A cool breeze announced the arrival of night, and the squawking of night birds began to fill the air.
Suddenly, the first drops of rain began to fall, staining the forest floor with their erratic dance. With each passing minute, the intensity of the rain increased, turning the forest into a sea of sounds drowned out by the downpour.
—Noir, what should we do? Ryo asked, raising his head to the cloud-darkened sky.
Then he gracefully descended and perched on a nearby branch, watching the growing storm with concern.
—"Best to seek shelter before it gets worse," he replied, his voice echoing in Ryo's mind.
They moved deeper into the forest, looking for some shelter from the fury of the weather. It was then that they found a cave hidden among the rocks, its entrance barely visible through the undergrowth.
—Here! -Ryo exclaimed, pointing toward the dark opening.
Without hesitation, they walked a little further into the cavern, seeking respite from the downpour that was falling mercilessly outside. However, they had barely advanced a few steps when a guttural growl broke the silence, followed by the echo of rapidly approaching paws.
In the gloom of the cave, five pairs of glowing eyes watched them with hostility, belonging to hungry, wary wolves blocking their path.
—It seems we are not alone here," Noir muttered, bracing himself for what was coming.
Ryo let out a deep roar, baring his sharp fangs in silent defiance. The wolves growled in response, ready to defend their territory from intruders.
—We don't want trouble, we're just looking for shelter from the rain," Noir tried to explain, his voice still remaining calm but firm.
However, the wolves did not seem willing to listen to reason, advancing slowly towards them with their teeth bared and their bodies tensed, ready to attack at any moment.
Ryo stood in front of Noir, his figure imposing as he assessed his options. He knew they were outnumbered, but he would not allow anything or anyone to endanger the only one who knew the whereabouts of his companion.
—Get ready, Noir. Looks like we're going to have to fight," he warned, his voice ringing with determination.
Noir lunged forward with ferocity, his sharp claws and menacing beak lethal weapons against the approaching wolves. With nimble movements, he dodged his opponents' attacks while counterattacking with precision, seeking to keep them at bay and protect his friend Ryo.
Meanwhile, Ryo was fighting fiercely against the three wolves surrounding him, maintaining his defensive stance while looking for an opening to counterattack. The wolves moved cunningly, looking for weaknesses in the tiger's defense, but Ryo stood his ground, his muscles tense and his senses alert.
—Ryo, watch your right! -Noir shouted, deflecting a wolf that was trying to attack the tiger by surprise.
Ryo responded with a guttural roar, lunging forward with impressive speed. His claws flashed in the gloom of the cave as he swiped at his attackers with force, seeking to throw them off balance and gain the advantage.
()()()()
Tarish
Before leaving, I said goodbye to my faithful friend Orus. His eyes reflected concern and sadness as he watched me leave, but they also gave me his unconditional support. His friendship had been an anchor in the most difficult moments of my life, and now, as I moved away from the safety of our village, his presence became a comforting memory that I carried with me.
I had carefully prepared everything I needed for the journey: water, food and some basic utensils that would come in handy along the way. I knew that the journey to the Blue Feather village would be long and tiring, three days of walking with hardly any rest if I wanted to arrive on time. But nothing would stop me in my quest for Lalabel, my heart was set and my determination unwavering.
The road stretched out before me, a winding path that wound its way through the lush temperate forest. The sun's rays filtered through the branches of the trees, creating a play of light and shadow that painted the landscape in changing hues. Every step I took echoed in the silence of the forest, accompanied only by the rustle of the wind through the leaves and the chirping of birds.
As I advanced, I left behind the coolness of the temperate forest to enter the warm embrace of the subtropical forest.
()()()()
Both the tiger and the eagle were wounded and exhausted from the confrontation. Ryo, his fur stained with blood and wounds scarred on his skin, struggled against the pain and fatigue as he faced the last remaining wolf. Every move was an effort, but his determination still burned in his golden eyes as he sought to finish off his final opponent.
—Noir, I need your help! -Ryo shouted, launching one last attack against the wolf that stalked him.
Noir, staggering slightly from exhaustion, came to his aid with a supportive squawk. Though his wings were slightly torn and his plumage was in disarray, his fighting spirit was still intact as he lunged forward to join the battle.
—Together we can take him down! -Noir exclaimed, his voice ringing with determination.
With a final effort, Ryo and Noir coordinated their attacks, combining the strength of the tiger with the agility of the eagle to overpower the last wolf. With a final roar, the wolf fell defeated, leaving Ryo and Noir as the only survivors in the cave.
Silence descended upon the place, interrupted only by the sound of the males' agitated breathing and the steady drip of rain outside. They looked at each other, sharing a mixture of relief and exhaustion after the intense battle.
—We did it!" said Ryo, his voice barely a tired whisper.
Noir nodded his head, a smirk curving his beak as he landed near Ryo.
—Yes, we did. Now, I think we could both use a good rest," Noir replied, his voice calm and comforting.
After taking a break, they left the cave and headed back into the forest, aiming to reach the village as soon as possible. As they advanced, the muddy ground and sodden leaves crunched under their paws and claws, but their spirits remained strong in the hope of returning to the side of their companions.
Slowly, the village began to take shape in the distance, its thatched roofs and wooden structures standing out among the trees. The entrance to the Blue Feather village was getting closer and closer to them.
—There it is, Noir! We can get there soon! -Ryo exclaimed, his tail waving excitedly.
Noir nodded his head, sharing in the excitement, as he spread his wings carefully so as not to further damage his wound.
()()()()
In the Blue Feather village, Lalabel with her third husband, Yang, The rain that used to fall torrentially had now reduced to a gentle sprinkling. Her gaze was filled with worry, her concentration was fixed on sensing Noir's presence through her conjugal mark. After long minutes of waiting, she managed to feel the unmistakable presence of her first husband, Noir, seep into her consciousness like a distant but familiar echo.
—Yang, I feel Noir's presence. We need to go to the entrance of the village. I'm worried about him," said Lalabel in a firm voice, her gaze searching her husband's for support.
Yang, a man with a strong build and eyes full of determination, nodded seriously and transformed into a huge white wolf with beautiful soft fur, Lalabel climbed on top of him and we headed towards the entrance of the village.
—I understand, Lalabel. Let's go to the village entrance and find out what's going on," Yang replied.
Together, they headed towards the village entrance, crossing the cobblestone streets as the hum of daily life went on around them. Lalabel clung to the hope of finding Noir safe and sound, but she also feared the worst circumstances.
As they neared the entrance to the village, Noir's presence grew stronger, enveloping them in a sense of urgency. Yang picked up his pace, he could feel his beloved Lala's heart pounding with anxiety as he prepared to face whatever they would encounter upon arrival.
Finally, they reached the entrance to the village, Lalabel held her breath as she recognized Noir, along with the male Ryo, standing at the edge of the village. - She climbed down from Yang's back.
—Noir! -Lalabel exclaimed, running towards him with palpable relief in her voice.
Noir turned to them, his face lit up with a mixture of surprise and joy at the sight of Lalabel and Yang approaching.
()()()()
The road to the healer's house was lined with wooden tree houses adorned with carved symbols.
Upon arrival, Lalabel knocked softly on the wooden door, announcing her arrival. A few seconds later, the door slowly opened, revealing a man with turquoise hair and gray locks and wise eyes who greeted them with a friendly smile.
—Lalabel, Yang, to what do I owe the honor of your visit? -greeted the Lao healer, his voice calm and welcoming.
Lalabel nodded gratefully, explaining the situation as Noir and Ryo waited patiently by her side, their gazes weary but full of confidence in the healer's ability to help them.
—We've had an unfortunate encounter in the forest and our friends have been injured. Could you please help them? -Lalabel asked, her tone reflecting her concern for the two males.
The Lao healer nodded sympathetically, inviting them into his humble home. Once inside, he directed Noir and Ryo to a dedicated healing area, where he offered them comfortable seats and began to examine their wounds with care and attention.
—Don't worry. I will do everything in my power to alleviate their suffering and help them heal," said the healer Lao calmly, his presence inspiring confidence and hope in the hearts of Lalabel, Yang, Noir and Ryo.
As the healer worked with his herbs and salves, Lalabel and Yang stood nearby, offering words of encouragement and support to their first husband and newcomer Ryo. The afternoon progressed slowly, but healer Lao did not rush through his task, devoting all his time and energy to making sure Noir and Ryo received the care they deserved.
Finally, as the sun began to descend on the horizon, the healer Lao finished his work, smiling with satisfaction at the results of his efforts.
—Now rest, my friends. Your wounds will heal with time and proper rest. You will be fine," said the Lao healer with a comforting smile, his voice full of wisdom and compassion.
()()()()()()
My eyes were lost in the gray landscape beyond the window, as my mind relived the fight with Ryo over and over again. How had we gotten to that point? The argument had been heated, full of words that I now deeply regretted. And then, the painful moment when our gazes parted and the doors closed, separating us further than we had ever been.
Regret hit me hard, like angry waves crashing against the rocks. The rain, which had initially been just a backdrop for my tumultuous thoughts, now seemed to intensify, as if the sky itself shared my anguish. Each falling drop was an echo of my pain, a mournful melody echoing in the air.
I wanted Ryo to be back in the village, in front of the house, so that we could face our emotions together instead of letting them ferment in silence. I wanted to look him in the eye and tell him how sorry I was, how I wished I could go back in time and erase every hurtful word that had come out of my mouth.
But most of all, I wanted to apologize to him for what I had done. For hurting him in that way, for crossing a line I should never have crossed. My heart longed for the chance to repair the damage I had caused, to find a way to heal the cracks that had appeared in our relationship.
The house was filled with an oppressive silence, interrupted only by the monotonous sound of rain pattering on the roof. I felt trapped in my own remorse, unable to find a way out of the emotional storm that was consuming me.
()()()()()
The atmosphere in the hut became charged with tension as Noir and Ryo entered. Their worried expressions did not go unnoticed by the three women who were in the middle of their secret lesson. Lalabel, Roxy and Noir exchanged quick glances, acknowledging the seriousness of the moment as they discreetly withdrew to allow the pair to resolve their conflict.
Ryo approached Selene with a mixture of affection and concern in his eyes, his heart filled with anxiety for his beloved's well-being. He embraced her tenderly, seeking to comfort her and reassure her that he was there for her.
— "Selene, cutie, I was worried about you," Ryo said in a soft, comforting tone, his words full of genuine affection.
Selene was overwhelmed by Ryo's concern and the warm feeling of his arms around her. However, her mind was riddled with guilt over the incident that had brought them to this tense moment.
— "Ryo, you forgive me. I shouldn't have bitten you," Selene murmured in a voice filled with remorse, her eyes full of guilt and regret.
The tension in the room was palpable as Selene and Ryo faced their emotions and tried to find a solution to their conflict. Lalabel, Roxy and Noir watched from outside the hut with concern and hope, wishing the couple would find the peace and reconciliation they so desperately needed.
Meanwhile, inside the hut, Selene and Ryo were immersed in an intimate and sincere conversation, sharing their feelings and searching for a way to overcome the obstacle that stood in their way. The hut echoed with the murmur of their voices, full of love and understanding, as they worked together to heal the wounds of their relationship.
()()()()
The drops that once fell furiously now seemed to slow their pace, as if the sky itself was granting respite to my tumultuous soul. But it was the figure that emerged from the rainy mist that truly took my breath away.
Lanabel, my loyal friend, was walking toward the house with purposeful steps, holding Ryo, my beloved, carefully in her arms. My heart flipped in my chest as I watched Ryo, his face scarred with bandages and a few scratches, but with a determination in his eyes that filled me with hope.
My emotions became a whirlwind of mixed feelings. Concern for Ryo's physical condition was intertwined with the overwhelming joy of seeing him return to me. What had happened while he was gone? How had he ended up hurt like that?
My feet barely touched the ground as I ran for the door, leaving the relative shelter of the house behind to meet Lalabel and Ryo. Every step was a race toward uncertainty and possibility, toward the chance to make peace with the man who held such an important place in my heart.
When I finally caught up with Lanabel and Ryo, my emotions flashed across my face like a distorted mirror. Happiness, worry and relief intertwined in a chaotic dance as I took Ryo's hands between mine, feeling the comforting warmth of his skin beneath my fingers.
— "Ryo," I whispered, unable to contain the emotion that threatened to overflow into tears. "Are you okay, what happened?"
Ryo's eyes met mine, and in his gaze I saw the love and understanding that had always been there, even in the darkest moments of our fight.
— "I'm fine, Selene," he murmured, his voice a barely audible whisper over the murmur of the rain that continued to fall around us. - "It was just a minor setback. The important thing is that we're together again." - I hug her lovingly.
The weight that had been pressing down on my chest since she had left dissipated in that moment, leaving room for deep relief and gratitude. We held each other, as if we feared the other might disappear into thin air if we let go.
()()()()()
Lalabel and Yang exchanged quick glances, acknowledging the seriousness of the moment as they discreetly withdrew to allow the couple to resolve their conflict. Selene and Ryo entered the house.
-"Selene, I was worried about you," Ryo said in a soft, comforting tone, his words full of genuine affection.
Selene was overwhelmed by Ryo's concern and the warm feeling of his arms around her. However, her mind was riddled with guilt over the incident that had brought them to this tense moment.
—"Ryo, you forgive me. I shouldn't have bitten you," Selene murmured in a voice full of remorse, her eyes full of guilt and regret.
The tension in the room was palpable as Selene and Ryo faced their emotions and tried to find a solution to their conflict.
Lalabel, Yang listened from outside the house with concern and hope, wishing the couple would reconcile.
Meanwhile, inside the house, Selene and Ryo were immersed in an intimate and sincere conversation, sharing their feelings and searching for a way to overcome the obstacle that stood in their way. The house echoed with the murmur of their voices, full of love and understanding, as they worked together to heal the wounds of their relationship.
()()()()
As I watched Selene and Ryu embrace each other tenderly, my heart swelled with joy. I had witnessed their pain, their separation, and finally their reunion. Watching them find peace in each other's arms was a reward in itself, a confirmation that my help had been worthwhile.
However, my thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of a system prompt, informing me that I had reached the maximum level of favorability with Selene. A smile curved my lips as I set aside the immediate reward for later, knowing that I had earned my friend's trust and appreciation.
But the surprise didn't end there. Another message from the system materialized in front of my eyes, announcing that the conditions for Lao and Selene to cooperate with me had been met, which meant I could get more information about the ancient ruin. Excitement swept over me at the prospect of continuing my mission of discovery.
With a heart full of determination and gratitude, I turned to my third husband, Yang, who was standing a short distance away. His eyes sparkled with curiosity as he watched my beaming expression, patiently waiting for me to share the news.
Without a word, I approached him and kissed him passionately, letting my lips convey all the emotion bubbling inside me. Yang responded tenderly, his lips meeting mine in a dance of love and complicity.
Through the kiss, I shared with Yang the joy I felt for having done my duty and for having the opportunity to move forward with our joint quest.
I knew that with her support for my husbands, I would be able to overcome any obstacles we encountered on our path to the truth about the ancient ruins and the alphas and betas that had inhabited them.