The dark, tyrannical cloud that had smothered Welbgard was finally gone. With Lazio vanquished, the country quickly settled back into its accustomed rhythms of peace.
Thorenz, Moses, and Jonah remained in the recovering nation for five more days. They were days of profound, communal effort: the people mourned their fallen, cleared the worst of the rubble, and began the arduous process of healing and rebuilding, buoyed by a deep sense of gratitude and fresh hope.
As the fifth day drew to a close, preparations began in earnest for the trio's return home. They were packing their scant belongings when Jonah's voice, full of excitement, cut through the quiet room.
"Thorenz! Chief Mauritius said we can take as much of the gold as we want!"
Thorenz, who was carefully rolling up a map, paused. "Really?"
Moses nodded, leaning against the doorframe. "Yes. He said you found the gold in the first place, and that added to everything else you did—defeating Lazio, saving the town—even giving you all of it wouldn't be enough to show their appreciation."
"Haha, that old man is overexaggerating," Thorenz murmured, though a touch of pride warmed the weariness in his bones.
At that moment, Laura's voice, soft but insistent, cut through the air. "Thorenz, do you have a minute?"
Thorenz's curiosity was instantly piqued. "Sure," he replied, setting the map down.
They walked out of the communal room and down a short, quiet hall, seeking a measure of privacy. When they were certain they were alone, they stopped. The air around them immediately grew heavy, charged with all the unspoken feelings that had accumulated over the past week of shared danger.
"So, you're leaving tomorrow, huh?" Laura finally broke the silence, her voice a fragile whisper.
Thorenz smiled, genuinely excited. "Yeah. I've missed everyone at home. I've missed my father, my mother, and my brother. I've missed the neighbors. Everyone. I truly can't wait."
Laura's tone dropped, becoming low and wounded. "Eh? You can't wait to leave me, huh?"
Thorenz snapped upright, his composure fracturing. "Er, no, no, it's not like that! I didn't mean it that way at all!"
Laura's expression softened into a slow, knowing smile. She turned fully, facing him, and began to walk toward him with an unnerving, deliberate grace. She stopped close enough that her breath feathered against his lips, her lips nearly touching his. Thorenz's eyes widened in stunned surprise, but Laura ignored it, her gaze fixed entirely on his.
Then, she planted a kiss on his mouth, hard and sudden. She wrapped her arms around him, holding him tightly as the dam finally broke, and tears streamed down her cheeks, hot against his skin.
The kiss was long, raw, and passionate, a desperate outpouring of fear and affection. When Laura finally pulled away, she looked down, her shoulders trembling. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean..." she stammered, frantically wiping the tears away, but they continued to flow relentlessly, refusing to stop.
"No, it's fine, I..." Thorenz began, feeling a confusing mix of elation and panic.
But Laura didn't wait. She turned abruptly and ran, her footsteps echoing down the hallway.
"Hey! Hey! Hey!" Thorenz shouted, reaching out, trying to call her back, but she never looked over her shoulder.
Hidden behind a crumbling archway near the back of the building, Laura pressed herself against the cold stone. She watched Thorenz's worried figure finally give up and walk away, leaving her alone in the deserted hall. Her tears continued to flow, unchecked, a silent spring that refused to run dry.
The weight of the gold was literal and figurative. It rested in the packs of Thorenz, Moses, and Jonah—a tangible fortune offered by Chief Mauritius, a token of appreciation that could never truly repay the monumental debt Welbgard owed them. The evening had been filled with quiet finality, the brothers preparing for their long journey home, while the town, having navigated the trauma of the giant's attack, braced for the emotional strain of a genuine farewell to their unexpected champions.
The night quickly surrendered to the coming day. A new dawn broke, gentle and clear, painting the eastern sky in soft hues of rose and gold. The sun climbed, its rays casting a warm, hopeful glow upon the ravaged but resilient nation.
Activity was already stirring. Some of the Welbgardians, their resolve unshaken, resumed the back-breaking labor of clearing rubble, committed to the immediate task of rebuilding their damaged country. Others, however, converged on the main entrance of Welbgard, where the colossal gate now stood wide open, a gaping, poignant maw of departure.
Standing before the assembled crowd were Thorenz, Moses, and Jonah. Each wore a sturdy, if slightly battered, traveling pack heavy with provisions and the carefully contained gold. The atmosphere was one of bittersweet happiness; the people, though sad to see them go, smiled through their tears, ready to offer their heroes a grateful final goodbye.
Chief Mauritius stepped forward, his eyes bright with unshed emotion. "Thank you, once again, for everything. You can always visit us whenever you like. This is your home now, too."
"Sure, we will come back someday," Thorenz promised, his voice carrying an honest sincerity. He gave the Chief a heartfelt nod.
"Wait, though," Moses interjected, his gaze sweeping over the clustered villagers. "Where is Laura?"
At the simple mention of her name, Thorenz felt a knot of worry tighten in his stomach. He couldn't help but recall the raw, desperate emotion of their last encounter, the passionate kiss, and her sudden, tearful flight. Her absence now felt like a heavy confirmation of her distress.
"Laura? I haven't seen her today," Chief Mauritius said, scanning the group with a confused frown. "Has anyone seen her?"
Thorenz cut short the inquiry, unwilling to let the moment be consumed by his private anxiety. "Chief," he interrupted gently, "we will be on our way now. This isn't goodbye, because we will meet again."
The villagers waved, a chorus of farewells rising into the morning air. Thorenz, Moses, and Jonah lifted their hands in return, turned their backs to the cheers, and began their slow walk away from the town, disappearing into the path that led North.
In the midst of the gathered people, a young woman named Sara stood watching the trio leave. She was a close friend of Laura's, and as she watched Thorenz's silhouette shrink into the distance, she pressed her lips together, a vivid memory surfacing.
Earlier, in the quiet shade of a surviving oak...
"Laura, what did you say?" Sara asked, her voice hushed with disbelief.
Laura, eyes red-rimmed but resolute, leaned in. "Please, Sara, you're the only one I can trust with this."
Sara shook her head, a horrified disbelief settling into her features. "No, that's absurd. I can't do that."
"Please, Sara. Help me. I'm begging you," Laura pleaded, grasping her friend's hands tightly.
Back to the Present, Sara's gaze remained fixed on the vanishing figures. The three heroes were little more than distant specks against the towering trees, almost covered by dust now. A profound, almost heartbreaking understanding settled over her.
"This is what you want, right?" Sara mused, the words barely a breath, her silent question addressed to her unseen friend. "Laura."
The trio pressed onward, their heavy boots crunching on the dried earth. They traversed the silent, ominous expanse known as the Wilderness of the Dead, a place notorious for its debilitating illusions. To avoid falling victim to the terrain's psychological traps, they diligently retraced the exact route they had taken with Laura on their journey to Welbgard. Soon, the eerie silence of the Wilderness gave way to the dense, familiar foliage of the forest beyond.
They walked steadily, the distance from Welbgard growing with every passing hour.
"You know, when we came, we had only small bags," Jonah noted, adjusting the straps of his now-bulky pack, the weight of the gold noticeable even to his superhuman frame.
"That's right," Moses agreed, his deep voice carrying a hint of wry amusement. "Now, we each have a big backpack weighing us down."
"Well, that's because of the gold, right?" Thorenz mused, looking ahead at the winding path.
At that precise moment, a familiar voice, sharp and melodious, echoed through the forest canopy from a nearby tree. "You know, it's interesting that you three can walk past the Wilderness of the Dead without stress now."
"Laura?" Thorenz called, his head snapping up. All three friends whirled around, searching the branches above.
Laura was perched comfortably on a thick limb, her legs dangling casually. She, too, carried a sizable, heavily packed backpack.
Thorenz stared up at her, dumbfounded. "What are you doing here?" he questioned, his voice laced with confusion and a renewed flash of worry.
Laura simply grinned, pushing off the branch and dropping with practiced grace to land silently on the forest floor before him. "You know, it was this exact spot you saved me from Lazio's men that fateful night we met, Thorenz," she said, her eyes glinting with memory.
"I know," Thorenz insisted, crossing his arms, his bewilderment overriding his irritation. "But what do you want?"
Laura took a step closer, her smile widening into something playful and utterly irresistible. "Simple. Let me follow you guys home."
Thorenz's eyes widened in profound shock. Moses and Jonah erupted in a chorus of disbelieving exclamations.
"What did you say?" Thorenz stammered, convinced he must have misheard her.
"I believe you heard me, lover boy," Laura teased, her eyes sparkling. Then, she leaned in, her voice dropping to a low, conspiratorial whisper right next to his ear, "Or do you want another K.I.S.S.?"
The memory, the proximity, and the suggestive whisper were too much. Thorenz's face instantly flamed a deep, unmistakable red. "Alright, that does it. We are taking you back to Welbgard now!" he declared, turning abruptly as if to march her back through the Wilderness.
"Why is your face so red, brother?" Moses questioned, struggling to stifle a laugh.
Laura chuckled softly, placing a hand on Thorenz's arm. "He's just shy," she explained to Moses, the amusement clear in her voice.
Thorenz whirled back, exasperated. "Geez! Fine, suit yourself. Do what you want!" he yelled, throwing his hands up in defeat, and promptly stalked off down the path.
Laura watched him go, then turned to the other two with a shrug and a delighted smirk. "Men are so simple."
With a final, shared laugh, Laura adjusted her backpack and fell into step beside Moses and Jonah. The four of them, an improbable quartet, continued their unexpected journey home.
The unlikely quartet pressed on, their journey home beginning in earnest. They traversed high mountains, plunged through deep forests, and crossed the rushing waters of several lakes. Sometimes the heavens wept with rain, drenching them to the bone; other times, the sun shone fiercely, baking the ground beneath their feet. When hunger struck, they relied on their hunting prowess, killing and roasting wild game for their meals. When exhaustion set in, they found sheltered clearings to rest before continuing. At night, they slept clustered together for warmth and security.
But as the physical journey continued, an emotional divide grew. Thorenz was conspicuously avoiding Laura, maintaining a significant distance from her on the path and around the campfire. Laura, in contrast, simply smiled—a knowing, patient expression that never quite left her lips. Moses and Jonah exchanged baffled glances. They had witnessed the intense closeness between Thorenz and Laura in Welbgard, and his sudden, wary withdrawal was a source of great surprise to them.
On the third day of their travels, as the camp was shrouded in the deep stillness of the night, Thorenz awoke, necessitated by a simple biological urge. He rose quietly and slipped into the bush to relieve himself. The moment he was gone, Laura's eyes flickered open, tracking his absence in the dark.
Deep into the thicket, Thorenz yawned, feeling the immediate relief of the moment. When he was done, he turned to head back to the others, but his heart nearly jumped out of his throat.
Standing directly in front of him, silently observing, was Laura.
"Ah!" Thorenz gasped, clutching his chest. "Oh, it's you," he muttered, collecting his composure. "What are you doing here? You should be sleeping!"
Laura ignored his question, her gaze intense and unwavering in the gloom. "Why have you been avoiding me?" she asked, her voice low and direct.
Thorenz let out a deep sigh, feeling the pressure of their compressed journey finally boiling over. "Look, I'm sorry, okay. But..."
"But what?" Laura interrupted, closing the small gap between them. "Can't you see? I love you. I can't stop thinking about you." She leaned in, her lips impossibly close to his. "Please give me a chance."
Just as their lips were about to meet, Thorenz pulled back sharply, his internal alarm bells ringing. "Please, not here," he whispered urgently, nodding toward the distant, sleeping forms of his friends.
"Then where?" Laura challenged, her eyes full of fire.
"Please, anywhere, anytime. Just not right now, not right here, please," Thorenz pleaded, his voice a frantic mixture of desire and terror of discovery.
"Okay, where then? When?" Laura pressed, taking advantage of his wavering resolve. She leaned forward again, their lips almost touching, the scent of the forest clinging to her hair. "I really love you, Thorenz. Please give me a chance."
In that moment, their lips touched. Thorenz opened his mouth to protest one last time, to insist on waiting, but Laura silenced him with the pressure of her mouth, her voice a soft command against his lips. "Don't say anything. Just focus."
The kiss became long and passionate, a desperate release of pent-up emotion and unspoken longing. Their hands found each other, caressing skin through the rough material of their clothing. Slowly, deliberately, they began to undress each other as they kissed, until the cool night air brushed against their bare skin. They sank down together onto the soft, leaf-littered earth.
The next day, the morning sun dawned, casting a warm, golden glow over the earth and filtering through the forest canopy.
"Thorenz! Laura!" Moses's voice echoed through the trees, quickly followed by Jonah's.
Meanwhile, Thorenz and Laura lay peacefully in their secluded hollow in the bush, covered loosely by a scattering of leaves, fast asleep.
"Thorenz! Laura!" The worried call came again, closer this time.
The urgency of the shout finally jolted Thorenz awake. He heard the call again, and the immediate reality of their situation—and their location—struck him with the force of a thunderclap. He immediately shook Laura awake, and with silent, synchronized haste, they gathered their clothing and dressed quickly.
They emerged from the bush a short time later, walking right into Moses and Jonah, whose faces were creased with genuine concern.
"Where were you guys?" Moses questioned, relieved but still confused.
Thorenz wracked his brain, searching desperately for a plausible excuse that didn't involve the raw, leaf-covered earth. Laura watched him, a bright, happy smile radiating from her face.
"Well, let's just say, we had a wonderful time together," Laura declared brightly, her smile widening into a playful, knowing smirk as she walked past the two stunned brothers.
Moses and Jonah stared after her, then turned to Thorenz, their faces a portrait of utter bewilderment.
"What?" Thorenz asked defensively, his face still warm, unable to meet their eyes.
He walked away without waiting for an answer, leaving his friends to grapple with the implications of Laura's statement. They didn't need to ask anything else; the two heroes simply did not understand what had happened in the deep silence of the night.
As the quartet continued their journey, the dynamic within the group was undeniably altered. The tense avoidance that had characterized the first three days evaporated entirely, replaced by a lighthearted ease. Laura, particularly, was in an effervescent mood, her bright laughter often echoing through the trees. Thorenz no longer maintained a wide berth; the two walked close together, sharing whispered stories, inside jokes, and a palpable warmth that seemed to envelop them both. They laughed together, gisted together, and simply had fun together.
In the eyes of Moses and Jonah, the truth was obvious: Thorenz and Laura were deeply in love. Yet, every time the friends playfully broached the subject, both Thorenz and Laura would issue the most blatant, if not entirely convincing, denials.
Moses and Jonah shared bemused glances, silently acknowledging the dramatic transformation in their friend. Three more days passed in this newfound, pleasant rhythm. On the sixth day of their journey, as the sun reached its zenith at noon, their long trek finally brought them to their destination.
Thorenz took the lead, guiding the group onto the worn, familiar path that ascended the mountainside where his house was located. The climb was steep but exhilarating.
As they neared the summit, a figure came into view, standing motionless against the brilliant sky. The man's dark hair was swept back from his face, and his features were sharp, refined, and utterly striking. What arrested their attention, however, were his eyes: they were a brilliant, crystalline blue, so intense they appeared to be fashioned from polished diamond.
"Wow. What beautiful eyes," Laura murmured, immediately captivated by the figure. "Thorenz, who is that?"
Thorenz's casual demeanor dropped, replaced by a serious focus. "Aethel," he replied, turning slightly to face Laura. "He is my twin."
"What? You have a twin?" Laura questioned, her eyes widening in genuine shock as she absorbed the surprising news.
"Yes," Thorenz confirmed simply.
"Wow," Laura said, shaking her head. "You guys don't look anything alike."
"Haha, that's because he resembles our late grandmother, while I took after our father," Thorenz explained, a trace of melancholy entering his voice. "But we were born on the same day."
"Interesting," Laura mused. "So who is the older twin?"
"Aethel is the older twin, while I'm the younger one," Thorenz said.
"I see. So why didn't he come to Welbgard with you?" Laura asked, sensing the sudden shift in the mood.
Thorenz sighed, avoiding thequestion, he replied, "Laura, that's a discussion for another day."
The quartet finally reached the crest of the mountain and stopped. Their eyes fell fully upon Aethel. His diamond-like gaze swept over them, landing last on Thorenz. His expression was cold, devoid of the warmth one might expect for a long-awaited reunion.
"Welcome back, Thorenz," Aethel said, his voice smooth and clear, yet utterly chilling. "How was your vacation?"