The memory faded—
And Darkness arrived in the present.
She had been tracking Kara's trail, expecting to find her standing victorious over another goblin. Instead, she froze at the edge of the clearing, eyes wide, heart slamming in her chest.
Before her, Kara lay sprawled on the ground, body glistening with sweat, hair plastered to her flushed face. The goblinoid was slumped nearby, spent, but the evidence of what had happened was undeniable: Kara's thighs trembling, her hips still twitching faintly, the unmistakable mess staining her skin.
Her expression… Darkness had never seen such a look on another adventurer. Kara's face was twisted in dazed exhaustion, her eyes unfocused, mouth half open as if she were still lost in the echoes of her climax.
Darkness's breath caught in her throat.
"K… Kara…?" she whispered.
The tomboy didn't respond at first, just stirred faintly, her lips trembling. When her eyes finally fluttered toward Darkness, they were hazy, filled with something that looked like shame and… something else.
Darkness's heart raced, a flood of conflicting feelings crashing through her. She had known westling could overwhelm a fighter, but to see Kara like this—with her small chest rising and falling so desperately, her hips marked by defeat—
It was more than Darkness expected.
Her fingers curled at her side, a faint shiver running through her. So this is the risk… to fight goblins alone… to take them head-on in westling… this is what happens if you lose…
The thought made her bite her lip, both disturbed and… deeply, strangely moved.
Kara tried to sit up, but her arms shook too much. Her voice cracked, fragile.
"I… I almost won… Darkness… I-I really thought I could…!"
Darkness stepped closer, kneeling beside her, gently taking her arm to support her. The smell of sweat and sex lingered thickly in the air, but she ignored it, focusing on Kara's trembling form.
"You fought well," Darkness murmured softly, her voice steadier than her racing thoughts. "But you must learn… restraint. Westling isn't only about the start. It's about knowing when to stop before the fight turns… against you."
Kara swallowed, her face burning with shame, her eyes glistening. "I… I'll do better… next time…"
Darkness gazed at her, conflicted but resolute. This was the reality of their world, of their battles. And Kara had just tasted it fully.