Chapter 6: The Harem's First Friction
The walk back to the surface was twice as long and ten times as tense. The narrow tunnels of the Shadow-Caves didn't allow for much personal space, and with two high-ranking Valkyries following one "Dross" Hero, the air was thick enough to choke on.
Cian walked in the middle, feeling like a peace treaty signed on thin glass.
"You're stepping too loud, Princess," Nyx whispered, her body practically merging with the shadows of the cave walls. "Your armor clanks like a kitchen drawer. You'll wake every crawler within three miles."
Elara didn't turn around, her back stiff. "It is the sound of authority, Shadow-Stalker. Something you wouldn't understand, lurking in the gutters. And stop calling me 'Princess.' I am a Commander of the Silver Wing."
"To me, you're just a shiny target," Nyx chuckled. She suddenly darted forward, appearing right at Cian's side, hooking her arm through his. "Isn't that right, Cian? You like the quiet ones, don't you?"
[System Warning: Elara's Jealousy Level: 25%]
[System Warning: Nyx's Mischief Level: 40%]
Cian felt Elara's aura flare—a golden heat that made the hair on his arms stand up. "Nyx, maybe give me some space? I'm still trying to process the fact that my mana feels like it's been through a blender."
"Oh, poor Hero," Nyx purred, her violet eyes scanning his face. "That's just the Shadow-Link settling. My power is... aggressive. It wants to own what it touches."
Suddenly, Elara stepped between them, her gauntlet-clad hand firmly pushing Nyx away from Cian. "That is enough. He is not a toy, and he is certainly not your 'property.' He is the key to closing the Breach."
"He's a person," Cian interjected, though both women ignored him.
The Crossroads
They reached a fork in the tunnel. To the left, a path smelled of fresh air and pine—the way back to the Bastion. To the right, a dark, narrow crevice dripped with glowing blue nectar.
"We go left," Elara commanded. "We must report to Overseer Hargon immediately. Your survival and the recruitment of... this one... must be logged."
Nyx hissed, her daggers appearing in her hands instinctively. "If you take me to the Bastion, your 'Overseer' will put me in a cage. I'm a wanted woman in seven provinces, Knight. I'm going right. There's an underground smuggling route that leads to the Neutral Cities."
She looked at Cian, her expression softening just a fraction. "Come with me, Cian. In the Neutral Cities, a Hero with your talent would be a King. No rules, no 'Overseers,' just us and the night."
[Decision Point: The Hero's Path]
Follow Elara: Return to the Bastion (Order/Safety/Political Intrigue).
Follow Nyx: Take the Smuggling Route (Chaos/Freedom/Hidden Power).
The Middle Way: Force them to cooperate and find a third path.
Elara looked at him, her blue eyes pleading for his trust. Nyx looked at him, a challenge dancing in her violet gaze.
"The choice is yours, Hero," the System chimed. "Whose hand will you take?"