Aaaand there’s the slap, Galen thought as Lusha delivered the painful looking blow to Aleksi’s face.

  To the man’s credit, he looked like he’d been expecting such a hit and had braced himself for it. Aleksi rubbed at his cheek, which was already turning red.

  “Months without a message from you,” Lusha took a deep breath, “when I communicated with some of our spies in the Dominion, I’d heard that the Shadows had found you. I thought… I thought you were dead you voiding bastard!”

  She began to pace back and forth as she continued, “Then, just as that heart wrenching thought began to settle in, you appear out of the blue with the news that you had a perfect opportunity to take the Champion away from the Dominion. Just when I was trying to wrap my mind around that fact that you were indeed alive, coupled with learning you somehow stumbled on such an astounding opportunity… you then had the audacity to all but demand that I send our men to aid you in extracting the Champion in TWO HOURS TIME! And then YOU LEFT just as quickly as you’d returned!”

  Lusha whirled on Aleksi, “Do you have any idea how much of a whirlwind that all was to deal with?! Maker, Zareb… You could have given me an earlier warning of… of… EVERYTHING!”

  “And yet, you managed it,” Aleksi smiled.

  “Void, your face is so punch-able right now…” Lusha sighed as rubbed her temples.

  “I think you mean kissable,” he responded.

  “I got that out of my system already,” Lusha narrowed her eyes at him, “now only the urge to smack you further remains.”

  Aleksi chuckled, as he placed his hands on her shoulders, “Oh, how I’ve missed you. I truly do apologize for not sending word sooner. I only barely managed to evade capture from the Shadows. And you know how dogged they are in their duty. I returned when I did because it was the only opportunity I’d found over the course of those months.”

  “You swear it?” Lusha asked.

  Aleksi nodded, expression completely serious, “I do.”

  “Then I’ll refrain from hitting you,” she embraced him tightly, “welcome back, my love.”

  Aleksi returned the hug.

  Galen felt awkward standing there and watching the whole display. He could see Tufani felt the same, if not even more so.

  The couple released their hug, and Lusha eyed Galen and Tufani, “So, I’m guessing the boy is the Champion. But who is the girl? You didn’t mention her.”

  Aleksi had been about to speak, but Tufani cut in, “I can speak for myself hum… Zareb.”

  She cleared her throat and looked Lusha in the eye, “My name is Aria Tufani. I am… I am the daughter of the legendary Anila Tufani. And I am on a quest, given to me by last request of my mother. To find a way to enter the Void Sea and make it to my ancestral Realm, Vindanna.”

  “Well now…” Lusha raised her brows, “not what I expected at all…”

  “What did you expect?” Galen asked, curious.

  “I figured she’d want to join the Rebellion,” Lusha answered, “as many of her people have done.”

  “As much as I would want nothing more than to aid in spilling the Dominion’s blood,” Tufani growled, “my mother’s last request… that takes priority over all else.”

  “I’ll be honest, kid,” Lusha sighed, “it’s a very foolhardy quest. Even if you somehow found a way to reach the Boundary and enter the Void Sea, you’d just die the moment you entered that hellscape.”

  Tufani glared at the woman, “Regardless, I must try. And besides, I have not come unprepared.”

  She hesitated for a moment, before reaching into her shirt and pulling out a necklace with a medallion attached. It was so white it almost seemed to glow, and had an engraving with the image of a great and massive tree.

  Lusha gasped, moving to hold the medallion, “Is that-”

  Tufani caught her arm, squeezing tightly as she growled, “Don’t. Touch. It!”

  The woman met her eyes, meeting her glare with her own. The air grew tense around them, and Galen wondered if a fight was going to break out. He glanced to Aleksi, who looked ready to step in.

  Lusha sighed, some of the tension dispersing as she said, “Calm yourself. I’m not going to steal it from you.”

  Tufani didn’t look like she believed her, which seemed to annoy the older woman.

  “Fine!” Lusha snapped, “I’ll see it from here without touching it. Will that suffice?”

  In response, Tufani let go of the woman’s arm. The woman grumbled under her breath as she leaned in close and studied the medallion. After a moment or two, she nodded and looked back to Aleksi, “Yep. That’s Astridian Wood alright.”

  “How do you-” Tufani began before Lusha interrupted her.

  “We have elves in our group, remember? And some of them do remember their people’s culture and history.”

  Lusha eyed her, “So, is that medallion supposed to help you in your mission or something?”

  Tufani nodded, “It’s meant to be a way to help me trek the Void Sea. To help me find Vindanna.”

  “And how does it do that?” Lusha asked.

  Tufani didn’t answer.

  The older woman raised her brows, “Oh, wonderful. You don’t know.”

  Tufani flushed, though she tried in vain to hide her embarrassment with a scowl.

  Lusha sighed, “Okay. We’ll have to discuss this among the others.”

  “My mission is meant to be kept secret,” Tufani protested.

  “Calm yourself, lass,” Aleksi cut in, “when Lusha mentioned others, it’s really only two people. So, counting her and myself, a total of four.”

  Tufani still didn’t look happy about it, but Galen could tell she knew she wouldn’t get anywhere by arguing.

  Lusha turned to Galen, and asked, “Now, what about you? I know you as the Champion, but that’s just a title. Who are you?”

  “My name is Galen Daxton,” he extended a hand to shake, “I’m sure Aleksi has told you about me already.”

  “That he has,” Lusha shook his hand, and he was surprised at the strength of her grip, “a pleasure to meet you, Galen. You certainly seem easier to talk to than that elf brat. You’re more polite, for one.”

  Tufani sneered, but otherwise didn’t respond to that jab.

  Aleksi nodded, telling Lusha, “I think you’ll like him. He’s a good kid.”

  “So you’ve mentioned,” Lusha smiled.

  She regarded both Galen and Tufani, “Now, I’m sure it’s been a long journey to get here. No doubt you’ll want to rest and clean up. Dinner will be soon, but you should have enough time to bathe and get some new clothes. Zareb, you take Galen. I’ll take Tufani.”

  “You heard her, lad,” Aleksi smiled at him, “let’s go. You’ll finally get to do away with that ceremonial and flashy outfit that the Dominion had you wear.”

  Galen looked down at his outfit with disgust. It was an incredibly gaudy outfit that had an equally loud cape attached at first. He’d long since cut that cape off days ago, and used it to start a fire. Watching it burn had been satisfying.

  This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

  He’d been dying to find some new clothes to wear. Both because he hated the outfit, and because it had become incredibly worn out and dirty by days of travel and a fight with an Ether Beast.

  Aleksi gave a quick kiss and a hug to Lusha before he and Galen left the tent. As he left, he heard Lusha tell Tufani, “My, we’ve got some work to do on you. Let’s go. I’m looking forward to seeing how you’ll look when we’re done.”

  He chuckled as he heard Tufani groan with distaste.

  ***

  Galen felt reborn as he returned to the tent where Lusha had been. He and Aleksi were the only ones in the tent as they sat at the table, waiting for Lusha and Tufani to return. He looked down at his new clothes with a smile. He wore a simple, long sleeved gray tunic with brown trousers and black travel boots. He also had Redian strapped to his back, the pommel peaking over his right shoulder.

  It was an incredibly plain outfit, especially compared to what he had before.

  Just how I like it, he thought.

  “I still find it amusing how much you dislike extravagant outfits, lad,” Aleksi chuckled, “I know of many who would kill to have access to the wardrobe you did in the Dominion.”

  “Well, they must be crazy then,” Galen joked, “in all seriousness. I just hate sticking out. And the clothes they had me wear were specifically designed to do just that.”

  He shuddered, glad he didn’t have to wear such clothing again.

  He hoped…

  “How much longer do you think they’ll take?” Galen asked, his stomach grumbling, “I’m starving over here.”

  “Who knows?” Aleksi stifled a yawn, “you know how women can be.”

  “Assuming the women here are like the ones from my world…”

  “In any case, I suggest you get comfortable, lad. Lusha absolutely adores bringing out the best in people when it comes to clothing and hair dressing. That elf girl is like an unpolished diamond for her.”

  Galen groaned, his growling stomach making him impatient.

  Thankfully, they didn’t have to wait too much longer. Twenty minutes later, and the tent flaps opened. He turned to see Lusha walking in with a satisfied smile on her face.

  Behind her walked in Tufani.

  Galen’s breath hitched in his throat.

  Even with the dirt and grime accumulated from their days’ long travel and overly long, dirty, and tangled hair, he could tell Tufani was very attractive.

  Now, however? After having bathed, wearing new clothes, and having even gotten a hair cut?

  She was beautiful. Though, that wasn’t the only reason why her cleaned up appearance took his breath away.

  Tufani wore a simple green tunic with blue pants and brown travel boots. Her extremely long hair that previously reached down to her knees had been cut short, especially from the back. From the front, she had two long locks that reached down just past her chin, with a few bangs framing her alluring face. One long bang extended past her eyes and curved down the left side of her nose.

  Though obviously younger, she was now even more so the spitting image of the young woman from his recurring dream. Which brought to mind questions and implications he wanted to avoid thinking about right now.

  Tufani furrowed her brows as she looked at Galen, “Why are you staring so much, hume?”

  He realized then that he’d been staring with mouth agape like a fish.

  “Uh… I, uh…” he stammered in response, face growing warm.

  He gulped as he failed to speak any words and finally looked away from her.

  He saw Aleksi looking at him with a twinkle in his eyes. His mentor smiled, and seemed to silently be urging him to speak.

  Galen took a shaky breath, and looked back to Tufani as she sat down in the chair in front of him.

  “You uh…” he gulped, “you look good. That haircut suits you really well…”

  Tufani blinked, surprise showing in her eyes. Apparently she hadn’t expected him to compliment her. She tilted her head, seeming confused, “I see… thank you?”

  “Ha!” Lusha smiled broadly, “I told you I knew what I was doing. I wanted to cut your hair so that it reached your back. But you insisted on cutting it short.”

  Tufani looked down at the table, “Hair that long would only get in the way. An enemy would easily be able to grab it.”

  From how bitter she sounded, it was as though she spoke from experience.

  “Well, I suppose you’re not wrong,” Lusha muttered before her grin returned, “I figured I could still make you look good even with shorter hair. Glad to hear from the kid that it turned out as I intended. Just look at him! He’s blushing!”

  Galen felt his face grow hotter at being exposed.

  Tufani seemed confused as to why he was reacting as he was. And that only made her seem even cuter in his eyes.

  Stop beating so hard, damn heart!

  He glanced to Aleksi and Lusha, who sat across from each other on the table. They both gave him mischievous, knowing smiles. He glared at them both.

  Thankfully, the next moment the tent flap opened again. Two of the soldiers were bringing their dinner. A simple vegetable stew with some bread. Galen felt his stomach growl again.

  The soldiers set down a serving for each of them before they saluted to Aleksi and Lusha and left the tent.

  He’d been about to dig in, until he noticed Aleksi and Lusha close their eyes and give a silent prayer. He looked to Tufani, who had also frozen upon noticing the two.

  They glanced to one another, and both flushed as they closed their eyes and gave their own silent prayers.

  Lord, Galen mentally prayed, thank you for this food. Thank you for helping us to get here safely. Thank you for the blessing of meeting Aleksi and having him as my mentor. Please continue to watch over us. And… please help me find the answers to the questions plaguing my mind. In your Son’s name I pray. Amen.

  He opened his eyes and glanced to Aleksi and Lusha, who still seemed to be in prayer.

  His ears grew hot and he felt a bit of shame as he thought about how his mom, Olivia, would have chided him for forgetting to say grace before a meal. The thought brought with it a bout of melancholy, as he was reminded of the fact that he may never get to see his parents or Earth again.

  He was still struggling with the theological implications being in an entirely different world brought, but he decided to hold firm to the faith he had. It was a tie to his original world, after all. A reminder of his life before being summoned against his will. He smiled faintly, remembering his mother telling him stories, teaching him lessons from the Bible, and studying and having discussions with her about their faith. She’d always been the most religious one in the family. Though, he wasn’t anywhere near as devout as Olivia would’ve liked. He was bit ashamed to admit most of what she'd tried to teach him went in one ear and out the other. But some of it did stick. And his faith, instilled in him mostly by her, was a warm if a tad forlorn reminder of home.

  He glanced up, noticing Tufani had yet to finish eating. It seemed she too was waiting for the older couple to finish their prayers.

  They finished soon after, and Aleksi glanced to the two of them, saying, “Well? Let’s eat!”

  “No need to tell me twice,” Galen chuckled as he scooped a spoonful of soup.

  Noticing the steam coming from the spoon, he blew on it to cool it before taking his first bite.

  The taste was remarkably bland. Compared to the food he’d eaten in the Dominion and on Earth, at least. Still, it wasn’t half bad and his growling stomach certainly wasn’t complaining. As he got a second spoonful, he happened to glance up at Tufani, and noticed she had a hand over her mouth, eyes wide as she stared at her bowl. Her blue orbs seemed to be welling with emotion.

  “Tufani?” he asked.

  Man… she looks like she’s about to cry!

  Aleksi and Lusha looked at her with concern.

  “This…” Tufani spoke with a shaky voice, “this is… amazing!”

  She eagerly took a second spoonful of soup, wincing at the heat but otherwise relishing the taste. She ate quickly, so much so that Lusha had to speak up, “Hey! Slow down or you’ll choke!”

  Tufani froze, spoon halfway to her lips. She flushed deeply, and more slowly and calmly sipped her soup. She grabbed her piece of bread and took a bite. She chewed slowly, and sighed through her nose in a pleased manner.

  “The bread…” Tufani noted happily after swallowing, “is so soft…”

  Galen raised a brow and took a bite of his own piece. It wasn’t nearly so soft as she made it out to be.

  Aleksi and Lusha glanced to one another, looks of sympathy in their eyes. Aleksi took a deep breath as he spoke, “You’ve had it rough, eh lass?”

  “I’ve been a slave to the Dominion my entire life. From the day I was born,” Tufani took another spoonful of soup and swallowed, “all we were ever given to eat was a bowl of gray slop made of who knows what. Even when I was transferred to the Second Circle, the food we were given was hardly fresh. The bread for example, was incredibly stale. Even then, that had been heaven compared to the slop I’d been fed my whole life.”

  She sighed contentedly as she took another sip of her soup, “This… I think this is the first warm meal I’ve ever had in my life…”

  She looked to her right, as if about to speak to someone, though no one was there. Upon realizing that, Tufani’s mood darkened.

  Another burst of emotion seemed to swell in her. She suddenly sniffled, and seemed both surprised and annoyed as she rubbed at her eyes which had begun well up. She seemed adamant to not cry in front of them, though Galen figured she probably would have had she been alone.

  Seeing her in such an emotional state, he felt a feeling of protectiveness burst inside him. It came about suddenly and intensely, so much so that it surprised him. He wanted to hug her, though he figured she probably wouldn’t take that very well.

  He recalled Tufani’s words to him from earlier, “I think… you were quite coddled… I never took note of the things you whined of. At least, not much. For me, it simply was. I’ve lived my whole life in this voided Realm, enslaved to the Dominion. I had far worse things to complain about…”

  He felt his cheeks burn with shame, and continued eating his lunch with newfound appreciation.

  By the time they finished eating, Tufani had managed to recompose herself. She made it a point not to look at any of them, as though she felt embarrassed for showing weakness in front of them.

  “Well,” Aleksi spoke up, “now that we’ve cleaned ourselves up and got some food in our bellies, I think it’s time we move onto business.”

  A huge thank you and special shoutout to my Lore Master tier Patrons, Mountain Knight and Conman2731. Your support is sincerely and greatly appreciated.

  https://www.patreon.com/GenZVall2025