Morning light crept over the rooftops of Silverhaven, painting the cobbled streets with gold. The marketplace was just beginning to stir, vendors pulling open their stalls, the scent of fresh bread and morning dew mixing in the cool breeze.
Across town, Lio adjusted the strap of his new short sword, yawning as he stepped out of his home near the southwest quarter. His black tunic was freshly washed, and his hair was... well, less messy than usual. He had promised himself he'd try to look more professional today.
Meanwhile, in a quieter part of town, the door of the Dancing Willow Inn creaked open.
Selena, rubbing sleep from her eyes, stepped out first. Her cloak fluttered behind her, and she scowled as she tied her hair back. Sarah followed, visibly annoyed.
Sarah: "Next time, we don't room together if you're going to snore like a dying boar."
Selena: "I don't snore. You just dream too loudly."
Sarah: "That's not even a...Ugh, whatever. Let's just find Red and get some breakfast."
They made their way down the avenue, winding toward the Adventurer Guild's main hall. The building stood proud with its slate-gray stone walls and high arched windows. A small crowd of rookies gathered near the quest board, chatting eagerly.
And there, standing like a black statue among them, was Red.
Full obsidian armor cloaked his figure from head to toe, sleek, matte, and impossibly intimidating. The black steel shimmered faintly in the light. Across his back, twin black swords were strapped in an X, their hilts jutting just above his shoulders. He turned toward the girls, the polished surface of his helm catching the sun.
Lio: "Whoa... Is that Red?"
Selena: "What the hell did he roll out of? A volcano?"
Sarah: "Forget that, how is he even moving in that thing?"
Red didn't respond at first. Instead, he stepped forward, the dull clink of his armor echoing with every step. When he spoke, his voice came deep and measured through the helmet.
Red: "We're moving. I've already selected a quest."
Lio blinked. Selena's hands went to her hips.
Selena: "What? Hold on! I haven't eaten yet!"
Sarah: "Neither have I! Can we at least get a..."
Red: "No time. Follow me. South Gate. Now."
He turned and marched away like a man on a mission.
Lio: "Did... did he just override breakfast?"
Selena: "He's lucky that armor looks good, or I'd punch him in the back of the head."
They exchanged helpless looks, but trailed behind their armored leader, grumbling all the while.
The walk to the South Gate was long enough for more complaints.
Lio: "Seriously though, what kind of quest makes you skip breakfast?"
Sarah: "Maybe it's another goblin patrol. Please let it be goblins."
Selena: "Don't jinx it. With our luck, it'll be those stupid mud crabs again."
Lio: "Hey, those things bite hard, okay?"
Red didn't answer. He led them past the outer farms and along the beaten dirt path that carved into the southern jungle. The trees grew denser here, the air thicker. Birds chattered unseen above, and vines draped low like reaching fingers.
Sarah: "You're really not gonna tell us, are you?"
Red: "You'll know when we arrive."
Selena: "You're lucky I don't have a mutiny clause in our party rules."
Then they heard it: a faint, muffled sound through the underbrush. Whimpering. Gagged voices.
Red raised a gloved hand. Everyone stopped.
Lio: "...Is that crying?"
They followed the noise cautiously through the thick undergrowth. Then, in a small clearing, they saw it.
Three girls, barely older than children were tied up in vines, suspended just above the jungle floor. Their eyes were wide with fear, and green tendrils writhed around them. On the ground beneath, small humanoid plants hopped back and forth. Their leafy limbs twitched as they hissed and giggled in odd, chittering tones.
Selena: "Mandaflora."
Sarah: "Great. Plant gremlins. My favorite."
Lio: "Wait, those girls, are they... rookies?"
Red: "Hina, Rika, and Yuzu. Rookie cousins. Went missing during a foraging quest two days ago."
Selena: "And let me guess, this is our mission?"
Red: "Rescue. No casualties."
Sarah: "What about our casualties? Do they count?"
They crouched behind the foliage, watching the Mandaflora bounce and squeak, wrapping more vines around the girls. One of the creatures tugged on Yuzu's shoe with malicious glee.
Selena narrowed her eyes.
Selena: "Alright. No more joking. We take those things out. But you're buying us breakfast after, Red."
Red: "Fine."
Lio: "Wait, really?"
Red: "I know a place with spiced meat buns."
Sarah: "...Okay, maybe you're forgiven. Maybe."
They began to quietly draw their weapons. The rescue was about to begin.
As they crouched in the thick brush, eyes locked on the clearing ahead, Lio found himself unable to look away from the girl with the long black hair.
She was the smallest of the three, tied up high in the vines, her eyes wide with panic but not tears. Unlike the other two, she wasn't struggling wildly. She just… watched. Observed. Waiting for a chance.
Her name was Yuzu, according to Red.
Lio felt something stir in his chest.
She looked no older than fifteen, yet her gaze reminded him of someone who'd seen too much too fast. Her wrists twisted subtly, quietly testing the vines for weakness while the Mandaflora danced and cackled around her. Her hair, slightly tousled, hung over one eye—but not enough to hide her defiance.
Lio whispered, barely audible:
Lio: "She's calm... even now."
Sarah glanced at him. "What?"
Lio: "Nothing."
He didn't say it aloud, but he'd already made up his mind.
When they moved in for the rescue, he was heading straight for Yuzu, swords ready. No matter what, he'd make sure she was the first one cut loose.