That One Time I Married A Crazy Goddess

The group trudged up the winding staircase of the Royal Gilded Phoenix Inn, their steps echoing faintly against the marble walls, still shimmering faintly from Acelle's earlier burst of golden magic. The stairwell alone was a marvel—lined with intricate railings of gold filigree, a lush crimson carpet that felt like walking on clouds, and walls painted with delicate murals of mythical beasts locked in eternal, elegant combat. The faint scent of lavender and sandalwood drifted through the air, carried by some unseen enchantment. 

At the top of the stairs, Acelle stood with his ever-present, unsettling smile, holding the door to the top-floor suite open for them. His gloved hand motioned grandly toward the entrance as though unveiling a treasure.

"Welcome," he said, his melodic voice dripping with satisfaction, "to the finest suite in all of Jörvaldr. Do try not to destroy it. Much."

The group filed past him, some more eagerly than others, and stepped into the room. 

The suite was breathtaking. 

The floor was made of polished marble veined with gold, so smooth that it reflected their feet as they walked. The ceilings stretched high, adorned with a massive crystal chandelier that shimmered faintly with magic, casting dancing flecks of colored light across the room. The walls were a deep royal blue, trimmed with gold leaf and decorated with massive, ornate paintings of serene landscapes and mythical creatures. Tables of dark mahogany and carved ivory lined the walls, their surfaces covered with bowls of fresh fruit, sparkling decanters of wine, and small, delicate pastries that looked almost too perfect to eat.

There were multiple doors leading to private rooms, their handles inlaid with gemstones. Each door was labeled with a glowing script that shifted between languages, welcoming them personally. A massive balcony stretched across one side of the room, its golden railings overlooking the glittering city below. 

But the centerpiece of the suite—the thing that immediately caught everyone's attention—was the main room visible through an open set of double doors. Inside was a massive bed, large enough to fit ten people comfortably. Its frame was carved from dark wood inlaid with pearls, and the bed was piled high with silken pillows and blankets in rich shades of crimson and gold. It was the kind of bed that belonged in a fairy tale, the kind of bed that whispered luxury with every inch of its existence.

For a moment, the group stood frozen, taking it all in. 

Yuuna broke the silence first, striding into the room and throwing her arms wide. "THIS. IS. AMAZING!" she yelled, her voice echoing. "Look at all this fancy stuff! I feel like a queen! No—better than a queen! A goddess!" 

Xyenn, who had been trailing behind her, suddenly darted forward, his usual stoic composure completely replaced with childlike excitement. "Oh. My. GOD," he muttered, his voice rising with glee as he touched everything he could get his hands on. He ran his hand over the smooth marble floor, then darted to a table and grabbed a pastry, shoving it into his mouth with a muffled, "This is so good!" 

'I'm actually here right now..'

He spun toward the massive chandelier, his eyes wide. "Look at that! I've never been in a place like this! This is incredible! It's like—like something out of a dream!" 

Quinara leaned against one of the golden railings near the balcony, watching Xyenn with an amused smirk. "You're acting like a kid in a candy market." 

"Because this is amazing!" Xyenn snapped, grabbing a handful of grapes from a crystal bowl and gesturing wildly with them. "Do you know what kind of inns I stayed in growing up? The kind where rats fought me for a fucking blanket. This? This is insane!" 

'I always imagined myself being somewhere dirty like always…even if this is just for a few nights, I'm happy..'

Kivorn, leaning lazily against a wall near the fruit table, yawned. "It's just a room," he said slowly, his voice as emotionless as ever. He reached for a grape but missed entirely, his hand flopping limply onto the table. "A really… shiny room." 

Mertha, standing near one of the glowing doors, crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. "This isn't just a room, Kivorn. This is a fortress disguised as a bedchamber. Look at the layout. The walls are reinforced. The balcony has defensive railings. The table legs are sturdy enough to be used as weapons. This place is perfect." 

'And it's good to see Xyenn enjoying this. It really affects him.'

Yuuna blinked at her, her mouth slightly open. "Mertha, are you seriously planning a battle strategy right now?!" 

"Always," Mertha replied simply. 

Meanwhile, Gorran walked silently to the balcony, his arms crossed as he stared out over the city. Quinara followed him, leaning on the railing beside him. 

"Not bad, huh?" she said, her tone teasing. 

"Don't care," Gorran muttered, but Quinara caught the faintest flicker of admiration in his otherwise brooding expression. 

Draeven, nervously clutching his arms, shuffled closer to one of the glowing doors, peering at the shifting script. "Uh… is this thing… alive? It's moving. I don't trust it." 

"It's magic," Yuuna said, rolling her eyes with a smile. "It's not gonna bite you. Maybe."

Sethrak, walking through, said to Zyphira, "This room is hideous. They really changed the way it looked last time we were here."

Zyphira responded, "You can definitely say that again.

Then she looked at Xyenn, seeing him happy, and she thought, 'I need to find a good time to talk to him…'

Yuuna approached Sethrak and Zyphira, saying, "You two okay? Seeing we're back in your home city?"

Sethrak folded his arms, "It's whatever. Just contemplating on when me and Zyphira should confront our father."

'And so my sister Zyphira can get rid of her own trauma. For her to overcome it, it's all I care about. Me? Don't really care about myself that much. I don't even have anything I would want for myself. Maybe to be a better brother? That's it. All my life, I've watched over her.'

Yuuna put her hand on their shoulders, "I have to talk to you guys in the morning about what me and your father spoke about, if that's okay?"

Sethrak and Zyphira looked at each other, and nodded.

Zyphira with a determined look, said, "I'll be there."

Mertha came up behind Sethrak and Zyphira, grinning, "Just know where with you both all the way. I'll bash some heads in, it's been a few hours since I've done it.

Sethrak smiled at her, "You violent muscle bound monster woman, I'll need it."

Mertha smiled while grabbing his head, "You're in child form right now, wait until it wears off."

"What are you gonna do?" Sethrak returned another smile.

"Kill you, duh. What else? You know me."

"Your fingers stink."

"Your little child hair on your head is making them stink, dragonkin."

Zyphira snickered at them, and Sethrak looked at her, "I know you're not laughing."

Gridd looked around, touching things, saying, "Looks alright. Nice change of scenery."

Kivorn was nearby, saying, "You…actually like something?"

"Huh? What's that supposed to mean? I'm not some wretched old fart, kid."

"You're always…stoic."

"I'll take that as a compliment, youngjn'."

"I'm jealous..of you all."

"You'll get yet' joy back. Just keep hangin' around Yuuna."

Over to the side, Xyenn was showing off some stuff in the room to Draeven in an excited manner. 

"Look look look! Fancy isn't it?" Xyenn showed Draeven a gold vase of a statue, a statue of a chimera.

"R-Real gold?!" Draeven leaned in closer.

"I think so!"

Illyana watched over everyone, giving herself a peaceful grin, thinking, 'This is how it should be. Peace and tranquility.'

But all conversations came to a screeching halt as everyone's eyes simultaneously landed on the massive bed in the main room. 

For a moment, there was silence. 

Then Yuuna grinned. "That's mine." 

"Like hell it is," Xyenn said, already darting toward the bed. 

"NOT SO FAST!" Yuuna yelled, lunging after him. 

Mertha stepped in front of them, her arms outstretched like a soldier guarding a treasure. "Back off. This bed is the most defensible position in the room. It's mine!"

Quinara, smirking, strolled casually toward the bed. "You're all wrong. Clearly, this bed belongs to the most charming person in the group. Which is obviously me. And not Xyenn."

Xyenn growled, "Fuck off."

Gorran didn't even bother to argue. He just started walking toward the bed in silence, his expression determined. 

"Oh no, you don't!" Yuuna shouted, leaping onto Gorran's back and trying to wrestle him away from the bed. "Die!"

"Get off me," Gorran said, barely flinching as he kept walking. 

"Not until you admit I deserve the bed!" 

"I don't care about the bed!" 

"Then why are you going for it?!" 

"I don't know!" 

Meanwhile, Xyenn had managed to climb halfway onto the bed, saying, "Haha! Fools!" but Mertha grabbed him and yanked him off with a single, effortless motion. 

"Move brat!" Mertha said, throwing Xyenn to the side. 

"Let go of me!" Xyenn squirmed.

Quinara, taking advantage of the chaos, leapt onto the bed and spread herself out dramatically. "Looks like I win!" she declared, grinning. 

But her victory was short-lived. Yuuna tackled her, and the two of them rolled across the bed, kicking and flailing. 

Kivorn, still leaning against the wall, watched the chaos unfold with his usual tired expression. 

'The joy on their faces…I hate this…I can't be joyful with them. I can't even pretend to anymore…am I slowly losing myself more than I already have?'

Draeven, standing beside him, fidgeted nervously. "Should we… do something? Stop them?" 

"Nah," Kivorn said, yawning. "They'll tire themselves out eventually." 

The fight for the bed escalated into a full-on brawl, with everyone shoving, twisting, and spinning over each other in a chaotic mess of limbs and laughter. Even Gorran, despite his usual brooding nature, couldn't help but smirk faintly as he shoved Yuuna off the bed, only for her to grab his leg and drag him down with her. 

By the time the dust settled, the bed was a mess of tangled blankets and pillows, and the group lay sprawled across it in various states of exhaustion. 

"This bed," Yuuna said between breaths, "is the softest thing I've ever touched." 

"I hate all of you," Xyenn muttered, his face buried in a pillow. 

Quinara laughed, stretching out lazily. "Teamwork makes the dream work." 

Mertha, lying rigidly on the edge of the bed, sighed. "I saw it first by the way."

Gorran didn't say anything, but he didn't move to leave, either. 

"None of you deserve this bed more than me."

Kivorn finally shuffled over, flopping onto the bed with a loud, exaggerated sigh. "I told you it didn't matter," he mumbled, closing his eyes. "I might as well help myself.."

Draeven stood awkwardly at the foot of the bed, his smoke curling anxiously. "Uh… can I—."

"Floor," everyone said in unison. 

Even though there were plenty of rooms, everyone wanted THAT bed.

But it was eventually claimed by Xyenn and Yuuna. 

(2 hours later)

Xyenn and Yuuna were in the room, everyone else were in their own rooms. Kivorn was sitting up in his glistening room, just laying down, remembering his child self as he was happy, hoping that could help bring his own joy again.

Draeven was in Illyana's room, and he said, "Her name was Faera. Some cleric…she knew you."

"Feara?!"

Draeven nodded, "Y-Yeah. She had some peaceful aura like you always have and stuff.."

Illyana looked down at the floor, holding her own hands and rubbing them with a tranquil smile, "Okay thanks for telling me."

"Who is she to you, Illyana?"

"I'll explain later, Draeven." Still keeping that smile.

Gridd was in his room, he couldn't sleep. He was up thinking about his own clan, hoping they were okay and alive. Remembering how Haldrek wanted to make them make enchanted mythic weapons and armor to give to people who can't fight, so they could fight in his own fucking war.

Just the thought pissed Gridd off.

'Hope you short lads are doin' alright. You haven't contacted me so I'll assume yet' all alive. Stay that way. And I hope yer' all checkin' in on the child, Xyenn and Yuuna's little offspring boy. I'm doin' my part here, I made a promise to myself and to humans, I will not be a fool anymore. I'm here to help them. I've made mistakes before, but I fight against being a fool again.'

In Sethrak and Zyphira's room, Sethrak was looking out of the window, looking over the medieval steampunk city.

"Tch. I'm too eager to go confront him. What the hell is holding me back?" He turned around, and he saw Zyphira getting into bed, saying, "Me too, brother."

Then he looked at her arm.

Sethrak instantly dashed over to Zyphira and grabbed her arm, saying, "You…"

There were claw marks on Zyphira's arm, self inflicted.

"Zyphira—!"

Zyphira yanked away from him, saying, "There. You saw it. What are you gonna do? Scold me? Without a drink or anything to distract me, it's hard to keep my mind off everything. Please don't yell at me for it."

"Damn right I'm gonna say something. I admit I haven't been the best at helping you deal with those thoughts of yours. I'm really trying, and the more you do shit, the more I begin to see myself as a failure. I can't keep doing it. Help yourself for me until we deal with our father."

"It's hard, brother. When you're so used to distracting yourself, it's hard to break a habit."

"Hurting yourself..on top of the thoughts that already hurt you is worse enough. Please stop.."

'I don't even know what to say to her about this. What can I say? What can I say besides stop? What kind of brother doesn't know what to say to his own sister? Am I not paying enough attention to her? Or do I just do..what Illyana does?'

Zyphira continued, "I just—."

THUMP!

Sethrak hugged Zyphira tight.

"Stop hurting yourself…please. We're gonna handle this. Once we deal with father…we'll be okay."

Zyphira hugged her brother tight, breathing heavily. "Promise—."

"—I promise."

'I promised that without hesitation. Now I have to deliver. I have to make sure she overcomes her trauma. And her biggest burden: her mind.'

…

…

…

Minutes later, in Xyenn and Yuuna's room, The room was quiet now, save for the faint hum of the magical chandelier above and the occasional creak of the bed as Yuuna dashed across it, completely naked, her laughter echoing through the luxurious chamber. The large crimson and gold silken sheets were scattered haphazardly, half-draped across the bed and the floor, as she leapt from one end of the room to another, spinning and throwing her arms wide like a child playing in their first snowfall.

"We've made it, Xyenn!" she shouted, her voice filled with unrestrained glee. "Big leagues! Look at this place! It's all ours!" She skidded to a stop on the marble floor, her golden eyes wide as she stared out the massive balcony at the glittering city below. "We're living the dream! I mean, look at this view! Look at this bed! Just look at me!" She laughed, spinning in a circle before diving back onto the bed, rolling herself up in the blankets like a burrito. "We're fancy now, Xyenn! Faaaancy!" 

Xyenn's voice didn't respond to her. Instead, the faint sound of water dripping echoed from the adjacent room. 

The "bathroom," if it could even be called that, was a marvel of medieval steampunk luxury. A large bronze basin, lined with runes that faintly glowed with residual heat, stood in one corner, steam curling lazily upward. A polished mirror hung on the wall, its edges bordered with intricate carvings of dragons and clouds. The light from a nearby enchanted lantern cast a warm glow across the room, reflecting off the mirror's surface. 

Xyenn stood in front of the mirror, his expression unreadable, his maid outfit from earlier discarded on the floor. He wore nothing but his rough, scarred trousers, the faint light catching the jagged edges of his hardened body. His broad shoulders, covered in scars from countless battles, rose and fell with slow, measured breaths.

He stared at his reflection, his face a mixture of wonder and sorrow. His eyes locked onto his left eye, or rather, the empty space where it used to be. The socket was covered with a faint scar, a constant reminder of battles fought and sacrifices made. His gaze shifted downward, to his left arm, the dragon-like appendage that had replaced what he had lost. The scaled surface gleamed faintly in the lamplight, its clawed fingers twitching slightly as if it had a mind of its own. 

Xyenn reached up, touching the edges of his face with his right hand, his fingertips trembling. It felt surreal. All of this felt surreal. The lavish room, the soft bed, the laughter of Yuuna in the background—it was all so far removed from the life he had known. 

His mind drifted back to his childhood. 

He saw himself as a boy, sitting alone in the dark corners of a crumbling shack. The cold wind blew through the cracks in the walls, and his stomach ached with hunger. He hugged his knees to his chest, tears streaming silently down his face as he tried to muffle his sobs, afraid that the wrong person would hear him and take even the little he had. He remembered hugging himself tightly, the only warmth he'd known, wishing desperately for someone—anyone—to care about him. 

Now, he was here. In this room. With people he could call friends. With Yuuna, who loved him more than anything in the world. He should've felt happy, ecstatic even. And he did—but the weight of everything hit him all at once. The battles, the struggles, the losses… the loneliness be had buried so deep inside. 

Xyenn covered his face with his hand as his shoulders began to shake. Silent sobs wracked his body, tears streaming freely down his cheeks as he leaned against the basin for support. His chest heaved as he tried to keep himself quiet, but the emotions were too strong. 

'I'm actually alive..'

He stared at his reflection again, his tear-streaked face staring back at him. He clenched his fists, one human, the other dragon-like, and pressed them against his chest, trying to steady his breathing. But the tears didn't stop. 

'Thank you, mom and dad. For abandoning me when I needed you the most.'

Yuuna's voice called out from the other room, carefree and full of joy. "Xyenn! What are you doing in there? Did you fall in the big fancy tub or something? Need help pissing or shitting?!"

Xyenn quickly wiped his face with his arm, trying to compose himself. He took a deep breath, steadying his voice. "Coming!" he called out, though his tone still wavered slightly. 

He stepped out of the bathroom, his dragon arm flexing instinctively as he adjusted his posture. When he entered the room, Yuuna was standing there, still wrapped in a blanket like a toga. Her dark pink eyes sparkled with mischief, but there was something else there too—something softer. 

She was holding something behind her back, shifting on her heels with excitement. "Took you long enough!" she teased. "Come here, I've got something for you!" 

Xyenn tilted his head, confused. "What are you hiding?" 

Yuuna grinned, stepping closer and pulling her hands out from behind her back. "Ta-da!" she said, holding up two items. 

The first was a black bandage-like eyepatch, enchanted with faint traces of magic that shimmered faintly in the light. It was designed to wrap snugly around his head, offering stability while still looking sleek and practical. 

The second was a brace for his dragon arm, made of black leather reinforced with gold trim. The material was smooth but strong, and it covered his entire arm up to his shoulder, leaving his clawed fingers free. The gold accents were carved with intricate runes, faintly glowing with the magic that Illyana had imbued into the design. 

Xyenn stared at the items, his mouth opening slightly in shock. "You… made these?" 

"Well, Illyana helped with the magic stuff," Yuuna admitted, stepping closer to him. Her grin softened into a warm smile, one of the rare moments where her playful energy gave way to genuine care. "But yeah. I thought you could use something cool. You've been working so hard, Xyenn. Fighting gods, dealing with all this insane stuff, dealing with me…" She chuckled, carefully unwrapping the bandage eyepatch and stepping closer to him to put it on. "Don't worry about where I got them or HOW I got them. I got them in this city by the way. Just know I got them for YOU."

Xyenn was still speechless, his eyes wide as she gently placed the bandage over his empty eye socket, wrapping it securely around his head. Her hands moved with surprising tenderness, her usual chaotic energy replaced with a quiet focus. 

"You've been through so much," Yuuna continued softly as she moved to fit the brace onto his dragon arm, adjusting the straps to make sure it fit comfortably. "And you've handled it all like a champ. I mean it. You're… amazing."

As she tightened the last strap, Xyenn's composure finally cracked. A single tear slid down his cheek, falling silently onto the marble floor. 

Yuuna noticed immediately, her eyes widening with concern. "Hey… what's wrong?" 

Xyenn didn't respond. Instead, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a tight embrace. 

Yuuna froze for a moment, caught off guard by the sudden gesture. But as she felt his tear hit her shoulder, her expression softened, and she wrapped her arms around him in return. 

"Xyenn, darling," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "Please don't make me cry." 

But a single tear escaped her eye anyway, sliding down her cheek as she held him tightly. 

"I love you," she whispered, her voice soft but full of emotion. 

Xyenn's arms tightened around her as he buried his face in her shoulder, his voice breaking as he whispered back, "I love you too." 

They stood there in silence for a long while, wrapped in each other's warmth, the chaos of the world outside momentarily forgotten. 

Moonlight bathed their naked forms as they came together in a passionate embrace. Xyenn traced teasing fingers down Yuuna's spine, eliciting shivers before firmly grasping those shapely hips. Their mouths met hungrily, tongues dancing in an intimate duel as hands explored heated flesh.

In their eagerness to devour each other, they knocked heads with a solid thunk. "Watch where you're aiming that thick skull," Yuuna laughed breathlessly. "Maybe if you weren't so impatient," Xyenn retorted, silencing further sass by claiming those lips once more. The playful moment passed as desire took over.

Yuuna took control first, shoving Xyenn onto their back and straddling those strong thighs. Grinding down created delicious friction that had them both moaning. Skilled fingers traced patterns over sensitive nipples while Yuuna's hips rolled in teasing circles. Xyenn's hands found purchase on that perfect rear, kneading the flesh and guiding the movements.

Not content to remain passive, Xyenn flipped their positions, pinning Yuuna's wrists above their head. Teeth grazed a sensitive earlobe before trailing down that elegant neck. Each nip and suck left marks of possession that had Yuuna writhing. Their bodies pressed together, skin sliding against sweat-slicked skin.

Taking things further, Xyenn lifted those lovely legs over broad shoulders, bending Yuuna nearly in half. The new angle drew desperate cries of pleasure as they moved together. Yuuna's nails raked down Xyenn's back, urging them deeper with each thrust.

They shifted again, Yuuna now on hands and knees as Xyenn gripped those hips with bruising force. The steady rhythm built gradually, teasing them both to new heights. One hand snaked around to tease sensitive flesh while the other kept a firm grip for leverage.

Rolling to their sides, they moved together in perfect sync. Xyenn's teeth found the junction of neck and shoulder while fingers traced patterns over heated skin. Yuuna reached back to tangle fingers in Xyenn's hair, pulling them closer as pleasure built.

Standing beside the bed, Xyenn lifted Yuuna easily, using gravity and strength to take them both higher. Strong thighs wrapped around a trim waist as they found a new angle. The position let them go deeper while hands remained free to explore.

Back on the bed, Yuuna took charge again, pushing Xyenn down and taking control. Rolling hips and flexing thighs set a demanding pace while skilled fingers teased sensitive nipples. The view from below was intoxicating as Yuuna moved with fluid grace.

They shifted once more, Yuuna's back against Xyenn's chest as they sat upright. The position allowed wandering hands to touch everywhere while still maintaining their passionate rhythm. Teeth grazed shoulders while fingers found all the right spots.

Moving to the edge of the bed let them watch their joining in the mirror across the room. The visual combined with physical sensation had them both moaning louder. Hands gripped thighs, hips, anything within reach as they chased their pleasure.

Against the wall now, Xyenn pinned Yuuna in place with raw strength. The new angle hit perfectly while allowing deep kisses and wandering touches. Their bodies moved together with practiced ease, knowing exactly how to drive each other wild.

Back in the center of the bed, they tangled together face-to-face. This position let them watch each other's expressions while maintaining the deep connection they craved. Hands roamed freely, touching and teasing as they approached their peak.

Release built steadily between them as they maintained their passionate rhythm. Every touch brought them closer to the edge until finally tension snapped. They cried out together as waves of pleasure crashed over them again and again.

Still joined, they collapsed in a satisfied heap, catching their breath as aftershocks rippled through them. Gentle touches and soft kisses conveyed volumes of emotion as they basked in the afterglow of their passionate encounter.

Xyenn said, "Fuck."

Yuuna chuckled, "What? Are you mad because I won?"

Xyenn blushed, "Y-You didn't win anything! I won."

"Mhm sureee. So what's up?"

"You won't have another child right?"

"Wowww you said that like you DON'T want one."

"No no! I mean—!"

"Haha!" Yuuna teased as she punched Xyenn in the stomach. "Dragon deities can't have another child after having one."

"Oh okay, good. I miss our first kid back in Vördrheim. I wanna go back soon."

"We'll be there and then shower him with gifts when we get there."

"What kind of gifts? I never got any gifts as a kid so I wouldn't know what to get him."

"Hmmmm! I got it! How about the heads of the people we slaughter?"

"No."

"How about their arms?"

"No."

"Their ears?"

"No."

"Their necks?"

"Doesn't that connect with their heads? Kinda the same thing."

"Shit. You're right. We'll think about it eventually. I'm new to this parenting stuff too."

…

The room was dark, the only light spilling in from the faint glow of the moon as it painted soft silver streaks across the bed and floor. The faint hum of the chandelier had dimmed to a low, magical hum, and the lavish suite was silent—except for the snoring**

Yuuna was sprawled halfway off the bed, her limbs tangled in the silk sheets, her mouth hanging open as she snored loudly. One of her legs dangled lazily over the edge, swinging slightly every time she exhaled, the blanket barely covering her. Her black hair was a messy halo around her face, and her expression was one of pure, unbothered satisfaction. 

Beside her, Xyenn lay on his back, his breathing slow and steady as he slept. His dragon arm rested on his chest, the new black-and-gold brace glinting faintly in the moonlight. His face was calm, peaceful, a rare moment of reprieve that softened the edges of his usual stoic demeanor. 

A faint glow began to spread across the room. It wasn't harsh or intrusive—just a soft, golden light that seemed to ripple like water, emanating from a single point. Standing at the edge of the bed was Illyana, her slender frame silhouetted against the faint glow of her magic. Her hair shimmered faintly, and her eyes reflected the moonlight as she gazed down at Xyenn. 

Her finger glowed faintly with lingering light magic as she reached out and tapped him lightly on the shoulder. The gentle pulse of magic spread through him like a warm wave, soothing and peaceful. 

Xyenn's eyes fluttered open, blinking against the faint glow as he stirred. He turned his head slightly, his voice groggy but calm. "What's up?" 

Illyana stood silently for a moment, her serene expression watching him carefully. Behind her was Draeven, standing awkwardly with his hands fidgeting at his sides. His smoke coiled lazily around his legs, moving slower than usual as if it, too, were nervous. 

"Draeven too..? Did something bad happen?" Xyenn asked.

"We need you," Illyana said softly, her voice calm but firm. "Draeven and Kivorn ran into someone earlier. An… old comrade. Her name is Faera." 

"Faera?" Xyenn repeated, sitting up slightly, his dragon arm flexing instinctively. 

Illyana nodded. "She's at The Choir, the orphanage in the west of Svarthelm. It's important we go. I didn't want to wake Kivorn… but I really need you with me." 

Xyenn sat up fully now, glancing at Yuuna. She was still snoring, oblivious to the conversation happening beside her. Her face was peaceful, her mouth twitching slightly as though she were dreaming about something ridiculous. 

Xyenn's gaze lingered on her for a moment before he turned back to Illyana. "Let's go then."

The city of Svarthelm was cloaked in shadow, its towering spires and clockwork machinery casting long, jagged silhouettes against the moonlit sky. The streets below were a patchwork of cobblestone and metal, glinting faintly in the pale light. Automatons patrolled the streets, their glowing eyes scanning the darkness for any signs of movement. The air was thick with the faint hiss of steam and the occasional clatter of gears, the sounds of the city never truly sleeping. 

But high above the streets, darting through the darkness like shadows, were Xyenn, Illyana, and Draeven. They wore black sackcloth hooded cloaks, the fabric blending seamlessly into the night. Each movement was fluid, precise, as they leapt from rooftop to rooftop, the wind rushing past them in whispers. 

Xyenn moved with a quiet confidence, his encased dragon arm gripping the edge of a chimney as he vaulted over it effortlessly. Illyana was graceful, almost weightless, her movements so smooth they seemed more like gliding than running. Draeven, however, was a bit more erratic—his smoke tendrils occasionally lashing out to steady him when he stumbled, his nervous energy making his movements less refined but no less effective. 

Below them, the streets were alive with contrasting activity. Nobles, dressed in extravagant evening attire, strolled leisurely down the cobblestone paths, their laughter and conversation carrying faintly into the night air. Some conducted business deals, exchanging documents and goods under the watchful eyes of their guards. Others enjoyed late-night drinks at open-air cafes, their crystal glasses catching the light of nearby lanterns. 

But for the common folk, the city was a different place at night. The automatons patrolled with cold precision, enforcing the curfew with no mercy. Anyone caught wandering without noble status or permission was escorted—or dragged—back to their homes or worse. The contrast was stark: the laughter of the nobles above the faint clink of automaton footsteps, a city divided even in the stillness of the night. 

As the group darted above the streets, Draeven glanced at Illyana, his voice a nervous whisper. "Uh… Illyana? Any reason we're, you know, sneaking around like this? I mean, we could probably handle a fight if it came to that…" 

Illyana's voice was calm but firm as she responded, her hood barely shifting in the wind. "It's not about whether we can fight, Draeven. It's about whether we should. Violence may solve problems, but it creates new ones just as easily. I strive to avoid unnecessary conflict whenever I can. Peace is always the better option." 

Draeven hesitated, his smoke curling nervously. "But… when it's time to fight…" 

"When it's time to fight," Illyana said softly, "then we fight. Without hesitation. Without mercy. But not until we've exhausted every other path." 

Xyenn glanced over his shoulder at Draeven, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Makes sense to me. You good, Draeven?" 

Draeven nodded quickly, his voice still tinged with nervousness. "Yeah! Yeah, I'm good. It's just… uh, good to be on a mission with you again, Xyenn. Makes me feel kinda… cool, you know?" 

Xyenn chuckled softly, reaching out to fist-bump Draeven as they leapt over a narrow alley. "I know what you mean. Feels like we're some kind of assassins or something." 

Draeven grinned nervously, returning the fist bump. "Yeah! Like… shadow warriors. Or… uh… something cool like that." 

The group came to a stop on a rooftop overlooking The Choir, the orphanage nestled in the heart of the city's western district. The building was a stark contrast to the surrounding structures—a massive, pristine white edifice that seemed to glow faintly in the moonlight. Its tall, arched windows were framed with golden trim, and the gates at the front were wrought iron, twisted into intricate patterns resembling musical notes. 

The courtyard in front of the orphanage was eerily silent. Scattered across the cobblestone were dolls and toys, some neatly placed, others abandoned as though dropped in haste. The faint scent of lavender drifted through the air, carried on an unnatural breeze. 

'The Choir…a pretty big orphanage…I sense a faint aura…it's dark..'

As the group landed softly in front of the gates, their feet barely making a sound, the atmosphere shifted. 

The air grew heavy, almost suffocating, and the faint sound of whispers began to fill their minds. The voices were low, guttural, speaking no language they could understand—but the intent was clear. Malice. Hunger. Madness. 

Xyenn winced, his dragon arm flexing instinctively as he gritted his teeth. The whispers clawed at his mind, each one louder than the last. 

"Tch!" Xyenn grunted. "What's that voice?!"

Illyana stood still, her expression serene but her glowing eyes sharp with focus. She raised a hand, her fingers glowing faintly as she muttered a quiet incantation under her breath. The whispers lessened slightly but didn't fade entirely. 

Draeven clutched his head, his smoke writhing erratically around him. "What… what is this?!" he whispered, his voice trembling. 

Xyenn's gaze snapped to the gate, his jaw tightening. 

'This presence…! This dark presence…! I feel connected to it. Like it's a part of me! I hope I'm not about to go berserk now..please no..'

The whispers surged again, louder this time, filling their minds with demonic phrases and languages.

Draeven stood all the way, saying, "That energy from inside…there's a demon in there."