Deep in the forest, just a few steps away from the campfire, Alan walked behind Lythia as if being led to his mysterious fate—mind blank, drowned in confusion.
A heavy silence hung in the air, broken only by the soft crunch of their footsteps over dry leaves.
Then, Lythia suddenly stopped and turned toward him.
---
Lythia (in a low, serious voice):
"I've been watching you since the beginning of your mission."
---
Alan (eyes widening):
"You... were stalking us?!"
---
Lythia (with a calm smile):
"Observing. There's a difference, dummy."
---
Alan (awkwardly):
"O-Okay... but why? What do you want?"
---
Lythia (with a serious look):
"I want to be part of your group. I want to travel with you."
---
Alan (raising an eyebrow):
"Why would you want to join us? We're barely surviving!"
---
Lythia (in a cryptic tone):
"Because chaos follows you... and I like chaos."
---
Another silence passed. Alan glanced around, then looked back at her.
---
Alan (with a deadly innocent look):
"So... does that mean we're dating now?"
---
Lythia (laughing):
"Not even close, idiot."
---
As Alan grinned stupidly, as usual…
Lythia was silently plotting something far beyond merely joining the group.
In the quiet of night, under the glimmering stars above the forest, Alan stood before Lythia, overtaken by a courage he couldn't explain... Maybe it was the cake. Or just plain stupidity.
---
Alan (scratching his head nervously but firmly):
"Really? 'Cause I still remember that time you tried to seduce me and I was too busy with cake to notice."
---
Alan (with a goofy wide smile):
"So, are you sure you don't want to date me? I mean, come on… you're a really hot demon."
---
Lythia didn't move… For a few seconds, time itself seemed to freeze.
Then she stepped forward, her eyes gleaming with dangerous mischief.
---
Lythia (standing right in front of him):
"You think I'm hot?"
---
Alan (gulping):
"Uhh… I-I mean, in a professional, tactical, highly respectful way."
---
Lythia (with a wicked grin):
"You're lucky I find idiots amusing."
---
She tapped her finger lightly on his forehead, pushing him back slightly—as if sealing him with the official stamp of 'Certified Idiot'.
---
Lythia:
"Let's go, cake boy. We've got a long journey ahead."
---
Alan (whispering as he follows):
"She totally wants me."
---
But no one knew if Lythia heard that… or chose to ignore it.
The night was far from over… and chaos, it seemed, had only just begun.
---
Alan walked beside Lythia through the trees, talking nonstop as usual, like his tongue had been turbocharged.
---
Alan (with a dreamy smile):
"You know, I've been thinking a lot lately… I think I'm in love with Kira."
---
Lythia (sighing):
"Of course you are. Because nothing says romance like a cat girl who wants to strangle you."
---
Alan (overly excited):
"But she's so fluffy! Her ears… oh gods, her ears! I just wanna rub her head all day and grab those fuzzy ears forever."
---
Lythia (deadpan):
"You sound like a creep."
---
Alan (proudly):
"A romantic creep."
---
Lythia (raising an eyebrow):
"That's not a thing."
---
Alan:
"It is now!"
---
He spoke like he'd just invented fire, while Lythia stared at him like one might study a rare and very stupid creature.
They arrived at the camp, where Gargroth was sleeping like a rock, and Kira was quietly standing guard under the moonlight.
And of course, Alan kept talking.
---
Alan (whispering):
"Look at her. So majestic… so fluffy… I swear, one day I'll touch that tail and live to tell the tale."
---
Lythia:
"You'll be lucky to survive the night."
---
And so… the night draped over them as they settled in, but Alan's mind refused to rest—torn between love… cake… and fuzzy ears.
---
Alan stood beside Lythia under the moonlight, eyes sparkling with a mix of madness and pure stupidity.
---
Alan (in an overly dramatic tone):
"Alright Lythia, this is it. The moment of destiny."
---
Lythia (skeptically):
"What are you even talking about now?"
---
Alan (creeping forward carefully):
"I'm going to try… to touch Kira's ears while she sleeps. And… bury my face… in her gorgeous fluffy hair."
---
Lythia (staring at him, shocked):
"…You're insane."
---
Alan (raising a finger like a prophet):
"Not insane. Bold. Suicidally bold. Be my witness. If I get torn apart… I'll regenerate. But if I succeed…"
---
Lythia (closing her eyes with a sigh):
"You'll probably die. Again. Painfully."
---
Alan (cheerfully):
"Exactly!"
---
Alan began crawling slowly and silently, like a ninja… or at least what he thought a ninja looked like.
Kira lay by the fire, calm as a contented cat. Her small face hidden by her hair, and her cat ears rising and falling gently.
Alan reached out…
Slowly…
Closer…
Closer…
---
Then—!
A terrifying scream shattered the night's silence.
---
Alan (screaming):
"AAAAAHHHH! SHE BIT MY NOSE!"
---
Kira (half-asleep, yelling):
"Don't touch my ears, you creep!"
---
Lythia (laughing hysterically from a distance):
"I told you!"
---
Alan rolled on the ground, his nose bleeding, body shaking in pain… but still, he smiled.
---
Alan (weakly whispering):
"Totally… worth it…"
---
The fire calmed for a moment after Alan's deafening scream… but its stillness didn't last long.
Suddenly, Kira shot up to her feet—her hair disheveled, her feline ears twitching furiously, and her tail snapping like a whip.
---
Kira (furious):
"WHAT THE HELL, ALAN?! WHY WERE YOU TOUCHING ME IN MY SLEEP?!"
---
Alan (crawling back):
"Wait! Wait! I had a witness! It was for science!"
---
Kira was about to tear him apart again—but suddenly, she noticed a shadow standing behind the bushes.
Her eyes widened.
---
Kira (pointing sharply):
"Wait a second… YOU!!"
---
Lythia stepped out of the shadows, waving casually.
---
Lythia (with an exaggerated innocent smile):
"Hi Kira! Lovely night, huh?"
---
Kira (screaming, pulling her hair):
"WHY IS THIS DEMON HERE?!"
---
Alan (from the ground):
"She just wanted to hang out… and she was very persuasive…"
---
Kira (fuming):
"PERSUASIVE?! SHE ONCE TRIED TO BURN MY TAIL!"
---
Suddenly, from inside the tent, a deep voice cut through the tension…
---
Gargroth (gruff and sluggish):
"Can't you all scream in the morning?! I'm trying to dream about punching dragons!!"
---
Alan (weakly raising his hand):
"I got bit by a catgirl and yelled at by a demon. That's basically Tuesday for me."
---
Kira growled… Lythia smirked… and Alan tried breathing through a nose that barely still existed…
The night wasn't over yet.
---
Calm returned to the camp, but the atmosphere remained tense after Lythia's arrival.
Gargroth stood by the campfire, glaring at Alan like a simmering volcano, while Kira had her hands on her hips, raising an eyebrow with a silent, unmistakable rage.
---
Alan (overly enthusiastic, raising his hands):
"Alright, guys! Before you turn Lythia into a demon kebab, hear me out! She's not just a pretty face or a pain in the tail. She's actually useful!"
---
Gargroth (coldly, with a booming voice):
"Useful? You mean like a walking disaster? Last time she 'helped,' we almost lost an arm."
---
Kira (bouncing slightly in anger):
"She's trouble! And she's been spying on us since day one. How do we know she won't sell us out to the enemy?"
---
Alan stood, glancing between Gargroth and Kira, trying to look serious—and barely succeeding.
---
Alan (trying hard to sound convincing):
"Look, I get it. She's shady. But that's exactly why she's useful! Who better to sniff out enemy plans than someone who's been spying for fun? Plus, she's got magic—magic that could save our butts more than once."
---
Gargroth (deep chuckle):
"Haha! You and your 'saving butts' talk. Alright, Alan, if she messes up, you're the one carrying the monster's tail back to camp."
---
Kira (mocking smile):
"And if she betrays us, you're on cleanup duty. Alone."
---
Alan smiled nervously but tried to project optimism.
---
Alan (serious tone with a touch of irony):
"Deal. But I promise, Lythia will be the wildcard we need. Trust me—after all the disasters I caused, I'm getting better at picking allies."
---
Kira looked at Gargroth… then at Alan… then finally whispered:
---
Kira (low voice):
"Fine. But if she's trouble, you're carrying both our tails."
---
Gargroth laughed and smacked Alan's shoulder hard—nearly knocking him over—but smiled.
---
Gargroth (joking):
"Welcome to the team, Lythia. Just don't burn the camp down—yet."
---
Lythia let out a breath, tension fading, then scanned the camp with a sly grin.
---
Lythia (calm, confident):
"Since you've all accepted me—more or less—let me show you a little trick. This place could use some... upgrading."
---
She lifted her hands and began drawing glowing sigils in the air. A faint hum surrounded the camp like wind-whispers.
The trees around them bent slightly, their leaves growing lush and vibrant. Magical lights hovered gently above the fire.
---
Alan (in awe):
"Whoa, what is this? Are we in some enchanted resort now?"
---
Kira (surprised, slightly relaxed):
"I gotta admit... this actually makes the place feel way less like a swamp of death."
---
The circle of light expanded, warmth from the fire spreading evenly. The air became fresh and less humid.
The ground softened beneath them—as if they were standing on fine rugs instead of hard dirt.
---
Gargroth (smiling for the first time):
"Alright, maybe having a demon around isn't the worst idea after all."
---
Lythia smirked proudly and added:
---
Lythia:
"I'm full of surprises. Just don't expect me to clean up your messes."
---
Dawn crept softly over the treetops, the magical canopy still glowing faintly from Lythia's spellwork.
Everyone was asleep in relative peace… except for one peculiar situation.
---
Alan awoke feeling something soft… warm… perfect.
His eyes opened slowly—only to find himself lying in Kira's arms.
His face buried in her hair, one arm around her waist… the other hand gently holding her feline ear.
---
Alan (quietly, in a dreamy voice):
"Wow... this must be heaven. Or I finally died."
---
He smiled involuntarily and whispered:
Alan:
"So fluffy… so warm… I should die more often."
---
But the moment of bliss didn't last, because Kira's eyes slowly opened…
------
But the moment of peace didn't last.
Kira slowly opened her eyes… the first thing she felt was something brushing against her ear… then warm breath on her neck… then—
Alan's face.
His face… pressed directly into her hair.
—
Kira (voice rising in fury):
"What the hell is happening here?!"
—
Alan (with a clueless grin):
"Morning, sunshine~"
—
Kira (screaming):
"You perverted furball-snuggler!!"
—
Suddenly, an explosion of punches, kicks, and high-pitched screams filled the forest.
Each blow echoed like a thunderclap between the trees.
—
Alan (yelling while rolling on the ground):
"Wait! I didn't do anything! I swear! I'm an innocent fluff appreciator!"
—
Gargroth had woken up to the noise. He stretched and yawned lazily, eyes still closed.
—
Gargroth:
"Is someone dying again, or is this just Alan's usual morning nonsense?"
—
But then came a heavy thud.
Gargroth finally opened his eyes to see Alan flying toward a tree trunk, launched into the air by a double-knee strike from Kira.
Alan collapsed to the ground like an injured octopus.
—
Alan (groaning dramatically):
"Why does love hurt so much…?"
—
And then... Lythia laughed. No—burst out laughing, leaning against a tree and clapping softly.
—
Lythia (with devilish giggles):
"Oh that... that was me. I put you two together last night. I thought it'd be cute!"
—
Kira (shouting, eyes locked on Lythia):
"You what?!"
—
Alan (still on the ground):
"She has a point though... it was kinda cute... until the violence..."
—
Lythia (winking at Kira):
"Come on, kitty, admit it. You liked it… a little?"
—
Kira (blushing violently):
"I–I will burn this forest down."
—
And so… a new morning began.
Was it normal? No.
Peaceful? Absolutely not.
The atmosphere was loud, stupid, and filled with non-lethal beatings directed exclusively at Alan, who had officially become the group's living punching bag.
None of them noticed… something else approaching from the distance.
The morning had settled. Light trickled gently through the trees.
The group sat around a small fire, flickering softly.
Gargroth was roasting something unidentifiable—possibly a squirrel stuffed with enchanted herbs.
Kira sliced fruit with her knife, occasionally giving Alan a look that screamed, "Move and I'll kick your face in."
Alan, meanwhile, sat with teary eyes, clutching his stomach, yet still acting like a wronged romantic hero.
—
Alan (with a weak smile):
"Even though I got abused this morning, breakfast smells... heavenly."
—
Lythia (placing a dish in front of him with a mischievous smile):
"Oh, Alan~ I made this just for you."
—
Alan (his face lighting up like a child):
"Really?! Aww, you're the best, demon girl!"
—
Gargroth (quietly muttering):
"Why does that feel like a threat…?"
—
Alan began devouring the meal with animalistic hunger, swallowing chunks like he hadn't eaten in three years.
But… less than a minute later, he froze.
His expression went blank.
Then the sweating began…
—
Alan (choking slightly):
"...uhhh… guys… is the world supposed to be spinning clockwise… and counter-clockwise… at the same time?"
—
Kira (eyeing him suspiciously):
"What the hell did you eat?"
—
Lythia (laughing):
"Oh relax! It's just a little magical laxative mixed with a minor truth serum and a tiny essence of chaos."
—
Alan (screaming, writhing on the ground):
"Why would you do this?! My stomach is singing opera!"
—
Gargroth (standing, watching mercilessly):
"Yup. He's gonna explode in 3… 2…"
—
Suddenly—
BOOOOOOM!
A cloud of smoke burst from behind a small rock, accompanied by a sound like a possessed steam turbine.
Lythia was clapping and laughing, while Kira leapt away from the flames shooting from Alan's mouth.
He had started spinning around and speaking at an inhuman speed.
—
Alan (rapid-fire speech):
"I-once-kissed-a-tree-thinking-it-was-a-druid-and-I-don't-regret-it-and-I-hate-shoes-I-wanna-live-in-mud!!"
—
Kira (covering her ears):
"Shut him up before he reveals where he hides his underwear!"
—
Alan (rolling like a ball):
"I keep them in the cooking pot!!"
—
Everyone froze.
—
Gargroth:
"…That's the pot we used yesterday."
—
Kira (gasping):
"…I'm going to kill him."
—
Lythia (laughing until she swayed):
"Best. Breakfast. Ever!"
—
And just like that… breakfast ended in the usual disaster.
But this time, it carried a special blend of screaming, absolute truth, and a breakdancing stomach.
Yet no one noticed… the distant shadow watching them, creeping closer and closer…
To be continued...