Inside their cozy cabin, the night air was cool, and the soft crackling of the fireplace filled the room with a gentle warmth. 

Zach and Ruby sat together on a long, cushioned bench in the living room, the flames casting a golden glow on their faces. 

The light flickered across the wooden walls, creating a serene and calming atmosphere.

Ruby leaned back, her shoulder brushing against Zach's, her eyes fixed on the dancing flames.

She murmured with a soft smile. 

"It feels good to finally sit down and rest."

Zach nodded, his gaze distant as he stared into the fire. 

"Yeah, it does," he agreed. 

"It's been a long day." 

He glanced at her, taking in the way her hair shone in the firelight, a cascade of curls that seemed to glow. 

Ruby broke the silence first, her voice soft. 

"I've been thinking about the village," she said. 

"Haerak mentioned they're facing a shortage of food supplies and other resources."

Zach nodded again, his expression thoughtful. 

"Yeah, it's worrying. When we were walking through earlier, I saw the faces of the villagers. They're trying to keep their spirits up, but you can tell they're struggling. It's been hard on them."

Ruby's expression softened, a look of empathy crossing her face. 

"They're doing everything they can with what they have," she said quietly. 

"But there's only so much they can do when the supplies keep dwindling."

Zach sighed, running a hand through his hair. 

"The lack of food is one thing," he said. 

"But it's not just that. It's the whole picture—wood, coal, herbs, and medicine. They're running low on everything. I can't help but feel like we need to do something to help."

Ruby turned to face him, a gentle smile tugging at her lips. 

"You've got that look in your eyes," she teased. 

"You're already thinking about what we can do, aren't you?"

Zach let out a small chuckle, his eyes crinkling at the corners. 

"I guess I am," he admitted. 

"But can you blame me? We've faced challenges before, but this feels different. It's not just a battle we can fight head-on. It's a problem that requires a different kind of solution."

He paused, his expression turning serious. 

"And there's something else that's been on my mind," he said slowly, glancing at Ruby. 

"The 'witch' that Haerak mentioned earlier."

Ruby's smile faded slightly as she recalled the conversation. 

"The Mistress of Death," she said quietly. 

"Evelori, the necromancer who resides in the Luminary Tower."

Zach nodded, his jaw clenched slightly. 

"Yeah. Haerak said she's been causing trouble for this village—stealing their livestock, experimenting on them in cruel ways. It's no wonder the villagers are terrified."

Ruby shivered at the thought, her face pale. 

"I can't even imagine seeing something like that," she whispered. 

"A witch dissecting animals, melting them down to nothing but bones... it's horrifying."

Zach reached out, taking her hand in his. 

He gave it a gentle squeeze, his thumb brushing over her knuckles in a soothing gesture. 

"It is," he agreed. 

"And it makes me wonder what else she's capable of. If she's willing to do that to animals, what would she do if she decided to target the villagers?"

Ruby looked up at him, her eyes filled with concern. 

"You think she might come after them directly?"

Zach's expression darkened. 

"I don't know," he admitted. 

"But if the villagers are struggling this much, and if she's truly the one behind their shortages, then she's already hurting them in her own way."

Ruby bit her lip, looking down at their intertwined hands. 

"Do you think we can help them, Zach? I mean... we've fought enemies before, but this feels different. She's not just an opponent. She's a force of nature, an unknown entity."

Zach was silent for a moment, lost in thought. 

Then he looked back at her, his gaze steady and determined. 

"We'll find a way," he said firmly. 

"We always do."

They sat in silence for a while, the fire crackling softly, filling the room with a comforting warmth. 

Ruby leaned her head against Zach's shoulder, her eyes closing for a moment as she took a deep breath.

"It's strange," she murmured. 

"Being here, in this quiet cabin, it almost feels like we're worlds away from the problems outside. But I know we can't ignore what's happening."

Zach wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close. 

"We'll deal with it when the time comes," he said gently. 

"For now, let's just take this moment to breathe, to be together."

Ruby smiled, her eyes fluttering open as she looked up at him. 

She whispered.

"You always know how to make me feel better."

He grinned down at her, his eyes soft with affection. 

He teased lightly.

"That's because you make it easy."

Ruby laughed, the sound bright and clear in the quiet room. 

"You're too sweet, you know that?"

Zach chuckled, pressing a kiss to her forehead. 

He murmured.

"Only for you."

They sat together for a while longer, simply enjoying each other's company. 

The conversation drifted to lighter topics—their favorite memories from their travels, funny stories from their past adventures, and dreams they had for the future.

"I still want to visit the crystal caves in the South," Ruby said wistfully, her eyes shining. 

"Remember when we read about them? The way the light refracts through the crystals, creating rainbows all around?"

Zach nodded, a smile tugging at his lips. 

"Yeah, I remember. Last time you've talked about that was days just before our attack on Drakonium. One day, we'll go there. I promise."

Ruby's smile softened, her eyes filled with a tender light. 

"I'll hold you to that."

Zach's smile grew, and he leaned in, resting his forehead against hers. 

"Good," he whispered. 

"Because I want to see it too. With you."

They stayed like that for a while, foreheads pressed together, sharing a quiet moment of peace and comfort. 

The worries of the world outside seemed distant and small compared to the warmth of their shared bond, the love that held them together even in the darkest times.

Finally, Ruby pulled back slightly, looking up at him with a playful grin. 

"So, what's the plan, Captain?" she teased. 

"How are we going to save the village from a witch?"

Zach laughed, shaking his head. 

"One step at a time," he said. 

"First, we need to understand what we're dealing with. Then we'll figure out how to fight it."

Ruby nodded, her eyes filled with determination. 

"Then let's do it together," she said. 

"No matter what comes, we'll face it side by side."

Zach's heart swelled with emotion, and he pulled her into a tight hug. 

"Always," he whispered into her hair. 

"Always."

△▼△▼△▼△

The cozy warmth of the cabin was interrupted by a soft knock on the door. 

Ruby was about to rise, her hand lifting off Zach's arm, but Zach gently pushed her back down, offering her a reassuring smile.

"You've had a long day yesterday," he said softly. 

"I'll get it. Just sit and relax for a moment."

Ruby gave him a grateful nod, leaning back into the cushion. 

She watched as Zach made his way to the door, his footsteps light but purposeful. 

He pulled the door open to reveal Haerak standing at the front, his face a mix of resolve and worry. 

Behind him stood Lyra and Seraphina, their expressions serious but determined.

"Haerak and Seraphina... And you're Lyra, right?" Zach greeted, a hint of surprise in his voice. 

"What brings you here?"

Haerak gave a small bow of his head in respect. 

"We hope we're not disturbing you, Zach," he began, his voice low and laden with concern. 

"But this matter cannot wait any longer. I'm sorry for the sudden intrusion."

Zach shook his head, a reassuring smile on his face. 

"It's okay," he said. 

"Come in, all of you."

He stepped aside to let them enter, and Ruby sat up a bit straighter, giving them a warm smile as they walked in. 

The trio made their way to the living room, where the crackling fire added a comforting glow to the tense atmosphere.

Zach took his seat next to Ruby, facing the three visitors. 

"You mentioned something about the witch earlier today," he said, his tone serious now. 

"Evelori, the necromancer. What do you need our help with?"

Haerak took a deep breath, exchanging a glance with Lyra and Seraphina before speaking. 

"Yes," he confirmed. 

"Evelori has been a growing threat to our village. I know it's a lot to ask of you all, especially after you've already done so much for us. But we're running out of options. The villagers are struggling, and we can't keep losing our livestock and supplies. The attacks are becoming more frequent."

Zach's face softened. 

"Haerak," he said gently.

"You don't have to apologize. We've faced threats before, and if there's a chance we can help your village, we will. But tell me—what exactly do you need us to do?"

Haerak's shoulders seemed to relax slightly at Zach's words, a look of gratitude in his eyes. 

"Thank you," he said earnestly. 

"We've already begun some preparations, but we need your skills, your experience in dealing with dangerous foes."

Lyra stepped forward, her voice calm but firm. 

"Seraphina and I have been working on a strategy," she said. 

"If we're to find the Luminary Tower and confront Evelori, we need to be ready for anything. We don't know what kind of magic she wields, but we can't assume it will be anything less than powerful."

Zach nodded, leaning forward, his expression serious. 

"What preparations have you made so far?"

Seraphina's eyes lit up with a mixture of excitement and determination. 

"I've been brewing a set of potions that could help us in various scenarios," she began, her voice quickening with enthusiasm. 

"One is a protection elixir, meant to shield us from dark magic. It's made from a blend of nightshade, moonstone dust, and enchanted rosemary. The potion creates a temporary barrier against necrotic energies."

Zach's eyebrows raised slightly, impressed. 

"That sounds incredibly useful. How long does the barrier last?"

"About an hour," Seraphina replied.

"But if we take it just before facing Evelori, it should give us enough time to withstand her initial attacks. I've also brewed a potion of clarity, made from lavender, sage, and crushed opal. It helps sharpen the senses, counteracting any illusions or mind tricks she might use."

Lyra chimed in, her voice steady. 

"And while Seraphina was working on the potions, I've been crafting weapons," she said. 

"I've forged a set of enchanted arrows using silver and ironwood. The tips are dipped in a concoction that includes holy water and powdered sunlight stone. These arrows are designed to pierce through dark energy and disrupt her spells. I've also made a few throwing knives with the same materials, for close-range combat."

Zach's eyes gleamed with admiration for their preparations. 

 He said, his voice filled with respect.

"You two have really thought this through."

Lyra gave a nod, her expression serious. 

"We had to. Evelori is not an ordinary enemy. If the stories are true, she's been experimenting with dark magic for decades, maybe centuries. Her knowledge of necromancy is likely far beyond anything we've ever faced."

Haerak's face darkened as he spoke next. 

"We've also been gathering intelligence," he said quietly. 

"A few of the villagers who were brave enough to scout the outskirts reported seeing strange lights in the forest at night, flickering like will-o'-the-wisps. We believe those are her experiments, trying to draw out the life force of the forest itself."

Ruby shivered at the thought, her face filled with concern. 

"It's horrifying to think what she might be capable of."

She murmured. 

"If she's this powerful, how do we even stand a chance?"

Haerak's expression softened. 

"That's why we need you," he said. 

"Your skills, your experience as warriors. You've faced powerful foes before. We've done what we can to prepare, but we need your strength to face this threat head-on."

Zach leaned back slightly, taking a deep breath as he processed everything they had said. 

The room was silent for a moment, the weight of the situation settling in. 

He looked at Ruby, their eyes meeting in a silent exchange of determination.

Finally, Zach turned back to Haerak, Lyra, and Seraphina. 

"You've done an incredible job preparing for this," he said. 

"Your potions, your weapons, they're all smart choices. But if we're going to do this, we need to work together as a team. We need to combine our skills with yours."

Lyra's eyes brightened with hope. 

She asked, her voice filled with a mix of relief and anticipation.

"Does that mean you'll help us?" 

Zach gave a firm nod. 

"Yes," he said. 

"We'll help you. But we need to plan this carefully. We can't rush into it without knowing what we're up against."

Seraphina's face broke into a wide smile. 

"Thank you, Zach," she said earnestly. 

"You don't know how much this means to us."

Haerak stepped forward, his eyes filled with gratitude. 

"I cannot express how much this means to the village," he said quietly. 

"We've been living in fear for so long. Just knowing that you're willing to help gives us hope."

Zach gave him a reassuring smile. 

"We'll do everything we can," he promised. 

"We're in this together. 'As one.'"

Lyra nodded, her face serious but hopeful. 

"Then we should start strategizing as soon as possible," she said. 

"We need to map out the forest, plan our route, and figure out the best way to approach the Luminary Tower without alerting Evelori."

Seraphina's eyes gleamed with determination. 

"And I'll keep brewing potions," she said. 

"We'll need every advantage we can get."

Haerak gave a final nod. 

"Thank you again," he said, his voice thick with emotion. 

"You have no idea what this means to us."

Zach nodded back, his expression firm and resolute. 

"We'll face this together," he said. 

"And we'll find a way to stop her."

As the three visitors left the cabin, Zach closed the door behind them, turning back to Ruby with a determined look in his eyes. 

He said quietly.

"It looks like we've got our work cut out for us."

Ruby gave him a small, encouraging smile. 

"We've faced impossible odds before," she said gently. 

"And we've always come out stronger. This time won't be any different."

Zach took her hand, giving it a squeeze. 

"Hopefully. One thing I can say for sure is that we'll do this together." 

Suddenly—

An eyeball the size of a fist, bloodshot and veined, scuttles into the cabin's window.

It has two thin, bony legs that drag across the floor, leaving a slimy, wet trail behind. 

A single, malformed arm juts from its side, clutching a tiny vial of glowing green liquid that bubbles and hisses. 

Its gaze flicks erratically around the room, the iris dilating and contracting as if it's searching, hungry. 

△▼△▼△▼△

The door clicked shut behind Haerak, Seraphina, and Lyra as they stepped out of Zach and Ruby's cabin. 

The evening air was cool, and the sun was sinking behind the treetops, casting long shadows over EmberWind Village. 

They walked quietly at first, the conversation they just had with Zach still lingering in their minds.

After a moment, Haerak broke the silence, his voice barely above a whisper. 

"I wonder when Micah and Killian will return," he said, his eyes distant as he gazed towards the northwest, where the Dead Forest loomed like a dark scar against the horizon. 

"It's been days since they left. I thought we'd see them back by now."

Seraphina's face softened with concern. 

"The Dead Forest is a dangerous place," she murmured. 

"Even for hunters like them. It's not just the creatures that roam there—there's a darkness in the soil itself. I've heard tales of the ground swallowing people whole, of whispers that lead you astray."

Lyra nodded, her expression grim. 

"But if anyone can handle it, it's those two. Micah and Killian are the best hunters and trackers in our village," she said. 

"They've always had a way of navigating places others wouldn't dare enter. They've been our eyes and ears in places where light doesn't reach."

Haerak managed a small, wistful smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. 

"Micah's got her trusty dao sword," he said softly. 

"She's been carrying it since she was a boy. And Killian... I've never seen anyone wield a blade with such precision. They've always been inseparable, ever since we built this village together." 

He sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. 

"I just wish they were here now. I didn't even get to introduce them to the Renaissance Band."

Seraphina gave him a comforting pat on the back. 

"Haerak, they'll be back," she said gently. 

"Those two are stubborn. They wouldn't let a cursed forest stop them from coming home. They're probably knee-deep in some ancient ruin right now, arguing over who gets to pick up a shiny rock first."

Lyra chuckled, but there was a hint of sadness in her laugh. 

"Yeah, that sounds like them," she agreed. 

"Micah always looking for treasures, and Killian trying to keep her from falling into traps."

Haerak's face softened at the thought, but the worry lingered in his eyes. 

"They've faced dangers before, but this time feels different. They went searching for the Luminary Tower... the place where Evelori, the necromancer witch, is said to reside. I don't like the thought of them out there, facing that alone."

Seraphina nodded. 

"The witch's presence has only grown stronger. We've all felt it—there's a coldness in the air, a whisper in the wind that chills the bones. If Micah and Killian find the tower... they'll need to be careful."

Lyra stepped closer, her voice quiet. 

"We'll be ready to help them, Haerak. Once they return, we'll figure this out together."

Haerak gave her a grateful look, but his smile was tinged with sadness. 

"I should have introduced them to our new allies," he said quietly. 

"Micah and Killian would've liked Zach and the others. They would've wanted to meet the people who've come to help us."

The three of them walked in silence for a while—

Their thoughts with the two siblingas who were out there—

Somewhere in the Dead Forest. 

The quiet was broken by the sound of laughter coming from a nearby cluster of villagers.

As they turned a corner, a surprising sight met their eyes.

Jiighual, Yzavynne, and Leeani standing near a group of villagers. 

The trio was handing out food—warm bowls of stew, freshly baked bread, and small portions of smoked fish with their set up of crates and bags.

The villagers, many of whom were children and the elderly, accepted the food with wide smiles and grateful words.

Haerak paused, his eyes widening slightly in surprise. 

"Is that... Jiighual?" he murmured, blinking as if he couldn't quite believe it. 

"Handing out food?"

Seraphina's eyes sparkled with amusement. 

"It sure is," she said with a grin. 

"Looks like the Warrior of Gluttony is doing a bit of giving today."

Serapina added with a laugh, her voice ringing out. 

"Well, I never thought I'd see the day. Jiighual sharing his food willingly? What's next, Kazaks offering to lead a meditation class?"

Lyra laughed. 

"Maybe he's saving up karma points. He must have realized he can't eat all the food in the world alone."

Haerak chuckled, shaking his head. 

"It's good to see them like this," he said softly. 

"The Renaissance Band has brought a new kind of energy to the village, our village. It's almost like they've been part of us all along."

They made their way closer, catching snippets of the conversation between Jiighual and the villagers.

△▼△▼△▼△

"Here you go, Miss Eldra," Jiighual said, handing a bowl to an elderly woman with a warm smile. 

"Made this one extra spicy, just like you like it."

Miss Eldra cackled, her eyes twinkling with delight. 

"You're a sweetheart, Jiighual," she said. 

"If you keep feeding me like this, I might just adopt you as my grandson!"

Jiighual let out a deep, hearty laugh. 

"Well, if you're making those honey cakes of yours, I'd say we have a deal!"

Yzavynne rolled her eyes, but there was a smile tugging at her lips. 

"You're incorrigible, Jiighual," she teased. 

"You're supposed to be sharing, not bargaining for cakes."

Leeani was busy handing a bowl to a young child, patting his head with a gentle smile. 

"Eat up, little one. This will keep you warm tonight."

The child beamed up at her, clutching the bowl as if it were a treasure. 

"Thank you, Miss Leeani!"

But as the trio continued distributing food, an unsettling feeling crept into their interactions. 

A villager, a tall man with an unnervingly stiff posture, approached Jiighual. 

He reached out his hand for a bowl, his fingers barely curling around it. 

His eyes were wide, staring unblinking, their gaze fixed almost through Jiighual rather than at him.

"Here you go, friend," Jiighual said, offering a polite smile. 

"What's your name?"

The man did not respond, only stared, his lips moving as if he was trying to remember how to form words. 

An awkward silence stretched between them. 

Jiighual's smile faltered slightly, a flicker of confusion crossing his face.

"Alright then... enjoy the stew," 

As the man stepped away, Yzavynne's eyes followed him, a frown creasing her brow.

"Did you see that?" she whispered to Leeani. 

"He didn't blink once."

Leeani's smile faded as she watched the man walk stiffly into the crowd, disappearing between the villagers. 

"Yeah... something about him felt off. Almost like he wasn't really... present."

They both exchanged uneasy glances before Yzavynne brushed it off with a forced smile. 

She said, trying to sound casual, though the odd encounter left a cold prickle down her spine.

"Maybe just a shy one."

A moment later, another figure appeared before them—a woman this time, wearing an expression that felt almost painted on, her eyes glassy and unmoving. 

She reached out for a bowl, her hand shaking slightly. 

Leeani hesitated but handed the bowl over.

"Here you go," she said, forcing herself to smile. 

"Enjoy it."

The woman nodded mechanically, turning away without a word.

 Leeani muttered under her breath, her eyes narrowing as she watched the woman disappear into the crowd.

"Something's not right."

Yzavynne glanced at Jiighual, who was still looking after the strange man he had encountered. 

She asked quietly.

"Did you get a bad feeling too?" 

Jiighual gave a slow nod, his jovial expression now replaced with a frown. 

"Yeah. That guy felt... wrong. Like he was just going through the motions."

Haerak, Seraphina, and Lyra exchanged glances, smiles spreading across their faces.

Seraphina called out to them. 

"What's this? A feast for the villagers? And here I thought you'd eaten everything yourselves, Jiighual!"

Jiighual looked up, a playful smirk on his face. 

"Oh, come on, Seraphina! You know me better than that. I save at least some of the good stuff for sharing," he said, his tone mock-serious. 

"It's called strategic rationing!"

Seraphina burst into laughter. 

"Strategic rationing, my foot! You just didn't have enough room in your stomach for all of it, did you?"

Jiighual feigned a wounded look. 

"I'll have you know," he said, placing a hand over his heart.

"That I am a changed man. I've decided to embrace the spirit of giving! Who knew it could be just as satisfying as eating?"

Yzavynne snorted. 

"You mean you just found a way to eat more by making friends with all the cooks in the village, didn't you?"

Jiighual gave her a wink. "You caught me," he admitted, laughing. 

"But hey, at least everyone's getting fed, right?"

Haerak stepped forward, a warm smile on his face. 

"I'm proud of you, Jiighual," he said genuinely. 

"This means a lot to the villagers. Many of them have been struggling to put food on the table."

Jiighual's expression softened, and he gave a small nod. 

"I know," he said quietly. 

"It felt good to give something back for once. I've always been the one taking, hoarding for myself. But today... it felt right to share."

Leeani gave him a playful nudge. 

"You're not so bad, Jiighual," she said with a grin.

"For a Warrior of Gluttony, you're turning out to be pretty generous."

Jiighual chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. 

"Maybe I'm redefining what gluttony means," he said. 

"It's not just about taking everything for yourself. It can be about sharing the bounty, spreading the joy of a good meal."

Lyra smiled warmly. 

"I like the sound of that," she said. 

"You've got a big heart, Jiighual. And a big stomach too, but hey, that's part of your charm."

Jiighual shot her a playful glare. 

"Don't get used to it," he said, though there was a smile on his lips. 

"This is a one-time special offer. Limited time only!"

Leeani laughed, handing a bowl to a young girl who looked up at her with wide, sparkling eyes. 

"You're a good man, Jiighual," she said warmly. 

"Even if you pretend not to be."

Seraphina shook her head, a fond smile on her face. 

"I think I'm going to like this new, generous Jiighual," she said teasingly. 

"Maybe we'll keep him around a bit longer."

Haerak watched the scene with a bittersweet smile, thinking of Micah and Killian once more

He wished his old friends were here to see this—

This moment of unity and hope. 

═════ ◆ TO BE CONTINUED ◆ ═════