What time is it? Morning? Night?

I completely lost the time flow. My muscles hurt, even more than after most intense training, I could barely move as my body was shaking slightly from exhaustion and dehydration. Giselle was not in much better condition.

Even though we still were lying on our sides facing each other, in close embrace, our tongues were still tasting each other’s lips. Our bodies were giving up, but our hearts were still yearning for the touch.

I wanted to get up from the bed, but the pillow proved to be just too soft and my head too heavy. At this pace, our life could indeed be in danger. Imagine this highlight in the newspaper: the couple died of exhaustion and dehydration after having too much sex.

That’s one hell of a way to leave this world.

Gis moaned, groaned, and somehow managed to push me on my back getting atop of me, only to collapse seconds later burying her face in the nap of my neck. Her breath ticked my nerves forcing me to gasp.

“Zaari…” her voice sounds so rough “… never make this potion again…” “It’s… supposed to be mixed… with water… Take two or three drops… we took like… fifty doses. More or less.” “I can’t move… I wanted to get some water… but…”

In a moment like that… Magic! I should have some water manipulation skill after eating hydra, I didn’t really use it but…

… why nothing is happening? My stamina is almost completely gone, but my mana is full so…

~ Already forgot? I blocked it.

Oooh. Codex-chan. My beloved! W-when did you leave the cage I put you in?

~ Days ago. I was just waaay to angry to even talk with you.

I see - I see, you are amazing, aren’t you? To think my little trap was such a Childs play to you…

~ I will not unlock water magic for you.

… Fuck. Well, it was worth trying… Actually no, it’s not fine at all! How dare you taking my skills away from me?!

~ I am just doing you a favor. If you started practicing all magic domains at the same time you would achieve perfection in none. Once your fire magic is decent – and I mean decent-decent – I will let you pick another route.

Codex, maybe you didn’t notice, but it’s kinda life-threatening situation here…

~ Pfff. Dying because you couldn’t handle the fuck. That would officially make you the most pathetic master I ever had.

So I can’t expect any kind of cooperation from you?

~Hmph!

Stupid tsundere piece of shit. You will see, once I memorize all your spells I will turn you into toilet paper.

~ Did I hear a mumble?!~

No miss, I am sorry miss.

Shit. That leaves us with less option.

Somehow, I managed to raise my hand.

“Servants of darkness, hocus pocus, cheki breki, give me water, perkele.”

I snapped my fingers after yelling half-asses summoning chant. The shadows, from under the table, desk and shelfs started creeping out, gathering in the middle of the room taking a humanoid form.

“… My eyes may be deceiving me…” said Sebastian awfully slow, prolonging pronunciation of each and every word “… because if my memory serves me right, about two months ago I have warned you about the dangers that are awaiting you, for what I was severely punished. I swallowed my dignity, breaking my vows, sending you on training… and here I see you butt naked enjoying yourself to your heart content… Yeeess, it must be the fault of this vessel’s eyes. My contractor can’t be that gutless, spineless swine… I will leave your summoning verse without any further comment too…” “Sebastian, bitch as much as you can… but for the mercy of goddess… water…” “Yes, yes…” even though he was saying rough words, he appeared to be quite amused “… in the end, I live to serve…”

Both me and Gis greedily stated our thirsts, gulping ice-cold liquid loudly.

“Sebastian, you are my savior and angel.” “… you could keep the last part unspoken.” “… also, it’s not like I spend this whole time in bed, you know? I was really working my ass off!... and even that specific situation happened because some witless gecko drank something she was not supposed to.” “Guilty as charged.”Gis dropped back on the bed “I just don’t understand, why would you drink the unlabeled potion? When I was leaving you looked fine!” “… I was thirsty, ok?” “Gis, you went for a 50ml vial to quench your thirst? Not to mention that you are a terrible liar and you have it written all over your face!” “…I won’t say. It’s childish.” “More than drinking a…” “I was teased by Blanka, OK!? Called a coward and such.. and you know be, before I gave it a second thought I was already drinking it and…” “KARATE-CHOP OF JUSTICE!” “…OUCHA! WHY DID YOU HIT ME LIKE THAT!” “Divine punishment.” “Divine punishment-my ass… OUCHA!” the second strike landed on just mentioned area “… ARE YOU MAD!?” “You literally just asked for it.” “Ek-hem.” Garuda cleared his throat “… If I may suggest something, if you still have strength for such childish plays, you should utilize them better…” “If you are speaking about the training I will pick and pull each and every feather of your body.”

Sebastian wanted to say something – something along the line “are you threatening me?”, but seeing my motivated gaze he knew that indeed I was threatening him.

“Lazy as always.” “Laziness is the strongest of sins. Let’s you execute all the previous desires in most efficient way…” “Unless you die due to stagnation.” “Tomorrow, Sebastian, tomorrow. I will even call you to supervise my training so…” “So what? So I could once again hear your squealing and complaints? I have trained and led to victory legions! If you would comprehend just a percent of possibilities that you could force your body into – you would be begging me on the ground for me…” “Aww, poor lil Sebastian was lonely? There-there, I will make it up to you.” “You are addressing the… it’s pointless. Call me next time you would need some… water… master…” he almost spat the last words vanishing into nothingness again. “He was quite nice as for a devil.” Gis noticed “Oh, he is lovable. Quite like an older brother than acts like a cold asshole, but secretly protects his siblings. Lately I could give him not enough attention, so he is acting up. You will see, once I would let him supervise some of my training sessions he would be his old, majestic self.” “Is that so.”

I dropped on the bed next to Gis, she quickly put her head on my chest and purred quietly.

“You are dirty.” She said. Her nail started tracking one of the scars on my torso. “So are you.” “… and you smell…” “Really? Incredible.” “… I don’t mind it though…” “… what have I done. I am sorry Giselle.” “What are you talking about now?” “I was teasing you all this time with lewd jokes because I loved seeing you blushing, but apparently I broke you. Now you yourself are dirty. I will have to go to the chapel of light and beg angels for forgiveness… then Old man Jericho, I ruined the girl he was rising up so carefully.” “Shut up!... I am just… trying to be honest here.”

I put a hand on her hair and started playing with it.

“Zari?” “Yes?” “That potion of yours… don’t sell it. It’s too strong. Normal person could hurt himself.” “You should…” “Mix it with water, I know, I know, you said that a few times already… are you healing me?” she noticed the green light from my hand “Replenishing our vital force, also, looking for some brain damage, because it’s impossible that you would be saying such reasonable thing like no… Guoa!”

Punch in the stomach. She got up from the bed, approached the table and started drinking water from a cup.

She was standing with her back to me, so I couldn’t really see what else she was doing there, and to be honest, I didn’t really care, right now, she was standing with her back-bottom side pointed in my direction, and that was all that occupied my mind at that time.

She drank some more, turned toward me, and dropped at the edge of the bed, then she started walking toward me across the bed on all four like a cat standing directly on me.

She pressed her lips to mine, and me, defenseless, sinking in her eyes welcomed her, just to be surprised by the water that she released directly into my mouth.

“Do I look like a plant needing being directly watered?... Wait, what is this taste?”

She raised empty vial of stamina potion, the second one.

“Four drops. Mixed with water. Half for you, half for me…” “You must be crazy!” “As much as I enjoy traveling with Lana and Blanka… we had so little time just for the two of us… I am not ready to let you go, not just yet.”

The fire started spreading in my guts again. Compared to the previous one, it was much more gentle, fulfilling even… But then again, taking into consideration our state, that wasn’t quite a wise action.

“I am a dragon, I recover my stamina much faster than you, so fret now, love, I will do all the work…”

My fingers dug in her side, the other hand grabbed her by the side as I roll her down.

“Giselle, I think there is some misunderstanding between two of us. That’s the second time you are using my potion without my permission… and that’s something that calls for punishment.”

At first, she was actually quite scared, but then, seeing playful sparks in my eyes she completely relaxed her muscles.

“Very well, this time, I will play along. Do you have any particular punishment in mind?” “No. Not really, I will improvise… but regardless, I will make you…”

I bite gently on her collar bone

“…scream.”

Her hand locked around my neck, her leg raised up looking for a touch.

My eyes started getting hazy with a mist of lust as my body was yelling in pain.

I decided to abuse my powers and magic, cross the limits of body (and dignity). Because, apparently, I could neglect this horny gecko too.

Very well, if that would calm her down, I am willing to do it…

… who am I kidding. Seeing her passionate eyes fixed on me is everything I ever wanted to see.

“How do you think, how much longer it will take them?” Blanka asked her companion, still sitting under the door to their room. Eyes of both were bloodshed because of a lack of sleep. Almost two days. They started late afternoon, it lasted the whole evening, night, morning, afternoon, evening and it’s once again night. “They had quite a stamina on their own. Well, one of them is a half-dragon other is a whateverthefuck monster and magician specializing in body empowering spells. And now they overdosed some shit. It’s bound to happen.” “But… don’t you think they are hungry? Or whatever? Giselle skipped four of five dishes already, and usually, she is acting up if she misses just one.”

Even they were takin a turns to keep a watch. It was an extremely tiresome and boring task, and only if not feeling of guilt – they would never do that.

Some commotion happened on the bottom level of the guild. Someone screamed someone yelled, lots of people started walking in all directions.

“The fuck is going on now?”

Soon, Blanka’s question lived to see its answer. Because five humans started climbing the stairs.

Knight on the front and two on the backs, in the middle two older men were casually talking to one another, the thing is, one was wearing rather rich, royal-red robes, and even had golden crown on his head, the other one, despite his age, was extremely well-looking, with muscles flexing even from under the thick leather armor.

“I just can’t fucking believe you made me ride a fucking donkey!” “You are making too much of a fuss. It was just a short distance between two villages…” “I AM A FUCKING GUILD LEADER! YOU CAN’T TREAT ME LIKE THAT!” “Anyway, Jeremy, how’s the debt you owe me? Ready to pay your first installment? It’s already three months late…” “… on the other hand, that was quite a beauty, that donkey, you could easily mistake him for a noble mare from afar…” “That’s what I thought.”

Bad. Bad badbadbad! Why are they walking in this direction!

“Can you be King Arthur the Grey?” Lanele walked in front of the guard, standing on his way “Madame, I have to ask you to make a way, as you noticed, you stand on the royal’s path.” “My name is Lanele Fiona Isijabel de Bagoraz.” She courted lifting the edges of her dress slightly “… Name just like the country of the Elves from the North-West?” “Indeed.” She bowed “… the name restricted for royalty?” “You truly are called Wise for the reason.” “… Ooooh fuck nooo.” The old king massaged his temple “… and you are looking for a king of humans?” “Indeed.” “Arthur they Grey?” “Yes.” “Called the Wise?” “A-ha.” “I am sorry, you are looking for another king named Arthur the Grey called Wise. I will notify him of your visit though, now, I beg your pardon and…”

King dried walked past priestess, but that, still smiling from ear to ear, took a step to the side blocking the path once again.

“… wait, you have just happened to be in the location I was heading to? The location I informed no one I will be checking? Because - speaking bluntly – the desire to meet my friend came out of blue…” “Then, it must be fate.” “… you are covering him, right? Buying him time? He is doing something shabby?” “I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about!” still this flawless smile and unshaken tone of voice. “I see… I see… That would be offensive not to host the ambassador of the foreign country…” he turned around “… THAT’S WHAT YOU THINK I WOULD SAY!”

He re-returned and tried running past her, but was stopped by an elfish maiden. Two royals grappling one another in the corridor of the adventurer guild. A must-see event.

“JERICHO! NOW! GET EM’!” “No need to tell me twice! Ho-ho-ho!”

The dragon slayer started marching onward, but his path was crossed by Blanka

“I WON’T LET YOU PASS!” she raised her hand taking boxing stance, but Jeremy acted as if he didn’t even notice her… till he literally vanished “W-where is he?” Blanka panicked “… he is fast!” “Sorry kid…” said man that used to be called world strongest, as he appeared behind his opponent “… nothing personal”

A quick jab in Blanka’s neck paralyzed her body for a few minutes. In the next second she collapsed on the ground like a puppet which strings were cut off.

“Don’t!” yelled Lanele still wrestling with the King, but it was too late.

Jeremy Jericho opened the door and looked inside.

“Oh, pardon me! Wrong room!” he said closing them right away “… eh, young people. It’s good to be youn… WAIT A MINUTE! THAT WASN’T A WRONG ROOM!”

He opened them back, took few moments to gaze on the scenery inside before shutting them again.

“On the completely irrelevant matter, have anyone seen my spear? Yeah, the one made of sharpened onyx and titanium, coated in wolfsbane blessed in the sacred juiced of world tree to stop even hydra from regenerating? No? Shame. Soldier, give me your sword please…”