It’s alright, dear. You’re still new to this. Agni’s power is strong, but it takes ti to control. I didn’t master my own abilities overnight either. Your spirits powers are even hard to master, but I know you can do it."
Shennong chuckled, his voice warm and unbothered. "No worries, kid. We’ve got other ways." He reached into his satchel and pulled out two smooth, dark stones. With practiced ease, he struck them together, producing a sharp clack followed by a shower of sparks. One caught on the kindling, and soon, the fire roared to life, casting a golden glow over the campsite.
As the flas grew, Shennong muttered under his breath, "If only I could find so petroleum in this world. Would make things a lot easier."
Mandira’s ears perked up, her curiosity piqued. "Petroleum? What’s that?"
Shennong glanced at her, a spark of excitent in his eyes. "It’s a black, combustible liquid. Burns like nothing else. You can use it for all sorts of things—fire, fuel, even crafting. Back where I’m from, it was a ga-changer."
Mandira’s eyes lit up with recognition. "Oh! You an that liquid? They export sothing like that from Shatari, a human nation in the desert. Thick, black, slls awful, but it burns like the sun itself."
Shennong snapped his fingers, a grin spreading across his face. "Bingo! That’s exactly it. Deserts are where you’d find it, too. I’ve got to visit this Shatari place soti. Sounds like a goldmine."
"For now, though," he continued, turning to the cookpot hanging over the fire, "let’s focus on dinner. Got a stew going here." He tossed in a handful of chopped vegetables—carrots, potatoes, and so wild herbs he’d foraged earlier. Then ca chunks of pre-cut at, which sizzled as they hit the simring broth. The savory aroma filled the air, making Romina’s stomach rumble audibly.
Mandira, however, seed distracted. She shifted uncomfortably on the log, wiping her brow with the back of her hand. "Ugh, I feel so... sweaty," she said, grimacing. "Is there a river or stream around here? I’m a clean woman, you know. I can’t stand feeling like this."
Romina raised her hand timidly, her cheeks flushing. "Um, I could use a bath, too. I don’t want to be all grimy when we et my sisters."
Shennong paused, stirring the stew with a wooden spoon. He glanced at the two won, then at the darkening forest around them. "A bath, huh? Alright, give a few minutes." Without another word, he stood and disappeared into the woods, his footsteps crunching against the underbrush.
Mandira and Romina exchanged puzzled looks. "What’s he up to now?" Mandira asked, raising an eyebrow.
Romina shrugged, her expression a mix of curiosity and amusent. "With Shennong? Who knows? He’s always got sothing up his sleeve."
A few minutes later, Shennong returned, brushing leaves off his tunic. "It’s ready," he announced, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Ready?" Mandira echoed, tilting her head. "What’s ready?"
"Your bath, what else?" Shennong said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
Romina blinked, her mouth falling open. "You... made a bath? Out here? In the middle of the forest?"
Mandira stared at him, her expression hovering between disbelief and amusent. "Shennong, you’re a strange one, you know that?"
He laughed, waving off their skepticism. "What else did you expect from ? Co on, you don’t want to be dirty when you et your sisters, right? Follow ."
The two won exchanged another look, then burst into laughter. "Well," Mandira said, standing and brushing off her skirt, "I suppose we shouldn’t be surprised. This is Shennong, after all." She extended a hand to Romina. "Co on, my niece. Let’s take him up on this. Besides, I want to bond with you a bit. We’ve got a lot to talk about."
Romina hesitated for a mont, then took Mandira’s hand, her smile shy but genuine. "Okay, Aunt Mandira. Let’s go."
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