Chapter 82 – Reaffirmation beneath Azure, Crimson, and Ebony

Chapter 82

Reaffirmation beneath Azure, Crimson, and Ebony

Date : Day 6 of Grimleaf 1024 Aethellgard Concord Year.

Hyoren and Elise enjoyed their tea for a while. The warm ceramic mugs sat comfortably in their hands. Steam rose from the surface. The tea accompanied them on the chilly night—its warmth spreading through their bodies.

The trees around the alcove provided a wind break. Their branches rustled softly overhead. Leaves whispered against each other. The only sounds were the crackling fire and the gentle lapping of the lake.

After a moment of peace, Hyoren decided they needed to start discussing their quest.

"Alright, Elise. Should we start discussing our quest?"

He turned toward Elise. The firelight danced across her features.

"We have confirmation of a goblin settlement, right?"

He tapped his mug. A soft rhythm against the ceramic.

"I think we should not rush. We approach the settlement carefully. Find a high vantage point first. Observe."

He paused.

"We should scout their numbers, patrol schedules, and where they're concentrated before we make a move."

Elise watched him. A fond smile appeared on her lips. She loved this side of him—the calculating strategist who turned chaos into a solvable problem.

"I agree. Caution first."

She sipped her tea. The warmth soothed her throat.

"We also need to consider the leadership, Hyoren."

Hyoren looked at the fire.

"That's true. Organization means there's a leader. Is this the work of another Goblin King, Elise?"

Elise shook her head. Her silver hair swayed with the motion.

"No, Hyoren. Currently there is only one Goblin King in the whole world. The Warlock of Shadowden Collective in the Forest of No Return."

She looked toward the hills. Toward the direction of the Old Quarry. Their quest destination. The moonlight cast shadows across the slope.

"But given enough time, any goblin settlement might become bigger and bigger. And another King could appear."

She faced Hyoren again. Her emerald eyes reflected the firelight.

"That's why the Guild always makes sure no goblin settlement can grow big enough."

Hyoren nodded. Understanding.

"I see. This means our job is becoming more important."

He set down his mug.

"So what do you think about the leader of the goblins in the Old Quarry, Elise?"

Elise tapped her chin with her fingers. Thinking. Her gaze drifted upward as she calculated.

"A Goblin Chieftain is possible. But Chieftains usually lead an army of thousands."

She lowered her hand.

"Based on Mara's and the guard's story, the goblin numbers should be around 100 to 200. Higher than what the Guild report suggested. But far from reaching an army of thousands."

She leaned closer. Her emerald eyes intense in the firelight.

"My guess? It's either a Goblin Shaman or a Goblin Lord."

She held up a finger.

"A Shaman is a goblin who can wield magic. And it would explain their growing boldness... Goblins under Shaman leadership are erratic. Influenced by the Shaman's magic."

She took another sip from her mug.

"Then, a Lord is an evolved version of a Goblin Warrior. A natural leader with more intelligence and power."

She gripped her mug tighter. Her knuckles whitened slightly.

"Either one is dangerous, Hyoren."

Hyoren absorbed her analysis. Adding it to his calculation. His brow furrowed.

"Shaman or Lord. The Lord would be the best fighter. The Shaman is a tactical threat."

He looked at Elise's emerald eyes.

"We need to be smart, Elise. I think we should prioritize finding the leader first."

His jaw tightened. His eyes focused on her.

"We identify the leader. And we eliminate it first."

Elise tucked a strand of hair behind her pointed ear. The gesture was thoughtful. Deliberate.

"And we need to do it quickly, Hyoren."

Her dropped an octave.

"The most important thing to understand about goblins is that they are a menace."

She looked up at the three moons. Azure. Crimson. Ebony. Remembering stories about goblins. Tales passed down through generations.

"If you leave them alone, they don't just stay the same size. They grow."

She lowered her gaze.

"They reproduce. Leveling up by defeating other monster. The veterans evolve into fighters. The fighters into warriors. Given another month or two, a Shaman or Lord could amass enough power and followers to become a true Chieftain."

She paused.

"Then, if still undisturbed, they might become a King."

She turned to face Hyoren. Emerald eyes met dark ones.

"So, Hyoren, my suggestion—our objective shouldn't just be scouting. It should be goblin subjugation."

Her voice was firm.

"We go in. We find the head. We cut it off. Then we wipe out the disorganized mobs."

She gripped her mug tighter.

"We do this cleanly and quickly. Before it gets any bigger."

Hyoren nodded. His expression hardened with resolve.

"Understood, Elise. Find the leader and kill them… We'll use the element of surprise. And after the leader is killed, we wipe the rest. Easy enough."

He looked toward the village. The distant lights flickered in the darkness.

"And yeah... We can't afford to just scout, then rely on the Guild to subjugate them."

He shook his head. His now long hair swayed.

"Goblins have already started reaching the village. The longer they go unsubjugated, the higher the chance villagers will get hurt."

He faced Elise again.

"We can do this, right, Elise?"

Elise smiled. Warm. Confident. She nodded.

"As long as we are careful and plan accordingly, yes."

She straightened her posture.

"100 to 200 goblins should not become a problem for us."

A comfortable silence fell between them. The plan settled. They were no longer just two people on a quest. They were two people ready to bring judgment to the goblin settlement.

The fire crackled. Sparks rose into the night sky. The three moons climbed higher. And in their small, protected cove, they prepared to bring the storm.

***

With the strategy settled, the heavy atmosphere began to lift. Replaced by the comfortable intimacy of their relationship.

They sat in comfortable silence. Side by side on top of their sleeping bags. Their shoulders touched. The contact was warm and familiar.

Both of their mugs were already empty. The tea had long been consumed.

"Should I prepare another tea, Hyoren?"

Hyoren shook his head.

"No need, Elise. I think I drank enough."

Elise nodded. She snuggled closer to him. Closing the small gap between them.

The fire had burned down to a bed of glowing crimson embers. Long shadows played across the rocks and trees. The three moons—Crimson, Azure, and Ebony—hung in the vast sky. A breathtaking celestial trio that bathed their secluded cove in ethereal light.

The lake was a mirror of black glass. Reflecting the celestial figures above. The surface was so still it seemed like another sky inverted beneath them.

The warmth from the embers mingled with the cool night air. Creating a perfect, peaceful balance. Elise shifted. She leaned her head against Hyoren's shoulder. Her arm snaked around his. Her fingers traced idle patterns on his bicep.

"Hey, Hyoren..."

Her whisper trailed off. Soft. Almost shy.

She tilted her head up. Her emerald eyes—reflecting the moonlight—met his dark eyes.

"It should be safe here... with the Ward Stone."

She nuzzled closer.

"Please?"

Hyoren was momentarily baffled. His mind was still half-occupied with tactical thinking of the goblin settlement. But the intent in her voice was unmistakable. The soft press of her body against his.

"Elise... Here? Outdoors?"

A slow grin spread across his face. The idea was intoxicating for him too. Here, under the open sky, with the three moons as their company. Just like their first time.

Elise nodded.

"I think... I was addicted."

She looked up. Towards the three moons. Her silver hair spilled across her shoulder.

"Because of our first time..."

Their first time was also outdoors like this. In the middle of a Whisperwood clearing. Under the stars. Under the moons.

He turned to her. He held out his hand. She took it. Her fingers intertwined with his. And they lay down together on the sleeping bags. They settled onto their backs. Side by side. Looking up.

The view was staggering. The sheer number of stars was a tapestry of light stretched across the dark sky.

"I think I'm also addicted, Elise."

Elise smiled. She turned onto her side. Facing Hyoren.

"Right? Under starry sky..."

Her words trailed off again. Her emerald eyes softened.

The Azure Moon cast a blue glow across her features. The Ebony Moon was a mysterious void that swallowed everything around it. The Crimson Moon bathed them in a warm blush.

Hyoren turned his head to look at Elise. He reached out and gently traced the line of her jaw. His fingers came to rest on the sensitive point of her ear.

She shivered. Her emerald eyes closed for a moment. Then opened to meet his.

"Please, Hyoren. I can't hold anymore..."

In her gaze, he saw everything. The adventure. The danger. The quiet moments. The shared future. He saw his home.

"Same... Elise..."

He growled. Low. Soft. He leaned forward and kissed her.

The world, with its goblin quarries and looming threats, faded away.

They kissed under the vast, silent gaze of the three moons. The world shrinking to the space between their lips. It was a kiss that began with tender reverence. But quickly deepened. Fueled by raw and unspoken passion. The cool autumn air was soon forgotten. Replaced by the heat building between them.

***

A slow wave broke over them and left them floating in a sea of blissful contentment. They lay tangled together. Their bodies slick with sweat. Their breathing slowly returning to normal.

Hyoren held Elise tightly. His face pressed into the sweet scent of her hair. The fragrance filled his lungs. Grounded him.

For a long time, they didn't speak. There were no words needed. They just lay there. Two souls joined under the starry sky. Listening to the crackling fire and the gentle lapping of the lake. Feeling the profound peace that came only from being with the one you loved.

The three moons hung overhead. Their combined light painted the alcove in soft, ethereal hues. The embers of the fire glowed faintly. Casting warm shadows across their bare skin.

Elise shifted. She turned to face him. She propped her head up on her hand. Her silver hair cascaded over her shoulder. Her emerald eyes reflected the light of the three moons.

A soft, contented smile graced her lips.

"We should do this more often, Hyoren."

Hyoren smiled. His hand reached up. Stroking her silver hair. The strands were soft between his fingers.

"I'm not going to argue with that."

"No, I mean it..."

She shifted closer.

“Not just when we're on a mission and happen to find a spot. I mean... we should plan for it."

Her voice grew thoughtful.

"If we're in a safe region, if the quest allows it, we should budget for a night like this. To just... find a beautiful place and be together."

A slow, knowing smile spread across Hyoren's face.

"You're addicted, Elise."

Elise didn't even try to deny it. A blush rose on her cheeks. But she met his gaze with a challenging, proud smile.

"Maybe I am… Fufu."

She giggled softly.

"Is that so surprising? I'm an elf. We're drawn to nature. It's in my blood. In my soul."

She gestured to the open sky. The alcove. The lake. To theirself.

"And this.. I just love these."

Her voice grew more passionate. Filled with a newfound conviction.

"Think about it! After we finish a quest, instead of rushing back to the city, we could take a day or two."

Her emerald eyes sparkled.

"We could find a hidden waterfall in the mountains. Or a quiet meadow in the plains. Or a secluded beach on the coast."

She played her fingers on Hyoren's bare chest. Tracing idle patterns.

"We could enjoy our intimacy under the stars. Wake up to the sunrise. Spend the day without any pressure."

The idea was intoxicating. It appealed to a part of Hyoren he hadn't known existed. A part that craved peace. Moments stolen from the chaos of their adventurer's life.

"I like that idea, Elise."

Hyoren nodded. His voice was thick with emotion.

"I like it a lot."

They lay in comfortable silence for a while longer. The new plan settled between them. A shared dream for their future. The fire crackled softly. The lake whispered against the shore. And above them, the three moons continued their eternal dance across the star-scattered sky.

***

Elise continued playing with her fingers. Seeming to think about something. Her touch was light. Absent. Tracing patterns on his skin without purpose.

Hyoren let her be. He also absently combed her silver hair. The strands slipped through his fingers. Soft. Silky. The motion was soothing. Meditative.

The fire crackled softly beside them. The embers cast a warm glow across their skin.

After a few moments, Elise looked up. Her expression turned serious. The playfulness vanished from her eyes. Replaced by something deeper. More vulnerable.

"Hey, Hyoren… I love you."

Her bluntness caught him off guard. The words hung in the air. Simple and direct. But he recovered quickly.

He looked down at her. His eyes met Elise's emerald eyes. He smiled at her.

"I love you too, Elise."

Elise stayed silent for a while. Her lips stayed shut. She continued playing with her fingers on his chest. Her touch was slower and deliberate now.

Hyoren could see the storm behind her emerald eyes. Unspoken thoughts. Unvoiced fears. He tilted his head, confused.

"What's wrong, Elise? Is there something on your mind?"

Elise finally spoke.

"I was afraid, Hyoren..."

Her emerald eyes flickered. Catching the moonlight.

"Yesterday, I thought I was going to lose you."

She closed her eyes for a moment. Trying to harden her resolve. Her lashes trembled against her cheeks.

"I smelled Ina's perfume on your clothes. I saw traces of makeup on your clothes."

Her voice was quiet.

"My mind shut down instantly when I knew you were lying."

She opened her eyes. Vulnerability reflected in their depths.

"I thought you were already bored of me. That you preferred Ina's company."

Hyoren hugged her closer. Pulling her tight against his chest. His arms protectively wrapped around her.

"Elise... never..."

His voice was hoarse.

"I love you. Always. I would never get bored with you..."

Elise smiled weakly. It was a fragile expression.

"I've known Ina for years, Hyoren."

She lowered her gaze.

"She always gets what she wants. She always gets her prey. No matter how close a couple looks, when she sets her eyes on the man… The man will give in. It's not a matter of yes or no. It's a matter of when."

Her shoulders shuddered. Hyoren snuggled her closer. Trying to reassure her. Trying to warm away the fear.

"Elise... I don't know how to reassure you. But..."

He looked up at the three moons–Azure,  Crimson and Ebony–hanging in the vast sky.

"You remember my story about my past lover? Kana? The story about her cheating behind my back?"

Elise nodded. Her head moved against his chest.

Hyoren took a deep breath. Trying to convey his own feelings.

"That actually traumatized me."

His voice was quiet. Heavy.

"Before meeting you, sometimes I still had nightmares about Kana cheating on me. To be honest, I can't accept Ina's way of fooling around with men. I can't bring myself to like women who eat men like her."

He then told her the full story about Kana. Her betrayal. Fooling around with men behind his back while he was busy studying in another city. Her toxic personality. Blaming him instead when confronted.

About his nightmares. Almost every day he had nightmares about Kana's betrayal. The dreams that left him waking in cold sweat. The trust that shattered and never fully healed.

He looked at Elise's eyes.

"I can't forgive infidelity, Elise. And Ina's actions is similar to Kana."

Elise's eyes widened. She knew Hyoren's past. But she hadn't realized the weight of his trauma until he said it himself. He had never really gone into details about his past lover.

She nodded slowly.

"I see. Your trauma is deeper than I expected, huh..."

She stayed silent for a while. Her mind was still processing. Her fingers stopped their idle tracing.

Hyoren let her be. He started to comb her silver hair again. The rhythmic motion calmed them both.

Elise then looked up. She finally broke her silence.

"Hey, Hyoren."

Her voice was thoughtful.

"What if Ina changes? What if she never fools around with men anymore and decides to stay loyal? Will you forgive her? Or are her past actions still unforgivable for you?"

Hyoren thought about it for a while. His hand paused in her hair.

"Hmm..."

He considered his words carefully.

"I think... as long as she was truly remorseful, and never repeated her mistake... I can forgive and accept her."

Elise nodded.

"So, if she is truly remorseful..."

She hesitated.

"Will you consider taking her as your lover?"

Hyoren's eyes widened. Caught off guard by Elise's question. His voice rose slightly.

"Huh? Why ask that, Elise? You are my lover. And I don't plan to cheat on you."

He looked at her emerald eyes. Trying to convey his sincerity. His conviction.

"I hate cheating. So I don't want to cheat on you either."

He held her gaze.

"I promise I will never cheat behind your back, Elise."

Elise smiled. Her eyes filled with warm feelings. Soft. Tender.

"Thank you, Hyoren. That means a lot to me. I understand your sincerity."

Hyoren heaved a relieved sigh. His shoulders relaxed.

But Elise asked again. Her voice gentle. Curious.

"Okay then. Let me rephrase my question."

She propped herself up slightly.

"What do you think about Ina? Please be honest with me. I forbid lying."

Hyoren looked at the moons again. Trying to understand his own feelings. The celestial bodies hung silent above them. Witnesses to his introspection.

"Elise… How to say it. To be honest, I'm not sure."

He looked down at Elise again.

"Ina is a hard worker. She's funny. Easy to talk to."

He spoke slowly. Choosing each word carefully.

"She helped me a lot. Taught me a lot of things. And the sight of her transformation from prankster and teaser to professional Vice Guild Master awed me… You can say I'm interested in her."

He shook his head. Firmly.

"But... I already chose you, Elise. My feelings toward Ina stopped at interest. I promise it's just like that. I swear I was telling the truth."

Elise smiled softly. Understanding.

"So you are interested in her... I see..."

Her words trailed off. It was like she was considering about something.

Hyoren’s face flushed. His voice was urgent.

"Elise! But I love you! I chose you! I will bury my feelings toward Ina. Trust me."

Elise smiled at Hyoren. It was sincere. Genuine. No anger. No jealousy.

"No need to be flustered, Hyoren. Fufu."

She laughed softly.

"I trust you. I'm not angry that you are interested in Ina. You don't need to worry. I'm just asking for your real feelings. And thinking about possibilities…"

Hyoren was confused with Elise's actions and words. What possibilities she was thinking. It baffled him. But before he could ask her, he felt a shift in her expression.

She looked at his eyes. Her emerald eyes met with his dark ones. The connection was solid. Unwavering.

"I love you, Hyoren. Thanks for answering honestly."

She traced a finger along his jaw.

"For most elves, me included, honesty is the most important thing between lovers. That's why I was really hurt yesterday."

She looked up at the three moons.

"You purposely did not tell me you met Ina. Lied to me."

Her voice was calm.

"That dishonesty is what actually hurt me. Not the thought of you cheating with Ina..."

She looked down again. Smiled. Warmly.

"Well. If you really cheat on me, of course it's going to hurt me. But it was nothing compared the fact you lied to me..."

Hyoren nodded. He finally understood. The realization settled in him like weight lifting from his shoulders. The first question she asked during their crisis was why he lied. Not about cheating.

"I see…"

He held her closer.

"I promise, Elise. I will never lie to you anymore. Not even white lies..."

Elise smiled widely. The expression reached her eyes. Bright and joyful.

"Thank you, Hyoren."

She leaned closer.

"I love you. I'm glad I wasn't wrong choosing you as my partner."

Hyoren smiled back at her.

"Same with me, Elise. I love you."

His voice was soft.

"I'm glad you are the first person I met in this world. And thank you for accepting me as your partner."

They leaned forward. Their faces inched closer. Then they kissed. Deeply. They reaffirmed their relationship. The crisis from yesterday was finally fully resolved.

The three moons—Azure, Crimson, and Ebony—became witnesses to their deepening relationship. The goblin settlement in the Old Quarry was forgotten for a while. Tonight, it was about them. Just them.