Four long, heart-wrenching months had passed since Aiden was swallowed by the darkness, four months since the last the Lyridian Resistance Force saw of their comrade. The Guild was restored, and Mr. Smith returned as the Guild Master, but there was a profound emptiness. The memory of Aiden's sacrifice echoed in every hall, every heart. Four months of fruitless searching. Each passing day brought more despair, more questions, and more emptiness as Risa, Gregg, and Mr. Smith had been relentlessly searching for their friend, scanning every inch. But all their efforts had so far been in vain, leaving them in a state of despair and uncertainty.The months after Aiden's disappearance passed like a painful blur for Risa. Each day she woke up in the hopeful anticipation of his return, but each night she went to bed crushed by the reality of his absence. She tried to keep herself busy, to distract her mind from the painful emptiness that was gnawing at her heart. But every moment of silence, e
They turned to him, their attention instantly caught by the urgency in his tone. Mr. Smith pulled out a piece of parchment, laying it out on the table for them to see. It was a map, with a specific location marked on it."I have news," Mr. Smith said, his voice wavering a bit, betraying his nervousness."What is it?" Risa asked, her heart pounding with a strange mix of hope and fear.Mr. Smith turned to them, his eyes intense. "A sign... A sign of Aiden," he said, the gravity of his words hanging in the air.Risa and Gregg turned towards him, their faces mirroring their surprise. The air in the room shifted, the heaviness replaced by a flicker of hope. Could it be? Was Aiden still alive? As Mr. Smith began to unravel the parchment, the room fell into an anxious silence. Each word that left his lips was a thread of hope, a beacon in the bleak abyss. They hung onto his every word, their hearts pounding in anticipation.And then, he paused, his gaze meeting theirs. There was something i
Aiden's potential survival stirred something within them - a spark of hope, a sense of urgency. They had been given a mission, a second chance to save their friend, and they wouldn't let it slip through their fingers. They spent the rest of the night preparing, making arrangements for the journey ahead.Two weeks had passed and Gregg was close to completing the last task assigned to him, the acquisition of the Dragon's Tear. In contrast, Mr. Smith focused on preparing for the ritual. As they readied themselves, Risa stared into the horizon, her thoughts consumed with Aiden.It felt like an eternity had passed since she had last seen him alive. She remembered those first few days after his disappearance with such vivid clarity... Her hands still shook when she thought of it. She had never imagined losing someone so close to her so unexpectedly. It was unfathomable and heart-wrenching. But over time, she had learned to accept it. The hope that he was alive somewhere out there still ling
[R-18]~Ohhh!!!~ The sound of moans, pants, and the feeling of being ridden by a naked lady like an animal in heat came to him as if through a dream as he awoke with a gasp from the warm embrace of a hot naked lady and heard her purr of satisfaction before she placed her hand on his shoulders as she bounced up and down on his member. Aiden's eyes snapped open as he looked around confused at first only to have his mind clouded over again as he found himself under a warm blanket as well as being naked but in the presence of someone who was most definitely not Risa but definitely female as she continued her ride on him. He looked down at himself and saw that she was riding him bareback and his member was buried deep inside of her dripping wet hole as she rode him with abandon and a smile of satisfaction on her face as she leaned forward and kissed him deeply on the lips while grinding herself on top of his member before pulling back and smiling at him.The moment he took a good look at
[I'm glad you finally realized the severity of what you were facing, host]"What's wrong dear Aiden? Don't you want to have a taste of my body anymore?" The lady laughed mockingly as Aiden clenched his fists and took a step back, glaring at her."If that's what you think then why don't we find out once and for all if your 'taste' really does compare to mine!" Aiden snapped back, feeling a rush of energy surge through his body.Creating a labrys sword out of thin air, he swung it at the lady's head as she looked shocked by the sudden appearance of his weapon.The blade sliced clean through her skull, splitting it in half and sending blood splattering everywhere she collapsed to the floor with a thud before falling still and silent as her body turned to dust which disappeared into the air as Aiden stood there staring down at her corpse with wide eyes.He took another step backward as he reeled from the shock of what he had done with the body earlier, his mind slowly coming back to him a
Aiden paused for a moment as he looked down at the empty plate before looking up at his parents with wide eyes. "What do you mean?" He asked nervously as he wiped his mouth with a napkin and cleared his throat."We've heard all about your adventures in a magical place so far and we'd love to hear more details if you don't mind sharing," Rydel said as he gave his son a warm smile.Aiden looked over at his mother who was watching him closely, her expression one of curiosity as she waited for his response.'They are slowly revealing their true intentions but I can't just fall into their trap yet. Not until I find out exactly what they plan to use me for.' Aiden thought as he tried to come up with an answer."Well... I guess that depends on how much you actually know about me..." Aiden muttered as he rubbed his chin with his fingers.Clarissa laughed softly as she patted her husband's shoulder. "I think Aiden is trying to tell us something here." She teased playfully as she looked up at h
After Aiden finished dressing, he went downstairs to join his mother and father in the kitchen."So how do you like my cooking?" Clarissa teased as she glanced over at her son from where she was standing next to the stove."It smells delicious," Aiden replied honestly as he sniffed the air."Well, I hope you like it because I made enough food for all our staff to take home!" Clarissa laughed lightly as she started preparing the ingredients for the meal."Is there anything I can help with?" Aiden offered as he watched his mother work."No, dear. You just sit back and relax while we take care of everything." Clarissa told him as she placed a plate full of steaming hot food on the table.Aiden sat down across from his parents as he dug into the dish of spaghetti with meatballs. The taste of the sauce reminded him of a certain someone's cooking.'This really does taste like mom's cooking!'"This is really good! It tastes exactly like I remembered." Aiden praised as he ate another forkful
After what felt like hours of focusing, he heard a knock on his door."Come in!" Aiden called out as he stood up from his meditation pose.He had been expecting the appearance of the name he had called while speaking to the inn owner.'He finally shows up, huh?' Aiden scoffed and chuckled at the thought.The door creaked open and revealed a girl standing in the doorway. She appeared to be around seventeen years old with long black hair that reached her lower back. Her eyes were large and blue with thick lashes that curled upwards slightly at the ends.She wore a white shirt and brown pants underneath a leather jacket that matched her boots."You finally showed up," she spoke with a sigh as she walked inside and shut the door behind herself.'Shadow King!' Aiden raged internally as he glared at the girl."Did you enjoy the little gift I had given you?" The girl smirked as she leaned against the wall next to the door."You're the one who sent those puppets after me," Aiden growled as he
Raymond didn't miss the nervous look in Aiden's eyes, and he gestured to the waitress, indicating for two more coffees. "Don't look so worried, Aiden," he began, leaning back in his chair. "I'm not here to stir up trouble, quite the opposite, in fact."Aiden gave a small laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "You have a knack for popping up unexpectedly, Raymond," he said, meeting the older man's gaze. Raymond chuckled, a sound that reminded Aiden of crunching autumn leaves. "Guilty as charged," he admitted. "But it's the only way to catch you off guard, isn't it?"The two men shared a smile, the ice of formality finally beginning to thaw. When their coffees arrived, Aiden took a moment to appreciate the smell, the warmth of the cup soothing his nerves.Raymond's knowing smile widened as he caught sight of the green card. "I see you've been putting that to good use," he said, pouring a cup of coffee for Aiden. "Now tell me, how have you been?"Aiden hesitated for a moment, not sure wh
Four months had passed since their wedding, and it had been nothing short of bliss. Aiden recalled, a month after his marriage, he had the privilege of being the best man at Gregg's wedding to Zin. It was another day of joy and friendship, another day of unforgettable memories. As he watched his friend recite his vows, he couldn't help but feel a sense of profound happiness. It was as if life had come full circle, their shared dreams finally coming true.Now, Aiden found himself in the grandeur of his living room, the plush furnishings reflecting his luxurious lifestyle. His gaze lingered on a group photo from his own wedding that hung on the wall, the silver frame capturing the raw, unfiltered happiness of that day. James, the ever-loyal butler, had snapped the photo, capturing a moment of pure joy, their faces alive with laughter and love.A smile tugged at his lips as his eyes scanned the faces in the frame-his radiant wife, Risa, Gregg, Zin, and Mr. Smith. It was a precious mement
From the beautiful ceremony that echoed the purity of their love to the lively reception that followed, everything was truly enchanting. The laughter, the joy, the well-wishes, everything contributed to creating an ambiance of happiness and love.As the guests filled the beautifully decorated hall, the after-party began in earnest. The buffet tables were laden with an array of delicious food, while the bar was stocked with all sorts of drinks, catering to everyone's preference.Zin, in her elegant emerald green gown, was fluttering around Risa like a protective mother hen. She was diligently making sure that Risa was comfortable, frequently asking if she needed anything. Her worry was transparent, her gaze constantly darting to Risa's small belly. Risa, although touched by her friend's concern, found it amusing and gently assured her that she was fine.Amidst the laughter and conversations, Gregg detached himself from the crowd and moved towards Aiden, who was seated at a table with M
A week had passed since that day, the culmination of which was their big day, the day of their wedding. It was a day that echoed the magnificence of their love for one another. The wedding venue was the most eccentric hall in all of Collow. It was an architectural marvel, a symphony of nature and architecture that combined grandeur and simplicity in a harmonious blend. Tall, impressive stone columns held up the lofty, wooden ceiling, creating an ambiance of grandeur. The hall was filled with the beautiful scent of fresh pine, lavender, and honeysuckle, creating an earthy, calming aura that reflected their shared love for nature. The vast windows draped in flowing sheer curtains allowed the sunlight to filter in, casting a warm, ethereal glow over the space.The wedding was filled with countless guests, all eagerly awaiting the arrival of the bride. The air buzzed with anticipation as soft music filled the room. The melodious notes of the violin and piano created a magical, enchantin
The news of their forthcoming child was still fresh in their minds as they sat down to discuss their imminent wedding. The room was filled with a sense of exhilaration, excitement, and anticipation. The huge dining table was strewn with various wedding catalogs, color palettes, floral arrangements, and tentative guest lists. Risa, brimming with an ethereal glow from her pregnancy, was a picture of excited expectancy. Her green eyes sparkled with a mix of joy and anxiety, her fingers fluttering across the catalog pages as she attempted to decide on the most fitting color code for their nuptials."Aiden, what do you think of this one?" She pointed towards a palette that was an array of earthy colors, inspired by nature.Aiden leaned over to see what she was indicating, his gaze falling on the hues of deep forest green, soft brown, and a touch of gold. He studied it for a moment, his blue eyes reflecting the colors she chose."It's perfect, Risa. It truly reflects who we are, connected
[R-18]'When am I never ready?' Gregg replied in his thoughts, but instead of going along that line of thought, he gave her a tender smile as he brushed her hair away from her face and planted soft kisses on her cheeks and along her jawline."You're my dream girl." He whispered softly into her sensitive ears.Zin's breath caught in her throat as she looked at Gregg with a surprised smile. He had said that to her countless times before in different ways and situations, but it felt different coming from him now. He wasn't saying it because it was something he wanted her to do. It was simply how he saw her.With an easy grace, Zin disrobed, letting her clothes fall to the floor until she was wearing nothing but a sheer white slip of lingerie that accentuated her curves and accentuated her light pink nipples that were already hardening beneath the thin fabric. "Must have been the flour and grease on them," Zin teased with a playful smirk, stripping off the remaining clothing as quickly a
"Is everything alright, Risa?" she asked, her tone hinting at her worry. "You've never declined wine before. Is there a reason you're saying no tonight?"Risa glanced at Aiden, an unspoken question flickering in her gaze. Aiden gave her a reassuring smile, a silent signal for her to share their secret. "I'm not feeling unwell or anything," Risa began, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's just that...I... we... are expecting."The room fell silent, as if the words had sucked the air right out of it. Zin blinked, looking between Risa and Aiden, trying to comprehend the gravity of the news. Meanwhile, Gregg stared at Aiden, his eyes wide with shock."Expecting?" Zin repeated, her mind racing to decode Risa's words. But then it clicked, and she let out a startled gasp. "You mean...you're pregnant?"Risa nodded, a shy smile playing on her lips. "Three weeks along."Aiden reached for Risa's hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. He looked at her with such warmth, his eyes sparkling with
The shadows began to stretch across the rooms of the quaint duplex that Zin and Gregg called home as the golden tendrils of the afternoon sun began to retreat for the day. In the heart of their dwelling, Zin's culinary skills were on full display in their small but well-equipped kitchen. The tantalizing aroma of a home-cooked meal filled the air, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. In contrast, Gregg's domain was the dining area, where he was meticulously attending to every detail. He nervously adjusted the tablecloth, smoothed out non-existent creases, and repositioned the silverware for what felt like the hundredth time."Gregg," Zin's voice carried from the kitchen, filled with a lighthearted teasing note, "You're going to wear holes into the tablecloth if you continue fussing over it like that."A sheepish grin spread across Gregg's face at Zin's playful comment. "I just want to ensure everything is perfect, Zin," he replied, his voice shaky. "Aiden's accustomed to high-end,
A smile, brimming with mischief, gradually began to play across the features of Aiden. The playful glint in his eyes danced as he declared in a voice imbued with teasing suspense, "I'm not going to share that with you." Without any further ado, he reached into his pocket, pulled out a small box with intricate detailing, and handed it over to Gregg, who was visibly caught in the throes of anticipation.Gregg accepted the box with a sense of curiosity bordering on fascination. He gingerly opened the lid, and his pupils dilated in astonishment as they beheld the singular object nestled within the folds of velvet that lined the box. Inside lay a shimmering golden card that reflected the soft ambient light in a playful dance of colors, emphasizing the meticulous engraving of a stylized dragon that marked its surface. The card was encased in a pristine white border, upon which bold, black words stood out in striking contrast: 'What you seek is within.'Aiden, struggling to contain his amus