**Chapter 3: A Chance Encounter**
Alina stretched, rolling her shoulders as she took in the scenery around her. The forest still buzzed with the aftershocks of her battle, but she wasn't worried. If anything, the surge of power she had experienced had left her more exhilarated than exhausted.
Her stomach, however, had other opinions. It let out a loud grumble, demanding sustenance.
"Right," she muttered, placing a hand over her abdomen. "Superpowers don't fill the stomach."
As if on cue, the rustling of leaves caught her attention. Alina tensed, expecting another beast to charge at her. Instead, a small, white rabbit with golden eyes hopped into view, staring at her with an uncanny intelligence. It sniffed the air, then turned and darted away.
"Odd little thing." She sighed and turned in the opposite direction, hoping to find something edible.
Moments later, the rabbit returned—this time, tugging on her sleeve.
Alina raised an eyebrow. "You want me to follow you?"
The rabbit thumped its foot impatiently before bounding off again.
"Alright, alright. I get it," she muttered, following the strange creature through the dense forest.
After several minutes of walking, the trees gave way to a clearing where a crystal-clear pond shimmered under the sunlight. And beside it…
A man.
Alina stopped dead in her tracks.
The stranger was lounging by the water's edge, his long silver hair cascading down his back. His robe, a deep shade of midnight blue, was loosened slightly at the collar, revealing a glimpse of well-sculpted muscles. His face—ethereal and almost otherworldly—was graced with sharp cheekbones, a straight nose, and lips that seemed carved to smirk at the world.
And smirk he did, the moment he noticed her staring.
"Well, well," he drawled lazily, propping himself up on one elbow. "It seems I have an unexpected guest."
Alina felt heat rise to her face. Not because of his looks—though she could admit, privately, that he was dangerously attractive—but because she had walked right into an obviously awkward situation.
The rabbit thumped its foot beside her, seemingly pleased with itself.
"You set me up," she accused the fluffy traitor.
The man chuckled, his voice smooth as silk. "That little thing? I wouldn't be surprised. White Star Rabbits have a habit of meddling in affairs beyond their comprehension."
Alina sighed. "I was just looking for food."
He arched an eyebrow. "And instead, you found me. Some would call that fate."
"Some would call it bad luck," she countered, crossing her arms.
His smirk widened. "Feisty. I like that."
Alina rolled her eyes. "Look, I'll just go—"
Her words were cut off by a sudden loud *splash*—followed by a very wet, very panicked man flailing in the pond.
"…What."
She blinked, taking a moment to register that the graceful, untouchable man she had just met had unceremoniously slipped into the water. His elegant robe now clung to him, and his silver hair spread out like a halo.
And his expression? Pure mortification.
Alina snorted. Then, despite herself, she burst out laughing.
"Oh, this is *golden*," she wheezed, clutching her stomach. "The great, mysterious stranger, felled by slippery rocks!"
The man scowled. "Are you just going to stand there and mock me, or will you help me out?"
Alina smirked. "I think I'll mock you for a bit longer."
He huffed, pushing himself up and out of the water with surprising grace. "You're enjoying this far too much."
She wiped a tear from her eye. "Absolutely."
The rabbit, meanwhile, had nestled into her arms, clearly just as entertained by the situation.
Once he had composed himself, the man wrung out his robes with a dignified air, as though he hadn't just flopped into a pond like a drowning cat. "Since you're here, I suppose introductions are in order."
Alina raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And here I thought we were just two strangers fated to meet by a pond."
He chuckled. "You wound me." He placed a hand over his heart in mock injury. "Zephyr, of the Sky Shadow Sect."
Alina blinked. "Wait, *Zephyr*?"
He smirked. "Ah, so you *have* heard of me."
Alina groaned. "Oh, this just gets better and better. I met another Zephyr earlier—some arrogant guy who thought he could intimidate me."
Zephyr's smirk faltered. "Another Zephyr?"
"Yeah, silver hair, violet eyes, overly smug—wait." Alina's eyes narrowed. "*You're* the same Zephyr, aren't you?"
Zephyr cleared his throat. "That depends. Would my answer affect whether or not you keep laughing at my misfortune?"
Alina grinned. "Oh, definitely."
He sighed. "Then no, I have no idea who you're talking about."
She chuckled. "Nice try."
Zephyr studied her for a moment before shaking his head in amusement. "You're unlike anyone I've met before."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"You should. And since fate—or rather, a very nosy rabbit—brought you here, how about a deal?"
Alina crossed her arms. "I don't make deals with men who fall into ponds."
He chuckled. "Fair. But hear me out. You're clearly new to this world, and from what I saw back in the forest, you have quite the talent. Why not let me help you navigate things?"
Alina hesitated. He wasn't wrong—this world was vast and filled with dangers. Having someone with experience could be useful. But trusting someone so soon?
Zephyr must have sensed her reluctance because he held up his hands. "No strings attached. Think of it as… a temporary alliance."
She tilted her head. "And what do you get out of it?"
He grinned. "Entertainment. And maybe, just maybe, a worthy rival."
Alina smirked. "Fine. But if you fall into any more ponds, I'm leaving you there."
Zephyr laughed. "Deal."
As the two of them stood there, the rabbit thumped its foot once more, as if satisfied with its matchmaking work.
Alina sighed. "I swear, if you start shoving me into Zephyr's arms next, we're going to have a problem."
Zephyr smirked. "Oh? Planning on ending up in my arms already?"
Alina groaned. "I take it back. I *am* leaving you in the next pond."
And thus, an unexpected partnership was formed—one filled with adventure, magic, and, if the rabbit had any say in it, a hint of romance too.