Shining Shadow

The trek from Crystal Lake to Shadowpine Forest was a blur of sweat and dust, the Blazewind Expanse's heat lingering like a bad hangover. My curse's 30 kg weight dragged at every step, but the Starforged Tunic hummed, keeping my legs from buckling. Tira led, her Beginner Grand Master Fire aura steady, phoenix tattoo glowing under her red tunic as she navigated the rocky trails. Her eyes were fixed on Forgehold, that secret goal of hers burning hotter than her flames. Bera, Middle Master Fire, rode beside me, her corset hugging curves that could spark a war. Lila, Middle Master Earth, kept pace, her earth-rune skirt teasing thighs that made my mouth dry. Varkoth, my Beginner Master Darkness Basilisk Emperor, slithered fast across the ground, hissing fluently, "Father, this land tests us." I grinned, kicking a pebble his way. "Keep up, son—train those scales."

Stinky, my Emerald Beetle, scuttled nearby, his Middle Knight Earth shell glinting green from the strength potion I'd dosed him with at the lake. The mountains around Crystal Lake gave way to rolling hills, then dense pines that swallowed the light.

Shadowpine Forest loomed, its towering trees thick with Darkness Qi, their shadows crawling like living things. A hidden waterfall roared in the distance, its mist catching moonlight. "This place gives me the creeps," Lila muttered, her earth Qi spiking. Bera smirked, tossing her red hair. "Scared, stone-girl? Stick close to Killy—he'll protect you." I leered. "Protect? I'm thinking more… hands-on." Lila's earth spike grazed my boot, and Tira's laugh cut through. "Focus, pervert, or you'll trip over your own ego."

We'd looted five Level 1 Spirit Stones and a Frostfin scale at the lake, plus three Crystal Serpent scales and a Level 5 Spirit Stone from that beast fight. My spatial ring was heavy, but my mind was on the girls—Bera's fire, Lila's stone, Tira's everything. Varkoth hissed, "Father's lust fuels chaos." I chuckled. "Provoke 'em, son." He turned to Bera. "Female, your curves rival a Starborn Drake's hoard." Her fireball singed my cloak, but her smirk said she wasn't entirely pissed. The forest's dark air settled over us, and I knew tonight would be different—something heavy was coming.

We set camp near the waterfall, its roar a steady pulse. Bera and Lila, exhausted from the trek and our lake battles, collapsed onto their bedrolls, bickering softly before their breaths evened out in sleep. Tira sat by the campfire, sharpening her dagger, her Fire Qi flickering like the flames. I watched her, the usual crude quip stuck in my throat. Her eyes were distant, jaw tight, like she was wrestling with something she couldn't say. Varkoth coiled nearby, hissing low, "Father, the fire-female hides her heart." I nodded, waving him off. "Go train, son—crawl the perimeter." He slithered away, muttering about my "fleshy obsessions."

I sat beside Tira, the curse's weight settling in my bones. "Tira," I said, voice low, no trace of my Supreme Prankster bullshit. "We need to talk. Serious."

She froze, dagger pausing mid-stroke, her phoenix tattoo glinting. "What's with the tone, Killy? You sick or something?" Her smirk was half-hearted, eyes searching mine like she sensed the storm coming.

I tugged at my half-cut braid—gold tips dulled since Lila's dagger took a chunk in Greenleaf. "When we hit Forgehold, I'm splitting off. Alone."

Her face hardened, eyes blazing like a Lava Dragon's breath. "The fuck, Killyaen? Why?" Her voice was sharp, but there was a crack in it—fear, maybe.

I leaned closer, keeping my voice steady. "I'm qi-blind, Tira. Always have been. There's a hole in me—who I am, where I came from. Forgehold's got answers, I know it. But it's dangerous, and I won't drag you, Bera, or Lila into that mess."

She crossed her arms, Fire Qi flaring. "We're not fragile, you idiot. We've fought with you, bled for you. We're a team—together or nothing." Her words were fierce, but her hands shook, betraying something deeper.

"I know you're tougher than Cryonsteel," I said, meeting her gaze. "You three are my fire, my stone, my everything. But this is my fight. I can't focus if I'm worrying about you getting hurt—or worse. I need to do this solo, at least 'til I know what I'm up against."

Her jaw tightened, eyes glistening but unyielding. "And if you die out there? What's that leave us? You think we'll just move on, like you're some tavern fling?"

I forced a half-grin, the curse heavy on my shoulders. "Me, dead? Come on, Tira—I'm too stubborn for that. Got Varkoth, my Ember's Fang and Blaze's Claw, and a knack for pissing off death itself. I'll be fine."

She snorted, but it was hollow. "You're an idiot, Killyaen. Swear you'll watch your ass. Swear it."

"Swear," I said, dead serious. "But I need a favor. When I go, take Bera and Lila with you—wherever you're headed. Keep 'em safe. They won't leave me otherwise, and I can't have them tailing me into this."

Her gaze bored into me, like she was trying to read my soul. "You think they'll just wave goodbye? Bera'd burn Forgehold down, and Lila'd bury you in a landslide before letting you go alone."

"That's why I need you," I pressed, voice raw. "You're the only one who can rein 'em in. You're heading to Forgehold for your own reasons—shit you won't tell me. I trust you to lead them, keep them out of my mess. Please, Tira—I'm begging."

She went quiet, staring into the fire, her fingers twisting the dagger's hilt. Her silence stretched, heavy, and I saw it—something she wanted to say, locked behind those fierce eyes. Her lips parted, then closed, like the words were too big, too raw. "Tira," I said softly, "what's eating you? Spit it out."

She exhaled, shoulders slumping, and looked at me, vulnerable in a way I'd never seen. "Fine," she said, voice barely above a whisper. "I'll do it. I'll take Bera and Lila, keep them safe, wherever I go after Forgehold. But you owe me, Killyaen—and I'm collecting tonight."

My heart slammed against my ribs. "What?"

She leaned closer, her Fire Qi warm, breath brushing my face. "One night. You and me. No pranks, no bullshit. Just us, under that waterfall. I want you, Killy—before you run off to play hero." Her eyes held mine, fierce but trembling, like she'd bared her soul and was scared I'd laugh.

I swallowed, throat dry as ash. "Tira, I—"

"Don't think," she cut in, finger pressing my lips. "Say yes."

"Yes," I said, voice hoarse, pulse racing like a Zenoite Krovar's charge.

She smiled—real, raw, gut-punching—and grabbed my hand, pulling me toward the waterfall. The roar grew louder, moonlight painting the water silver, mist curling like a lover's touch. Varkoth hissed from the shadows, "Father's heart burns true," but I ignored him, my world narrowing to Tira.

She stopped by the pool, her tunic falling to the grass, revealing skin that glowed under the moonlight—firm, smooth, curves that could make a Mithryon priest renounce his vows. Her red hair cascaded like a fiery storm, phoenix tattoo pulsing faintly on her neck. I stood, frozen, gold-flecked eyes wide, until she smirked. "Scared, prankster?"

"Fuck no," I growled, ripping off my Starforged Tunic, my torn trousers barely hiding how much I wanted her. She stepped into the pool, water lapping her hips, and beckoned. I followed, the curse's weight gone as I pulled her close, her skin hot against mine, Fire Qi sparking where we touched.

Her lips crashed into me, fierce and hungry, tasting of ale and flame. I groaned, hands gripping her waist, sliding up to cup her breasts—full, soft, nipples hardening under my thumbs. She moaned, loud and raw, pressing tighter, her thighs parting as she ground against me. "Killy," she gasped, voice thick with need, "take me."

I lifted her, water splashing, and pressed her against a smooth rock, her legs wrapping my waist like a vice. My lips trailed her neck, sucking hard, leaving marks she'd curse me for later. She arched, nails clawing my back, urging me on. "Please," she whispered, her first time's mix of nerves and desire bared in her eyes. I kissed her, slow and deep, tongues clashing as I pressed against her entrance—tight, wet, welcoming.

"Tell me you want this," I growled, needing to hear it.

"I want you," she panted, eyes locked on mine. "Now."

I entered her, slow, savoring every inch of her heat, her gasp sharp with that first-time edge—pain, then bliss. "You okay?" I murmured, pausing. She nodded, nails digging deeper. "Keep going, Killy." I did, moving deeper, harder, her moans rising with the waterfall's roar. Her hips rocked, meeting my thrusts, water sluicing between us, her Fire Qi flaring with every cry. "Faster," she begged, voice breaking, and I gave it to her—my curse-fueled strength driving us both to the edge. Her body clenched, trembling, and she screamed my name, shattering in a climax that shook the rock. I followed, roaring, spilling into her, vision blurring as pleasure burned through me.

We collapsed into the pool, panting, tangled in each other's arms. She grinned, breathless, hair plastered to her face. "Worth it."

"You're fucking unreal," I said, kissing her softly, still reeling.

She curled against me, water lapping our skin. "Killy, this stays between us," she said, voice firm but soft. "No one knows—not Bera, not Lila, not your damn snake."

I smirked, my prankster side creeping back. "What, not even the drunks in a Forgehold tavern?" I teased, winking. "I could tell 'em how Tira, fire goddess, screamed my name."

She laughed, a sound so bright it cut through the forest's gloom, and tackled me, splashing water. "You bastard," she said, eyes gleaming. "Now that tasted it, give me some more."

I grinned, heart racing. "Oh, you're gonna regret that." I scooped her up, her legs wrapping me as I carried her from the pool to the grass, moonlight painting her wet skin. Round two started fast—her lips on mine, hungrier now, hands tugging my braid as she straddled me. I flipped her, pinning her down, and took her again, slower this time, savoring every gasp, every shudder. She moaned, loud and unashamed, her Fire Qi flaring as she rode the edge again. We moved together—hard, soft, desperate—through the night, positions shifting like a dance, grass beneath us, stars above. Her cries grew hoarse, my strength pushed to its limit by the curse, but we didn't stop until dawn, collapsing in a sweaty, exhausted heap.

"Fuck, Tira," I panted, holding her close. "You're gonna kill me."

She smirked, nestling into my chest. "Good way to go, prankster. Don't forget your promise."

"I won't," I said, kissing her forehead, knowing this night—our secret—would burn in me forever.