Hex stood, still fully chained, yet something about him had changed. He seemed taller, his muscles subtly more defined beneath the restraints, and his expression held a new intensity, one that seemed to radiate a quiet strength. But the most striking difference lay in his eyes—they had turned a fiery amber, almost glowing as torchlight danced across his face. He was no longer the tired, worn figure he'd been mere moments ago. He looked… revitalized.
Dahlia's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she watched him, her usual coldness softened, even replaced by fascination. She leaned in slightly, as if to examine every detail of this transformation. Perus, standing nearby, wore an expression of surprise that quickly shifted to concern, a flicker of fear passing over his face as he remembered the ruin encounter. The same strength, the same intense energy, had seemed to come alive within Hex back then too. "Dahlia, step back!" Perus shouted, his voice cracking slightly as he shifted into a defensive stance. He stared at Hex, anticipating danger.
But, as usual, Dahlia brushed him off, striding forward confidently. "You're quite the interesting specimen, Hex," she remarked, her voice tinged with a mix of intrigue and admiration. Hex felt the weight of her gaze, but there was something unsettling about it—like he was a prized animal being assessed by its owner.
Still disoriented, Hex blinked, his voice shaky. "Wha… what… what just happened?" He could still feel the chains, cold and harsh around his wrists, but his body… it was as if he'd been restored to his younger self, full of vigor and strength.
"It seems you've gotten your dignity back," Dahlia replied, her lips curling into a faint smile that was almost… congratulatory. "The experiments turned out well for both of us." Her words carried an unsettling satisfaction, as though his improvement was nothing more than a scientific result she had expected.
Hex raised his shackled arms, staring down at them with astonishment. His skin, which had felt so brittle and frail, was now taut, youthful, and unmarred by the ravages of time. Strength pulsed through his limbs, invigorating him. He raised a hand to his face, feeling the smoothness, the absence of wrinkles. His heart leapt, and a slow smile spread across his face as he whispered to himself, "I'm… I'm back to normal. Finally!" But the elation was short-lived. As the words left his mouth, his smile faded, replaced by a shadow of worry.
Dahlia noticed his hesitation, a curious gleam in her eye. "What's the matter?" she asked, cocking her head slightly. "Are you still in pain?"
Hex shook his head, letting out a sigh, though he forced a playful smirk. "No, it's just that…well, the whole 'impending sense of death' thing makes it hard to celebrate," he quipped, his attempt at humor masking his inner turmoil. He could feel the weight of a looming, ominous future pressing on him.
Dahlia regarded him with a flat expression, one brow arching slightly. "Aren't you the one who said he likes to stay positive in bad situations?" she asked, her tone laced with a hint of teasing, as though mocking his earlier resilience.
Hex returned her gaze, equally deadpan. "Are you dumb? Sure, I like being positive and laughing, but that doesn't mean I want to die!" His tone was light, mocking dahlia
Dahlia's brow twitched as a vein subtly pulsed on her forehead, annoyance flashing in her eyes. "So says the oaf who ran into a confined ruin while being chased by a mage."
Hex scratched the back of his neck, a sheepish look crossing his face. "Alright, maybe that wasn't my best idea. But I didn't exactly have time to think, did I?" His voice trailed off, the embarrassment clear in his tone. "Besides, I did manage to get rid of the guards around the ruins… and I escaped from a band of mercenaries too." He shot her a challenging look, as if daring her to admit his resourcefulness.
Dahlia placed a hand on her chin, as if pondering his words. "The bees? That was you?" Her tone held a faint note of impressed surprise. "I thought some foolish soldier had stirred up a hive nearby. How did you pull that off?"
Hex's smirk widened, a glint of pride brightening his eyes. "Easy. Honey roses. Mix them with the right ingredients, and they produce a scent bees can't resist. Then, with a slight adjustment, it makes an odor they can't stand—like a repellent. That's why they didn't come after me; I'd covered myself in it."
Dahlia's eyes narrowed, her intrigue deepening. "Hmm... impressive," she murmured, the faintest trace of a smile gracing her lips. "Where did you learn that?"
Hex shrugged, still wearing that smug look. "I practically live in the wilderness—hunting, foraging, you name it. I've picked up a few things here and there." He spoke with a casual confidence.
Dahlia raised an eyebrow, a trace of empathy in her expression that surprised even her. "That sounds rather lonely," she said softly, her tone unusually gentle.
At her words, Hex's expression dimmed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "It is," he replied, his voice quiet, almost vulnerable. He looked down, as though lost in thought, and for a brief moment, the playful, resilient Hex seemed to vanish, replaced by a man who had endured far too much solitude.
Perus, observing from the sidelines, felt a pang of sympathy, though he tried to mask it with stoic demeanor. Dahlia shrugged, saying. "You may be dumber than a sack of rocks, but at least you're quick-witted."
A vein bulged on Hex's forehead as he straightened, his pride wounded. "Stop calling me dumb."
"Why?" Dahlia shot back with a smirk. "You are dumb, after all."
The two began to bicker, their banter playful yet tinged with irritation, like siblings who couldn't help but clash. Perus watched them from the corner, feeling almost forgotten, a faint pout forming on his face as he glanced between them. Finally, he interrupted, his tone tinged with mild annoyance. "Glad you two are having so much fun," he said, his voice edged with sarcasm, "but Dahlia has matters to attend to."
Dahlia glanced at him, arching an eyebrow in disdain. "No, I don't," she replied, her tone flat.
"Yes, you do," Perus insisted, crossing his arms, though his face betrayed a hint of nervousness as he held his ground.
Dahlia tilted her head, her gaze skeptical. "Matters like what, exactly?" Her voice dripped with challenge.
Perus froze, caught off guard. "Uh…well…you…uh…" He wracked his mind, desperately searching for an answer. Remembering her mention of the ruins, he blurted, "You said you were going back to the ruins!"
Dahlia's lips curved into a sly smile, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "Look who's volunteering information to a criminal," she teased.
Perus felt his cheeks flush, stammering, "I...uh...it was just a mistake." Embarrassed, he turned away, while Dahlia chuckled softly.
Perus couldn't help but glance back, a bit of nostalgia softening his gaze. It's been some time since I've seen her laugh, he thought, and the sight stirred something gentle within him.
Dahlia continued, her tone shifting back to business. "Now that you mention it, I did plan on going back." She turned to Hex, her expression once again cold and calculating. "It seems you're familiar with the forests in this region."
Hex shrugged, the playfulness back in his eyes. "Not particularly, but I know most of the wildlife around here. This is my first time in the Krelar region, though."
Dahlia murmured, almost to herself, "That should suffice."
Hex's brow furrowed as he eyed her curiously. "Why do you ask?"
Dahlia's lips curled into a smile, and her eyes held a glint of anticipation. "Because I want you to come with us."