Ash wandered through the bustling streets of Valmaris, his thoughts preoccupied with the weight of his recent decisions. Nel’s return of the Spider Queen’s Magic Stone had left Ash uncertain about its future use. For now, he focused on equipping Emberlight for the challenges ahead. The market district was alive with activity: vendors hawking rare trinkets, blacksmiths hammering steel, and adventurers bartering for gear that might save their lives.

  Ash’s feet led him to a small but well-kept weapon shop tucked between towering guild houses. The sign above the door read "Forge of the Nine Flames," and the air inside carried the tang of heated metal and leather. Rows of swords, axes, and shields gleamed under soft lamplight, each piece meticulously crafted. Ash’s fingers brushed the hilt of a longsword as he considered upgrading his aging blade.

  “Not your style,” a familiar voice cut through the quiet. Ash turned to see Tess leaning against the doorframe, her piercing green eyes scanning him with a hint of amusement. She was dressed in her usual practical attire: a dark cloak over light leather armor, her longbow slung across her back.

  “Tess?” Ash blinked, surprised to see her. “What are you doing here?”

  “Same as you, apparently,” she replied, stepping into the shop. “Looking for something useful. Though I’m not sure a longsword fits someone who fights like you.”

  Ash frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  Tess shrugged, gesturing to the blade in his hand. “Your stance is off, your strikes are rigid, and you’re compensating for a weapon that doesn’t match your strengths. A lighter blade—maybe a katana—would suit you better.”

  Ash’s initial irritation faded as he considered her words. “You’re saying I’ve been fighting wrong this whole time?”

  “I’m saying you’re making it harder on yourself,” Tess replied, her tone matter-of-fact. She moved past him, her fingers brushing over the hilts of various swords before pausing at a curved blade. “This one. Light, precise, and quick. You’ll spend less energy compensating and more energy fighting.”

  Ash hesitated before taking the katana from her. Its hilt felt balanced in his grip, and the blade gleamed with a faint blue sheen. “It’s… different,” he admitted, giving it a test swing. “I’ll think about it.”

  Tess smirked. “Thinking is half the problem. You’ll get there.”

  As they left the shop, Ash found himself walking alongside Tess through the crowded market streets. She navigated the chaos with practiced ease, while Ash’s thoughts lingered on her earlier critique. He couldn’t deny she had a point—his movements with the longsword often felt forced, like wearing armor two sizes too small.

  “So, why are you really here?” Ash asked, breaking the silence.

  Tess glanced at him, a flicker of something unreadable crossing her face. “I needed new arrows. And I was curious about what you’d do next.”

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Ash raised an eyebrow. “Curious? About me?”

  “Don’t flatter yourself,” Tess replied dryly. “I’ve seen too many adventurers fall apart after one big fight. I was wondering if you’d be the same.”

  “And? What’s your verdict?”

  Tess’s lips twitched into a faint smile. “You’re stubborn. That’s something, at least.”

  Before Ash could respond, a commotion erupted further down the street. Two adventurers, both burly men clad in mismatched armor, were shouting at each other near a vendor’s stall. The argument quickly escalated as one of them drew a dagger, the crowd scattering in alarm.

  Ash’s instincts kicked in, and he started forward, but Tess held out an arm, stopping him.

  “Wait,” she said, her voice low. “Rushing in will just get you stabbed.”

  “What do you suggest?” Ash asked.

  Tess didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she melted into the crowd, her movements fluid and deliberate. Ash watched as she circled around the arguing men, positioning herself behind the one holding the dagger. In one swift motion, she drew her bow, nocked an arrow, and aimed it at the man’s head.

  “Drop it,” she said, her voice calm but commanding.

  The man froze, the point of her arrow only a few inches from his skull. His companion took a step back, his bravado evaporating under Tess’s sharp gaze.

  “She won’t shoot,” the dagger-wielding man sneered.

  Ash stepped forward, his hand on his sword hilt. “She doesn’t need to. But I’m not as patient.”

  The man hesitated, glancing between Tess’s arrow and Ash’s blade. Finally, he dropped the dagger with a muttered curse. Tess lowered her bow, and the tension in the air dissipated.

  “You could’ve gotten yourself killed,” Tess said as they walked away from the scene.

  Ash frowned. “I wasn’t going to stand there and let them hurt someone.”

  “Your heart’s in the right place,” Tess admitted. “But your head needs to catch up. Charging in without a plan doesn’t help anyone.”

  Ash sighed. “You’re starting to sound like my party.”

  Tess smirked. “Maybe they have the right idea.”

  They stopped at the edge of the market, the hum of activity fading into the background. Tess leaned against a wooden post, her expression thoughtful.

  “You know, you’re not bad at this,” she said.

  “At what?” Ash asked.

  “Leading. Keeping your head above water. Not everyone bounces back after what you’ve been through,” Tess said.

  Ash hesitated, her words striking a chord. “It’s not easy. I still feel like I’m just making it up as I go.”

  “That’s all anyone does,” Tess replied. “The difference is whether you’re willing to learn from your mistakes.”

  “And you? Are you willing to learn?” Ash asked.

  Tess’s eyes narrowed slightly, but there was no hostility in her gaze. “I’ve learned enough to know that trusting people gets you killed.”

  Ash looked at her for a long moment, his gaze drifting to the faint scar on her wrist, half-hidden beneath her bracer. Someone betrayed her once. He could see it in the way she never let anyone stand behind her for too long.

  “Not always,” he said. “Sometimes it keeps you alive.” Tess didn’t respond, pushing off the post and adjusting her bow. “Take care of yourself, Ash. And get that katana. It might save your life.”

  Before he could reply, she vanished into the crowd, leaving him alone with her parting words and the faint weight of her presence. For the first time, Ash felt like he’d glimpsed a piece of the walls Tess kept so carefully constructed, and it left him wondering if their paths would cross again.