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The Hollow had fallen silent.
No whispers, no lurking shadows—only the soft hum of returning mana coursing through the restored ley lines. It was the first time in weeks that the forest surrounding the ruins felt *alive*, not haunted.
Yuki lay stretched across a large patch of moss, his wings curled around the five girls huddled around him like sleepy foxes in a nest of warmth and residual magic.
Lumi was the first to stir, her golden eyes squinting up at the sunlight piercing the canopy above. "Still alive? Damn. I really thought I'd snore myself to death after all that."
"You *did* snore," Elira mumbled, not lifting her head. "Sounded like a dying thunder lizard."
"I do *not*—!"
"You do," Aeiris added shyly, peeking out from the crook of Yuki's wing. "But it was kind of cute."
Lumi blinked, face flushing. "I… uh… thanks?"
"You're welcome," Aeiris said with an innocent smile. "I've been practicing compliments."
Sylvaeria, calmly brushing leaves from her silver hair, chimed in, "They're improving. Though maybe next time aim for less… accidental insults."
"I'm trying!" Aeiris pouted.
Seiris, seated just a little apart but close enough to touch Yuki's flank, opened one eye. "No training today. We rest."
"Who died and made you captain?" Lumi teased.
"You did. Last night. Five times."
"…Point taken."
Yuki chuckled softly, the rumble in his chest vibrating through the moss. "Honestly, I think I like this. Quiet, warmth, all of you not arguing *too* much."
Sylvaeria placed a gentle hand on his side. "You deserve peace, even if it's temporary."
Elira rolled onto her back, staring up at the trees. "So… what now?"
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### **A Moment of Peace**
After a hearty breakfast made from foraged herbs, spirit fruits, and one suspiciously spicy mushroom that nearly caused Lumi to breathe fire (again), the group took time to relax properly.
Yuki lounged in a pool of sunlight, letting his scales soak in the mana-laced warmth while the others explored the Hollow's upper levels for treasures and trinkets.
Seiris, surprisingly, took Aeiris by the hand and guided her gently through a series of acrobatic dagger movements—silent footwork, precision strikes.
"I want you strong enough that no one can ever take you from me again," she said softly, the words barely above a whisper.
Aeiris's smile was radiant. "Then I'll become someone worth standing beside you."
Not far off, Sylvaeria was tending to a spirit blossom that had re-emerged from the purified ground. She hummed a melody that stirred faint winds around her, coaxing the flower to bloom fully.
Lumi practiced swings with her blade—but intentionally near Yuki's tail.
"Oops. That was close. Hope I didn't clip your scale," she smirked.
"You missed on purpose," he muttered.
"I missed *on purpose*," she confirmed, twirling the blade with flair. "You have a very sword-deflectable tail."
"Flirt later, spar never," Elira chimed in from her spot atop a half-broken pillar, lounging dramatically like a cat goddess. "Let the man digest."
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### **Unspoken Things**
That night, under the twinkling canopy of stars, the girls gathered close again. A small fire crackled beside them, though it wasn't needed—Yuki's body heat was more than enough.
One by one, each of them found their way into conversation with Yuki, as if taking quiet turns.
**Sylvaeria** spoke first, eyes reflecting the flames. "When you first met me, I was a sealed guardian. Lost. Cursed. But now… I'm something more. Because of you."
She leaned in, brushing her fingers over his snout.
**Elira** scoffed. "Tch. That's not fair—she took the poetic angle." Then she smirked, eyes glittering. "But hey, you freed me too. From my own regrets. That counts, right?"
She winked and leaned her head against his leg.
**Lumi** snorted. "Amateurs." Then her voice turned softer. "You saw me as a person. Not a sword. That meant more than you know."
She curled up beside his wing.
**Seiris** didn't say anything. She just pressed a hand to his side, her presence enough to convey it all. For her, actions spoke louder.
**Aeiris**, the newest yet rapidly beloved, whispered, "You saved me. But more than that… you listened."
She snuggled closer, protected by the warmth of all of them.
---
### **End of the Day**
As Yuki looked around at the five girls around him, warmth blooming in his chest, he realized something profound:
He wasn't alone anymore.
He had a family. A strange, magical, battle-hardened family with snark, sass, spells, and steel.
And he wouldn't trade them for the world.
"Guess I better get stronger," he murmured, voice low.
"You already are," Sylvaeria said, curling her fingers in his mane. "But we'll all grow together."
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