New journey begins!

   The room was full of noise, button clicks, and shouting as the three of us got caught up in a fast-paced fighting game. 

   Bel was practically jumping on the couch, completely into the match, his tail wagging so wildly it was almost a blur. Every time he landed a hit or pulled off a flashy move, he’d shout like he was calling out a special attack. 

   “Take this! And that! Big brother, you’re going down!”

   “Not a chance, boy!” 

   I called back, eyes locked on the screen, fingers moving fast and steady on the controller. I dodged his wild swings and closed in with a combo that sent his character flying.

   “Master, you're left open!” 

   Luna said from her spot at the other end of the couch. Her voice was calm as always, but there was a spark of mischief hiding behind it. She played a long-range character with deadly precision. 

   “Master, you can’t keep up with me,” she added, not even bothering to look at me as she dealt another blow.

   “Oh, we’re doing this now, huh?” I grinned, leaning forward and focusing harder. “Let’s see how you both handle this!”

   I timed it just right and launched a special move that caught both of them in its blast. A glowing explosion filled the screen.

   “Aaaaah! Nooo!” Bel collapsed onto the couch in fake despair, throwing his arms up. “Big brother, you’re way too strong!”

   Luna blinked, her health bar flashing red. But unlike Bel, she didn’t panic.

   “Not yet, Master. I still have half my health bar.”

   Her fingers moved faster, her posture straightening ever so slightly. She looked completely calm, but I could tell she wasn’t giving up.

   I was ready to finish it off—one more hit would’ve done it. I was the final—

   “I hate to interrupt your little tournament, but I’ve got errands to run in town. All of you are coming with me.” said Zephyra leaned against the doorframe.

   “Wait, what—?” I blinked and turned halfway toward her.

   That was all the time Luna needed.

   “Gotcha,” she said, cool as ever. Her character flashed across the screen and landed the finishing hit. My screen went red. KO.

   “You are Winner!” the game announced dramatically.

   Luna set her controller down with a small, satisfied smile. “Victory is mine.”

   I groaned, slumping into the couch. “Not fair! Zephyra, couldn't that wait a little?!”

   She shrugged, not even pretending to be sorry. “Not my fault you can’t multitask.”

   While I tried to process my loss, Bel had already leapt off the couch, his energy back to full power. “We’re going to town?! Yay! Finally!”

   His excitement was contagious. He was practically vibrating, tail whipping from side to side.

   “Well,” I said, pushing myself to stand and stretching a little, “it’ll be nice to see something besides trees for once.”

   But just as I said it, I noticed something different in Luna. She hadn’t moved. She was still sitting there, her eyes distant, lips pressed into a thin line. The brightness in her face had faded. She wasn’t saying anything, but I could tell her thoughts were spinning.

   She was nervous.

   I didn’t need to ask why. I already knew. The town meant people. Strangers. Stares. And for someone like Luna—a dark elf—it was hard not to wonder how she’d be treated. Me and Zephyra told her many times that everything would be fine. But fear like hers doesn’t go away with just words.

   I stepped closer and knelt beside her, moving slowly so I wouldn’t startle her. She still hadn’t looked up. Her hands were folded tightly in her lap.

   Gently, I reached up and touched her ear.

   “Hyah—!”

   She flinched at first, eyes snapping toward me in surprise. My fingers moved gently along the edge, brushing over the soft skin with care, then slowly stroking the tip in a comforting rhythm. I could feel the warmth of her cheek rising under my hand, her breath catching slightly as the blush spread over her face.

   “M-M-Master?!” she stammered, her voice breaking, flustered and unsure.

   I leaned in a little closer, my tone softer now, more personal. “Relax. Everything’s going to be fine.” I said with a smile, my eyes locked on hers. “Remember what I told you? In the city, people are different. Sure, there’ll be a few idiots—that’s a given anywhere—but you’re not alone anymore. You’ve got us now. And you're not the same person you were back then. You're much stronger.”

   Her eyes widened, the tension in her shoulders easing just a little. I could feel her slowly relaxing under my touch, her breathing growing steadier, her lips parting slightly like she wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words.

   “Thank you very much, Master,” she finally whispered, voice quieter than before, but filled with something honest.

   We stayed like that for a few moments, my fingers still brushing her ear, her eyes watching me with trust. She was beautiful in that moment, sitting there in the quiet space between fear and hope—

   Honk! Honk!

   "..."

   Zephyra’s car rang out from outside. 

   “Hey, stop flirting and get to the car already!”

   Luna’s face turned an even deeper shade of red, and I groaned. 

   “Zephyra, please stop teasing her.”

   “Sorryyy,” Zephyra called back, clearly not sorry at all.

   I shook my head and stood. “Let’s go.”

   Luna stood too, straightening her dress with careful fingers. She slipped back into her usual grace and formality like slipping on a cloak.

   “Understood, Master.”

   Bel was already bouncing by the car, Zephyra honking again just for the fun of it, and Luna walked beside me in silence.

   But this time for some reason, she walked just a little closer than usually.

   With that, we made our way to the car, ready to see what the city had in store.