Lucian pulled up the system map and studied it carefully, his eyes narrowing on the faintly glowing marker that indicated their next destination.
The journey had been long and tense, but finally, the settlent of Lumious was close. He closed the map with a flick of his wrist and turned back to his party, who were waiting quietly for his command.
"We’re almost there. Before we head in, I need soone to take the lead and inform the village of our arrival. The supplies we’re carrying won’t an much if they mistake us for intruders."
Lucian said. His voice was calm but carried enough weight to pull everyone’s attention instantly.
He paused, scanning their faces with an almost amused look. "So, who wants to volunteer as tribute?"
Berry, Mira, and Luna imdiately raised their hands, almost in unison, while Verus stood with his arms crossed, pointedly avoiding eye contact.
Lucian smirked.
"As expected."
"I’m clearly the best choice. I’m fast and I’ll make it to the guards without much hassle."
Luna declared with a smug grin, flipping her hair over her shoulder.
Berry rolled his eyes so hard that Lucian thought they might get stuck in the back of his head.
"You always say that, Luna. And every ti, you end up causing more problems than we all can handle. Didn’t you break soone’s arm last ti? Let soone else do it for once. Besides, you take the lead most of the ti—it’s getting unfair."
"Unfair? Excuse for being competent."
Luna scoffed.
Mira cut in before the argunt escalated.
"Berry, don’t act like you’re the victim here. You went last ti, rember? So sending you again would actually be unfair."
Berry opened his mouth to counter, then shut it again with an annoyed grunt.
Lucian rubbed his temple as the beginnings of a headache pressed at the edge of his skull.
Their endless bickering was a familiar background noise by now, but that didn’t make it any less exhausting.
"Enough. If you can’t agree, then decide randomly."
He said firmly.
Mira smirked.
"Rock, paper, scissors?"
"Fine."
Berry muttered.
Luna crossed her arms but leaned forward with determination.
"I’ll win anyway."
The three of them lined up, hands ready, and on Lucian’s count of three, they threw their choices.
Berry: scissors.
Luna: scissors.
Mira: rock.
"Ha! Victory."
Mira pumped her fist into the air triumphantly.
"Unbelievable! You had an unfair advantage! Your eyes see the world at a slower pace compared to us."
Luna cried, stomping her foot.
"And that’s cheating? It’s literally a ga of chance. Admit defeat gracefully, Luna. Don’t whine like a child."
Mira asked dryly.
Lucian allowed himself a small chuckle, though he quickly stifled it when Luna turned a glare his way. Verus, however, looked genuinely unsettled.
"Are they going to be alright?"
Verus asked quietly, leaning toward Lucian.
Lucian’s eyes softened for just a mont.
"They’ll be fine. Despite their antics, they have good skills. Mira’s done this before. All you need to do is watch how she handles it."
Verus gave a reluctant nod, though he still looked doubtful.
Mira stretched her arms casually, then crouched to pat her wolf familiars. Their eyes glead in the fading light, and they wagged their tails eagerly, sensing their mistress’s excitent.
"Alright, you lot. Let’s make this quick."
Mira murmured to them.
Then, without hesitation, she broke into a sprint. Her wolves bounded alongside her, kicking up snow as they dashed across the open field toward the settlent walls.
The response was imdiate. Bullets rang out from the guard towers, whizzing through the air in a deadly barrage.
Verus flinched at the sudden gunfire, instinctively reaching for his blade, but Lucian raised a hand to stop him.
"Wait and watch."
Lucian said calmly.
Mira darted left and right with fluid grace, her body weaving between the incoming shots. Her wolves charged ahead, snarling and snapping, drawing the guards’ attention and forcing them to split their focus.
Using the distraction, Mira zigzagged closer until she was within range of the gate.
Then she raised a small flag, the prearranged signal fluttering brightly against the snow. The gunfire ceased almost instantly.
Monts later, the heavy gates creaked open, and Mira disappeared inside.
A few seconds passed before Mira reappeared, waving her arm and signaling for the others to follow.
Verus exhaled slowly, tension draining from his shoulders.
"That... was impressive."
Lucian smirked faintly.
"I told you. She knows what she’s doing."
The group moved forward, trudging across the snow toward the settlent. As they drew closer, Verus kept glancing nervously at the towering walls, his unease plain on his face.
The sight of mounted guns, reinforced barriers, and ard guards watching their every step made him instinctively grip the hilt of his weapon tighter.
"This security is...a little too much for my liking. Even if it’s ant to keep monsters out, it feels excessive."
Verus hesitated before finishing with a grimace.
Lucian turned his head, his gaze sharp.
"It’s not just to keep monsters out. It’s to keep unwanted humans out too."
That single statent struck Verus like a blow. He closed his mouth, no argunt left to give.
The thought lingered heavily in his mind: just how dangerous was this world, if humans feared each other as much as the creatures that road the wilderness?
The gates lood higher as they approached, and Lucian led the way with his usual calm confidence. Verus followed silently, lost in thought.
He had asked Lucian before why he kept him close despite claiming not to trust him.
Now, watching Mira slip so easily past bullets and guards, and hearing Lucian’s cold but pragmatic explanation about human nature, Verus wondered if he was starting to see the truth of it.
Lucian wasn’t just strong. He was calculating, precise, and utterly unafraid of uncomfortable truths.
And maybe, Verus thought, that was exactly why everyone followed him.
They quickly joined Mira, who was busy talking to the guards by now, and she bid them farewell to join her companions.
With that, they all enter the large gate of Lumious Settlent
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