[F01 - F09] <<Katana Skill Acquisition>> The Strength of The Blade

[Alinta 0]

I’m going on a quest…with my boyfriend….

Boyfriend…

It was still so surreal to admit, to have someone in her life like that. It still felt like it was only yesterday (It was only yesterday) where she had made the awkward admission, and an offer to place that label on their relationship. Where she felt like she was going to throw up, awaiting a decision. A sweet date that was akin to a heaven-spun dream, where their lives were woven intricately together. Such an unexpected turn of events… the man had surprised her with his date, Alinta was going to surprise him with something of her own… the woman had so much SP to spare, she had decided to take on the curved sword skill, on top of her own - just so she could undergo this quest with him. Get a better understanding of him. It didn't hurt to have the Katana skill in her back pocket either, just in case... There was something inherently romantic about two ronin, once lost finding companionship in another.

Alinta→ Scar: I’m sitting outside at a cafe by the teleport plaza
Alinta→ Scar: You can take your time. I haven't been here too long.
Alinta→ Scar: Oh! I got a bunch of information for you about the Katana quest!

The woman paused to straighten the pin she had placed in her hair, she had finally settled on her 'questing' gear - the kind of outfit one would always wear. It was similar to what she had worn when she first met him. Along with a few adjustments. She was a little nervous to show him. Alinta took inspiration from several sources and since he had told her he wanted to use a Katana...Alinta wanted her aesthetic to match his.

Alinta sat outside a small cafe, an iced coffee with caramel in front of her, half finished. In front of her sat a cappuccino, a flat white, a cup of tea, a cup of green tea, and an iced caramel coffee…several drinks splayed out across the table. Alinta didn’t know what he liked. She should have asked him first. That would have been the smart thing to do. Instead. She just got a bit of everything from the menu. Surely he’d find something he’d like.

A passing player paused, glancing at Alinta, and giving her an odd look. “What?” Alinta shot back, “Maybe I’m thirsty.” She offered the poor man a wry grin. “Or are you just jealous that my man gets anything he wants?” A pause. “Anything…”  The player, a dirty blonde wearing a green tunic apologized and quickly scurried off. “Hah!”

Alinta turned back to her drink, picking it up and swirling the straw to stir the sweet caramel sauce into the liquid. “My man…” She repeated fondly. A strong sense of warmth resonated within her with that statement.

WC" 468

Alinta Ombre | HP: 560/560 | EN: 74/74 | DMG: 11 | True Tier 3

 

Spoiler

 

"Name: Alinta Ombre
True Tier: 3
Level: 28
Paragon Level: 0
HP: 560/560
EN: 74/74

Stats:
Damage: 11

Equipped Gear:
Weapon/Armor/Trinket: 
  - 
Armor/Trinket: 
  - 
Shield/Armor/Trinket: 
  - 

Combat Mastery:
  - 

Combat Shift:
  - 

Familiar Skill:
  - 

Custom Skill:
  - 

Skills:
  - Curved Sword R1
  - Whip R5

Extra Skills:
  - Survival

Inactive Extra Skills:

Addons:

Mods:

Inactive Mods:

Battle Ready Inventory:

Housing Buffs:

Guild Hall Buffs:

Scents of the Wild Totem:

Wedding Ring:

Crafting Profession:

Gathering Profession:
"                                                                                                                            

                                                                                       

 

 

Edited 9 hours ago by Alinta

[Scar 0]

Scar→ Alinta: On the way, baby. I'll be the guy running like he's late for the best day of his life.

The message sent, Jack weaved his way through the busy teleport plaza, the buzz of voices and chatter filing the warm air. The sun was shining in the open area, and it was reflecting off the armors, glass, and signage, but his focus was on the little café ahead, the one she had talked about. Each step felt lighter than the last.

Boyfriend.

The word still didn't quite feel real. It carried weight, warmth, and a sense of belonging he hadn't known he needed until she said it. So, now darting through this crowded plaza to meet her, the word meant everything.

He spotted her almost instantly. Even among the noise and chaos of the plaza, she stood out effortlessly. Seated at a small table beneath a ganging lantern, a half-finished iced caramel coffee sat in front of her, surrounded by a parade of drinks, five in total. A cappuccino, a flat white, two teas,and another iced caramel coffee.

Jack stopped mid-step. Then, quietly, he laughed under his breath.

That was so Alinta. Thoughtful, meticulous, and completely adorable in the way she always over-prepared. She didn't know what he liked, so she'd just gotten everything.

When he finally approached, he was still smiling, his tone laced with amusement. "You planning to start a café, or are you just trying to caffeinate me into another world?"

He leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to the top of her head before taking the seat across from her. His eyes lingered on her a moment longer than he meant to, she looked radiant, like she'd walked straight out of his memory from the first day they met, with just enough new touches to make it uniquely her.

"I can't believe you actually did this," he said, gesturing at the table with a surprised smile. "You're ridiculous.. and I love it."

He picked up the cappuccino first, gave it a sniff, and took a sip. "Okay.. not bad. Little fancy for me." Next was the flat white. "Hm. Kind of tastes like the cappuccino's cousin that got a better job."

He set it down and reached for the green tea. "Refreshing. But I'm not responsible for any samurai poses I start doing if this kicks in." Then came the regular tea, "Alright, this one's dangerous. Feels like something I could get addicted to."

Finally, he reached for the iced caramel coffee, the one she'd been drinking. He took a sip, closed his eyes, and nodded once. "Yeah. This one's the winner. Sweet, smooth, and a little dangerous if you have too much. Just like you."

Over the cup, his smile was bright , eyes gleaming with affection.

Pushing his chair back, Jack relaxed and let the moment be with them. It was peaceful, unhurried, like the world had decided to slow down just for the two of them. He didn't care about the chatter around them or the flickering teleport gate across the plaza. All that mattered was the girl sitting in front of him.

"So.." he said, setting the cup down. "You said you found out stuff about the Katana quest?" His tone was curious but soft, more interested in her excitement than the information itself. "You didn't have to do that, you know. But it's.. kind of perfect that you did."

His laughter got warmer and he was more loving than ever when he spoke, "Guess we're really doing this, huh? Two wandering ronins, ready to carve our way through the next floor."

Jack reached out across the table, his fingers grazer hers lightly. "You  always go above and beyond. I swear, you make me want to try harder just to keep up."

For a moment, the world faded into quiet warmth. The sun was shining on her face and he was looking at her with the expression, that shy spark which happens when one is unaware of being watched.

"You look gorgeous, by the way," he murmured. "I know I say that a lot, but it's always true."

* * *

Spoiler

Scar | HP: 140/140 | EN: 20/32 | DMG: 8 | MIT: 4 | ACC: 2

WC: 688

[Alinta 0]

Alinta spat out her drink, coughing when she saw the message he had sent her. Baby? He called her Baby? Alinta kept coughing and had to thump her chest with a closed fist to dislodge milk and cream. It was such a simple thing. Nothing more than a pet name but somehow, Alinta didn't expect that from him. Scar was tall, stoic, handsome. To have him write something like that? It was unexpected. The woman only just managed to catch her breath when he heard him from behind. A scrape of her chair against cobbled ground as she scrambled to get up. "Scar!" Alinta called out to him, turning to wrap her arms around his shoulders and offering him a kiss on his cheek. "Honey~" She'd whisper into his ear as she squeezed him tight before stepping away. Two could play at the pet name game. He'd offer her a kiss on top of her head before sitting across from her.

"I..." She picked up her own drink so she had something to do with her hands, moving the straw around in the liquid. "I didn't know what you wanted. Or what you'd like. I had the col so just...got you a bit of everything." She'd pause to finish off her own drink, and pushed her empty glass to the side. "You can't believe it?" Alinta asked as she slowly began to shuffle her chair toward his, with each push of her body it'd inch closer and closer to Scar. "Why? Can't I treat you? It's not like they'd go bad." Shuffle. Shuffle.  "I can put whatever you don't want in my inventory." Shuffle Shuffle. "So...its not like I did it just for you." (She did) Shuffle, shuffle.  Alinta stopped when there was a 'clink' as the chairs touched. Her leg against his.

Alinta leaned her head on his shoulder, watching in delight as he took the time to try each and everything she had bought him. "That's a black tea, with a splash of milk and one sugar. I didn't want it to be too sweet, since all the other stuff already is pretty sweet." Alinta lifted her head when he picked up the iced caramel. "S-Stop!" She gave him a nudge. "It's too early for you to be this handsome AND this flirtatious. I'm not sure my heart could take it."

As he drank Alinta opened up her menu. Showing him her HUD; filled with  pages and pages of information. "Okay bare with me here okay! So we need to have rank 1 curved sword skill. Then we need to find a Katana Master...I didn't know any players who were one, but there were rumours about some frontliner named Baldur - ah but he's busy so here...there looks like there's one in a volcano on Floor 9...one on Floor 10 - that's a dark place, also one on floor 4 and floor 6. There's some information here on each one, and their styles...I didn't know which one you'd prefer so I just kinda..." Alinta paused. She had been talking quickly. Was it too much?

"I...didn't have to, but...I did." Alinta leaned closer to him, and kissed his temple. "That's what partners do, right? They support each other."

She laughed when  he specifically said two ronins. So he had caught onto her plan, without her even revealing it. Guilty. But not charged. Alinta shifted her weight, moving to pick up the green tea. She didn't really care for the others; but this would be nice. She took a sip from it, enjoying the quiet moment as Scar looked through the information she had provided. A deep inhale as she closed her eyes. This...was nice. Peaceful. It felt right, almost too right and that scared her a little. The sun and its early morning rays provided a subtle and warmth but it was nothing like the roaring fire next to her.

"I'm only as gorgeous as you are handsome, Scar."

WC: 658

[Scar 0]

As he observed her bring her chair closer to him with small movement, one after another. Jack's eyes softened. The warm of her body slightly touching his shoulder made him smile under his breath, a quiet, very intimate, private expression of his amusement and affection. "You really went through all this trouble, didn't you?" he murmured, his voice low and gentle. "You didn't have to, Alinta.. But I can't say I'm not glad you did."

He reached out and brushed a loose strand of her hair behind her ear, letting his fingers linger for just a moment. The intimacy of the touch was deliberate, affectionate, and yet it didn't feel like anything extraordinary to him, simply being with her, being able to care for her in a way he hadn't known he needed. "Partners, huh?" he uttered a quiet chuckle, tilting his head slightly. "Yeah.. that's exactly what we are. And you.. you always make me want to do better, to keep up with you."

Alinta's explanation of the Katana Skill Acquistion quest came in a rush, her words tumbling out in an excited flurry. Jack listened with rapt attention, a small and somewhat amused smile was playing on his lips. Her enthusiasm was infectious, her passion for learning and preparing for the quest drawing him in deeper. "I don't mind the information overboard," he said, leaning back a bit backward but his hand was gently resting on hers. "I like seeing you like this, so focused, so passionate. Makes it feel.. real. Makes me feel like I'm part of it, part of you."

He let his thumb lightly rub over the back of her hand, a silent reassurance as he added, "I'll follow your lead, Alinta. Whatever you want to do, whatever path you want to take.. I'll be right beside you. That's what partners are for, isn't it?" His crimson eyes held a warmth that made her words sink in, the affection and admiration in them unmistakable.

When she leaned in to kiss his temple, Jack's lip twitched into a soft, fond smile. "You're too good to me," he murmured, almost to himself, though she would hear it. "Honestly.. I'm just lucky I get to be here with you. Lucky I get to see you like this, so bright and full of life." He let his eyes linger on her for a moment, taking in the small details, the way her hair caught the sunlight, the careful way she had pinned it, the sparkle in her violet eyes as they shifted to meet his.

Jack leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice into a playful whisper. "You know.. If I didn't have to worry about being all heroic and serious on this quest, I might just sit here all day and watch you organize your notes and sip your drinks." A small chuckle, soft but full of affection , came out of his mouth. "Though.." His gaze flicked to the assortment of drinks she had laid out, only half joking, "I might have to take take a break to drink each one of these. You got them for me after all."

Alinta laughed lightly, nudging him as she tried to feign irritation, but Jack only grinned. "Don't pretend you don't love it," he teased, his hand brushing hers again. "I can feel the care in every little thing you did.. From picking the drinks to gathering all this information. Every bit of it.. It's you.. And I love that."

He let a comfortable pause settle over them, letting her words and gentle morning light fill the space. There was a subtle rhythm to their quiet companionship, an intimacy that didn't need grand gestures or overt declarations, it was in the brush of hands, the tilt of heads, the shared laughter over minor jokes. Jack felt it deeply, that sense of completeness, of rightness, simply being near her.

Jack lightly pressed his palm against hers, letting his thumb trace gentle, comforting circles. "You've got so much passion, Alinta.. So much drive and curiosity," he said, tone both gentle and touched. "And I.. I get to see it. I get to be a part of it. That's.. that's not something I take lightly. Not ever."

He leaned back just slightly, letting a playful grin tug at his lips. "You always manage to surprise me," he said softly, shaking his head. "Even when I think I know what to expect.. You find a way to make me laugh, to make me feel like I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be." He paused, his thumb still brushing hers. "And.. I wouldn't trade that for anything in the world."

With a slight tilt of his head, he looked deeply into her eyes and a quiet vulnerability was evident in his voice, "I know you said this is just a little gesture, just a bit of support for me.. but for me, it means everything. It means you care, it means.. we're a team. And.. I can't tell you how much that means."

He leaned forward just slightly, letting their shoulders touch once again, enjoying the comfortable weight of proximity. "I'll follow your lead, Alinta," he said softer now, more earnest. "Through every floor, every quest.. and even just through moments like this. Because I don't want to be anywhere else but here, with you."

Jack let out a soft, affectionate sigh, brushing his thumb over the back of her hand one final time before pulling back just enough to give her a playful,teasing grin. "You really do make everything better," he said. "Even a simple morning at a cafe.. feels like an adventure when it's with you."

* * *

WC: 943

[Alinta 0]

Alinta really didn’t think it was all that much trouble, she ordered a few extra drinks, she transcribed and collated a bunch of information, that took what? A few hours at best? So when he made another comment all Alinta could do was shrug. “No. I didn’t.” A simple reply spoken with honesty. She’d reach up and brush strands of black hair behind his ear, returning his gesture. “To me, it was no trouble. An effort as easily as breathing.” To see his soft smile. To hear the appreciation in his voice and his light laughter.

“Keep up with me?” Alinta sounded exasperated. “Honey…I…I only have two skills. The curved sword, to do this quest, and the Whip skill. I don’t even have a weapon. Or Armour. Or anything of the sort.”

A tap of her fingers against the table, and a hum on her lips as she watched him, ever enamoured with how the sun reflected the reds in his eyes. “Hell… I don’t even leave the safe zones without someone with me. If anything, you're the one pushing me to do better.”

As Scar would talk about following her lead for the quest Alinta would thwack her head on the table, a small grumble and a sigh. “Yeh, okay…That’s all well and good and all…but - this is going to be your main weapon. Your main playstyle.” She’d kick at his leg. “I’m taking this quest with you. Because I want to experience it with you…but I don’t know what kind of Master you want to seek out.” She sounded a little exasperated, annoyed that he was being so sickly sweet. Alinta drew in a deep breath and lifted her head up - smack bang in the middle of her forehead was a small red mark.

Alinta grabbed his shirt and pulled him closer to her. “Pick. A. Damn. Master.” She’d say, equal parts stern and light hearted tones. Alinta adored how doting Scar was being, but there was a line, and she needed to make sure that he wouldn’t sacrifice his own needs just for her.

Then, just for good measure Alinta gave him a shake. “I adore you Scar! I adore the quirk of your smile and the scent of your cologne, I adore the sparkle in your eyes but I will make it your problem if you don’t pick something!” 

Then, she’d release him and offer a laugh, she had no idea how she’d make it his problem and it was an empty threat at best. Alinta shifted and sat so she was straddled sideways over his lap, one arm wrapped around his shoulder. 

“Okay….let me try a different tactic.” A deep breath, as he’d shower her with more compliments. Damn. He really did make it hard to focus. “If we focus on you today, in all your heroic glory. I promise you can get the chance to dote on me tonight. My place, or yours.” A pause as she had to bury her head in his shoulder, awkward with the implications. “My place is a single bed inn though…”

He talked about how lucky he was but he ha no idea what he did to Alinta, what kind of spark he had lit within her. For without him, she felt she’d still be aimlessly wandering the town alone, and without purpose.

“I fear you are doting on a version of me that isn’t real. I’m not driven, I’m just a dork who likes gathering things and writing. I don’t have drive or passion…not till I had met you. Hell I’m barely level…” Alinta would pause to open up her menu. What level was she anyway.

“Huh?”

She stared at the number before her 28? When did that happen? “You know what…lets forget the level thing.” She said quickly brushing it away.

“Point of the matter is, I’m only better because you’re with me, Scar. You…have a way of making things fun. Making me want to experience this place like its meant to be. To have quests and adventures and to relax with a hot meal in the evenings…so…lets make that happen together.”
 

**
WC 687

[Scar 0]

Jack blinked when her forehead hit the table, soft chuckle escaped him as he leaned forward slightly. "You alright there?" he teased, his voice carrying that quiet amusement only she could pull out of him. Before he could reach out, though, she kicked him under the table. That drew a deeper laugh from him , low and unrestrained this time. "Okay, okay, I get it. You want me to be serious for once."

Her exasperation was endearing, the way she tried so hard to keep her composure even while he was sitting there smiling like an idiot. But when she grabbed his shirt and pulled him close, his laughter broke into something softer. His hands instinctively came up, one finding her hip, the other resting gently against her side. The warmth of her touch, the closeness of her breath, it made his pulse skip.

"Pick a damn master, huh?" Jack repeated, his grind widening. "Alright, alright. I surrender." His voice was full of fun but his gaze became tender, the crimson flecks in them glowing faintly under the morning sun. "You've got this dangerous habit of making orders sound like poetry, you know that?"

And then she shook him, actually shook him, as she professed her adoration through half-threats and laughter. Jack couldn't help it, he broke into full, genuine laughter, his shoulders shaking as he looked at her. "Alright, alright! Message received!" he said, still grinning. "I'll pick one before you decide to level up intimidation."

But when she moved onto his lap, the teasing got quiet and changed into something different. Everything around them became a faint noise, the café chatter, the teleportation light flickering near them, all of it was the background to the soft and slightly heavy moment of her leaning against him. His arm was now lying there quite naturally on her hip, the fingers running through her clothing gently and in a very relaxed way. The other hand of his came in contact with her back, giving support while she was talking.

"Focus on me today, huh?" he echoed, his voice dropping just slightly, smooth and warm. "And tonight I get to dote on you?" A small grin tugged at the corner of his mouth, playful but tender. "Careful, Alinta.. You're making it sound like a quest I don't ever want to complete."

Her next words, though, pulled him back into something softer. That quiet fear she admitted, that she wasn't the version of herself he saw. That the fire and drive he admired wasn't real. Jack's hand stilled for a moment. He tilted his head, catching her gaze until violet met red.

"Alinta," he said quietly, his tone steady and sincere, "You don't have to swing a sword to be strong. You don't have to go running into danger to have drive. You make things better, you organize, you prepare, you think ahead, you care about the people around me. That's not weakness. That's you. And that's exactly what makes you special."

He smiled faintly, brushing his thumb along her jawline, slow and affectionate. "You think I make things fun? You're the one who makes them worth doing."

A breath, quiet and full of feeling. "You're not better because of me, Ainta. You're better because you decided to be. Because you're brave enough to try, even when it's scary. That's what I see when I look at you."

For a moment, he let the silence settle, not awkward, but full of quiet understanding. Then, because he was unable to resist, the smile returned. "Still," he murmured, voice low and teasing, "If you really want me to pick a Master.. maybe we go with the one on Floor 9. Volcano sounds dangerous..ly fun. You and me. Side by side, learning from a master, facing challenges together. Sounds kind of romantic, don't you think?"

He leaned forward, resting his forehead against hers. "Partners, right?" he said in a low voice. "Through every quest. Every floor. Every quiet morning like this."

Jack planted a gentle kiss on her temple, stayed there a little longer than he normally would and then, just enough, pulled back to meet her eyes again. "Now," he said with a crooked grin, "If you plan on bribing me with another dozen drinks after this, I'm going to start assuming that's your secret strategy to make me agree to everything."

* * *

WC: 727

[Alinta 0]

“If you think I make orders sound like poetry than consider me your muse, your poet, your weaver of words.” Alinta would say between small kisses against his temple. Offering moments of affection at every chance she got. Doting on him as though he were the only person in the world.

“But if my orders are poetry, then your laughter is my drug.” Another kiss, this time to his cheek. “One I’m already far too addicted to.”

It was a wonder the two ever got anything done. Constantly whispering sweet nothings into each others ears, teasing and playing and trying to one up each other. Hot teas grew cold, and iced drinks became melted as Alinta sat there in the warmth of his lap, being blissfully lost in the moment. “I suppose we simply just compliment each other so well.” Alinta would say to Scar as he complimented her on her bravery. Not that she thought she was. But Alinta wouldn’t argue. At least not right now.

Volcano….

Romantic?

“I think you’re a fucking lunatic for thinking that romantic.” Alinta chided, but she couldn’t help but laugh, “But maybe I’m a lunatic too, for agreeing with you.” She’d lift him from his seat and drag him to the teleportation plaza, walking backwards- dazzling eyes of amber set on his glimmering eyes of ruby red.

“Every Quest. Every floor. I’m Yours.”

 

Floor 9

He had to pick the Volcano floor, after going to floor 5...and barely being able to deal with the heat there Alinta thought this place would be nigh unbearable, but the two now had the survival skill. And whilst hot…it wasn’t unbearable.

The two arrived arm in arm in the middle of Yōgan Village. They were immediately hit with the heat of surrounding volcanoes, and the loud ringing of metal clanging against metal. The city, despite its lack of players, was far louder than The Town of Beginnings and even Tolbana. Ash hung heavy and thick in the air.

Alinta coughed and covered her mouth. She pulled out two face masks, one for herself, and one for Scar. She placed the black cotton material in his hands before affixing her own. “This…isn’t the best solution, but it’s better than breathing in ash.” Alinta offered Scar a smile, then realized it was hidden so instead reached out to take his hand in hers and offer it a tight squeeze.

“I heard…that the floor boss for this place was really hard…” She said in an awed whisper, stepping off the teleporation pad to make way for any who dared come here. Her eyes travelled to the large walls that surrounded the city, hunks of cooled magma fused together. The Buildings were all made out of black obsidian, and would glimmer in the lights of flowing lava. Alinta inched closer to Scar. Dangerous for clumsy people like her. Falling and cutting oneself on a house did not sound like fun.

“So the information said this guy’s on top of Mount Hellion.” With one hand still in his she opened up her menu with the other, sifting through her information, stepping in close to Scar, so he could see the points she had marked out on her map. “He’s in Knorilit Village. Thaat’s south of here. I’m…not sure how long this distance is though… But the villagers are mostly miners, or tavern owners. So I’m guessing their main population dwarves, probably.  Don’t know where in the city he is…just that he’s there.” Alinta was good with this. She liked collating information, she liked sorting it. Maybe Scar was right. Maybe this is where she could find her use. After all…information brokers were a thing in this game. She could be one of them!

Although…it’d be hard trying to find information on anything new…at least she could help Scar today.

“If I didn’t know any better…I’d say this is you taking revenge on me for dragging you to a sandy floor.” Alinta said with a tug of her hand, leading him to the south exit of the town. “Or, maybe you just wanna see me sweaty.”

WC:684

[Scar 0]

The heat did not let up. It was very close to Jack's body, and was like a living creature pressing, heavy and hard, against his skin. However, he would have not been able to resist the overwhelming heat but to admire the scenery.

Yōgan Village wasn't just situated near a volcano; it was a settlement that depended on the volcano for its materials. The town was encircled with sharp cliffs of turned lava. the remains of a very old eruption that, nowadays, was used as a town's protection. The houses were made of obsidian - large, partially hollowed-out pieces of volcanic glass, which under the fiery sun, looked like black mirrors with their shiny surfaces. "It's something else," Jack murmured, his voice carrying quiet awe. The surfaces reflected streaks of orange and red, rippling like veins of fire beneath the stone. It felt alive.

He turned when Alinta coughed, the ash in the air catching the light like drifting embers. She handed him a black cotton mask, and for a brief moment, he just looked at her, the way she thought ahead, how she always seemed to have what they needed before he realized they did. He accepted it with a soft smile. "You really think of everything, don't you?" he said, sliding it on. The faint scent of her clung to the fabric, grounding him in the middle of all this heat and chaos.

When she slipped her hand into his, he squeezed back, a silent exchange that said more than words could.

Her voice being more serious, she talked about the floor boss, and his eyes followed her pointing to the volcano afar that was looking like a sleeping god towering over them. The idea of just somehow going against such a thing.. it was thrilling and scary at the same time and made his heart beat faster than usual. "A floor boss.." he muttered under his breath, half to himself. "Guess I'll have to work my way up before I can even think about that kind of fight." His voice carried no fear, only a quiet determination and curiosity.

She stepped closer to show him her map, and as she did, Jack noticed the obsidian walls glittering dangerously. "Let's keep a little distance from these," he murmured, resting a hand gently against her arm. "They look like they bite." His teasing softened the edge of his concern, but the instinct was genuine, to keep her safe from even the smallest danger.

As his eyes moved across the map, the words "Mount Hellion" caught his attention. The name alone stirred something in him, the kind of challenge that made his chest tighten with anticipation. "You sure know how to pick 'em," he said with a crooked grin. "A volcano. Hotter than the desert floor, probably more dangerous too.. sounds perfect."

He was about to add another remark, but then she smirked and spoke again.

"If I didn't know any better.. I'd say this is you taking revenge on me for dragging you to a sandy floor."

Before he could answer, she hit him with that playful grin, "Or maybe you just wanna see me sweaty."

For a moment, he forgot how to breathe.

Jack blinked, eyes wide behind the faint mist of heat, his brain momentarily short-circuited. A faint laugh escaped him, awkward and flustered. "Wh-what? I-hey, come on," he stammered, his voice cracking into a soft chuckle. "You really think I'd drag us all the way here just for that?" His grin was helpless, disbelieving, and maybe just a little guilty. "That'd be.. low of me."

He paused, his tone shifting, low, teasing, a little rougher. "..Though, if it happens to be a side effect of the trip.." His eyes glinted as he leaned closer. "I'm not complaining."

Her laugh, light and melodic, carried easily over the roar of distant magma. He took her hand again giving it a gentle tug. "C'mon. Let's go find Knorilt Village before we both melt."

They left the obsidian streets behind, heading south. The path wound through cracked plains of black rock and hardened lava flows that glowed faintly beneath the surface. Every few steps, vents hissed hot steam into the air, forcing them to weave around them carefully. Despite the harshness of the landscape, Jack couldn’t help but find a strange beauty in it, the burnt reds, the deep char of the earth, the sound of magma bubbling beneath their feet like a heartbeat.

By the time they began their ascent along the base of Mount Hellion, the heat grew even more intense, but the «Survival» skill they had learned made it bearable. Jack kept a steady pace, occasionally glancing back at Alinta to make sure she was managing the climb. "Still holding up?" he called over his shoulder with a grin. "You're not about to faint on me, are you?"

The path grew steeper with every step. The molten glow beneath their boots pulsed brighter, veins of fire crisscrossing the dark rock like cracks in a beating heart. Jack brushed the back of his hand against his forehead, wiping away a line of sweat that instantly returned. "Alright," he muttered under his breath, "Maybe you weren't wrong about the sweating part."

Blackened and towering, the smoking mountain was right next to them. The more they went towards it, the more it appeared to live. The landscape quivered softly, the heat was distorting the horizon, and the whole world was changing into a mirage. The molten lava was flowing down the fissures like bright rivers in the night, their loudness was very far off but it was still there always, a kind of motherly hug to the fact that the platform they were treading upon was very much alive.

Jack adjusted the trap of his curved sword, the polished steel glinting faintly in the orange light as the ground beneath them rumbled. "Volcano's still asleep, right?" he said with mock concern. "Because if this thing wakes up, we're turning around and I'm blaming you."

He was being humorous, yet he couldn't deny how tense it made him, the thought of the earth breaking open underneath their feet. Still, when he caught her smiling at his attempt to mask it, he couldn't help but return it. Her calm always grounded him, even in a place that felt like hell itself.

They travelled through areas of land where ashes were descending slowly as black snow. It was piling up in little pockets against the sides of the pointy rocks, taking off the sharp character of the land just enough to make it look calm and quiet. A gust of wind at one point, tearing through and scattering the ashes into a rapidly whirling cluster of soot and ember. Jack instinctively extended his arm, his hand touching her arm to hold her safe until the haze was over.

When it cleared, the world ahead revealed itself in a faint orange glow, the distant shimmer of light reflecting off the obsidian peaks. "That has to be Knorilt," Jack said quietly. "I can see the light bouncing off the glass. We're close."

But close was relative. The route on the mountain was tight, winding around the edge of deep scars where the earth was still boiling with lava. Inhaling was painful, and the wind too was warm, as if the door to an oven was being opened. Jack could feel the heat through his boots, each step measured and cautious.

He found himself stealing glances at her more often than he’d admit, making sure she didn’t slip, didn’t stumble too close to the edge. Every time she caught him, he’d just smile like it meant nothing, but the worry was always there behind his eyes. He wasn’t sure when that started, the instinct to watch out for her first and himself second, but it had become second nature now.

They reached a flat outcrop partway up the mountain, the perfect place to rest. Jack crouched down, brushing a hand over the rock to test its heat before sitting. It was warm, but bearable. He leaned back on his palms, exhaling slowly as he stared out at the horizon.

From up here, the world below looked surreal, an endless sea of glowing veins and blackened stone, like the planet itself was bleeding light. Even through the heat and exhaustion, he found himself smiling faintly. "You know," he said after a moment, "I think I get it now."

He turned his head toward her, his expression softening. "Why people chase places like this. It's not just about the fight or the loot. It's.. this." He motioned toward the view, the smoke, the glow, the strange beauty of destruction frozen in motion. "Standing somewhere that shouldn't even be survivable, and realizing you made it."

He chuckled quietly and looked down at his hands, shaking his head. "Crazy thing is, I wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for you." The words slipped out before he could catch them. He covered the moment with another small laugh, leaning forward and pushing himself to his feet. "C'mon. Let's finish this climb before I start getting sentimental."

The final stretch toward Knorilt was harsher. The slope turned jagged, littered with chunks of volcanic glass that glittered like knives. The heat shimmered so thick that the edges of their surroundings blurred. The path itself felt unstable, as if it could crumble into fire at any second.

Jack stayed close, moving with quiet focus. When the incline forced them to climb, he offered his hand without hesitation, pulling her up with a firm grip. Despite the sweltering air, his tone carried a teasing undertone. "See? Not so bad. Just think of it as the world's deadliest hike."

Their view after the climb revealed a vast area of lava that had dried and turned to obsidian, a small, hardened field of obsidian and blackened stone. In the distance, faint orange lights flickered like lanterns through the haze, Knorilt Village, resting at the volcano’s crown.

Jack straightened up, resting his hands on his hips as he caught his breath. The view behind them stretched endlessly into the smokey red-black horizon, the molten rivers below casting a dim glow that painted their silhouettes in amber. "We actually made it," he said, half-laughing, half in disbelief. "Didn't think I'd say that without being half-cooked."

He turned his head slightly, catching her gaze, and smirked. "Still think I dragged you up here just to see you sweaty?"

The delight in his voice was an understatement, and he went on to say more quite to himself: beneath the teasing and also under every smile and glance there is a heartfelt affection of his. Jack took a step toward her, his boot making a sharp sound on the bare and hot earth. Nodding his head toward the village that lay radiant ahead, he spoke.

"C'mon. Let's go meet this 'Katana Master' before this place decides to wake up."

And with that, Jack started toward Knorilt Village, the glow of lava flickering behind them like the heartbeat of the mountain itself.

* * *

WC: 1850