Lioris looked down, her eyes glistening with tears. She whispered, “Thank you, Master… for saving me. And… I’m sorry for biting you earlier. I was just so scared… I thought that hunter might come back.”

  Iyak stood up, stretching his arms with a dramatic yawn. “Eh, no worries. It wasn’t the worst bite I’ve had,” he said, rubbing his neck. “At least you didn’t chew. Now come on, I’m tired of living off these overripe, emotionally unstable fruits. Let’s head toward the town, and you can tell me the rest of your story on the way. Deal?”

  Lioris slowly got up, but fear clung to her face like morning mist. The thick green canopy above let in only slivers of golden sunlight, painting the mossy forest floor in dappled patterns. Vines dangled like sleeping snakes, and the air was filled with the distant calls of unseen creatures.

  As they walked, Iyak glanced sideways at her. “You flinched when I mentioned the town. Is everything okay? You can talk to me, you know. I don’t bite… well, not unless someone offers snacks.”

  Lioris hesitated, then spoke with a soft, vulnerable voice. “I’m afraid of going into towns. Humans… they fear us. Lamias. Our bodies carry poison… even a touch can hurt someone. Everyone sees us as monsters.”

  Iyak rubbed his chin. “Ahhh. So your poison’s the problem. That makes sense. You’re basically a living danger noodle.” He chuckled, then added thoughtfully, “Still, that’s kind of impressive. I mean, deadly and adorable? That’s rare.”

  But just as the mood began to lighten, the ground beneath Iyak gave way with a loud SNAP. He yelped, “Wha–nope!” and plunged into a hidden pit lined with jagged spikes.

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  A sickening thud echoed through the trees, followed by silence.

  Lioris screamed, “MASTER!!” Her eyes widened as she ran to the edge of the pit. Below, Iyak lay sprawled, blood seeping from dozens of wounds, his face pale.

  “Master, what do I do?!” she cried, her voice cracking.

  Iyak gave a pained smile despite the agony. “Ugh… well, unless you’re hiding a miracle potion in your hair, I think we’re outta luck.”

  “No! I’ll find a rope! Just hold on!” she said, turning and slithering back into the dense woods.

  Alone in the pit, Iyak blinked slowly. The world began to dim, his limbs numb. “Great… death again. You’d think I’d get used to this by now…”

  As his breath stopped, a glowing light burst from his chest. The pit trembled, then shattered apart as energy surged around him, disintegrating the spikes. Moments later, Iyak sat up with a frustrated groan.

  “Ugh. Sh*t, not again,” he muttered, brushing off dirt. “Every time I die, it feels like I’ve been run over by a thunderstorm. And why does resurrection always make my butt feel like it's been hit with lightning?”

  He climbed out of the pit, grumbling about the unfairness of immortality.

  Just then, Lioris burst from the forest, holding a long vine she had braided into a makeshift rope. But when she saw him standing there—alive and whole—her eyes widened, and the rope dropped from her hands.

  “Master!” she shouted joyfully, throwing herself at him and hugging him tight.

  He chuckled. “Hey, hey! I’m fine, see? Just a scratch... or fifty. But don’t worry, I’ve died worse ways.”

  Then—CHOMP.

  “OW!” Iyak yelped as Lioris suddenly bit his neck again. He staggered back, eyes wide. “What the—! AGAIN?! Seriously?! What is it with you and biting?!”

  Lioris looked mortified, her cheeks turning a shade of deep purple. She rubbed her hands together nervously and stared at the ground. “I-I got too excited… In Lamia culture, we express deep gratitude and passion by biting. It’s… how we share life energy.”

  Iyak blinked. “That’s… weirdly poetic and terrifying at the same time. But listen, I’m not a Lamia, so maybe try not to gift me eternal passion next time?”

  “Sorry, Master…” she mumbled.

  Iyak sighed dramatically. “Okay, okay. I forgive you. Just… maybe try a handshake next time?”

  Lioris giggled softly. “You’re funny, Master.”

  Before he could respond, Iyak’s expression suddenly changed. The air around them shifted—something was wrong. Birds had stopped chirping. The wind held its breath.

  “Wait,” Iyak whispered, his hand going to the hilt of his sword. “Stop. There’s someone else here…”

  Lioris tensed immediately, her tail coiling in instinct.

  Iyak crouched, voice low but sharp. “Hide. Now. And stay quiet.”