Ruby gasped and woke up sweating, her heart pounding in her chest. As she leaned forward, her eyes darted around the unfamiliar room, taking in the elegant furnishings, a bookshelf filled with leather-bound tomes, a delicate pot brimming with vibrant flowers, and more.
Struggling to calm her racing thoughts, she rose from the bed, her bare feet sinking into the plush carpet. A small table caught her attention, adorned with a dainty tea set beside the pot of flowers. Ruby reached for the teacup, hesitating for a moment before taking a cautious sip. The warm liquid calmed her nerves, easing the tension that had gripped her since she woke.
With a sigh of relief, Ruby set the teacup down and let her gaze wander to the door. Suddenly, the events of the previous day came rushing back to her, and she realized she needed to act fast. With determination, she rushed to the door, her hand trembling as she grasped the handle.
As she swung the door open, Ruby's gaze darted from left to right, scanning the hallway in a desperate search for her friends. With a racing heart, she dashed through each doorway she could find, her footsteps echoing off the walls as she sprinted down the corridor. Suddenly, she rounded a corner and came face to face with the white lion from the previous night.
However, he appeared different now, with braids adorning his mane and glasses perched on his nose. He wore a crisp white shirt, revealing bandages wrapped around his muscular torso, paired with the same black pants from before.
Their eyes met, and the lion's lips curved into a welcoming smile. "Ah, you're awake. I've prepared some tea for you," he said, gesturing towards a neatly arranged tea set in his hands. But before he could take another step closer, Ruby turned on her heels and dashed back down the hallway, her breaths coming in ragged gasps.
"Wait!" the lion called after her, his voice echoing through the corridor, dropping the tea set as he chased after her. But Ruby was already ahead, slamming the door shut and bolting it behind her, sealing herself off from whatever intentions the lion might have had.
The lion knocked gently on the door, his voice calm and sincere. "Look, I have no intention to harm you or your friends... we're just-..." His words trailed off as he glanced down at the floor, weighed down by the guilt he carried. "I-I'm deeply sorry for what I've done..." Kneeling down, he placed his hands on the ground, resting his forehead against them. "Your friends... are resting peacefully in the other room," he continued, his voice heavy with remorse. "I'm begging for your forgiveness…"
Ruby hesitated, her hand tightening on the doorknob as she listened. Finally, she took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and made her decision. With trembling fingers, she opened the door slightly, her gaze meeting his. Sweat beaded on her forehead as she swallowed nervously.
"Fine, okay... I forgive you," she relented, her voice barely above a whisper. But as she spoke, her heart raced with uncertainty, her palms slick with nervous sweat. "Unless... you take me to my friends."
"I-I can't thank you enough for your forgiveness," the lion stammered, his voice filled with relief. "You have no idea what this means to me." He paused, gathering his resolve before continuing. "I promise, I'll take you to your friends right away. Just... Please, follow me. They're safe, I swear."
The lion guided Ruby through the hallway, his hands clasped behind his back in a gesture of quiet dignity. Ruby trailed behind him, her gaze drifting to the ornate decorations adorning the walls. She studied his broad figure, noting the subtle differences from Nerio, the slightly larger frame, the graceful poise. As they walked, Ruby couldn't help but admire the elegance of the lion's surroundings.
"This place is very graceful," Ruby remarked softly, her voice echoing in the hushed corridor.
The lion's cheeks tinged with a faint blush, a rare display of vulnerability. He cleared his throat before responding, "Oh, erm... thank you. I'm flattered," he murmured, scratching his chin in embarrassment.
"We're here," he says, his hand clasping the doorknob. Slowly, he opens the door, revealing Ruby's two friends slumbering deeply inside. Without hesitation, Ruby rushes over. Amelia stirs from her slumber as Ruby engulfs her in a tight hug. "I'm so glad you guys are safe," Ruby says, her voice tinged with tears, her hug tightening even more.
Amelia wraps her arm around Ruby, patting her gently. "I'm fine," she reassures Ruby with a hoarse voice, her smile warm despite the discomfort of being hugged tightly.
She turned around, noticing Nerio's body covered with bandages. Ruby kneeled and laid her head on his chest, hugging him tightly. "Nerio… Thanks for everything you've done for me," she whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks. She continued to embrace him while weeping softly against his chest.
Nerio lifted his hand and gently placed it on her head, sliding it down to her face, caressing her cheeks tenderly. Slowly, he opened his right eye, a warm smile spreading across his face as he looked at her with affection.
A few moments later, the lion entered the room with a deliberate pace, followed closely by the orange-haired girl who wore a look of irritation. "Do we really need to do this formal nonsense?" she muttered under her breath, her annoyance palpable.
Ignoring her exasperation, the lion straightened his suit and adjusted his necktie with precision. "Yes, it's necessary. Please," he requested, gesturing for her to comply. With a reluctant sigh, she acquiesced.
"Greetings, and apologies for our abrupt entrance," the lion began, his voice carrying a tone of formality. He smoothed down his mane with a composed air.
"We feel it's proper to introduce ourselves," he continued, placing a hand over his chest in a gesture of respect. "I am Albus Herzog, a skilled and experienced mage, proficient in all forms of magic." With a graceful bow, he concluded his introduction, while the orange girl simply rolled her eyes in response.
He straightened his posture and gestured elegantly. "Allow me to introduce my step-sister," he announced, extending his hand towards her. "Her name is Adira Herzog, a master of martial arts and various fighting styles."
Adira, standing with her arms crossed, offered a casual greeting. "Hey," she muttered, lifting her hand slightly in a half-hearted wave without bothering to make eye contact.
"Wait..." Amelia squinted at them for a moment, her brows furrowed in concentration. Then, realization struck, and her eyes widened in fear. "Oh my God, Ruby, it's them! We have to get out of here!" She panicked, gripping Ruby's arm tightly.
Ruby tried to calm her friend, gently patting her back. "Wait, calm down," she said soothingly. "I think they're here to help us." She continued to pat Amelia's back, offering comfort and reassurance.
"What? How can you be so sure that we can trust them?" Amelia's grip finally loosened as she glanced at Ruby with a puzzled look.
"Perhaps they'll explain it later," Ruby said softly, taking a moment before glancing at Albus. Their eyes met briefly, and Albus looked away with a serious and grief-stricken expression on his face.
"It's... complicated," Albus said, his voice tense as he looked down, his hand tightening into a fist as he pondered deeply. He then jerked his head to the right, lost in thought.
"Cheer up, big kitty," Adira said, delivering a strong pat on Albus's back with a cheeky smile. The lion's face flushed suddenly.
"Damn it, Adira! How many times should I tell you to stop calling me that?!" He turned back to face them, attempting to hide his embarrassment.
"Aww, someone's shy?" Adira teased him further, her smirk growing wider as she enjoyed his discomfort.
He grunted loudly, his frustration evident in every step he took towards the door. "I'm sorry, I have to leave now… I have important business to attend to," he muttered, avoiding eye contact as he spoke. With a final glare at Adira, he exited the room, leaving behind an awkward atmosphere.
As soon as the door closed, Adira burst into laughter. It took her a moment to regain her composure, and she covered her mouth with her hand, whispering, "He may look tough, but he's really soft on the inside." Her giggles echoed softly in the room as she tried to contain her amusement.
Adira glanced at the slumbering shark for a second, her eyes narrowing with concern. "The shark's fine, right?" she asked Ruby. Ruby returned her gaze before looking back at Nerio, her expression softening. "Yes, he's fine," she confirmed, sitting beside him and gently clasping his hand. "That's great," Adira exhaled, her shoulders relaxing slightly. "Also… Isn't he your boyfriend?" she teased, a mischievous smirk playing on her lips.
Ruby's face flushed crimson at the question, her words stumbling over each other in embarrassment. Adira couldn't help but giggle at her reaction. "I'm just kidding with ya!" she reassured, offering Ruby a cheeky smile. Ruby's eyes flickered down to the ground as she tried to hide her embarrassment, a shy smile tugging at her lips.
"Welp, I gotta leave too." Adira tightened the bandages around her hands with practiced ease, her movements swift and precise. "I've got some training to do." She approached the window, her gaze meeting Ruby's for a brief moment before she crouched down, preparing to leap.
"See ya," Adira called over her shoulder before disappearing out the window.
"Wait, no!!" Ruby dashed towards the window, her heart pounding in her chest, but it was too late. Adira had already vanished into the night, leaving Ruby alone with her thoughts.
"Everything seems so bizarre today…" Ruby murmured to herself, her gaze drifting upwards to the sky. Through the window, she watched the clouds as they danced across the vast expanse above, their shapes ever-changing and unpredictable.
"But at least I've met new people," she said, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. The wind gently tousled her hair, adding to the serene atmosphere of the moment.
"I can't wait to see what will happen next…" Ruby's eyes sparkled with determination as she pondered the adventures that lay ahead. The future was full of possibilities, and she was ready to embrace them all.