Chosen By The Lover's Constellation-Chapter 111: Looking To The Future

Lianna eyed Olin Morgal warily, her suspicions running high.

In a world where danger lurked around every corner, encountering a stranger claiming to be a follower of a mysterious Monk was enough to put anyone on edge.

Zura shifted her stance, ready for anything, and Enverna’s hand rested on the hilt of her spear.

Lianna, however, knew what he was saying to be the truth. Still, she did want to hear his answer to the following question.

"How did you even find us!?" Zura demanded, her voice sharp with suspicion.

Olin offered a serene smile, seemingly unperturbed by the tense atmosphere around the table.

"The Monk’s guidance led me to you. I mean no harm, I seek only your assistance."

Lianna’s eyes narrowed.

"Assistance with what exactly?"

Olin inclined his head respectfully.

"My Constellation has foreseen a grave threat looming over Garriden. The Monk believes that you, noble adventurers, have the strength and capability to help avert this impending disaster."

The girls exchanged cautious glances, skepticism etched on their faces.

"What kind of threat are we talking about here?" Lianna pressed, her tone firm.

Olin sighed, his expression genuinely uncertain.

"I don’t have the details. My Constellation merely informed me that a danger is approaching Garriden, and you three, with your unique abilities and strengths, can make a difference."

Lianna sighed, looking back at her friends.

"He’s not lying about being the Monk’s follower. And, that Garriden is in danger."

The Monk tilted his head. Enverna and Zura both looked Lianna’s way.

[Shit, did I say too much?]

Thankfully, no one pressed her on how she knew that.

In any case, she knew what the man was saying was true due to the fact that, according to The Lover, Garriden was set to fall entirely.

"So, you’re asking us to blindly go to Garriden and face an unknown danger?" Zura questioned, her skepticism palpable.

Olin nodded.

"I understand your reservations. Unfortunately, that’s all the information I have. The Monk believes in the importance of your role in Garriden’s future, and I trust that the threads of destiny have brought us together for a reason. Besides," he said, smiling, "your friend seems to agree with me."

Again, Enverna and Zura’s eyes went to Lianna.

Lianna nodded.

Enverna remained silent, observing the interaction with a mix of curiosity and caution.

Lianna’s mind raced as she contemplated the situation. Despite the uncertainty, there was a nagging feeling that this encounter was significant.

Lianna took a deep breath, then met Olin’s gaze.

"Alright, let’s say we believe you. How can we help? What’s our role in all of this?"

Olin’s expression brightened, gratitude evident in his eyes.

"Thank you for considering this. The Monk advises you to head to Garriden. Your presence and actions will unfold naturally in response to the impending threat. The details may become clearer once you’re there."

Lianna sighed, a hint of frustration in her voice.

"So, we’re supposed to just show up and hope things work out?"

"In essence, yes. Trust in the threads of destiny. The Monk believes in your power to shape the world’s path."

Lianna exchanged glances with Zura and Enverna. The situation was unconventional, and the lack of concrete information made it challenging to make a decision.

At least, for Enverna and Zura. Lianna knew his words to be completely true.

"You seriously believe he’s right?" Enverna asked.

"Yeah, I think so," Lianna made sure to slip some uncertainty to remedy her earlier slip-up. "We could take a vacation... Go to Garriden for a few days. But if things don’t add up, we won’t hesitate to reevaluate our involvement."

Olin nodded, understanding the cautious approach.

"Your willingness to consider this is appreciated. The Monk’s guidance has rarely steered me wrong."

With that, Olin Morgal offered a polite bow before leaving the Player’s Drops, disappearing into the lively atmosphere of the bar.

As he departed, Lianna, Zura, and Enverna were left contemplating the unusual turn of events. The looming threat over Garriden remained shrouded in mystery, and their journey into the unknown had just taken an unexpected twist.

"Are we really doing this?" Zura asked, a mix of excitement and trepidation in her voice.

Lianna nodded.

"Just for a few days. We can go, see how things are, and if nothing important’s happening we can just walk back out."

Enverna nodded.

"I... I suppose that’s fine," she said, though Lianna doubted that she meant it.

---

The night settled in as the trio returned home from the Player’s Drops.

Zura bid them goodnight, leaving Lianna and Enverna to head to their bedroom feeling weary from everything they’d done today.

As they slipped under the covers, the moonlight slipping in through the windows casting a soft ambiance, Enverna turned to Lianna with a curious expression.

"So, how did you know that Olin was telling the truth?" Enverna asked, her eyes searching Lianna’s face.

Lianna propped herself up on her elbow, meeting Enverna’s gaze.

"I scanned him. Checked his status. He’s legit."

Enverna’s brow furrowed in contemplation.

"But how did you know Garriden is in danger? Did the scan tell you that too?"

Lianna hesitated, her mind racing as she navigated the delicate balance of sharing information without breaching the Lover’s rules

"I... I didn’t know the details. His Constellation told him there’s a threat, and he thinks we can help. That’s all I got," Lianna replied, her tone carefully vague.

Enverna regarded her with a look that clearly showed she did not entirely believe this.

The weight of the unknown hung in the air, but Enverna silently agreed to let the matter go.

The room fell into a thoughtful silence. Lianna, sensing the weight of Enverna’s contemplation, decided to break the quietude.

"What’s on your mind, Envy?" Lianna asked, her eyes searching Enverna’s face.

Enverna sighed, her gaze fixed on the ceiling.

"I’m just thinking about everything, Lianna. The battles, the mysteries, this new quest. It’s a lot."

Lianna reached out, her fingers gently tracing patterns on Enverna’s arm.

"We’ve faced a lot together, and we’ll face whatever comes next. We’re a team, you know?"

Enverna offered a small smile, appreciating Lianna’s reassuring words.

"Indeed, we are."

Lianna’s gaze softened.

Ever since they’d crossed that line, these moments had taken a completely different feeling.

Enverna shifted, turning to face Lianna more directly.

"Lianna..." Lianna tilted her head, a silent invitation for Enverna to continue. "Can I ask for something?" Enverna’s voice held a hint of vulnerability.

"Of course."

Enverna’s eyes locked onto Lianna’s, a subtle intensity in her gaze.

"Can I kiss you?"

Lianna’s heart skipped a beat, and a warmth spread through her.

[CUTE!]

Without a word, she leaned in, closing the distance between them.

Their lips met in a gentle, lingering kiss, a shared moment that spoke of trust, affection, and the unspoken bond they shared.

As they pulled away, Lianna whispered:

"Anytime."

Enverna smiled, a genuine expression that held the weight of their shared experiences.

"Thank you, Lianna. That feels quite good," she stated before they let the night end there, far too tired to go further.

---

The next morning dawned. Lianna, Enverna, and Zura sat down at the couch with a few plates of food in their hands, a breakfast that Lianna had prepared.

The aroma of freshly cooked food filled the air, and the girls were all smiles.

Zura, savoring a bite of the meal, looked up with a mischievous glint in her eye.

"Holy shit, you can really cook."

"I do try my best," Lianna grinned proudly.

"You know, I almost wish I was the one getting married to you, Lianna."

Lianna chuckled, glancing at Enverna.

"Sorry, Zura, but Enverna’s got that spot taken."

Enverna blushed, her gaze dropping to her plate as she tried to suppress a smile. Lianna, sensing her friend’s embarrassment, reached over and pulled her into a brief but affectionate hug.

Just as they settled into their morning routine, a letter slipped under the door in front of them. Lianna picked it up and quickly scanned its contents.

"It’s from Al’has Varim, the leader of the Starlight Association," Lianna announced.

Enverna raised an eyebrow.

"The Starlight Association? Again?"

Lianna read the letter aloud:

"Dear Lianna,

I trust this letter finds you well. I have heard that you will soon be traveling to Garriden from our mutual friend, Olin. I decided now would be a good time to let you know I believe I may have found the answer to your artifact troubles. I have sent your friend Mel to Garriden to speak on my behalf. Find her there and she will tell you what we’ve theorized.

Best regards,

Al’has Varim Leader, Starlight Association"

Lianna looked up, her eyes meeting Enverna’s.

"Mel," Lianna blinked. "She’s gonna be at Garriden too."

"Our classmate?" Zura asked.

"Yeah," Lianna nodded. "She joined the Starlight Association a while back."

Enverna’s expression was complex. They hadn’t exactly separated on the friendliest terms.

In Lianna’s mind, though, Mel was still a dear friend.

"Hm, it seems like we’ve got an invitation. What do you think?" Zura asked.

Lianna looked to Enverna.

Enverna nodded, her curiosity piqued.

"It might be worth checking out. If they can help with the artifact, it could make a difference."

Lianna breathed a sigh of relief. She couldn’t agree more.