Yomi strode ahead of the group, his steps deliberate yet unhurried, his eyes fixed forward. The beast girl clung to the edge of his torn tunic, her grip gentle yet firm, as though it were her tether to reality. Behind them, Lirien followed closely, her brows furrowed in deep thought, the events of the guild swirling in her mind like an unrelenting storm.
Aeloria, walking behind them, glanced at Yomi's back, a mixture of curiosity and wariness brewing within her.
Why are we following him? she wondered, her gaze lingering on the enigmatic man who had seemingly taken charge without a word of consent from anyone. She wasn't sure what compelled her or Lirien to trail behind him like lost lambs, but something about his presence was magnetic. Or perhaps it was just unsettling.
Without warning, Yomi halted abruptly. Lirien, too caught up in her thoughts, collided into his back with a soft thud.
"Oof," she muttered, rubbing her nose as she took a step back.
Yomi turned slightly, his expression calm yet inquisitive. "You okay?" he asked, his voice laced with a faint hint of concern.
"Yes," Lirien replied quickly, shaking her head to clear her thoughts. "But… where are we?"
Yomi didn't answer immediately. Instead, he gestured ahead with a slight nod. Lirien followed his gaze, and her eyes widened in surprise. Just a few steps away stood a modest yet sturdy house nestled in the shadows of the dimly lit street. Recognition dawned on her like a crashing wave.
"Our base…" she breathed, her voice trailing off. It was the very property the Ravager party had purchased as a cover—proof of residence in Melanos to avoid undue attention from the guild. The place was supposed to be inconspicuous, a safe haven hidden in plain sight. Yet here they were, standing before it as though drawn by an invisible thread.
Aeloria stepped closer, her brows knit together in astonishment. "How… How did you know the way back?" she asked, her voice tinged with suspicion.
Yomi turned to face her fully, his expression neutral as he tapped his temple with two fingers. "I have a good sense of direction," he said plainly, his tone betraying neither pride nor jest.
Aeloria narrowed her eyes, clearly unconvinced but unwilling to press further. She crossed her arms and let out a quiet huff, choosing to keep her doubts to herself.
As they approached the house, the beast girl let go of Yomi's tunic, her gaze flickering between the building and Yomi, her expression unreadable. Yomi stepped up to the door and, with a slight push, swung it open. The wooden hinges creaked faintly, echoing into the dimly lit interior.
Inside, the air felt thick with the scent of old wood and faintly lingering herbs. The space was modest but clean, with enough room for a small group to live comfortably. The remnants of the Ravagers' presence were evident—a few scattered weapons, a worn-out map pinned to the wall, and a dusty corner that still bore the faint outline of a sitting area.
Yomi stepped aside, holding the door open as the others entered. Lirien brushed past him, still lost in her thoughts, while Aeloria hesitated for a moment before crossing the threshold. Once inside, she glanced around warily, her hand instinctively brushing the hilt of her weapon.
The beast girl lingered at the door, her wide eyes scanning the interior as though unsure if she belonged. Yomi gave her a subtle nod, and she finally stepped in, her movements cautious but deliberate.
"Well," Yomi said, breaking the silence as he leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "We're here. Make yourselves at home."
Aeloria shot him a skeptical look, still wondering what his endgame was. Yet, for reasons she couldn't quite explain, she felt a small sense of relief.
Aeloria let out a long breath, steadying herself before speaking. Her voice was calm, but the edge of suspicion was unmistakable. "What do you want with us, Yomi? Or does saving us mean there's more to it?"
Yomi, seemingly unaffected by her tone, walked over to a rickety old stool and sat down. He leaned forward, resting his arms on the worn surface of the dining table, his gaze steady. "I have no use for you," he said plainly. "As for her"—he gestured toward the beast girl—"I can't leave her just yet. But I do have business with Lirien."
Lirien's head snapped up at his words, her eyes wide with surprise. Memories from the dungeon rushed back, and she recalled her desperate promise. Anything… if you save Aeloria. Her heart sank slightly. She had hoped that promise would fade into obscurity, but Yomi hadn't forgotten.
Aeloria stiffened, her knuckles tightening around her staff. "So that's it," she said, her voice sharp. "You think you can just do whatever you want because you're stronger than us? You're wrong."
Yomi tilted his head, his expression blank but his eyes narrowing slightly. "What's wrong with you?" he asked, his voice calm but underpinned with a tinge of irritation. "Why are you acting like this all of a sudden? Especially when you leaned on me like a crutch—both in the dungeon and at the strange place."
The room grew tense as Yomi's presence shifted. A faint ripple of his Ki seeped into the air, making the atmosphere heavy and stifling. The beast girl stepped back instinctively, her hands clutching her chest as though to shield herself from the weight. Aeloria stood her ground, though her legs trembled slightly under the invisible pressure.
Yomi's voice dropped, colder now. "If you're trying to compare what I've done to what you do—using others like tools, chaining them to you like slaves—then you're demented." His words cut deep, and his Ki flared briefly, causing the air to hum.
Yomi's words struck like a shadow, sharp and deliberate, cutting through Aeloria's defenses. The weight of his statement hit her like a blow, leaving her gasping for a moment as she struggled to process the intensity behind them. She staggered slightly, her knuckles whitening as she gripped her staff for balance, refusing to let the impact of his words bring her down.
Her voice was strained but defiant. "What… do you want with Lirien?"
Yomi's gaze didn't waver, though the faintest flicker of irritation crossed his face. Before he could reply, Lirien stepped forward with a heavy sigh, placing a hand on Aeloria's shoulder.
"Stand down, Aeloria," she said quietly. "Just… sit down and let me explain."
Aeloria looked at her friend, conflict evident in her eyes. Finally, she relented, lowering her staff and stepping back to a chair, though her gaze remained locked on Yomi with unrelenting suspicion.
Lirien turned to Yomi, her expression resigned but resolute. "Alright," she said softly. "Let's talk."