❛ ━━･❪ ❁ ❫ ･━━ ❜

𝓐𝓡𝓒 𝓘

𝓔𝓹𝓲𝓼𝓸𝓭𝓮 𝓘

"𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓒𝓱𝓲𝓵𝓭 𝓯𝓻𝓸𝓶 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓜𝓲𝓼𝓽"

𝟥𝓇𝒹 𝓅𝑜𝓋

❛ ━━･❪ ❁ ❫ ･━━ ❜

A small, peaceful village nestled amid verdant fields near a dense forest. Its tranquility was abruptly shattered, giving way to suspicion and fear. A gust of wind heralded the appearance of an eerie blue orb in a dark corner of the village, startling the inhabitants. From the light and wind emerged a peculiar old man pushing a baby carriage, enveloped in a swirling mist.

"Hmm. Looks like trouble," murmured one villager, with another nodding in agreement. "Since the chaos and the Archon War, there's been nothing but trouble. The world's gone mad. Blasted Ogrest."

The old man continued his stroll through the village, seemingly indifferent to the curious and wary glances of the villagers. He reached a bridge, where a conspicuously tall man in a large coat awaited him.

"Hey~ old man. What's in the baby carriage?"

The old man ignored the question and kept walking.

"Why don't we take a closer look?"

The tall man discarded his coat, revealing three small gremlin-like beings wielding pickaxe-shaped weapons. The mist thickened around the old man, obscuring him from view. One by one, the gremlins were ejected from the mist, defeated. As the mist cleared, a new figure with a robotic voice emerged.

"Bravo. Truly impressive. It didn't take you long to dispatch my Grambos. Appearances can be deceiving~."

The old man growled and started to walk away, but in a flash of blue light, the robotic figure appeared before him.

"Take me, for example. Despite my size, I have an insatiable appetite. I must devour the Wakfu in everything I encounter. Ah, my trackers have discovered an incredibly powerful source of Wakfu, enough to sate my hunger for all eternity! But enough small talk." He teleported behind the old man. "It's time you told me where you get your incredible power, and what you're hiding in the baby carriage."

The old man's voice rumbled ominously. "Best be on your way, Xelor, or you will taste the wrath of Grougaloragran." He resumed walking, leaving the robotic man to mutter to himself.

"Grougaloragran? What a strange name. The only creatures with names like that are—according to legend—noooooo! Impossible! They haven't existed since the dawn of time! Show me what you truly are, old man! Or I'll crush you like an insect!"

The mystery man summoned a sword resembling a clock hand, unleashing a blast of energy toward Grougaloragran. Quick as a flash, Grougaloragran tossed the baby carriage into the air, suspending it in the mist.

"Interesting." The mystery man teleported in front of Grougaloragran, sword poised, but Grougaloragran's flaming fist struck his stomach, sending him flying. The man stabbed his sword into the ground to halt his momentum. Grougaloragran stomped, destroying the bridge and sending the man tumbling once more. The mystery man made a strange sign with his hands, freezing time. He laughed as he navigated the frozen scene and retrieved his sword, preparing to slice Grougaloragran in half. But Grougaloragran blinked, catching the blade just before it struck him.

"WHA! MY TIME MAGIC DOESN'T WORK ON HIM!?" The man teleported away, trying to unfreeze time, but Grougaloragran was suddenly in front of him. The old man unleashed a torrent of fire, blasting the time wizard away. Time resumed as the old man landed gracefully, retrieving the baby carriage and walking away.

"HAHAHA! Such power! A Dragon! That really was a Dragon! HAHAHA! A Dragon! HAHAHAHA! The greatest source of Wakfu in the world! AH HAHAHAHAAAAA!"

❛ ━━･❪ ❁ ❫ ･━━ ❜

Near a small, weathered village, a nearly destroyed house loomed in the background, its roof caved in and walls cracked from years of neglect. An older man with white hair and a large shovel rested against his shoulder, standing next to two men who sat on a worn-out bench. One of them wore a wide-brimmed straw hat, a smaller shovel strapped to his back, while the other, bald and handcuffed, slouched in resignation. The tension hung in the air, thick and heavy.

"*Sigh* Oh come on, you're not gonna throw me in the slammer for stealing an api, are you?" the cuffed man whined, desperation lacing his voice.

The white-haired man bit into an api (apple), its crisp crunch breaking the silence before he responded. "I hope you like walking as much as you like talking, 'cause we've got a long way to go before we reach your new home."

The bald man groaned, slumping further. "*Groan* It was just an api. A tiny little api, eh?" His eyes flicked over to the man with the straw hat, who watched him with a stern expression.

"Yeah, but you know the proverb, Jason," The straw-hatted man  said, his voice calm yet firm. "He who steals an egg will soon steal a Gobball."

He broke off a piece of bread from his pack, offering it to Jason, but the gesture was dismissed with a wave of frustration as Jason continued his rant.

"You bounty hunters are all the same. You're hypocrites! I stole to feed my family! So you can spare me your petty sermons! You don't understand anything!"

The Alibert's expression hardened, his patience wearing thin. "You dirty—"

"Daddy!" A small voice suddenly called out, halting their argument. The three men turned to see a young girl standing nearby, tears glistening in her eyes. Jason quickly hid his handcuffs, his heart sinking.

"Mia, go back home. Tell Mom I have an errand to run. I'll... I'll be back later," Jason said, his voice wavering as he tried to reassure his daughter.

Guilt washed over Alibert as he rose to his feet, feeling the weight of the situation. The white-haired man, Ruel, approached him with a knowing look.

"Hmmm. Oh dear me. I know that look," Ruel murmured.

"Sorry, Ruel, I don't have the heart for this anymore," the Alibert confessed, lifting his shovel with a heavy sigh.

With a swift motion, he slashed the chains connecting Jason's handcuffs, setting him free. "Get out of here, before I change my mind!"

Jason wasted no time, running over to Mia and scooping her into a tight embrace. The two of them hurried away, disappearing into the distance. The Alibert gazed sadly at his shovel for a moment before letting it fall to the ground with a dull thud. As he reflected on his decision, a figure watched from a distance—Grougaloragran, his eyes filled with a knowing light.

"So that's it, you've finally made up your mind, huh? You're hanging up your shovel?" Grougaloragran asked, his voice soft with understanding.

"Yes, old brother. This is where we go our separate ways," the Alibert replied, his tone resolute.

In Grougaloragran's eyes, the Alibert seemed to glow with a bright blue energy, a sign of a profound change. Ruel and the Alibert shook hands, their parting filled with mutual respect.

"May the great Enutrof watch over you. Good luck, my friend," Ruel said, before turning to leave.

"Mmm... Good luck, Ruel. Take care of yourself," the Alibert called after him, his voice tinged with sadness. He sat back on the bench, his gaze lingering on his discarded shovel, while Grougaloragran began chanting in an ancient tongue.

"O poderus maximus extremes, radiem luche, radiem luche."

A bird egg, glowing with blue energy, materialized in Grougaloragran's hands. Odd symbols of light danced from his fingers, swirling around the egg before merging into it. The egg cracked open, shattering to reveal a small, pale, ball-shaped bird. The dragon smiled gently, crushing the eggshells into a shining cyan feather. He carefully placed the bird and feather into a baby carriage before a mass of mist enveloped him.

The mist swirled through the air, catching the Alibert's attention. Curiosity piqued, he approached the baby carriage, peering inside only to find a blonde baby nestled within, wearing an odd blue hat with ears. A smile spread across his face as he lifted the baby gently.

"By Enutrof!" he exclaimed in wonder.

The baby wiggled, cooing softly, while the small bird from earlier poked its head out from under the blue hat.

"So what are you doing here, little munchkin? Haha. And you, you little ball of feathers," the man chuckled, amused by the unexpected companions.

The baby giggled in response before letting out a tiny fart, prompting the bird to flutter onto the Alibert's shoulder.

"Oh! Well, my little Gobball. Is that how you say hi where you come from?" he joked, laughing at the absurdity of it all.

As he laughed, the baby began waving the cyan feather, which floated into the air and summoned the strange symbols of light once more. The man watched in awe as they flew into his eyes, revealing a profound truth.

"*Gasp* Well, I'll be darned. All I needed to do was hang up my shovel to find the most priceless treasure of all!" he murmured, realization dawning on him.

The baby stared up at him with wide, curious eyes before breaking into a joyful smile, as if understanding the man's words.

❛ ━━･❪ ❁ ❫ ･━━ ❜

"Look over there! Birds!" Paimon chirped, her tiny form floating excitedly beside [Name]. Her eyes were wide with delight, pointing toward the small, lively creatures fluttering in the distance. "Oh, they're so cute! Wait—no! It's two Tofu's!" she exclaimed, her voice rising in a mix of joy and curiosity.

The two brightly colored Tofu birds were arguing, their high-pitched voices clashing as one pecked at a tiny Kama coin, the other fluttering angrily in protest. [Name] couldn't help but chuckle at the sight, shaking their head. "I've never seen Tofu's fight over money before," they mused, a playful smile tugging at their lips.

As they walked along, the sounds of the bustling world around them faded for a moment, replaced by the constant chirping of the birds in the distance. Paimon buzzed about, still watching the Tofu's with fascination, as [Name] kept pace, scanning their surroundings.

Soon, they stumbled upon something rather out of place—a monument of intricate stonework standing tall in the clearing. At first glance, it appeared to be a statue of a robed figure with windswept hair, a calm and serene expression on their face. Both [Name] and Paimon froze, eyes widening in surprise.

"Whoa, what's this?" Paimon asked, floating closer to inspect the stone details.

[Name] studied the statue carefully, feeling a strange sense of reverence. "It looks ancient," they said softly, intrigued but unsure of its meaning. "But it doesn't look like anything I've ever seen before."

As they moved closer, they noticed the faint energy in the air—something they couldn't explain but felt deeply within. Without thinking, [Name] reached out and placed a hand on the cool stone, the moment their fingers touched it sending a surge of power through their body.

"What the—" [Name] gasped, stumbling back slightly as a burst of energy coursed through them. It felt overwhelming and yet oddly familiar, like it had always been a part of them. The air around them hummed with electricity, the world around them briefly blurring before settling again.

"Did you feel that?" Paimon squeaked, hovering anxiously around [Name]. "What was that?!"

"I—I'm not sure," [Name] stammered, looking down at their hand as if expecting something to change. "That... that wasn't normal."

Before either of them could contemplate it any further, a loud roar echoed in the distance, sending a shiver down both of their spines. The sound was so deep and menacing that the air seemed to tremble in response. Paimon's eyes widened, and her usual confidence faltered. "What was that?!" she exclaimed.

[Name] didn't need to ask twice. Without thinking, they instinctively began running toward the sound, their feet carrying them faster than expected. Paimon hurried to follow.

As they approached a clearing, the sight before them was nothing short of breathtaking and terrifying. A massive, serpentine creature loomed in the sky, dark and twisted, with jagged wings and an almost unearthly presence. Stormterror, the great dragon, hovered above the ground with an ominous growl. The wind around it stirred with a violent force, making the trees sway dangerously.

Standing near the edge of the clearing was a lone figure, a man with a harp slung across his back, his bright green cloak billowing in the wind. His eyes were a calm blue, and his hair fluttered around his face like the wind itself. He was speaking softly to the dragon, his words barely audible from the distance.

"Calm down, Dvalin. Please..."

[Name] and Paimon froze, watching the scene unfold. The man seemed to be trying to calm the angry dragon, his voice soothing, almost gentle.

But just as [Name] opened their mouth to ask Paimon what was going on, they made the fatal mistake of stepping on a dry twig. The snap echoed through the otherwise silent air, and in an instant, Stormterror's head jerked toward them, its eyes glowing with rage.

"Ah! Run!" Paimon squealed, her voice panicked as she grabbed [Name]'s arm and tugged them away. They sprinted backward as Stormterror let out another ferocious roar and swirled its massive wings. It took off into the sky, flying over their heads, and the force of the wind knocked both girls off their feet.

The man with the harp whirled around, his gaze immediately locking onto the fleeing figures. "Who's there?!" he called out, his voice carrying over the roaring storm. He reached for his bow, but Stormterror's flight was too fast, and he was quickly distracted by the creature's sudden movement.

Without a word, [Name] and Paimon kept running, not daring to look back. The sound of the dragon's wings and the man's calling voice filled their ears, but they didn't stop until they had put a safe distance between them and the clearing.

Once they were far enough away and panting heavily from the adrenaline, Paimon finally let out a breath. "Who was that guy?!" she gasped, looking back toward the forest.

"I have no idea," [Name] panted, their heart still racing. "That dragon..."

Paimon nodded, her usual confidence returning. "That guy seemed like he was trying to calm the dragon down, though. But he didn't seem too worried about us being there. You think we're gonna get in trouble?"

Before they could process it any further, a voice interrupted their thoughts. "Ah, visitors! Welcome, welcome!" A cheerful, older man emerged from a nearby path, his gray beard and kind smile giving him an air of wisdom. He was dressed in simple, but neat clothing, a walking stick in one hand.

[Name] and Paimon both turned toward him, surprised by his sudden appearance...Had he not heard the dragon?? The older man's smile was wide and welcoming. "I'm Ruel, and it's not every day we have travelers passing through! You must be in need of some guidance, yes?"

[Name] blinked in confusion. "Uh, guidance? We were just... looking around," they said, still feeling slightly disoriented by the strange energy they'd felt from the statue.

Ruel's eyes twinkled as he glanced at both of them. "Oh, I can tell you've had quite the adventure already." He paused, glancing at their worn-out clothes. "But, hmm, it seems like you've had trouble with your... resources."

"Resources?" Paimon repeated, hovering in front of Ruel with her hands on her hips. "You mean like food? 'Cause we've got nothing," she added bluntly.

Ruel chuckled, nodding knowingly. "Ah, but of course! And what about Kamas? Surely you have a bit of Kamas to spare, hmm?"

[Name] and Paimon exchanged a confused look.

"Kamas?" [Name] repeated, their brow furrowing. "What are those?"

Ruel's smile faltered for just a second, before it returned in a practiced, charming manner. "Ah, my mistake. Kamas are the currency here, dear travelers. You know, for bartering, buying supplies, and the like."

Paimon's face lit up in realization. "Ohhh, so that's what they were fighting over earlier!" she exclaimed, floating excitedly. "The Tofu's! We saw them argue over one of those coins!"

"Exactly!" Ruel said, giving them a knowing nod as his hand held the Kama from before. "It's a common sight around here." He leaned in slightly, eyes glinting. "Now, I'm sure you've got something to offer in exchange, right? Perhaps you could help out with a small task around the village, and I can arrange food and shelter in exchange, I know a great friend of these parts."

Both [Name] and Paimon gave each other skeptical glances. "We're really not sure how we can help, but... we'll follow you to the village," [Name] said, still unsure about the whole situation, but they couldn't help but feel something was drawing them forward, as if fate was nudging them along.

Ruel's grin widened. "Good, good! The village will be happy to have some new faces—especially ones as... capable as you," he added, his voice taking on a curious, almost knowing tone as he motioned for them to follow.

As they began to walk, Ruel, his hands clasped behind his back, casually turned to [Name] with a curious smile. "So, what are you travelers here for?" he asked, his voice casual but tinged with interest.

Paimon, floating beside them, shot him a side-eye, her small form buzzing in the air. Something about the older man still didn't sit right with her. But she didn't say anything—just kept a cautious eye on him.

[Name] glanced over at Paimon, then replied, her voice steady but with a hint of longing, "I'm looking for my brother."

Ruel raised an eyebrow, his smile never faltering. "A family quest, eh? Quite the noble cause." He nodded thoughtfully, as though processing this new information. "Well, I'm sure you'll find what you're looking for. The world has a funny way of giving you what you need, even when you least expect it."

As they continued down the path, they soon found themselves approaching a small, bustling tavern. Three kids ran past them, laughing and shouting as they chased each other. The children's playful energy seemed to fill the air, and Ruel looked ahead, his smile growing even wider.

Paimon's eyes immediately locked onto the tavern, her stomach audibly growling. She looked up at [Name], her face lighting up with excitement. "Ooooh, food!" she exclaimed, hovering eagerly. "I could really go for something to eat right now."

[Name] sighed, shaking their head. "You and your stomach."

Ruel, however, decided to make an entrance. He straightened up, cleared his throat dramatically, and then threw open the tavern door with a flourish, announcing in a booming voice, "Mr. Mayor, good day!"

The tavern went quiet for a moment, and then a familiar voice called out from within, teasingly, "Well, I'll be damned, Ruel Stroud. Have you finally come to pay your tab?"

The two men chuckled as they embraced in a friendly hug, and Ruel stepped back with a dramatic sigh. "Alibert, please, it's a beautiful day! Don't spoil it for me," he said, rolling his eyes theatrically. "I even brought these lovely customers for you."

Ruel then grabbed both [Name] and Paimon by the arms and led them inside, where the atmosphere was warm and inviting. They waved to Alibert as he blinked in surprise before breaking into laughter.

"Who am I to complain?" Alibert said, grinning widely. "Haha, please, do sit down, Misses." With a flourish, he moved to pull out a chair for [Name]. [Name] murmured a small thank you, still trying to adjust to the oddities of this new world. Paimon, meanwhile, looked around, eyes wide as she took in the lively interior of the tavern.

Ruel took the opportunity to introduce them. "This lovely lady is [Name], and the child is—"

"Child?!" Paimon interrupted, her voice sharp with indignation as she puffed up her chest. "I'm not a child!"

Before Ruel could finish his sentence, [Name] cut in with a teasing grin. "She's emergency food," they said with a playful wink at Paimon.

Paimon gasped, her little halo fluttering in the air. "Emergency food?! I can't believe you said that!" she shouted, glaring at [Name] with mock outrage. "You're supposed to be on my side!"

[Name] couldn't help but chuckle at the scene. Alibert, who had been watching with a bemused expression, joined in, chuckling heartily.

The tension that Paimon had built up instantly melted as she crossed her arms and pouted, though it was clear she wasn't truly mad. She gave [Name] a side-eye, muttering, "You'll pay for this."

"So, what have you been up to?" Alibert asked as he brought two glasses of water to the table, placing them in front of [Name] and Paimon with a warm smile.

Ruel leaned back in his chair, letting out a tired sigh as he dropped his bag and staff beside him. "Oh, same old, same old," he replied, stretching out his arms. "I see now why you retired and settled down like you have."

[Name] watched him curiously, sipping their water as Paimon immediately downed hers in one loud gulp.

Ruel leaned over the table, elbows planted, eyes gleaming. "Honestly, I think I'll retire soon too. Open a cozy little restaurant... or maybe start my own Boeufball team."

Paimon snorted into her empty glass. "You? Spend money?"

Alibert smirked knowingly. "Let me guess—just as you're about to start, you get cold feet the moment it involves spending a single Kama?"

Paimon cackled evilly at that one, clearly enjoying the teasing far too much.

Ruel frowned and shot her a glare. "You mock me, child. I have dreams."

"Oh, I know your game, you old swindler," Alibert chuckled, arms crossed. "You've been telling me that for ten years and counting."

He turned toward the kitchen and raised his voice. "Yugo! Add another bowl of stew for this poor treasure hunter and the lovely ladies with him!"

A cheery voice rang out from behind the swinging kitchen door, "No problem, Dad!"

[Name] raised a brow at that, glancing between the two older men as they shared a hearty laugh.

"That kid yours?" Ruel asked, elbowing Alibert playfully. "Took you long enough to tell me."

Alibert only smiled, but Ruel kept poking. "Wait, wait—don't tell me. It was that healer girl from Macna, wasn't it? What was her name... Falise? Falouse? Fauxlice?"

"Phillis," Alibert corrected with a smirk. "But enough about me." He turned his attention toward [Name] and Paimon, his expression softening. "Why are you two traveling with this old treasure hunter anyway?"

[Name] set their glass down gently. Their voice was calm, but there was a weight behind it. "I'm trying to find my brother... and, well—I'm not from this world."

That earned twin looks of confusion and surprise. Both men leaned in slightly, intrigued.

"Not from this world?" Alibert echoed.

[Name] nodded slowly. "My brother and I used to travel through different worlds together. But one day... a god stopped us. She said we had gone too far. She separated us and sent us away. I woke up here."

Silence fell over the table for a moment.

"A blonde traveler..." Ruel murmured, scratching his beard. "Now that you mention it, I've heard whispers. Someone said they saw a traveler matching that description. A while back."

[Name] perked up instantly. "Really?!"

Ruel shrugged. "Just rumors. They said he was heading toward the main course of Mondstadt."

"That was a while ago, though," Alibert added. "Sorry I can't be more help."

[Name] shook her head, gratitude in her eyes. "No—thank you. Even rumors like that give me hope. So I just need to go toward Mondstadt's main course, right?"

"Well," Ruel chuckled, "You're already in Mondstadt territory, my dear. Just gotta keep heading north."

"REALLY?!" Paimon beamed. "Then we're getting close! We'll find your brother in no time!"

The warm buzz around the table returned... but [Name] still looked thoughtful, eyes lingering on the light filtering in from the tavern window.

"You know..." Ruel started, rubbing his chin, "If you're headed that way, you might want to be careful. Folks say the wind's been acting strange lately."

"Strange?" [Name] repeated.

Alibert nodded. "There's been unrest. Whispers of the Anemo Archon—Barbatos—going quiet. And... there's something else. A dragon."

Paimon's wings twitched. Her mouth opened like she wanted to speak, but [Name] gently shook her head.

"Stormterror," Ruel muttered. "That's what they're calling him now. A beast with wings of ruin that's been stirring up the skies. Used to be a guardian spirit, from what I remember. Now? No one's sure what turned him into a monster."

[Name] lowered their gaze, lips pressed into a firm line.

❛ ━━･❪ ❁ ❫ ･━━ ❜

"And three stews coming up!" Yugo called from the kitchen, a determined gleam in his eyes as he expertly sliced carrots and tossed in a pinch of salt. The scent of cooking stew filled the tavern, warm and hearty.

"Better take the pistachio bread out before it gets too hot!" he muttered, swinging open the oven and pulling out a tray of golden-crusted bread just in time.

Chaos, however, was never far behind.

A small yellow blur—Az the Tofu—zigzagged through the kitchen, narrowly avoiding flying ingredients and tumbling pans. But luck wasn't on his side today. With a splat, Az dove straight into a sack of flour, sneezing feathers and powder as a stray ladle ricocheted off a wall and hit a shelf.

CLATTER!

"Look out!" Yugo yelped as several vases tumbled toward him. Without thinking, he thrust out his hand—and a glowing portal blinked into existence mid-air, swallowing the vases before they hit the ground.

The portal vanished a second later with a soft hum.

Yugo stood frozen, wide-eyed. "Did I just...?" He rushed over to where the portal had opened, crouched down, and touched the floor.

"I did that," he whispered to himself. His gaze lit up with both awe and confusion.

Excited, he tried again—extending his arm, focusing.

FWOOM!

Another portal opened... but this time, the vases came through instead of disappearing. They dropped right out of the portal and smashed onto the ground in an explosion of ceramic.

CRASH!

From the tavern floor, everyone jolted at the sound.

Paimon shot into the air and clung tightly to [Name]'s shoulder. "What was that?! Is the kitchen exploding?!"

Ruel and Alibert both glanced toward the kitchen, concern on their faces.

"Yugo? Everything alright back there?" Alibert called, standing halfway from his seat.

"Yeah, I'm fine!" Yugo shouted back, trying to sweep up shards with a flour-dusted broom. "Just... cleaning up now..."

"You sure? We don't want my stew murdered before it even gets here," Ruel added, eyeing the doorway suspiciously. Paimon nodded furiously.

[Name] simply deadpanned at both of them.

Alibert chuckled. "Yugo has a very... personal style of cooking. But trust me—he's my true successor."

[Name] smiled softly, amused. For someone so young, Yugo was clearly full of surprises.

Just then, the kitchen doors swung open.

"Order up! Nobody move!" Yugo called, a confident grin on his face as he emerged, balancing three steaming plates—one on each hand, and another balanced on his head.

Without breaking stride, he twirled and tossed the plates like a seasoned acrobat. The dishes landed perfectly in front of their recipients—except for the last one, which smacked Ruel square in the face with a splop.

[Name] and Paimon flinched, barely ducking out of the way.

"See? Perfect aim!" Yugo laughed as he placed the remaining plates in front of the girls, then turned to Ruel, who was now dripping stew and frowning in silence.

Yugo grinned sheepishly. "Well, at least it's not bland, right?"

Paimon burst out laughing while Ruel just peeled a carrot off his nose with an unamused grunt.

But Yugo's grin faded the second he looked at [Name] properly for the first time.

There was something about her. The streak of light in her eyes. The calm strength. She was different.

He blinked, realizing he was staring. [Name] had one eyebrow raised, confused at the sudden silence.

Yugo flushed bright pink and immediately turned around. "A-anyway! Uh—enjoy your food!" he stammered before disappearing back into the kitchen at full speed.

Paimon was devouring her meal with enthusiasm, her tiny hands moving faster than her mouth could handle. The sight of the stew clearly made her forget about everything else—she was hungry. [Name], not one to waste a good meal either, joined in without hesitation.

"This is amazing," [Name] murmured, their fork halfway to their mouth as they enjoyed the taste of the flavorful stew.

"Sorry again about earlier," Alibert said, returning with a chuckle and a glass. "Then again, I'd be really sorry if you were actual paying customers."

"Forgiven. All is forgiven for great artists—and you, my friend, are the best of them all," Ruel replied dramatically, pulling a spoon from his pocket like it was a sacred tool.

Alibert laughed, waving off the compliment. "Oh, you jest. Anyway, I better check on the other tables."

Paimon and [Name] were just finishing up when—

BANG!

The tavern doors flew open. A massive creature burst in, eyes glowing with wild hunger and madness. It was hunched, slobbering, and clearly not from around here. Something twisted pulsed on its head—a red, malevolent eye embedded in a weapon-like artifact.

"Wha—?!" Paimon shrieked as she jumped behind [Name].

The creature lumbered toward a nearby shelf, gazing at the shiny trophy atop it with dreamy awe. "It's beautiful! It... it shines!"

"Leave it alone, you fat idiot!" the Shushu on its head snarled. "We've got more important things to do. Like CARNAGE! It's time for CARN—"

"Hey!" Yugo shouted, standing in front of the creature with arms crossed. "You gonna clean up that mess you made? 'Cause I'm not."

The monster growled, slowly raising a huge fist to smash the kid—but Yugo flipped through a portal and landed right on his head with a smirk. "Wow. Good thing I don't throw a tantrum every time I clean the inn."

That really pissed it off.

With a roar, the monster grabbed Yugo and flung him across the room. The boy crashed into Alibert, both tumbling into a pile.

"Yes! Yes! The savagery!" the Shushu screeched. "Let him have it!"

But before the monster could make another move—THWACK!

A blur of (h/c) hair launched across the room as [Name] slammed her boot right into its gut, sending the beast flying into the tavern wall.

Sword drawn, [Name] stood firm, her eyes narrowed. The air around her shifted—wind curling at her fingertips as a breeze picked up around the blade. It pulsed with something ancient, something powerful.

"[N-Name]!" Paimon called, clutching Ruel's coat, fear in her eyes.

Some of the customers ran out in a panic, others hid under tables. The creature staggered to its feet, dazed... and then locked eyes on [Name] again. This time, it paused.

"P-Pretty..." it mumbled, drooling slightly.

Gross.

[Name] didn't hesitate. She charged.

Wind wrapped around her feet as she leapt into the air, slicing with elegance and ferocity. The force of her strikes sent the monster stumbling backward. When it tried to retaliate, she used the wind to blast it off balance again.

"That wind..." Ruel whispered, eyes wide. "She's using Anemo? But she doesn't even have a Vision!"

"A what?" Yugo asked, wiping blood from his lip, wincing as he held his arm.

"A Vision! It's a blessing from the gods—only granted to certain people with potential. But she..." Ruel trailed off, watching [Name] with awe.

Meanwhile, Paimon watched her friend, eyes widen. "...Huh, Must have been when she touched the statue.."

"That thing's possessed!" Ruel suddenly realized. "It's a Shushu! He's been taken over!"

"A what now?" Yugo grunted, standing up.

"An evil spirit," Ruel explained quickly, holding Paimon protectively. "They latch onto objects—swords, helmets, armor. They take control of people and use them like puppets."

The Shushu glared. "It looks like you're unfortunate too, old man! Get rid of the girl already!"

[Name] narrowed her eyes. "Over my dead body."

Yugo grinned, stumbling to his feet. "Oh yeah?" he said, summoning a portal beneath himself. He reappeared above the monster's head, just as [Name] swept under to draw its attention.

Alibert flinched, the scene stirring something deep in his memory—flashes of the day he first found Yugo, the boy surrounded by strange energy...

Yugo didn't stop. He grabbed the artifact—the glowing eye of the Shushu—and began pulling.

"STOP THAT!!" the Shushu screeched. "PUT ME DOWN, BRAT—!!"

With one final yank, Yugo tore the Shushu from the creature's head. The artifact morphed in his hands, shrinking into a small black sword that dropped to the ground with a clang.

The monster—now just a young man—collapsed, unconscious.

Yugo began to fall—but [Name] was already there, catching him midair. He blinked, then laughed nervously before scrambling up and running to Alibert with open arms.

Paimon didn't hesitate. "[NAME]!" she cried, flying into her chest, sobbing. "[Name]... You saved me. My only friend..."

[Name] hugged her tightly. "I'm here. You're safe."

After a beat, she stepped toward Yugo, smiling softly. "I'm [Name]. Nice to meet you, Yugo. You okay?"

Yugo flushed, nodding quickly. "Y-Yeah! Uh—thank you..."

They all turned as the creature groaned, now a tired-looking young man with shaggy hair and tattered clothes. He tried to sit up, rubbing his head.

"I-it's really important I tell you... something..." he muttered, before promptly passing out.

Ruel sighed. "We'll deal with him later."

Alibert turned to Yugo, looking at him with Guilt "Yugo, there is something I must tell you—"

Screams echoed from outside.

Everyone froze.

Something else was happening.

And this time... it was bigger.

❛ ━━･❪ ❁ ❫ ･━━ ❜

Finally Updated! I had fun for this chapters and cannot wait for more!

now, you may see Paimon a little off character (or maybe not.) well, I WILL rewrite some of the characters, some of them include character designs, as much as some designs are pretty some are very disrespectful, I'll be doing the best I can to make this story pleasant for everyone. 

that said have a Good day! and stay safe!

- Love, MK