Evan woke to the sound of birds.
Not the normal kind. These chirps were melodic, almost musical, like someone had programmed a choir into the sky.
For a moment, he forgot where he was.
Then he rolled over and saw Mira.
She was sitting on the edge of her bed, tying the straps of her armor. Morning light spilled through the window, catching in her hair and making her look… annoyingly ethereal.
She noticed him staring and smiled. “Morning, sleepyhead.”
He groaned and buried his face in his pillow. “No. Take me back. I want a refund.”
“No refunds in fantasy worlds,” she said cheerfully. “Come on. We have a quest.”
“We do not have a quest.”
“We absolutely do.”
He peeked at her. “Why?”
“Because the innkeeper said the village is being terrorized by a monster in the forest.”
“That sounds like a you problem.”
“It’s an us problem.”
“No, it’s a you problem and a me‑watching‑from‑a‑safe‑distance problem.”
She stood and walked over to him. “Evan.”
He froze.
She leaned down, her face inches from his, her hair brushing his cheek.
His heart malfunctioned.
“Get up,” she whispered.
He shot upright so fast he nearly fell off the bed. “I’m up! I’m up!”
Mira laughed, the sound warm and bright. “Good. Let’s go.”
*
They stepped outside into the bustling village square. Vendors shouted, children ran around with wooden swords, and adventurers in mismatched armor bragged loudly about their exploits.
Evan stuck close to Mira, partly because she knew what she was doing, and partly because… well, she was Mira.
And she made him feel less like he was about to die.
“Okay,” she said, scanning the quest board. “We need something simple. Something safe.”
“Something that doesn’t involve me being eaten,” Evan added.
“Right. Something beginner‑friendly.”
She pointed to a parchment with a crude drawing of a wolf.
Quest: Investigate Strange Howling in the Whisperwood Forest.
Reward: 50 gold.
Difficulty: Low.
Evan frowned. “Define ‘low.’”
“Probably nothing too dangerous.”
“You said that about the rabbit.”
“That rabbit had anger issues.”
He crossed his arms. “I don’t trust your definition of danger.”
Mira tore the quest from the board. “Too bad. We’re doing it.”
He sighed dramatically. “Fine. But if I die, I’m haunting you.”
“You already haunt me.”
“What does that mean?”
She didn’t answer.
*
The Whisperwood Forest was beautiful in a way that made Evan suspicious. Sunlight filtered through glowing leaves, and tiny floating lights drifted between the trees like fireflies.
“It’s pretty,” Mira said softly.
“It’s ominous,” Evan corrected.
“You’re such a pessimist.”
“I’m a realist.”
“You’re scared.”
“I’m cautious.”
“You’re scared.”
He glared. “I’m not—”
A howl echoed through the trees.
Evan grabbed Mira’s arm on instinct.
She froze.
He froze.
They both looked down at his hand gripping her sleeve.
He let go immediately, face burning. “I—I wasn’t scared. I was just—uh—checking your armor. For… durability.”
Mira raised an eyebrow. “Right. Armor inspection.”
“Shut up.”
She smiled, but it wasn’t her usual teasing grin. It was softer. Warmer.
“Thanks,” she said quietly.
“For what?”
“For grabbing me. Even if it was by accident.”
“It wasn’t— I mean— It was—”
She laughed. “Relax. Come on.”
*
They followed the sound deeper into the forest until they reached a clearing.
A wolf stood in the center.
But it wasn’t normal.
Its fur shimmered like silver flames, and its eyes glowed bright blue.
[Lunarglow Wolf — Level 10]
Evan’s stomach dropped. “That is not low difficulty.”
Mira drew her sword. “I’ve got this.”
“No, Mira, wait—”
The wolf lunged.
Mira met it head‑on, her blade clashing against its claws in a burst of sparks. She moved with impossible speed—dodging, striking, spinning. She was powerful. Graceful. Terrifying.
And beautiful.
Evan hated that he noticed that.
But then—
The wolf feinted left, then leapt right, catching Mira off guard. Its claws slashed across her arm.
She stumbled.
“Mira!” Evan shouted.
Without thinking, he ran forward.
He didn’t have a weapon.
He didn’t have a plan.
He didn’t even have a class worth mentioning.
But he had Mira bleeding in front of him, and that was enough.
He grabbed a fallen branch and swung it with all his strength.
It hit the wolf square in the face.
The wolf snarled and turned toward him.
Evan froze.
“Oh no,” he whispered. “I’ve made a terrible mistake.”
The wolf lunged—
And Mira stepped between them, her sword flashing.
One strike.
A burst of light.
The wolf dissolved into particles.
Evan collapsed onto the grass, panting. “I hate this world.”
Mira knelt beside him, gripping her injured arm. “Are you okay?”
“Am I okay? You’re the one bleeding!”
“It’s just a scratch.”
“It’s not just a scratch!”
She smiled weakly. “You saved me.”
He blinked. “I… what?”
“You ran in.” Her voice softened. “For me.”
“I didn’t think. I just—”
“I know.”
Their eyes met.
For a moment, the world felt still.
Too still.
Too close.
Too warm.
Mira looked away first, cheeks pink. “We should… head back.”
“Yeah,” Evan said, voice unsteady. “Let’s go.”
They walked side by side, closer than before, neither of them mentioning the way their hands kept brushing.
Neither of them ready to admit what that meant.
But both of them feeling it.
Even if they didn’t understand it yet.
---
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