(Romantic Core: Andy × Nia)
The lantern village of Stonebrook welcomed them with its muted glow. Smoke from cookfires lingered in the streets, curling like soft fingers into the night air. Villagers bustled to finish their errands, lamps swaying gently from ropes overhead, while a bell tolled three times, marking curfew.
Andy walked at the front, steady, unflinching, his silver-dark hair glinting beneath the glow. His hand rested absently against the hilt that wasn't really there anymore—the Draconic Oathblade's presence pulsed from within the Shared Inventory, a comforting heartbeat against his own. Behind him, Nia's staff of Lumina gave off a subtle radiance like a fragment of the moon following wherever she stepped, and Aurelia strode with easy grace, dagger swaying against her thigh, eyes alive with that playful spark that rarely dimmed.
They pushed into the Lantern's Rest inn, where an innkeeper with oil-streaked hands bowed nervously. "S-sorry, my lords, my ladies," he stammered, wringing a rag. "The caravans came early. I've only one room left. With… one bed. But it's large."
Andy tilted his head. Before he could respond, Aurelia leaned on the counter, grin curving mischievous. "How generous. I like arrangements that encourage closeness."
Nia's sapphire gaze didn't waver. Her smile was polite, almost angelic, but edged with quiet steel. "We'll take it."
Aurelia arched a brow. "Do I sleep in the middle, or do you?"
Andy's reply was cool, unbothered, delivered with the kind of steadiness that made both women pause: "You're on roof watch."
Aurelia pressed a hand to her chest in mock injury. "Cruelty looks good on you, silver one."
The innkeeper blinked as Andy reached toward his weapon, only to see the Oathblade flicker out of nowhere before vanishing again—Shared Inventory at work. Nia did the same with her staff, and Aurelia casually made a brooch vanish from her palm, all in a blink. The man's mouth fell open.
Andy alone saw the system ripple across his vision:
[Constellation — Orion Tier II: Stable]
Sync Channels: Nia | Aurelia
Ambient Risk: Low | Corruption Trace: Faint (North ridge)
His lips tugged faintly upward. They were ready, even in peace.
The room was modest—shuttered window, brass oil lamp burning low, and one massive bed that seemed to take up most of the space. Aurelia leaned lazily against the doorframe, eyes glinting in the half-light. "Try not to dismantle the furniture. I'd hate to pay damages."
Nia's smile was gentle, sweet as spring rain. "We'll be careful. With the furniture."
Aurelia's gaze slipped deliberately to Andy. Her voice dropped, smoky, taunting. "Save me a dawn." Then she slipped out, closing the door with a soft click.
Silence remained. Until Nia stepped forward and placed Andy's hand directly over her heartbeat. "I'm not shy about being yours," she whispered.
"You never were," he murmured back, voice steady, soft.
[Bond Pulse Registered → Nia +1%]
Tier II Combined: +1% (Total 9%)
Cloaks were unpinned, boots dropped to the mat. Andy sat at the bed's edge as Nia guided him down, settling in his lap. Her forehead touched his, breath feathering across his lips.
"You came back to me in every battle today," she whispered.
"Every breath led here," he answered.
The kiss that followed wasn't just a kiss—it lingered, deepened, burned. The lamp flame flickered higher, shadows dancing over her auburn hair as his hands found the shape of her waist. Her laugh turned into a sigh.
[Resonance Event: Nia]
Emotional Vector: Devotion → Stable
Bond +2% (Nia 62%) | Tier II +2% (11%)
[Shared Aura: Warmth Pulse ↑]
Sync Coherence: Strong
Curtains breathed with the night wind. Lamplight rolled across bare shoulders. Time dissolved. They returned to one another more than once—unhurried, devoted, as if the stars themselves bent closer to witness.
"Again," Nia whispered, her voice trembling with soft command.
Andy laughed quietly against her mouth, disbelief and gratitude in his tone. "You had me."
Her smile curved bold and tender. "Good."
[Bond Surge → +4%] (Nia 66%) | Tier II +3% (14%)
[Bond Surge → +5%] (Nia 71%) | Tier II +3% (17%)
[Bond Surge → +4%] (Nia 75%) | Tier II +3% (20%)
At last, tangled in sheets, hair spilled across his chest, Nia traced a finger along the tin charm tied to his scabbard strap. "I don't need to win you," she murmured. "I'm already your home."
"Anchor," Andy said, pressing a kiss to her temple. "Light. All the words."
From the hallway, Aurelia's steps faltered. She paused, hearing the muffled laughter through the door. A smile curved her lips. "Have him, Nia. I'll take my dawn." She vanished up to the roof, leaving the stars as her witness.
[Aurelia Vector: Respect ↑ | Jealousy ↘︎]
Tier II Stability Bonus: +1% (21%)
Morning spilled gold across the shutters. Andy stirred, warmth still tangled around him. Nia slept with a serene smile, her auburn hair glowing like embers on his chest.
The door creaked. Aurelia slipped inside, windswept and smug, carrying sugared fried dough. She tossed the bag onto the table.
"Roof's clear," she said with a grin. "You two look… rested."
Nia stirred, opened her eyes, angelic as ever. "We were careful. With the furniture."
Aurelia leaned in close to Andy, low enough only he heard. "My turn tonight."
He arched the faintest smile. "We'll see what the stars schedule."
[Daily Constellation Sync]
Nia: 75% | Aurelia: 57%
Orion Tier II Combined: 21%
Buff Active: Corrupter's Bane I
Shared Inventory: Synced (Auto-summon ready)
A bell rang downstairs—three sharp notes. A courier shouted about black-scaled riders sighted at the northern ridge. The inn's hearth fire dimmed, as if it heard the omen.
Andy stood, calm and steady, hand brushing invisible steel. Nia's staff lit like dawn. Aurelia's grin sharpened with hunger.
The horizon was waiting.