Night had fully fallen. Under the light of the torches, the elves danced and celebrated with overflowing joy. Children ran around laughing while eating nonstop, and the adults kept raising their cups again and again—some already clearly defeated by alcohol.

  Meanwhile, Velt was resting at the top of a tree, leaning against the trunk as he gazed at the star-filled sky.

  —So this is where you were—Rurhy said as she climbed up with ease.

  —Sorry… if you were looking for me, I didn’t hear anything—Velt replied, a little embarrassed.

  —Don’t worry—she said softly—. I wasn’t calling out or anything. I just wanted to be with you.

  She sat beside him and rested her head on his shoulder.

  —The sky is beautiful, don’t you think?—she murmured as she looked at the stars.

  —Yeah… it is—Velt replied, lifting his gaze again.

  Rurhy lowered her eyes to her hand.

  —Thank you for the ring—she said with a small smile—. I really like it. It even has a pink spinel.

  —I chose it because it reminded me of you—Velt said, looking at her.

  —Me?—she asked, confused.

  —Yeah—he replied, gently reaching for her hair and touching it.

  —Ah… that—Rurhy said, understanding—. So you like my hair color.

  —It’s beautiful—Velt admitted—. It reminds me of a tree from where I come from.

  Rurhy grew thoughtful for a few seconds, until something seemed to cross her mind.

  —Hey, Velt… do you think you could tell me something about your world?—she asked, curiosity in her eyes.

  Velt reflected for a moment.

  —There isn’t much I can really tell you—he said—. I remember some things, but mostly everyday details. Nothing too important.

  —That’s fine—but tell me something. It doesn’t have to be anything big.

  —Let’s see…—Velt murmured—. What would you like to know?

  —I want to know what life is like in your world—Rurhy said, looking straight at him.

  —Life in my world…—he repeated—. Well, everyone starts out living with their parents, going to school and receiving basic education.

  —School?—Rurhy asked, confused.

  —Yeah. It’s a place where you learn how to add, subtract, divide… things that are useful when you grow up.

  —Ah… do you mean a formative institute?—she asked.

  —Formative institute?

  —A place where you pay to be taught useful things for adulthood. They usually exist in human cities.

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  —It’s almost the same—Velt said thoughtfully—. Though I think in schools, payment works a bit differently.

  —I see… and then?

  —After finishing primary school, you move on to secondary school.

  —Is it the same as before?

  —More or less—Velt said with a faint smile—. Just with more advanced subjects… and, if I remember correctly, much more boring classes.

  —If it was boring, why did you do it?—Rurhy asked.

  —Because it was mandatory.

  —You were forced to learn?—she exclaimed, surprised.

  —I guess you could say that—Velt replied—. Primary school and the first part of secondary school were mandatory. After that came high school, and then university.

  —So after a while, you can choose whether to keep learning or not?

  —Exactly—Velt said, affectionately ruffling Rurhy’s hair—. And if someone decides not to keep studying, they have to work to earn money.

  —I understand…—she murmured—. And what did you choose?

  —I chose to work—he replied—. Studying bored me, and I needed money… I lived alone.

  —What kind of job did you have?—Rurhy asked.

  —I worked as…—Velt began, then suddenly stopped—. I… I think I… hmm…

  His expression turned confused.

  —Velt? Are you okay?—Rurhy asked, worried.

  —Yeah, yeah—he replied—. I just can’t remember it. I know I worked at a company, but I don’t remember what it did.

  —Don’t force it—Rurhy said, gently hugging him—. I’m sure you’ll remember someday.

  Then she stood up and began climbing down the tree.

  —Come on. People are probably about to pass out drunk, and this is supposed to be our party—she said with a smile.

  Velt stood up slowly and looked at the sky one last time. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t remember anything else.

  Then, the words of the man in the suit echoed in his mind.

  —What kind of person was I in my world…?—he murmured before climbing down as well.

  The night passed without further incident. They celebrated not only the fall of the orcs, but also the union of Velt and Rurhy. There was dancing, laughter, and alcohol until exhaustion finally claimed everyone. After midnight, the village fell silent, with elves asleep wherever the celebration had overtaken them.

  Velt was lying inside one of the cabins when, suddenly, he felt a weight on top of him. He opened his eyes and found Rurhy looking down at him.

  —Hi, Velt—she said before leaning down and kissing him deeply.

  When they separated, Velt frowned slightly.

  —Rurhy… how much did you drink?—he asked, concerned.

  Her breath gave him the answer.

  —Not that much… just enough not to feel embarrassed—she replied, her ears turning red.

  —Embarrassed?—Velt repeated, confused.

  Without saying anything else, Rurhy began to undress. She wasn’t wearing much to begin with—she removed what looked like a leather skirt and part of her light armor, remaining in her undergarments.

  Velt quickly looked away, clearly uncomfortable.

  —Come on, you don’t have to be embarrassed—she said naturally—. It’s not that different from what I usually wear.

  —Yeah, but… this is different—he replied, flustered—. You’re not exactly very clear-headed right now.

  Rurhy smiled at his words. She took Velt’s face with both hands and made him look at her.

  —You’re so cute, Velt—she whispered.

  Before he could respond, she kissed him again, this time more intensely. They only separated when they ran out of breath.

  —Tell me, Velt… am I pretty?—she asked between soft breaths.

  —Why are you asking that now?—he replied, still disoriented.

  —I don’t know… I think I want to hear it from you—she said with a gentle smile.

  Velt didn’t answer right away. Instead, he firmly grabbed Rurhy by the waist, making her let out a soft sound.

  —Yes—he said at last—. You’re beautiful. Too beautiful, if you ask me.

  He kissed her again, first on the lips, then slowly down to her neck.

  —V-Velt… wait, not there…—she protested weakly.

  But it didn’t take long for Rurhy to give in. Without another word, she began searching for Velt’s clothes to remove them, while he did the same with the few pieces she still had on.

  The night continued in silence, wrapped in whispers.

  The next morning, Velt woke up with a strangely familiar feeling. Clothes were scattered everywhere, sunlight streamed through the window… and Rurhy was sleeping in front of him, barely covered by a sheet.

  As he looked at her more closely, he noticed small marks on her skin.

  —What the…—he murmured, confused.

  The memories came flooding back all at once, and then he understood.

  —Damn… I have a problem—he whispered to himself.

  Carefully, he got up, got dressed, and left the cabin. Outside, some elves were still sleeping on the ground, victims of the previous night’s celebration.

  —Cero, are you there?—he said quietly.

  —I am here, Mr. Velt—the mechanical voice replied.

  —Good. Let’s hunt something for breakfast—he said, then paused—. And Cero… forget everything you saw last night.

  —Understood, sir.

  Without saying anything else, Velt disappeared into the forest in search of something to hunt for breakfast.