Nico and Lila walked side by side, their footsteps quiet on the worn path leading back to the village square. The sunlight filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows along the road, and a gentle breeze stirred Lila's hair as she walked, her hand brushing against Nico's.
Nico felt his pulse quicken, surprised by the small gesture. But just as he was about to glance her way, her hand brushed his again, this time lingering. He felt a twinge of excitement and glanced over, catching her gaze. Lila's cheeks turned a slight shade of pink, but she didn't look away.
"Nico," she started, her voice soft and unsure. "I… I don't know how to say this, but…" Her words trailed off as she hesitated, her hand gripping his gently. Her gaze held his, and he felt a flutter of anticipation. Lila's usual playful confidence seemed replaced by something more serious, a look he hadn't seen in her before.
He smiled, squeezing her hand back. "You can say anything, Lila."
She took a breath, a faint smile playing on her lips as she looked up at him. "I just… I don't want you to ever think you're alone, Nico. I'll always be by your side, no matter what." Her cheeks flushed as she glanced away, embarrassed but resolute. "I… well, you mean a lot to me."
Nico's heart raced as he registered her words, a warmth spreading through his chest. He wasn't sure how to respond, but he didn't need to—her hand in his said more than enough. They continued in comfortable silence, fingers intertwined as they walked toward the village hall.
When they arrived, the mood shifted. The atmosphere in the village hall was heavy, and Nico felt the weight of the head council's attention as soon as they stepped inside. Garen, the village head, awaited them in his office, a serious look in his eyes.
"Thank you for coming," Garen said, gesturing for them to take a seat. Nico and Lila sat down, and Garen wasted no time. "I have some questions about what happened with the serpent attack," he began, his tone calm but probing. "Specifically, about the eagle that took down the serpent. It's… highly unusual, and I can't ignore the timing."
Nico kept his face neutral, though he felt the tension build. "I don't know what you're talking about," he replied, careful to keep his voice steady. "We were just watching like everyone else."
Garen's gaze remained fixed on him, searching. "An S-rank summoning doesn't just appear from thin air, especially not in a village like Dawnspire. And… you and Lila were the only ones not fighting when it happened."
Lila shifted uncomfortably, her hand brushing against Nico's leg under the table, a silent reassurance. Nico gave a small nod, maintaining his story. "I understand why it might seem that way, but it wasn't us."
Garen watched them for a moment, then leaned back, considering Nico's words. "If it was you, Nico," he said slowly, his voice a mix of curiosity and suspicion, "there'd be a reward. A favor. Something only the head council can offer."
Nico met his gaze, weighing his options. A part of him wanted to admit the truth, to claim the recognition he'd earned, but another part held him back. The thought of openly revealing his powers—powers he didn't fully understand himself—felt dangerous. "I'll… think about it," he finally said, keeping his response vague.
Garen nodded, though his expression didn't change. "Very well. If you change your mind, you know where to find me."
They left the hall in silence, tension lingering between them. Once outside, Lila sighed in relief. "That was close."
They made their way to the tavern, and as they settled in with their meal, Nico finally voiced the question that had been nagging at him. "Do you think we should tell him the truth? I mean… if they're offering a favor, it could be something we need."
Lila frowned, considering. "It's risky. If they knew what you could do… well, people might start seeing you as a weapon, not a person. But…" She paused, chewing her lip thoughtfully. "If we were careful, maybe we could use the favor to help protect the village, or make our lives here easier."
Nico nodded, realizing that she was right. "Then we'll think about it. But for now… let's keep it between us."
Lila smiled, relieved, and they spent the rest of their meal in lighthearted conversation. The tension from the council meeting faded as they shared stories and laughed, forgetting the day's challenges.
After their meal, they headed to the bathhouse to wash off the day's dust, the warm water soothing their muscles. They returned to their room at the inn, both feeling refreshed and relaxed. As they settled into their separate beds, the night was quiet, with only the faint sound of the wind outside.
Lila rolled onto her side, her gaze lingering on Nico in the dim light. "Nico?"
He turned to face her, surprised by the softness in her voice. "Yeah?"
"I'm glad… that we're doing this together," she murmured, a faint smile on her lips. "I don't think I could do any of this without you."
Nico felt his heart swell at her words, and he reached over, taking her hand gently. "Same here, Lila. I'm glad I have you with me."
They lay in silence, fingers intertwined, the warmth of her hand against his a comforting anchor. But just as Nico was drifting off, a sudden glow appeared near the center of the room.
A circle of faint, pulsing light took shape on the floor, glowing softly at first and then with increasing intensity. Lila gasped, and Nico sat up, instinctively pulling her close as they watched, wide-eyed, as the circle completed and a small creature appeared within it.
The creature was no more than a foot tall, a small wolf with silver fur and sharp, intelligent eyes. It met Nico's gaze, and to his shock, it spoke in a low, gravelly voice.
"Finally, we meet, Nico."