Morning light spilled softly across the wooden walls, touching the corners of the hall where laughter echoed faintly.
From beneath a warm quilt of tanned animal skin, Elara's silver lashes fluttered. She stirred, her face half-buried in the fur as her ears caught the sound of excitement from outside.
"Crystal fish?"
The words made her eyes open fully. Her curiosity, as always, was faster than her reason. The white-haired girl slipped her head out from under the quilt, the cold air kissing her flushed cheeks.
"Did I hear that right… a crystal fish?" she whispered to herself.
The phrase awakened a memory. The Moon Tribe had issued a bounty for something by that name—a shimmering creature said to condense water into pure essence. But Elara had never seen one with her own eyes, only read the reward notice carved in the tribal square.
Maybe I should take a look…
Her curiosity won before the thought finished forming. She pulled on her outer robe, tied her long hair loosely behind her neck, and padded toward the hall on light feet.
When she reached the door, she hesitated, pressing her palm against the rough wooden frame. The voices inside grew clearer—Luciel's, steady and low, and Mino's, soft and cheerful.
Quietly, Elara peeked her head around the corner.
Luciel stood beside the large stone bathtub that dominated the center of the hall, his tall frame casting a long shadow across the floor. Mino was crouched beside him, her rabbit ears twitching as she stared down in awe at something glimmering inside the water.
Luciel noticed the faint shift of movement immediately. He turned his head, the corner of his mouth curling as he caught the sight of white hair at the doorway.
"Elara," he called, waving her over, "come and say hello to our newest family member."
His tone was light, teasing.
"Oh—right," Elara stammered, caught like a thief in the act of spying. Her lips pressed together as a soft blush colored her cheeks. Still, she couldn't resist. She stepped into the hall, every movement graceful and cautious.
Mino noticed her approach and quickly shifted aside, giving her room beside Luciel. "Good morning, Elara," she murmured with a shy smile.
"Thank you," Elara replied softly, though she wasn't sure for what. Her gaze had already fallen to the creature in the tub.
There, beneath the rippling surface, swam a fish that looked like a piece of living crystal. Its scales refracted the morning light, scattering it into dazzling shards that danced across the ceiling. It was easily half a meter long—far larger than anything she had imagined.
Her brows arched, and her lips parted in surprise. "Is this… the crystal fish?"
Luciel's grin deepened. "You sound shocked. Is it different from what you expected?"
Elara nodded, her eyes still fixed on the creature. "Completely different. The ones described by the Moon Tribe were no bigger than a man's palm."
Luciel chuckled, a wicked glint flashing through his dark eyes. "Seems their records need some updating."
Had she seen that mischievous look, Elara might have realized he was already planning something troublesome.
"I've always been curious," Luciel continued, resting a hand on the edge of the tub. "What kind of reward does the Moon Tribe offer for capturing one of these?"
Elara tore her gaze away, her expression tightening as she tried to recall the details. "Let me think… the reward was immense. A seat among the Elders of the Moon Tribe, ownership of one-twentieth of all hydropower produced by the fish, a large house, twenty slaves, and ten thousand catties of dried meat."
Luciel let out a slow whistle and rubbed his temple. "They really know how to tempt people."
Even he couldn't deny the allure. Water was as precious as gold in this wasteland world—sometimes more. Whoever controlled it, controlled life itself.
Mino, standing on the other side of the tub, looked as though her mind had stopped working altogether. Her blue eyes were fixed on the fish, but her thoughts were clearly elsewhere. The words ten thousand catties of dried meat echoed over and over in her head.
Elara folded her arms, her tone calm but firm. "That's why you must understand, Luciel. This crystal fish will draw attention—dangerous attention. Greed like that doesn't go unnoticed."
Luciel's usual relaxed expression faltered, replaced for a moment by thoughtfulness. Then he nodded slowly. "You're right. I'll have to make some new preparations."
Her brows furrowed. "Wait—what are you planning?"
He smiled faintly, the kind of smile that meant trouble. "I'm going to visit the Moon Lake Tribe."
"What?" Elara's eyes widened in disbelief. "You can't possibly be serious. Bringing the crystal fish there would be like waving a torch in a den of wolves!"
"We can always go somewhere else," she argued quickly. "There are other tribes—larger ones, even."
Luciel tilted his head. "Larger than the Moon Tribe?"
"Yes," she replied, pointing toward the window and the distant horizon. "If we travel east for about twenty days, we'll reach the Golden Lion Tribe. They're stronger, more stable."
"Twenty days?" Luciel frowned, thinking it over. "That's too far. I don't have the time to waste."
She sighed. "It's not a waste if it keeps you alive."
But Luciel shook his head. "I need more beast cores now. Evolution points. Once I'm stronger, no tribe will be a threat."
He's too confident again, she thought bitterly.
Still, her voice softened. "I just want you to avoid unnecessary risk. Bloodbeard's men won't rest until they find who took the fish."
Luciel gave a short laugh, his gaze steady. "Sometimes, danger brings opportunity. You just have to know when to grab it."
Before she could respond, he gently patted her shoulder and walked to the table. His touch was brief but oddly grounding.
Elara stood frozen, watching his back. Her lips parted as if to say more, but the words never came. Instead, a quiet sigh escaped her. "This man… he never listens."
Mino, who had been silent until then, glanced up timidly. "Don't worry," she said, her small voice earnest. "Luciel is strong. We should trust him."
Elara opened her mouth to argue, but when she saw the hope shining in the bunny-eared girl's blue eyes, the words caught in her throat.
She smiled faintly instead. "You're right. He's strong. He'll be fine."
Mino's face brightened. "Then I'll go make breakfast!" she chirped, hopping away toward the cooking area.
Elara watched her go, a wry smile tugging at her lips. "When did I become so naïve?" she murmured to herself.
Her gaze dropped back to the crystal fish. Its scales shimmered like melted glass, the colors blending and breaking apart with every ripple. In its reflection, she saw her own face—softened, uncertain, and strangely human.
Two days, she thought. Just two days, and I've already changed.
For years, she had survived by expecting the worst, planning for every betrayal. It was that cold caution that had kept her alive. But here, under this roof, surrounded by warmth and foolish optimism, her walls were beginning to crack.
Luciel, watching her from the table, sighed quietly to himself. She worries too much.
He knew what she didn't: that he still had cards left unplayed, strengths unseen. He wasn't being reckless—just careful in his own way.
"Hey, Elara," he called suddenly, pulling her from her thoughts. "Come here for a moment. I need your help."
She turned, curious, and walked over. "What is it?"
Luciel held up a square of tanned animal hide covered in faded markings. "Do you recognize these words?"
Elara leaned closer, her silver hair brushing the parchment. Her brows knit as she studied the symbols. "Of course," she said after a pause. "They're beast-shaped characters."
Luciel chuckled. "Actually, they're called hieroglyphs."
"Hieroglyphs?" she repeated, rolling the strange word on her tongue. "That's what you call them?"
"That's what we call them where I come from," he said under his breath, forgetting himself for a moment.
Elara blinked. "It's always been pictographs. Anyone with basic education knows that."
He grinned. "Guess I've been uneducated, then."
She rolled her eyes. "You're acting strange today."
"Maybe," he admitted, smirking. "But tell me what it says."
"Alright, let's see…" She took the hide into her hands, squinting as her lips moved silently. Her expression grew increasingly troubled.
After a long pause, she murmured, "The first part says something about… 'Madam…' Oh, wait—it's 'sunflower.'"
Luciel raised an eyebrow. "Sunflower?"
Elara's confident expression wavered slightly. "Yes. Probably."
He leaned forward, watching her eyes dart nervously over the script. Then his tone dropped, dry with amusement. "Elara… don't tell me you're illiterate."
The parchment crinkled under her tightening grip.
"Who said that?" she snapped, straightening her back, her face perfectly composed. "Of course I can read."
"Oh? Really?" Luciel's grin widened as he pointed to three symbols near the bottom. "Then tell me what these say."
Her jaw tightened. "Of course I know them."
A long, uncomfortable silence followed. Her lips twitched as she searched desperately for meaning. "The first one is… white," she said finally, her voice less certain now. "And the last two…"
She hesitated, glaring at him as if daring him to interrupt. "Don't rush me. I'm thinking."
Luciel crossed his arms, clearly enjoying himself. "I didn't even say a word."
Elara's cheeks flushed pink.
The room filled with the quiet sound of the fish splashing in the tub, as the morning sunlight crept higher through the cracks in the wooden wall.
Somewhere outside, the wind shifted—carrying with it the scent of the wasteland beyond. And though the hall was peaceful, every one of them knew it would not stay that way for long.