Victor stirred awake as the coachman's voice broke through his slumber.
"We're here," the coachman announced, his voice gruff but friendly.
Victor rubbed his eyes, stretched, and grabbed his belongings from the seat beside him. The rattling of the coach wheels had stopped, replaced by the bustling sounds of the city beyond the carriage. He stood up and tossed two silver coins to the coachman.
"Thanks, Mr. Hubert," Victor said, stepping down from the carriage.
Hubert caught the coins deftly and gave a small chuckle. "Don't mention it. Just make sure to hire me again if you need a ride. It's my job, after all," he said, flashing a toothy smile.
"Yeah, yeah," Victor replied, giving a half-hearted wave as he walked off.
The familiar sights and sounds of Eldhaven, the capital of Caltrion, greeted him. The city was vibrant, alive with merchants shouting their wares and townsfolk bustling about their daily lives. High stone walls surrounded the sprawling urban expanse, their weathered surfaces standing as a testament to the city's long history.
Victor walked purposefully through the cobblestone streets, weaving through the crowd until he reached a blacksmith's shop. The air was heavy with the scent of molten metal and soot, and the rhythmic clang of a hammer on an anvil echoed from within.
"Oh, you're back," a deep voice rumbled as Victor entered. A stocky dwarven man with a long gray beard and piercing brown eyes looked up from his workbench. His apron was streaked with soot, and his hands were rough from years of forging.
"Doug," Victor greeted, dropping a burlap sack onto the counter with a dull thud. "I need you to fix my armor."
Doug raised an eyebrow, his expression a mix of annoyance and amusement. "First time I've seen you in a month, and you can't even say hello properly?" He opened the bag and began inspecting the battered armor inside.
Victor shrugged. "Hello, Doug. Happy?"
Doug snorted. "Not really, but I'll take it." He turned the armor over, frowning at the dents and scratches. "You've been rough on this, haven't you?"
"Had to be," Victor said plainly.
Doug shook his head. "Come back tomorrow. It'll be done by then."
"Thanks, Doug," Victor said, turning to leave.
"Yeah, yeah. Take care, youn'un," Doug called after him, already focused on the task at hand.
Victor stepped back into the bustling streets, the clamor of the market filling his ears. He glanced at the stalls lining the road, their colorful displays offering everything from ripe fruits to freshly baked bread. His stomach growled, reminding him he hadn't eaten since morning.
"What should I have for dinner?" he muttered to himself, scanning the options. "Ah, I'll just get something at the inn."
Lost in thought, Victor didn't notice the figure rushing toward him until the last second. He sidestepped instinctively, narrowly avoiding a collision. The girl, however, wasn't as lucky. She let out a startled yelp as she stumbled to the ground, her bag flying from her hands.
Victor's reflexes kicked in. He snatched the bag mid-air before it hit the ground. "Still as clumsy as ever, aren't you, Lily?" he said, looking down at her with a faint smirk.
The girl pushed herself up, brushing the dust from her dress. She had a natural, effortless beauty that could catch the attention of anyone in the bustling streets of Eldhaven. Her golden blonde hair shimmered under the sunlight, cascading in soft waves down her back. Loose strands framed her delicate face, giving her an almost ethereal glow.
Her piercing blue eyes were like clear skies on a summer's day, bright and expressive, brimming with life. They could shift between teasing mischief and earnest sincerity in an instant. Her features were soft but striking—high cheekbones, a small, upturned nose, and full lips that curved into a smile that could light up a room or disarm even the most hardened soul.
She wasn't just beautiful, she had an energy about her that made people take notice. It was in the way she carried herself—confident, lively, and unapologetically herself.
Victor tossed the bag into her arms with a grin. "You really should work on that coordination, you know."
The girl, with blonde hair that shimmered in the sunlight and striking blue eyes, glared up at him. Dust clung to her simple dress, and her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She snatched a small rock from the ground and hurled it at Victor without hesitation.
Victor tilted his head slightly, letting the rock sail harmlessly past. "Seriously?"
"Welcome back, Victor," Lily said, brushing herself off as she stood. Her voice carried a mix of exasperation and warmth. "But you could've caught me, you know."
Victor handed her the bag without a word.
"Don't smile at me like that. You just threw a rock at me," he retorted, watching as Lily clutched the bag to her chest. "Besides, I couldn't let your precious fruits go to waste."
Lily rolled her eyes. "You never change, do you? You could at least try to be a gentleman, like Lucas."
Victor raised an eyebrow. "Lucas? Really? The guy who tripped over his own feet trying to impress you?"
"At least he tried!" Lily shot back, her tone playful but pointed.
Victor sighed dramatically. "Yeah, well, I'm not Lucas. You should've figured that out by now."
"Don't I know it," Lily muttered, adjusting the bag on her shoulder. "So, what brings you back?
Lily's expression softened as she studied him. "Well, whatever it is, I'm glad you're back. Even if you're still insufferable."
"Good to see you too," Victor said, his voice softer than before. He turned to leave but paused for a moment. "Take care of yourself, Lily."
"You too," she replied, watching him walk away. "But you'd better stop by for dinner sometime! I've got more to say to you!"
Victor raised a hand in acknowledgment but didn't look back.
As he continued toward the quieter part of the city, his footsteps grew heavier. When he reached his house, the sight of the familiar structure stirred no emotions within him.
Standing before the door, he hesitated briefly. "I'm coming in," he muttered, pushing the door open.
The house was silent, empty as always. Dust covered the furniture, and faint streaks of light filtered through the closed curtains. Victor trudged to his room, his body sagging with exhaustion.
He opened the door, dropped his belongings to the floor, and collapsed right where he stood, his knees hitting the floor with a dull thud.
"Goddammit, I couldn't even make it to the bed," he muttered. His vision blurred, and the last thing he saw was the faint light streaming through the window before everything went black.