Midnight arrived, and the moon smiled brightly overhead.

  The announcer stepped onto the stage after the final performance, his voice carrying across the assembled crowd. "I hope you all enjoyed tonight's celebration of Emberthaw and the mercy of our goddess Miris Thalorne." He paused, his expression growing somber. "But as you know, our neighbor village was attacked by orcs. The casualties were not small. We will now proceed to the graveland to pray for their souls. Please, follow me."

  Most of the crowd began moving toward the graveland. Rhanes stood from his seat, adjusting his coat. Ella rose as well, joining the procession.

  Kuro and Lovia had left before the announcement, both walking through the quieter streets. They were tipsy—not drunk, but pleasantly loose.

  Kuro stopped suddenly before a fountain, its centerpiece a carved statue gleaming in the moonlight.

  "That's the Elven Goddess Thalorne," Lovia said. "At least, the depiction of her."

  The statue was of a female elf with long, pointed ears and straight hair cascading to her legs. She wore a one-piece dress designed with intricate florals and roots. Both hands were raised, palms upward, water pouring from them into the fountain below.

  Kuro tilted his head. "Why does the god have big fucking ears? She looks awfully human."

  Lovia laughed softly. "It's a depiction. She's an Elven god, now worshipped by humans too. That's why she looks like an elf."

  "Have you met one? An elf?"

  "God, no. A peasant like me? No chance."

  "I heard elves are like gods in this world. How does that work if they have a god?"

  Lovia glanced around nervously before lowering her voice. "We can't talk about them openly—eyes are everywhere. One misstep and we might end up in prison." She hesitated. "But... it's because elves are considered descendants of their god. They're believed to still carry divine blood."

  "Considered?" Kuro's eyes narrowed. "Meaning it's not certain."

  "Shhhhhhhh!" Lovia pressed a finger to her lips. "That's not what I mean! I'm just... not convinced, that's all. No more questions."

  Kuro yawned.

  "Oh, are you sleepy?" Lovia asked. "Do you want to head to my house? It's nearby. I was born here—my parents live in town."

  "Sure."

  Knock, knock.

  An elderly woman opened the door. Lovia jumped forward and wrapped her in a tight hug, lifting her off her feet.

  "Mom!"

  "Ohoho, dear—be careful! Remember what happened last year?"

  "Oh crap, yes!" Lovia set her down gently. "How are you? And Dad?"

  "We're both fine, dear. But aren't you early? Did the festival end?"

  "Not really. I was getting tired, and my friend—" She gestured to Kuro. "—this is Kuro, from our guild. He started yawning, so we left early."

  Lovia's mother—Mitsubi—looked Kuro up and down slowly. A guy friend? Oh my.

  "Mom, stop thinking weird things!"

  "Hi, Miss..." Kuro began.

  "Mitsubi Bahurani. Pleasure to meet you." She smiled. "Lovia's guy friend, other than that old fool Rhanes."

  "Moooom!"

  "Aren't you older than Rhanes to call him old?" Kuro asked.

  A spark passed between them.

  "Mom, don't take it harshly!" Lovia stepped between them. "That's just how he talks!"

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  Mitsubi laughed. "Don't worry. I like people who speak their mind." She stepped aside. "Come in."

  "Sorry, Mom—I can't eat another bite. We're going to bed. Good night!" Lovia grabbed Kuro's sleeve and pulled him toward the stairs.

  "Good night, dear!" Mitsubi called. Then, to Kuro with a wink: "And you—do a good job!"

  She raised both thumbs up.

  Kuro looked confused, then raised one thumb in return.

  Upstairs, Lovia opened her bedroom door. Kuro stepped inside, acknowledging the dimly lit space cluttered with stuffed animals arranged around a king-sized bed.

  Lovia followed and closed the door.

  Then realization struck like lightning.

  Wait. Kuro is going to sleep in my bed. With me. He's a MAN. What will he think of me? But... me and Kuro... in the same bed...

  Her face turned crimson. She shook her head violently.

  "Aren't you coming?" Kuro asked, already moving toward the bed.

  "What? Me?"

  "Yes. It's your bed, right?"

  Lovia didn't hear. She was fantasizing, literally drooling—

  SLAP.

  She slapped both sides of her face hard.

  "Y-you sleep here! I have another room, so I'll—"

  BAAM.

  Lovia flew forward into the room. She spun to see her mother closing the door from outside—smiling—and heard the click of the lock.

  "Mom?!" Lovia slammed the door. "MOM, what are you doing?!"

  Muffled laughter from the hallway.

  Lovia turned back, face burning. "It... looks like I'm sleeping here too."

  "Great." Kuro took the left side of the bed and lay down, eyes already closing.

  Lovia sat on the opposite corner, fidgeting.

  Keep it together. Do I want this? ...YES.

  She turned to face him, voice soft. "Cutie... today was one of the best days ever. It's all thanks to you." She smiled. "Kuro..."

  Nothing.

  He was already asleep.

  Lovia sighed, then smiled gently. She leaned forward and kissed his forehead, smoke practically erupting from her face.

  Then she tucked herself in beside him.

  The festival had ended after the first sprout ceremony—a single green shoot blessed by priests in Thalorne's name.

  Lovia and Kuro walked back toward Bear Path along the dusty road.

  "So the senior left you?" Kuro asked.

  Yeah. Guild matters. And Fenric didn't come.

  "It's Fenric we're talking about. So, yes."

  Lovia groaned, wiping sweat. "Just our luck—the wagons are gone. I'm sweating buckets."

  An engine growled behind them.

  Windwaker rolled to a stop, its scarred metal gleaming. The windshield lowered.

  Ella sat in the driver's seat.

  "Ella! Thank god!" Lovia's face lit up.

  "Morning walk?" Ella asked, eyes flicking to Kuro.

  "The heat's killing me. Can we get in?"

  "Of course. As long as your friend asks respectfully."

  Silence.

  Kuro stood perfectly still, staring at Ella.

  "So, Kuro." Ella's voice was cold. "Do you want to come or not?"

  "Lovia, I'll walk. You go ahead."

  Stubborn bastard, Ella thought.

  "What? Why?" Lovia moved to exit. "If you're walking, I'm walking—"

  Ella slammed the door shut and hit the accelerator. Windwaker lurched forward.

  "Ella, stop! Kuro's alone!"

  "If he wants to walk, let him walk."

  "But what if a monster attacks him?!"

  Ella made a sharp note of laughter. "Ha. Are you serious?"

  "What do you mean?"

  She shook her head. "It's nothing."

  "But—"

  "Shush."

  Halfway to Bear Path

  Kuro walked alone. Hooves approached from behind—fast, coordinated.

  Four riders circled him, weapons drawn. Bandits.

  A man with a sly smile leaned forward. "Brother, why don't you be a good boy and—"

  Swing.

  Mosvmora flashed. The man's head separated from his body, blood spraying across the road.

  The remaining three yanked their reins to flee.

  Kuro moved. The blade spun in a perfect arc. All three fell dead, bodies crumpling before their horses had taken three strides.

  Kuro caught one horse mid-run, swinging into the saddle. He rode it back to Bear Path.

  By afternoon, he'd retrieved his coat and hat from Fenric's house and headed to the guild.

  Lovia was at her post. She gave him an acknowledgment nod. Kuro returned it and moved toward the quest board.

  Fenric stood from a table where he'd been talking with Ella, grabbed Kuro's arm, and began dragging him outside.

  "What are you doing?" Kuro asked.

  "We need to talk. Get in."

  Fenric drove to the riverbed clearing—the same place Kuro had been the night before.

  They stood by the water's edge. Birds chirped. The river flowed peacefully.

  Fenric broke the silence. "Partner, a proposal has opened. For your next destination."

  "To Euneim?"

  "Yes. Made by Ella—though for some reason you won't get along with her." Fenric shifted. "The proposal is good. And dangerous."

  "Just speak."

  "You wanted to reach the second city. I told you the method you're using, but there's another way. Hunt a high beast—one that can help you pass the gate to Euneim."

  Kuro's expression darkened. "That's it?" His voice rose. "You know I already killed one! You think I can't kill another? And you're just saying this now?"

  Fenric began sweating. "Wait! I had reasons! The high beast I'm talking about is pinnacle-tier. Ravmor was D-rank. This one ranges between A to S-rank." His voice dropped. "It's a monster unlike anything you've faced. Now do you get it?"

  Kuro's anger cooled. "What does this have to do with Ella?"

  "She came here for two reasons. To meet you, and to hunt this beast—to redeem herself. She's asking if you'll help. She'll let you tag along if you come clean about who you are. That's the deal. What do you say?"

  Silence.

  Then—

  Cold descended on Kuro like a shroud. It started at his skull and spread down his spine in a wave of ice.

  The same ominous presence from before.

  He jerked upright, eyes snapping to the distance—across the riverbed, at the tall forest rising up the cliff.

  Something watched.

  Inviting him. Calling him toward death.

  Sweat formed on his forehead. He forced himself to breathe.

  "This high beast," Kuro said quietly. "Is it bird kind?"

  Fenric blinked. "How do you know?"

  "Name."

  "Morvane." Fenric's voice dropped to a whisper. "Also called the Night King of the Tall Forest."

  Kuro stared at the distant treeline.

  The presence stared back.

  His curse mark throbbed, but he felt no pain.

  And somewhere in the void between them, something smiled.