Mira opened her eyes, looking at a ceiling she barely got to know. She sat up, the cold wind blowing from the window beside her bed. She looked outside, seeing the forest spreading as far as the eye could see after the garden.

“Arad’s house,” She mumbled. The image of herself getting stabbed in the neck returned. She grabbed her throat. The wound is nowhere to be seen.

“How long have I been unconscious?” She slowly pushed the blanket away and firmly planted her feet on the cold ground.

She tried to stand, but her knees started shaking, and her head spun as she fell to the ground with a deep empty feeling across her body. CRACK!

Thud! Thud! Thud! As Mira lay on the ground, feeling the cold seep into her bones. She heard steps rushing toward her room.

BAM! The door got kicked open, “Mira!” Lyla shouted, rushing to her.

“M..om,” Mira growled, unable to move.

“Wait! I will get you on the bed.” Lyla grabbed Mira from beneath her armpits and dragged her to the bed. “Don’t move. Here drink this.”

Lyla opened the bedside drawer and pulled out a honey jar. She poured a large scope into a glass of water and got close to Mira’s mouth.

“You bleed a lot from the stab and suffered internal damage. We had to use a lot of potions and healing magic to get healed.” Lyla explained, “Your body is starving. Drink this slowly. I will go and get you something to eat.” Lyla stood after she saw Mira holding the glass on her own.

“Where is Arad?” She asked.

“Arad and Mira are out on a quest. Jack got the lord to give him a small house beside the central church and is caring for Lydia there. I don’t know about Merida and Abel.”

Mira looked at her hand, “This doesn’t seem like mere starving. My whole body feels weaker.”

“In fact, your heart stopped multiple times. And you didn’t respond even when we healed you. This is how we knew you suffered a lot of internal damage.” Lyla scratched her chin, “Luckily, a friend of mine came with a herb that she claimed would help you get better.”

“Who are you talking about?”

“Jemima, the maid working for Cain from the plant shop. She said he sent her with the herb.” Lyla smiled. Standing, “Now rest. I will get you something to eat.” She went to the kitchen.

Mira looked at the ceiling, slowly drinking her honey with water. “That maid is a bit weird, that Cain as well.” She mumbled, “Each time I try remembering them, I see a clear and detailed image.”

Mira sighed, “When will Arad get back.” She looked out the window.

***

“Arad! That the ones to the east!” Aella shouted, firing an arrow at a bandit who hid behind a tree.

Arad smiled, Void Step. He teleported directly behind the bandits.

“You bastard!” The four bandits growled, and one swung his sword at Arad’s chest.

Thud! Arad caught the man’s wrist and stole his sword. “You’re slow,” He grabbed him by the neck using the other hand. 𝗼𝐯𝐥.𝗻𝐭

CRACK! It only took one squeeze to breathe his neck. Arad then absorbed the corpse into his stomach.

The other bandits cried, “You monster!” He swung his axe, but Arad swung the sword he stole and blocked the attack. SWOSH! CRACK! Arad hit the man’s cheek with a backhand, spinning his head.

“I need blood,” Arad smiled, absorbing the corpse into his stomach.

The remaining two turned to run away, but Arad grabbed their necks from the back. CRACK! CRACK! He snapped them.

“Arad, I dropped everyone else.” Aella approached Arad as he absorbed the bandits.

~None of the bandits escaped. There is another camp to the west. Do you want to clear that as well?~

^I don’t want the bandits to start fearing this area. We will let those be.^ Arad smiled. ^I do need a steady supply of blood for healing, after all.^

Arad walked toward the bandit’s tents, “Let’s take everything. But let’s separate them into rations, tools, items, and currency.”

Aella helped Arad sort out what the bandits lefts. Coins and gems are currency. Their weapons and armors are items. Hammers, nails, and repair kits for armor and tents are tools. And lastly, the preserved food.

***

The sun was setting down as Mira stared out of the window. “They are late.” She mumbled. But as if by a stroke of luck, she saw a large black dragon emerge from the trees with Aella on his back.

Flying could get him spotted from a distance, so Arad decided to run on all four on the forest floor with Loci guiding him away from people.

Aella spotted Mira staring at them from the window. “Arad looks, she woke up!” She pointed with her hand.

Arad shifted back to his human form and walked toward the window with Aella. “How are you feeling?”

Mira smiled, “Better. But a bit lonely. What were you doing all day?”

“Cleaning some bandits around the area,” Arad replied with a smile. “Someone had to do it,”

Aella approached the window and touched Mira’s forehead. “Your fever has gone down. We will have a feast today.”

Mira smiled. “A feast of lettuce and onion?” She giggled.

“Come on!” Aella pinched her, “A proper feast. Your mother is here helping me cook. And I won’t leave a sick woman without meat.”

“We will go wash and come in. See you in a few minutes.” Arad and Aella were a bit drenched in blood. They headed to the back door that was closer to the bath to wash.

Aella rolled the massive wooden tub into the floor and looked at Arad. “If you please.”

Arad took bucked of water, washed his arms, and then dried them. He slowly approached the tub and put both of his hands inside.

SPLASH! Arad poured water from his stomach to fill the tub. “And now.”

Fire fist He ignited both hands beneath the water, heating it up.