Chapter 39 – Caged in Comfort

  War Rabbit Guild – Lower Quarters

  The remnants of past chaos had gracefully faded, leaving the War Rabbit Guild embraced by a thoughtful stillness.

  Soft boots echoed gently on the stone floors as Miss Hopps guided a small group deeper into the underground, past the everyday barracks and briefing rooms.

  Whispers were the only sounds, creating an air of respect and attention.

  The narrow, cool corridors led to a significant place. Here, below the main compound, the guild housed those in need—those who were unwell or uncertain. This wasn’t a dungeon; it was a space of understanding and care.

  It represented containment, but one filled with compassion and hope, rather than chains.

  The Room

  They arrived at a robust mana-sealed door, beautifully carved from reinforced stone and steel, ready to unveil its secrets.

  Behind it lay an old isolation ward, once designed for mana-exhausted scouts and those with plagues. The walls, adorned with worn gray sigils, emitted a soothing hum of power. A single enchanted vent ensured a steady flow of air, while every surface gleamed free from enchantments and hazards.

  The space was intentionally safe—no sharp edges, no weapons.

  Just a cot, a water basin, a table, and a serene atmosphere.

  Miss Hopps examined the room thoughtfully before addressing her team with determination.

  “Let’s set him down carefully.”

  Two recruits lifted the unconscious Seven, his weight surprising but reassuring—strong yet drained from his ordeal. His shirt bore tears, his ribs were bruised, and a fresh bandage covered the stump of his missing arm.

  Despite his still and unreadable expression, there was a palpable sense of hope that filled the room.

  Escort Team – Tension in the Air

  The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  Fluffy bounced alongside them, her twin short swords confidently strapped to her back and a notebook tucked under her arm.

  “I still think a cute welcome sign would’ve been perfect,” she said playfully.

  Miss Hopps sighed, keeping her focus ahead. “You can certainly craft one later, but let’s focus on not letting him dash through walls first.”

  “I’ll make it motivational!” Fluffy beamed. “‘Don’t worry—we’re mostly friendly!’”

  Hopps shot her a serious look as they arrived at the sealed door.

  “Fluffy.”

  “Yes, ma’am?”

  “No teasing, flirting, or touching. Just observation.”

  “...How do you define teasing?”

  “Anything that makes you laugh,” Hopps replied firmly.

  Fluffy raised both hands in surrender. “Got it! Observation mode activated. Stoic rabbit it is!”

  Arrival & Setup

  At the entrance, Hopps confidently pressed her gloved palm against the mana-lock—a captivating five-ringed sigil that clicked into motion and dissolved in a beautiful blue shimmer.

  The protective barrier gracefully faded away.

  With a soft creak, the door swung open.

  As they entered the room, a serene silence enveloped them, punctuated only by the gentle hum of low-frequency mana suppressors embedded in the floor. The walls worked subtly to mitigate magical energy, effectively containing Seven’s aura. In this space, he wouldn’t regain his full strength without some effort on their part.

  The recruits carefully laid him on the cot. Though his body tensed slightly, he remained still, with beads of sweat glistening on his skin in the cool air. Traces of mana flickered in uneven pulses through his veins, illuminating his neck and chest.

  Fluffy settled down against the far wall and opened her notebook with a cheerful flourish. “Guess it’s bunny-sitting time!”

  Miss Hopps lingered nearby, arms crossed and gaze focused intently on the unconscious human.

  “He’s not going to appreciate this when he wakes up,” she mused, a hint of concern in her voice.

  “He bolted last time,” Fluffy replied, crossing her legs with a grin. “But not this time! I’ll make sure he stays put.”

  Step back, Hopps made her way toward the door.

  “I think we should reinforce it.”

  With a spark of enthusiasm, Fluffy raised her hand and summoned a radiant circular glyph of her own design—a luminous ring of defensive runes shimmering in soft pink and white light. A tap of her finger ignited the spell, which throbbed and firmly locked across the door’s frame.

  “Boom! Door sealed,” Fluffy declared with pride. “I call it… Flufflock.”

  Hopps blinked in surprise. “You named your barrier spell?”

  “Why not? Keeping things fun adds a spark!”

  “You’re the only one I know who can make containment duty feel like pet-sitting,” Hopps commented with a smile.

  Fluffy’s expression softened slightly. “Maybe he just needs a gentler approach this time.”

  Hopps took a moment to consider.

  “Let’s keep him calm. No sudden moves, no threats, and definitely no questions about what happened up north until I say otherwise.”

  Fluffy saluted playfully. “Got it!”

  With a final, thoughtful glance at Seven’s still form, Hopps stepped out. The door sealed with a satisfying hum, and the Flufflock barrier shimmered back into place, leaving them in a sense of quiet protection.

  Room – Silence Between Two Worlds

  As Fluffy sat alone, she shifted in her chair, feeling a mix of contemplation and curiosity.

  The room, while not dark, lacked vibrancy—a quiet space filled with untold stories.

  The warm glow of two rune-lanterns illuminated the chamber, casting intriguing shadows across the cot and floor. Seven's chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm, yet the air around him buzzed faintly, charged with unstable mana.

  Fluffy leaned in, resting her chin thoughtfully on her hand.

  “You truly are remarkable,” she said, a hint of admiration in her voice. “One arm, a tough journey, and yet here you are, still fighting. You’ve got spirit!”

  At her words, Seven twitched slightly.

  His lips barely moved, and a whisper floated into the air, fragile yet profound—

  “...Saya…”

  Fluffy’s heart skipped. That name again.

  This wasn’t the first time he had spoken it, but now it carried a weight that was hard to ignore.

  It felt instinctive—fear, not longing or affection.

  Her playful demeanor faded as she rose and stepped closer to the cot. She examined his features, brow furrowed, jaw tense, as if even in dreams he was battling his own demons.

  “...Who are you, Seven?” she asked softly, filled with genuine concern.

  Silence answered her, the hum of warding runes and the quiet of a city unaware that its fate had already begun to unfold.

  Gently, she tucked him in, then sat down again, determined to be present and wait.