章 79: Prankster 1
As the evening drew to a close, Zecond led Lilith down the hall, stopping at a cozy guest room. "Here you go, Lilith, my little one," she said with a warm smile. "Ratatoskr and I will be just down the hall if you need anything. It was a wonderful evening, wasn't it? And we made quite the team in the kitchen. Let's do it again sometime."
"Thank you, Zecond," Lilith replied, smiling back. "It really was an incredible feast, and sharing it with you both made it even better. I'll head to bed now—thanks again for the hospitality."
Closing the door, Lilith looked around the simple but welcoming room,
Lilith took a moment to absorb the warmth and peace of Zecond and Ratatoskr's home. The guest room was simple but inviting: soft, warm light spilled from a small lamp on the nightstand, casting gentle shadows across the room's walls, decorated with small trinkets and curiosities that reflected Zecond's personality. A neatly folded blanket lay at the foot of the bed, the scent of lavender lingering in the air. It was a level of comfort and care that felt like home, a rarity in her long, wandering journey.
She stretched her arms with a satisfied sigh. "What a day," she whispered, sitting on the edge of the bed. As her mind drifted, the necklace she wore began to glow, the shimmer of soft, warm light dancing across the room. From it, Aurora's spirit emerged, her translucent form radiating a soft silver hue, her eyes filled with a calm understanding.
"Oh, young one," Aurora said, her voice as soothing as a lullaby. "I can feel that tonight, you're finally at ease. After the trials, the endless training, and the search, this… this sense of belonging is something you've long been missing."
Lilith looked at Aurora, feeling a sense of relief she hadn't realized she needed. "It's true," she murmured, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Being here, surrounded by friends, cooking, sharing stories—it reminds me of something I've missed for a long time. For once, I feel like I don't need to keep moving or proving myself."
Aurora floated closer, her gaze softening as she observed Lilith. "You're allowed to find moments of peace, Lilith," she said. "In fact, sometimes they're the most vital parts of any journey. It's in these moments that you can truly sense who you are beyond the magic, beyond destiny."
Lilith smiled, her fingers brushing the edge of her necklace. "You're right," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I don't know what the future holds or what my destiny truly means, but tonight, I feel like I'm exactly where I need to be."
The room fell into a peaceful silence as Lilith lay back on the bed, Aurora's presence watching over her like a gentle guardian. For the first time in a long while, Lilith felt the weight of her journey lifting, replaced by a warm, undeniable sense of belonging.
As the soft glow from Aurora's form settled over the room, her gaze shifted toward the shadows near the door. "You can come out now, Ratatoskr," she said in a calm, gentle tone. "Lilith is sleeping peacefully. I sensed you wanted to speak with me."
From the dim hallway light, Ratatoskr emerged, his small figure framed in the doorway. He hopped up to a nearby chair, nodding respectfully toward Aurora. "Yes, Aurora, I do wish to speak with you."
Early the next morning, Lilith was roused by the enticing scent of something delicious wafting through the air. She stretched, yawning as the smell of warm spices and baking bread filled her senses. "Mmm, I guess Zecond is already up," she murmured, a smile spreading across her face. "I should go check it out—and maybe see if she needs any help."
She made her way to the kitchen, where Zecond was bustling around, humming quietly to herself as she prepared breakfast. Zecond looked up with a welcoming smile as Lilith entered.
"Good morning, Lilith! Did you sleep well?"
"Oh, yes," Lilith replied with a grin. "I slept like a rock. Just what I needed. Thank you for everything." She glanced at the countertop, where an array of ingredients and half-prepared dishes lay waiting. "So, what are you making, and do you need any help?"
Zecond chuckled, gesturing to the warm, freshly baked rolls and a bubbling pot of stew. "I thought we'd have a nice, hearty breakfast. It's a family recipe—something that wakes you up and keeps you full." She paused, looking at Lilith with a hint of excitement. "If you're interested, I'd love to have your help again. There's nothing like cooking together to start the day."
Lilith's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. "I'd love that! Show me what to do, and let's make this breakfast a meal to remember."
Zecond gave her a warm, approving smile and pointed to a tray of fresh vegetables ready for slicing. "Good! Now, if you're up for it, you can start chopping those. I thought we'd make a vegetable medley to go with the stew. I've got a few special spices to add to it that'll bring out the flavor."
Lilith picked up a knife, feeling at ease in the simple, warm rhythm of cooking together. As they worked side by side, Zecond moved with a surprising delicacy, despite her giant stature, handling each ingredient as if it were precious. She showed Lilith her spice blend, a mix of herbs with a fragrance that made Lilith's mouth water.
"These spices are a bit of a secret," Zecond whispered with a wink. "An old recipe from my home realm. They bring warmth and strength to the soul. Perfect for a morning meal."
Lilith carefully mixed the vegetables, savoring the simplicity of the task and the easy companionship between them. "It's amazing to cook with you, Zecond," she said. "Feels like home in a way I haven't felt in a long time."
They continued preparing breakfast, sharing laughter and stories as they worked. Finally, when the meal was ready, they set the table, filling it with steaming bowls of stew, freshly baked rolls, and a colorful medley of vegetables seasoned with Zecond's special spices.
As they sat down to eat, Zecond poured them each a cup of a warm, spiced drink that tasted of cinnamon and cloves. She raised her cup with a smile. "To friendship, and to mornings that bring warmth to the soul."
Lilith lifted her own cup with a grateful smile. "To friendship, and to finding peace along the way."
"Oh, by the way," Lilith asked, glancing around. "I don't see Ratatoskr anywhere?"
Zecond chuckled, setting her cup down with a knowing smile. "Ah, my husband left early this morning. Said he had some 'business' to attend to but promised he'd be back by noon. Apparently, he's eager to start teaching you how to make a portal."
Lilith's eyes brightened with anticipation. "That sounds like him, always darting off with some plan in mind. I'm excited for today's lesson."
Zecond laughed, her eyes twinkling with affection. "Yes, he can never sit still for too long. But don't worry, Lilith. Ratatoskr may be a bit of a trickster, but he's serious about teaching you. I've seen the way he talks about you and your progress—he's genuinely proud."
Lilith felt a warmth spread through her, a comforting reassurance. "Thank you, Zecond. Knowing that means a lot."
They continued their breakfast, savoring the peaceful morning, Lilith's thoughts quietly wandering to the upcoming lesson and what the next step in her journey would bring.
As the afternoon sun drifted lower, casting long shadows around the house, a small portal shimmered to life just outside. From it, a tiny creature resembling a mouse cautiously stepped out, glancing around before quickly hiding in the nearby grass. Moments later, Ratatoskr emerged, stretching and muttering under his breath.
"Now, remember," Ratatoskr whispered to the mouse, his tone half-serious. "Don't say a word and just let me handle this. All you need to do is stay hidden and avoid Zecond's gaze—she might not appreciate my little… 'plans.'"
The mouse gave a tiny squeak of agreement, its nose twitching. "Yes, yes, Ratatoskr, you've already told me twice. I'll keep hidden and stay out of sight."
With a final nod, the mouse darted out of view, disappearing into the grass as if it had never been there. Ratatoskr took a deep breath, dusted himself off, and called out, "Lilith! Zecond! I'm home!"
From within the house, Zecond's familiar voice boomed as she marched out to greet him, arms crossed. "This is past noon, you lazy old squirrel! Where in the realms have you been?"
Ratatoskr put on his best apologetic look, rubbing the back of his neck. "Ah, yes, I know, I know—I lost track of time. Had to run a few important errands across the realms," he said with a mischievous glint in his eye. He glanced at Lilith, offering a quick wink, as if to reassure her that there was more to his story than he was letting on.
Zecond rolled her eyes but softened slightly, knowing her husband's nature all too well. "Well, you're back now. And you better not have left any pranks lying around in those other realms," she warned, her eyes narrowing with suspicion.
"Wouldn't dream of it," Ratatoskr replied smoothly, though his tone hinted otherwise. "But now that I'm here, we should get ready to start Lilith's lesson on portal creation—she's been waiting all morning."
Lilith watched the scene unfold with amusement, sensing that whatever "errands" Ratatoskr had been running were likely a bit more entertaining than he was letting on. But she kept her curiosity in check, eager to finally dive into her lesson on portal magic.
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