The evening was quiet and serene. The lively atmosphere that hung over Elgado during the day had diminished. There were occasional sailors or hunters still up working, but not nearly as many as usual. After closing up his shop for the day, Oboro went straight to his room. Reika was at the desk, drawing as she'd been doing the past couple of days while she recovered. Silently, the merchant went to peer over her shoulder. On her scroll was yet another drawing of Lagi. It was her third one.

"That's a beautiful one," the man complimented. "That waterfall backdrop creates a gorgeous scene."

Reika smiled, glancing over her shoulder at him. "Lagi and I loved that place. There were rarely any monsters. We would sit there under the flowing waters, cooling off from the heat."

Reika had spent much of her time drawing and grieving while she remained in Oboro's room. Lagi was constantly on her mind. Oboro did his best to comfort her, and fortunately, the more she talked things out with him, the more open she seemed to be about traveling together. She was starting to realize how much she wanted and needed a companion.

Oboro bent down, resting his hands on her shoulders and nuzzling the side of her head. "Don't stay up too late."

"I won't." The woman giggled at the affection. "Let me just finish the details on Lagi, then I'll join you."

Oboro pulled away with a smile, shedding his outer robes and letting his hair down. He got into bed, breathing deeply after a long day of studying in between his business. Reika worked on finishing the details on Lagi's scales and face. It was silent, and she was almost certain her roommate had fallen asleep already. By the time she finished her drawing, a yawn made her realize just how tired her eyes felt. She quietly made her way over to the bed, smiling to herself at the handsome man in a peaceful slumber. Or so she thought. As soon as she climbed into bed beside him, his brown eyes peeled open slightly. He reached for her arm, gently tugging her closer, to which she obliged. Reika went right to sleep snuggled into his warmth. She didn't awaken again until the hustle and bustle of the outpost grew too noisy to bear.

Her green eyes fluttered open, finding Oboro missing. That wasn't unusual. He'd been up before her every morning since she'd stayed with him. He was a busy man, after all. Sitting up, she undid the front of her kimono and pulled it down to check on the wound. It was mostly healed up with a bit of scabbing remaining, and although it still hurt to put pressure on it, it was no longer painful to move around. It would most likely leave a scar. Reika was ready to get out of that room at that point. She cleaned herself up and packed away all her new drawings into her pouch. That first breath of fresh air when she stepped outside was glorious. It was like her energy was renewed. Apparently, Oboro's room was situated around other small units of housing for those working in Elgado.

Reika found herself greeting every friendly passerby. Quite a few people had heard of her condition, so when she was seen up and moving around, it made many breathe a sigh of relief. She walked out to the plaza where she spotted two familiar faces heading for the research lab.

"Tadori. Bahari." With a smile, she approached them, noticing their expressions brighten. "Good morning."

"A good morning indeed!" Bahari exclaimed. "Glad to see you back on your feet. I can't even begin to imagine how boring it must've been lying around doing nothing while you healed. You are one strong gal! If it were me, I would've gone mad!"

Tadori nodded slightly, but otherwise dismissed his eccentric friend's comment. "How are you feeling? Is your injury better?"

Reika instinctively placed a hand over her abdomen. "I'm alright. And the injury has nearly healed with the help of your medicines." She gazed up at the taller man with gratitude. "Thank you, Tadori."

The doctor's smile visibly widened. "Well, Bahari and I had best return to our research. Finding a solution to these anomalies isn't easy."

Reika had a sudden thought, and halted the pair before they could leave. "Wait, I want to help."

They looked back at her with Bahari crossing his arms. "Not that I doubt your skills or knowledge, but we're focusing solely on the Qurios' influence. I don't know if that falls into your area of expertise."

"Do you still have the Qurio the knights captured from the Jungle?"

"We do," Tadori replied, catching on to what she was thinking. "Perhaps you can glean more from it than we can. Best do it swiftly, for there's no way of knowing how much longer it can survive without nourishment."

Bahari gave in and led them to the building near the Tea Shop where his fellow researchers helped him. Upon going inside, the subject of Reika's interest was in a cage on one of the desks, breathing softly where it laid. The woman eagerly drew closer to see it better. Leaning in, she stared at the Qurio. Tadori could tell she was already in the zone from the way she studied every aspect of it, even reaching through the bars to touch it. It would chitter softly like a cohoot chick, but otherwise, remained quiet and still. At least a couple of hours ticked by of the Wyverian studying the strange animal. She ran her own little tests to hopefully find answers, writing numerous little notes on the blank papers by the cage.

"How's the research going?"

"Swimmingly," Reika replied, barely paying attention to the speaker as she scribbled more notes. "I think I've found just-" She paused when she turned her head to see not only Tadori, but Oboro as well. "Oh, my apologies. I didn't expect company."

"Pardon my intrusion, but Doctor Tadori told me you were aiding the research team." Oboro wore a proud smile. "So? I'd like to hear what you've uncovered."

Bahari stepped into the little lab, gently brushing past his fellow Wyverians to take a look at Reika's notes. "Whoa! I'm digging these theories! Care to elaborate in greater detail?"

Reika looked at the Qurio, leaning toward its cage. "Well, for starters, this creature isn't a Wyvern as far as my analysis can tell. However, it could still be in its juvenile stage, similar to a Giggi. Classifying it is difficult, as it would best fit into an endemic life category. But the problem is that these Qurio are completely unnatural. The way they steal life from everything around them devastates entire ecosystems. 'Parasite' is perhaps the best term for them."

Tadori nodded in agreement. "I'm afraid that's the only term for it. Not only do they gorge themselves on the lifeblood of other creatures, but their bite alone can afflict their target with that terrible blight."

"After Gaismagorm was slain, the Qurio scattered to search for a new host," Bahari added. "But other than the Archdemon and Malzeno, every beast becomes nothing more than a frenzied puppet to the blight."

"I don't doubt that," Reika responded. "Even now, I can feel that this little Qurio is…lonely. Sad, even. It's as if it has no further purpose. Without a host to follow, it desperately seeks another worthy of forming a symbiotic relationship with. And the swarm of them…will turn this land into a barren waste if they keep this up." It grew silent momentarily, the group thinking on the grim subject. The woman sighed softly. "Though I would never wish for any creature to face extinction, the Qurio must be stopped. There has to be a way to exterminate them - all of them."

Oboro frowned slightly at the frustrated clenching of her fists. She was certainly thinking of Lagi again - of the horrible fate due to these life-stealing creatures. He knew this was important to her, and it was a dire situation for all of them. The Qurio were a constant threat, he knew that. He reached out to take her hands, feeling her fists loosen in his hold.

"Perhaps you could use a break. Would you like to come to the Tea Shop with me?"

Reika turned her head toward Tadori, who held a hand up before she could say a word. "Go on. Bahari's already hard at work based on your notes." He nodded toward his friend who was already writing more things down while referencing Reika's observations. "You can join us again after your break." A knowing smile appeared on his face. "You and Oboro have quite a bit to discuss, I'd say."

Reika blushed slightly. "T-Tadori…" She wasn't really surprised that he knew of their relationship. The few times he checked on her while she was recuperating, Oboro and she would usually be showing affection or talking privately.

Bahari didn't even look at them, but waved a hand dismissively. "You two lovebirds go have fun."

"Okay then," Reika replied, looking to Oboro to see his cheeks showing the slightest hint of pink. "Let's go. I could go for some dango anyway. Hinoa's gotten me obsessed with them nearly as much as she is."

Keeping their hands connected, Oboro led her out of the lab and over to the Tea Shop where they sat down and ordered some treats. It was quiet for a short time, peacefully so, and the pair enjoyed tasty dango and relaxing tea together.

"So, I'm guessing you're going to join the research team temporarily," the merchant spoke up, turning his gaze to her.

Reika nodded, locking eyes with him. "Yes. I owe it to everyone here to lend my expertise to the research of the Qurio. And I…" Hanging her head, her grip tightened on her cup. "I have to do this for Lagi. She died protecting me. And every moment those Qurio are out there, more monsters will suffer. If I can help, even a little, then I have to try."

"I love that about you. Helping everyone inhabiting this land, whether they be man or beast, is admirable." The man reached for her hand, his gentle touch easing her grasp. "But just don't put yourself in any more deadly situations, please. My heart can't take that kind of scare again."

Reika giggled softly at him. "I won't. I'll be more careful going forward, I promise." She took a calming sip of tea. "It'll give me something to work toward while you're still studying."

Oboro was a bit taken aback by that last statement. "What?"

Reika raised a brow at him. "You're studying to become a doctor, and while you do that, you work as a merchant. Once you've completed your studies, then you may travel freely with me. That's what you wanted, correct?"

"Yes! Yes, that's right. I just didn't expect you to be so patient. You're usually like Doctor Tadori - here one day then gone the next."

Reika scooted her stool closer to his so she could rest her head on his shoulder. "That's true, but…I don't want to go back to being alone. I want to…be with you, Oboro."

"And I you, Reika."

"So, I'll wait for you. Besides, I can do some good here. We have the rest of our lives to see the world together. I can be patient for you right now."

Oboro lightly kissed and nuzzled her head. "Thank you. You have no idea how happy I am to hear that. I'll become as great a doctor as Tadori, then no matter what happens, I can protect you."

The Felyne cook behind the counter had paused in her work to grin and fawn over the pair. They were a lovely couple. Tadori discreetly looked on with joy at the two Wyverians at the Tea Shop. He was truly happy for them, proud even, like a father watching his child grow up.

"Enough spying, Tadori, we've got work to do." Bahari's hand on his shoulder diverted his attention. "I swear, you've treated Reika like your own for years. It's time you let her leave the nest. She's got someone else looking out for her now."

Tadori sighed at his friend. "I'm aware. It's just a strange feeling, is all. I watched young Reika close herself off from so many people only for Oboro to come along and break through her shell. Like a pair of Raths, they were meant for each other." He smiled with content, looking back at the pair one last time to see them share a tender kiss. "And so one story ends, and another begins."

Hope you enjoyed this short story! Just really wanted to delve more into the lives of some of my favorite Sunbreak characters, Oboro and Tadori deserve more attention. Not to mention I wish more monsters like Lagiacrus would make a return some day.

(Yes, I could've made this story much longer, but I didn't want it to overstay its welcome. Sometimes short and sweet is the way to go, if you ask me.)

Thanks for reading, my fellow hunters!