After helping the villagers until late in the afternoon, I was finally able to get some proper rest.
As I walked toward the inn where I was staying, I couldn't help but think about how miserable that place was. It always smelled damp, and no matter how tired I was, I could never get a good night's sleep. The air in those dingy rooms seemed to carry the same heaviness that weighed down my body.
I wondered if, with the money Loran had given me, I could finally stay somewhere better.
While walking down one of the less damaged streets from the battle, something caught my attention: a shop that, surprisingly, was still intact. Most of the stores were either destroyed or closed, but this one, to my surprise, was still open.
I approached and read the sign at the entrance: Herbalist.
Intrigued, I decided to enter. I knew that, besides resting, I needed to be better prepared for what lay ahead, and if they sold mana potions, I could take advantage of the opportunity. I should repay Nayris for using hers on me and maybe keep a few for myself. With the battles that were surely on the horizon, I would need every potion I could get.
Upon entering, the soft aroma of exotic herbs and sweet fragrances enveloped me immediately, momentarily lifting the tension of the day.
The place was full of glowing bottles, wooden shelves loaded with magical ingredients, and a warm glow illuminated the room. It felt almost like a place from another world, and it made me feel a bit out of place amidst all that mysticism.
"It's amazing your business came out unscathed after the gargoyle attack," I commented, glancing around at the perfectly ordered bottles and shelves.
The serpent-woman let out a soft laugh. "I suppose I've been blessed by the wise ones," she responded with a cryptic smile, not offering any further explanation.
Wise ones? I thought, but I let it slide without pressing for more.
"Welcome, warrior…" a soft, seductive voice spoke from the shadows at the back of the shop. I stopped and turned towards the sound. In front of me, a slender figure moved slowly, her body half-human, half-snake.
From the waist down, her form undulated with hypnotic movements, while her green scales shimmered under the dim light. The upper part of her body was that of a woman with exotic beauty, her skin smooth and flawless, and her attire barely covered what was necessary, accentuating her curves and leaving much of her torso exposed.
"What brings a man like you to my humble shop?" she asked in a sensual, almost mocking tone as she began to circle me slowly.
I couldn't shake the unease in my body. It wasn't just her physical closeness that unsettled me, but the way her bright crimson eyes, intense and unwavering, locked onto mine, as if trying to read my thoughts. Her serpentine body coiled around the space, and though I tried to stay firm, her presence made it difficult to concentrate.
"I'm looking for... mana potions," I managed to say, though my voice betrayed the nervousness I was trying to hide.
"Mana potions?" she repeated with a mischievous smile as she stopped in front of me, her eyes still fixed on mine.
"How predictable," she said, savoring every word as if relishing my discomfort. "But of course, it's not just about strength, is it? A true warrior knows when to rely on magic."
Her tone was still loaded with insinuations; each phrase seemed calculated to provoke a reaction from me. And although I tried to keep my composure, the atmosphere was growing increasingly tense. It was as if every word she spoke was meant to test me.
She slithered over to one of the shelves, delicately picking up several bottles.
"Here are some options... basic mana potion," she said, raising a small blue vial.
"Restores a decent amount of your energy, perfect for those who haven't yet mastered the art of magic." Her eyes glinted as she analyzed my reaction, as if she were waiting for me to show some weakness.
I tried not to look away, though it was difficult.
"I need a mana potion, but with a healing effect," I interrupted, trying to focus on what I had actually come here for.
She raised an eyebrow and, with a sly smile, moved closer again, more than necessary. "Oh, so you also need someone to take care of you... isn't that adorable?" she said in a tone so soft that it almost felt like her words were caressing my skin.
Her body continued to coil around me, and though I tried to stay firm, it was hard to ignore her presence.
"This one," she continued, lifting a darker vial, "will replenish you and heal your wounds, but... it's more expensive, of course." She eyed me sideways, enjoying every moment as she awaited my response.
"And then there's this," she added, pointing to a vial with a liquid that seemed to move on its own, "very difficult to obtain... but I only offer it to those who deserve it."
She leaned slightly towards me, bringing her face dangerously close to mine. "But who am I to judge who deserves what? My name is Lythara, by the way," she whispered with a seductive smile. "And you, Darius... do you think you're worthy of more than just the basics?"
The fact that she knew my name took me by surprise. "By the way, how did you know my name? I don't remember telling you."
Lythara gave a cunning smile, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "You see… we have a mutual friend. Loran," she said, relishing the moment. "He comes by here every now and then and told me how Grimmor recently acquired a new… worker."
She paused, and her smile turned ironic. "Oops, I meant slave. And he mentioned how this new worker stood out in combat. Seems he was right."
Her irony didn't go unnoticed. "I see," I replied with a slight nod. "So Loran talked about me…"
"Oh, he certainly did," Lythara added, her tone playful and mocking. "Seems you made quite an impression."
Finally, Lythara finished preparing the potions. Her body moved gracefully as she poured the bright blue liquid into a small crystal vial. When she was done, she approached me slowly, with a subtle smile.
As she handed me the potions, her fingers brushed against mine deliberately. The touch was gentle but clear enough that it couldn't be ignored.
"Be careful with this one, it's... quite special," she murmured, her voice almost a whisper, as she stayed too close, watching me with those piercing eyes.
The unexpected contact caught me off guard, and I quickly pulled out a few coins from my pouch, trying to maintain control. "Is this enough?" I asked, hoping the transaction would end quickly.
Lythara widened her eyes slightly at the sight of the coins in my hand, then let out a small laugh.
"Oh my... it seems you've brought more than necessary, Darius." Her tone was more playful, and her gaze grew even more intense. "With this, you could buy much more than just a few potions... though of course, it all depends on how you want to spend it."
Before I could respond, Lythara took one of the coins, her fingers brushing against mine again deliberately. Then, with a smile, she pulled out some smaller coins from a nearby drawer.
"But don't worry, dear. Here's your change," she said, handing me the money with the same delicacy.
"Perhaps you'd like to save some for... special occasions," she added in a whisper full of insinuation.
My body tensed immediately. I felt an uncomfortable warmth rise up my neck as I looked away, trying to avoid her gaze. I didn't know how to respond, and my mind struggled to find a way out of the situation.
"I... I'm not interested in that," I stammered awkwardly, hoping the subject would change quickly.
Lythara smiled, amused by my reaction, but moved back slightly, as if she had achieved exactly what she wanted. "Relax, Darius," she said softly, her tone still full of insinuations. "It was just a suggestion."
I quickly pocketed the potions, still surprised by her mix of provocation and honesty. "Thanks for everything, Lythara," I said, trying to maintain composure as I put the potions away quickly.
Her expression changed then, turning more serious as her smile faded.
"I'll give you some free advice before you go, Darius." Her tone was now firm, almost cautious, which made me pay closer attention. "You seem like an honest human, and I don't know how you ended up working for Grimmor… but be careful with him. He's not what he seems."
Her words lingered in my mind, and a part of me sensed there was more to Grimmor than I'd realized. I nodded at her gratefully. "Thank you for the warning, Lythara. I'll keep that in mind."
Before leaving, I asked, "Do you think with the money I have, I could stay somewhere decent?"
Lythara smiled again, as if savoring every second of the conversation. "With that money, you certainly could," she said, and then, with a slightly awkward joke, added, "When you do, be sure to tell me where you'll be staying... so I can pay you a visit."
I laughed softly but nervously, trying to hide my discomfort. "Sure, sure…" I murmured, quickly saying goodbye and leaving the place.
Once outside, the cold air hit me, calming some of the uncomfortable heat I felt on the back of my neck.
What a... strange experience, I thought, though I couldn't help but let a slight smile form on my lips. It was undeniable that the interaction with Lythara had been… different.
With the potions in hand, I began to walk back. Tomorrow, I'd give one to Nayris as thanks for everything she had done for me. I'd also take the opportunity to visit Eldrek; he was the only one who knew my secret.
With everything that had happened lately, I knew it was time to clear up how I was able to turn back time to save Nayris. Perhaps Eldrek could guide me about my abilities, help me understand them better, and even give me clues on how to control them.
The night was still young when I decided I couldn't bear another night at that inn. After walking down a few streets, I found a much better place. Without a second thought, I went in.
To my surprise, not only did I have enough money, but I even had some left over! Apparently, living like a decent human being wasn't so expensive after all. Finally, a place with a bathtub where I could relax and rest properly, away from the discomforts of before.