As they stepped back into the moonlit streets of Lighthaven, the cool night air brushed against their faces, a gentle reminder of the world outside the guild's walls. Elara, walking beside him, broke the silence with a hint of disappointment in her voice. "Are we going back to the inn?"
Caelum glanced at her, noticing her dress, a choice made with care, likely in anticipation of a more eventful evening. Realizing her expectations, he suggested, "Let's go to the dock. It should be nice at this time." His voice was gentle, an attempt to offer her a semblance of the evening she had hoped for.
Elara's eyes lit up with excitement at the suggestion. She nodded, her steps quickening as she walked beside him, her earlier disappointment fading away. They made their way through Lighthaven's winding streets, the occasional laughter and music from the taverns spilling out into the night.
Elara, sensing his preoccupation, gently nudged him. "You seem deep in thought," she observed, her voice laced with curiosity.
Caelum knew discussing the intricacies of a revolver wouldn't interest Elara, and he was mindful of the mood. But more than the revolver, his thoughts were on their relationship. His heart urged him to explore the growing bond between them, yet his mind cautioned restraint. The conflict within him was palpable.
Sighing, he turned to Elara, his voice carrying a mix of vulnerability and introspection. "Just thinking about us," he admitted, his eyes searching hers for a reaction.
Elara's response was immediate, her face lighting up with a smile that blended surprise and happiness. A rosy blush tinged her cheeks, reflecting the moonlight in a soft glow. "Us?" she echoed, her voice a mix of curiosity and delight.
Caelum nodded, feeling the weight of his words. "Yes, us. We've been through so much together, and I can't help but think about where we're heading," he confessed, his gaze not leaving her.
Elara's smile widened, her green eyes shimmering with unspoken emotions. "I've been thinking about that too," she admitted, her voice a whisper. "We've faced dangers, shared victories, and... I feel like I've come to know you in a way I never imagined."
They walked in silence for a moment, the rhythmic sound of their footsteps on the cobblestone streets melding with the distant hum of the town. The dock, with its gentle sway of boats and the soothing sound of lapping water, beckoned them with a promise of tranquility.
Caelum, normally guarded about his emotions, found himself opening up under the night sky. "Elara, I..." he began, his voice trailing off as he struggled to articulate his feelings. He wasn't used to this; as Eclipse, he had always kept his emotions tightly controlled, a necessary armor in his past life.
Elara, sensing his hesitation, reached out and took his hand, a simple gesture that spoke volumes. "It's okay, Caelum," she said softly. "You don't have to say anything. I understand."
The warmth of Elara's hand in his was a familiar comfort, yet it stirred a tempest of thoughts and emotions within Caelum. In this world, he was Caelum, a young man whose life had been one of simplicity and affection. He recalled, through Caelum's memories, those quiet moments in the forest, their hands intertwined, their hearts resonating with unspoken words of affection. They had never crossed the boundary of a kiss, their relationship a delicate bloom of youthful love. Yet, deep down, a part of him, Eclipse, wondered if Elara's affections were truly for him, or for the Caelum of this world he had now become.
Walking beside her, his grip on her hand tightened ever so slightly. He was caught in an existential quandary. Was he truly Caelum, the farmer's son, whose life was cruelly altered by the harsh realities of their world? Or was he Eclipse, the seasoned warrior from another reality, whose soul had journeyed across worlds to merge with this young man's? Or perhaps, he pondered, he was a new entity altogether, a fusion of both, inheriting the memories and emotions of two distinct lives.
As they strolled towards the dock, the gentle rhythm of the waves against the shore and the distant sound of boats creaking in the water provided a serene backdrop to their conversation. The night air was cool, carrying the salty scent of the sea, as they walked in comfortable silence, their hands intertwined.
Elara broke the silence, her voice soft yet curious. "Caelum, back in the village, before... everything changed, did you ever think about what life would be like outside our fields and forests?"
Caelum's gaze shifted towards the dark expanse of the sea, reflecting the moonlight. "In the village, my world was small, defined by the seasons and the crops. But there was always a part of me that yearned for something more, something beyond the horizon. I just never imagined it would be like this," he replied, his voice a blend of nostalgia and acceptance.
Elara nodded, her eyes following his gaze. "I often dreamed of seeing the world beyond our village. But like you, I never imagined it would be under such circumstances."
Their conversation drifted to memories of their village, of simpler times filled with laughter and dreams. A sudden commotion near the end of the dock drew their attention. A group of sailors were gathered around, their voices raised in alarm. Caelum and Elara exchanged a look before rising to their feet, their moment of intimacy interrupted by the urgency of the situation.
As they approached the group, they overheard snippets of conversation. "It was huge, with scales like armor and eyes like fire," one sailor exclaimed, his voice tinged with fear.
Caelum's interest was piqued, his instincts as a gunslinger kicking in. He stepped forward, addressing the group. "What's happened here?"
A grizzled old sailor, his face weathered by years at sea, turned to him. "We were just coming into port when something attacked us. It was like nothing we've ever seen before, a creature straight out of legend."
Caelum's eyes narrowed as he assessed the sailor, his gaze sharp and probing. "Explain," he said firmly, his voice carrying an authoritative tone that demanded attention. The mention of a creature attacking a ship near Lighthaven's port was alarming, and it piqued his interest as a potential source of income as the river was the lifeline of Lighthaven.
The sailor, taken aback by Caelum's commanding presence, quickly composed himself. "We were returning from a fishing trip, just reaching the mouth of the river, when it attacked. It was enormous, at least twice the size of our boat. Its scales shimmered in the moonlight like some kind of dark armor, and its eyes... they glowed like burning coals," he explained, his voice tinged with fear.
Elara, standing beside Caelum, listened intently, her expression a mix of concern and curiosity. "Did it attack anyone?" she asked, her voice reflecting her worry for the sailors' safety.
The sailor shook his head. "No, thank the gods. We managed to get away, but it was close. It swam alongside us for a bit, then dove under. Haven't seen anything like it in all my years at sea."
Caelum's mind raced, analyzing the information. A creature of such size and description was not something that lived in the river. He had no experience in aquatic combat, especially without his gear. He knew the local guild and city guards probably had fighters better suited for such battles, but the potential rewards for dealing with the creature were tempting.
Caelum weighed the sailor's tale in his mind, the description of the creature painting a vivid picture of danger and mystery. He decided to see how it went tomorrow. For now, he wasn't equipped to deal with such a creature. "Let's go," he said firmly, and gently pulled on Elara's hand they had been holding.