Morning sunlight slipped gently through the curtains of their room at The Lantern Inn, painting the wooden floor in warm gold. The city of Grainford was already awake outside — distant carriage wheels rolling over stone roads, merchants calling out early bargains, and the faint clang of a blacksmith’s hammer echoing somewhere beyond the window.

  Kaito opened his eyes slowly.

  For a moment, he simply stared at the ceiling.

  Last night replayed in his mind — the blue crystal necklace resting against Serena’s collarbone, her flushed cheeks, the warmth of her lips.

  A faint smile touched his face.

  A soft knock came at the door.

  “Breakfast time,” Renna’s voice called casually.

  Kaito cleared his throat and answered, “Coming.”

  After a quick morning meal downstairs, the group headed toward the Adventurers Guild yard to retrieve their carriage. The air was crisp, carrying the promise of a clear day.

  Kael checked the horse straps while Renna stretched her arms lazily.

  “Thunder stag, huh,” she muttered. “Hope it’s not just a myth.”

  Serena stood beside Kaito, adjusting the blue crystal necklace slightly.

  He noticed.

  “It still looks perfect on you,” he said quietly.

  Her cheeks warmed. “You’re staring again.”

  “Can’t help it.”

  Renna glanced back at them and smirked but said nothing.

  Soon, they rode out of the western gate of Grainford, heading toward the vast forest plains where the Raijinhorn Thunder Stag had been reported.

  Hours passed.

  They wandered through thick woodland, following faint trails and scattered hoof marks that turned out to be ordinary deer.

  No crackling lightning.

  No scorched earth.

  No thunderous roars.

  “Nothing,” Kael sighed from the back seat.

  Serena use wind magic scanned the area with gentle magic pulses. “No unusual mana signatures either.”

  Renna leaned forward slightly. “Maybe it moved farther west.”

  Kaito remained calm. “We’ll keep searching.”

  By midday, they stopped near a shaded clearing.

  Kaito built a small fire while Serena and Renna prepared simple lunch — bread, leftover meat slices, and a light vegetable stew reheated in a pot.

  They sat together on fallen logs, the forest quiet except for birds chirping.

  “Feels peaceful,” Serena said softly.

  Kael nodded. “Too peaceful for a thunder beast.”

  Renna stretched her legs. “It’ll show itself eventually.”

  Kaito glanced at Serena while she blew gently on her spoon before tasting the stew.

  Small things like that made his chest feel strangely light.

  She caught him watching.

  “What?”

  “Nothing,” he replied, smiling faintly.

  Renna rolled her eyes. “You two are obvious.”

  Serena nearly choked on her food. “Renna!”

  Kael coughed awkwardly and focused on his bowl.

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  The moment eased into quiet laughter.

  After resting briefly, they packed up and continued their search.

  Afternoon shadows grew longer as the sun lowered.

  They searched deeper into the forest.

  Still nothing.

  No thunder cracks.

  No lightning-scorched trees.

  As the sky shifted toward orange, Kaito slowed the carriage.

  “Let’s camp near the river we used before.”

  Everyone agreed.

  The familiar riverside clearing greeted them with soft flowing water and open sky.

  Kaito set up the tent and arranged blankets efficiently. Serena and Renna prepared a simple dinner — vegetable soup and freshly grilled fish seasoned with salt and herbs.

  Soon, the four sat around the campfire, flames dancing between them.

  The river reflected the sunset in shimmering gold.

  “This reminds me of our first long journey,” Serena said quietly.

  Renna nodded. “Before everything got complicated.”

  Kael leaned back slightly. “Before Meteor Falls and forbidden skills.”

  They all laughed softly.

  The warmth of the fire contrasted with the cool evening breeze.

  After dinner, Renna stood and stretched. “I’m sleeping. Wake me if thunder hits the sky.”

  Kael followed her. “Same.”

  They disappeared into their sleeping spaces, leaving Kaito and Serena alone by the fire.

  The forest quieted.

  The river flowed steadily.

  Only the crackling fire and distant insects filled the night.

  Serena stared into the flames.

  “Kaito…”

  He looked at her gently. “Yeah?”

  “Are you afraid?”

  “Of the Thunder Stag?”

  He thought for a moment. “Not afraid of it.”

  She looked up.

  “Ohh you sound so confident more than before but what I was thinking is that someday we might be losing someone important during the Quest.”

  Her breath caught slightly.

  The firelight reflected in her deep blue eyes.

  “You mean… us?” she asked softly.

  He didn’t hesitate.

  “Yes.”

  The honesty in his voice made her heart tremble.

  She shifted closer to him.

  “I feel the same,” she whispered.

  There was no teasing now. No embarrassment.

  Just truth.

  Kaito slowly reached for her hand.

  She didn’t pull away.

  Their fingers intertwined naturally.

  Her hand felt warm in his.

  “I didn’t expect to feel like this when I start my journey,” he admitted quietly. “I thought I’d just survive. Grow stronger. Protect everyone.”

  Serena listened carefully.

  “But somewhere along the way… protecting you became different.”

  Her chest tightened.

  “How?”

  “It stopped feeling like duty.”

  He turned toward her fully.

  “It became something I want. Not because I have to. But because I love you.”

  The words lingered in the air between them.

  Serena’s eyes shimmered faintly.

  “You really know how to say dangerous things,” she murmured softly.

  “Too late to take them back.”

  She laughed gently — then leaned closer.

  Her free hand rested lightly against his chest.

  “I love you too, Kaito.”

  The confession was quiet, but firm.

  Sincere.

  He pulled her gently into his arms.

  She settled against him naturally, her head resting near his shoulder.

  The night breeze brushed through her long blue hair.

  Kaito wrapped one arm around her waist.

  She tilted her face upward.

  Their foreheads touched.

  No rush. No urgency.

  Just warmth.

  He kissed her softly.

  This time deeper than before, but still gentle — filled with trust rather than surprise.

  When they parted, she remained in his embrace.

  “Stay like this for a bit,” she whispered.

  “Always.”

  Time drifted quietly.

  Stars filled the sky above them.

  At some point, fatigue overcame him.

  Kaito shifted slightly, resting his head carefully against her lap.

  Serena smiled softly and ran her fingers through his hair.

  “You’re tired,” she murmured.

  He hummed faintly in response, already half asleep.

  She watched the stars while guarding the night in silence.

  Soft dawn light filtered across the river.

  Renna stirred and stepped out of her sleeping space.

  She froze.

  “Eh… you…”

  Kaito was sleeping peacefully with his head resting on Serena’s lap.

  Serena immediately placed a finger to her lips.

  Renna blinked — then smirked knowingly.

  “Right,” she whispered quietly.

  Without another word, she walked toward the river to wash her face.

  A few minutes later, Kaito slowly opened his eyes.

  He blinked, realizing where he was.

  Serena smiled gently down at him.

  “Good morning.”

  He sat up quickly, slightly embarrassed. “Did I fall asleep?”

  “Maybe.”

  He scratched his cheek awkwardly.

  She leaned closer and whispered, “you really have a good sleep.”

  Renna returned, pretending not to see anything.

  Kael soon woke as well.

  Kaito reheated leftover stew and toasted bread lightly over the fire.

  They ate quietly but comfortably.

  Renna occasionally glanced at Serena’s faintly glowing expression.

  “Sleep well?” she teased.

  Serena cleared her throat. “Yes.”

  Kaito focused intensely on his bread.

  Kael sensed something but chose wisely not to comment.

  After breakfast, they packed everything and continued west.

  Several hours passed.

  Then—

  A deep rumbling sound echoed through the forest.

  Not from the sky.

  From the earth itself.

  They stopped.

  Another crack — sharp and electric.

  The air vibrated.

  “That’s not normal thunder,” Kael muttered.

  They followed the sound carefully, moving on foot while leaving the carriage hidden.

  The forest ahead was scorched.

  Trees split by lightning.

  The scent of burned earth filled the air.

  Then they saw it.

  A magnificent beast stood in a clearing.

  The Raijinhorn Thunder Stag.

  Its body was tall and powerful, fur shimmering silver-white. Massive antlers arched like jagged lightning bolts, crackling with blue electricity. Thunder energy wrapped around its limbs, dancing violently across its hide.

  At its feet lay a fallen hobgoblin, still smoking from a recent strike.

  The stag lifted its head.

  Golden eyes locked onto Kaito and the others.

  It let out a thunderous roar.

  Lightning exploded outward from its body in sharp pulses.

  The ground trembled.

  Serena tightened her grip on her staff.

  Renna’s crimson aura began to flicker.

  Kaito stepped slightly in front of Serena.

  “Stay close.”

  The Thunder Stag lowered its head.

  Electricity surged violently around it.

  The storm had found them.