DAY 6 — Evening
Luis lay awake in the glow of candlelight, scrolling through his Crafting Tab while Zyx floated nearby, throwing out snide remarks like confetti.
"Ooh, look—another glorified butter knife," the god of misfortune muttered as Luis flipped past a flimsy dagger schematic. "You know what'd actually be useful? A good ol' spiked club. Simple. Brutal. Zero flair."
Luis ignored him—until something caught his eye.
[Floral Wind Fan]+5% to all Gardener stats-5% ability cooldownUnlocks Secret Skill: [Flower of Hope]When mixed with herbs, increases effectiveness by 30%Crafting Cost: 5,000 Soul Essence
He froze. The design was delicate, ornate—carved with intricate petals and curling vines. His thoughts jumped to Rain and the way she'd coaxed life from the earth like it was breathing with her.
Zyx peered over his shoulder. "Oh, great. We're making accessories now. Maybe start a boutique. I'm sure the apocalypse needs more flower shops."
"It's for Rain," Luis said, already getting to his feet. "She saved me. I'm returning the favor before I leave."
Zyx floated in front of him. "Let me get this straight. In the middle of a death match watched by gods, you want to craft a thank-you gift?"
Luis slung his hammer over his back. "Yeah. And I need 2,000 more Souls. Let's go."
The Hunt
Night in the forest had changed.
Moonhowl Jackals prowled the trees, their silver pelts glimmering between the shadows. Shadowfang Hares, faster and crueler cousins of the Rustfangs, bit with glass-edged teeth.
But Luis didn't hesitate. At Level 2, the Scrap Hammer moved like lightning in his hands.
CRUNCH. A jackal went down.
SWING. Two hares split apart in midair.
By the time dawn stretched golden fingers across the village slopes, Luis had returned—bruised, blood-smeared, and victorious.
[SOUL ESSENCE: 5,118]
He collapsed onto his bed, just long enough to craft the fan.
Morning
Rain was already in her garden, silver hair shimmering in the sun as she whispered softly to a bed of glowing blue roots.
She looked up as Luis approached. "You're leaving today."
It wasn't a question.
Luis nodded, then held out the fan. "For you."
Rain blinked. As her fingers closed around the gift, the painted blossoms bloomed before their eyes. A gentle golden light rippled from the paper.
"I… I can feel something," she whispered. She raised the fan and swept it in a smooth arc.
A single, luminous flower bloomed in the soil at her feet.
The Flower of Hope.
Without missing a beat, Rain plucked it and dropped it into a vial around her neck. The liquid inside surged gold, then settled into a deep emerald green.
She pressed the vial into Luis's palm.
[Amulet of Last Breath – Enhanced]+8% to all stats (previously +6%)Skill: [Last Breath]When HP drops below 10%, the amulet shatters, restoring 60% HP (previously 50%)
Luis stared at the glowing item. "Rain… this is incredible."
"A fair trade," Rain replied softly. Then her eyes shifted to the empty air beside him. "Your… friend seems pleased."
Luis blinked. "You can see Zyx?"
Rain shook her head. "No. But… sometimes I feel it when Selune is watching."
Zyx, who'd been oddly quiet, perked up. "Oho! Your moon goddess has taste. I knew we were worth divine viewership."
Farewell
The villagers gathered to see him off. The little girl clung to Luis's legs before darting back to her parents. The wind smelled of herbs and firewood, the air still holding that crisp mountain calm.
Rain stood apart, the Floral Wind Fan tucked into her belt.
"When the war reaches us," she said, "we'll need warriors. Come back—if you survive."
Luis touched the warm amulet at his chest. "I will."
As he turned to leave, Zyx drifted beside him, grumbling.
"We should have looted some of her herbs before we left. But sure—let's go charge headfirst into disaster again."
Luis tightened his grip on his hammer and stepped onto the road.
For the first time, he didn't feel like prey.