Tibsot looks at the group with a smug countenance, wiping his face as he withdraws the needle from Kaiden's arm. "There, now that it's all over and done with," he asserts confidently. "That should fix everything."

  Loden's glare intensifies as he grabs Tibost's shirt with a firm grip, his tone stern. "You, what do you think you're doing?" he demands, his voice seething with anger and frustration. "You just don't stab someone with a needle like that. What if there was a side effect to the antidote and you made Kaiden worse or killed him?" he continues, his voice filled with concern and annoyance.

  Tibost shrugs off Loden's grip and moves away to the table, gathering his bag and discarding the needle within. "That's not how antidotes work," he asserts, his tone dismissive. "He'll be fine." Tibost glances at Kaiden, as if making a point. "Just look at him."

  Loden turns to gaze at Kaiden, noting the improvement in his appearance. Kaiden stands on his own now, no longer requiring the support of Brokenfang or Wulfric. As he turns around, the warriors observe the changes taking place in his body. The purple veins around his closed wound fade, giving way to a soothing blue hue that traverses the veins, bringing the skin back to normal.

  Kaiden's face lights up as he wipes the blood from his nose, a sense of happiness and relief replacing his previous pain and discomfort. "My leg, it doesn't sting anymore," he exclaims, joy in his voice. "I feel so much better. It worked!" With newfound energy, he leaps up, expressing his elation through movement.

  Loden's expression softens, his concern giving way to a sense of relief upon seeing Kaiden back to his normal self again. Just then, he hears a soft chuckle beside him, and he turns to see Tibost, an unexpected smirk playing on his lips.

  Loden clenches his fists not wanting to be near this man again, restraining himself from grabbing Tibost again to punch him for earlier events, his irritation evident.

  "If you ever want to take me up on that offer, let me know." Tibost says softly, his words tinged with underlining tones.

  He quickly moves away, escaping Loden's grip, clearly enjoying Loden's frustration. Loden, clearly irked and rattled by Tibost's words again, clenches his jaw in annoyance.

  Tibost chuckles softly again savoring the scene, giving Loden a quick nod before swiftly moving away closer to others in the room. In quick succession, he bows to Kaiden, Wulfric, and Brokenfang. "I will take my leave now. If you need anything else in the future, please do not hesitate to call upon me. Blessings to you Priestess, Wulfric, and other Warrior," he bids farewell, his subtle wink directed at Loden one final time before departing.

  Tibost gives one final bow to the Priestess, Wulfric, and Brokenfang, signaling his departure by moving to the door and exiting.

  The group remains in awkward silence as Tibost disappears from their sight as the door closes shut. Loden stands motionless, still fuming over Tibost's words, his irritation evident on his face and by his clenched fists. Loden lets out a frustrated sigh, trying to compose himself, while Wulfric and Brokenfang exchange a puzzled glance, clearly sensing his annoyance from where they stand.

  Kaiden notices Loden's expression and looks at Wulfric and Brokenfang's puzzled faces. "Did I miss something?" he asks, puzzled. He turns his attention to Brokenfang and Wulfric, noticing something amiss. "What happened to you two?"

  Kaiden gazes at Brokenfang and Wulfric's faces, noticing a hint of embarrassment on both their expressions. His gaze then drops taking notice of the cuts and dirt on their clothes, a faint memory of his own wounds crossing his mind. But as he examines his arms, he notices the absence of any cuts or scratches, a sense of relief washing over him.

  Wulfric takes the reins of the conversation, his voice slightly tinted with embarrassment. "We tracked down the thugs who attacked you," he confesses. "We dealt with them and put an end to their gang, ensuring they won't cause trouble in the Northern area or the empire any longer." He pauses, a hint of embarrassment in his tone. "It did take a bit longer than expected to retrieve the antidote, though."

  Kaiden listens intently, his eyes widening in surprise and appreciation. "Thank you both, I owe you."

  Kaiden nods appreciatively, his smile growing wider as gratitude fills his expression. "Thank you both, truly," he says, his voice sincere and filled with joy. "You guys saved my life."

  Brokenfang lowers his head, his expression stern and his gaze averted from Kaiden. "We exist to serve the Priestess," he proclaims, his voice steady and devoid of emotion. "It is our duty to aid and protect you."

  Kaiden chuckles softly, shaking his head. "I apologize," he amends, a warm smile gracing his face. "I'm just thrilled that we've found another warrior. And Brokenfang," he continues, his gaze holding Brokenfang's, "You're not just a warrior. You're a friend—our friend, like everyone said," he affirms.

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  Wulfric places his hands on his hips, but his tension eases slightly. He gently nudges Brokenfang's arm with his elbow, prompting a startled reaction from the stand-off ish warrior. Yet, Brokenfang's startled expression softens into a smile, signaling the solidification of a close bond between them—a bond of friendship and comradeship.

  Wulfric grins as he addresses Brokenfang, extending his words as an offer of goodwill. "Like I said, you now have been recognized for your talent. Welcome to the team, Brokenfang. No hard feelings, right?" he says, a mischievous glint in his eyes, waiting for the other warrior's response.

  Brokenfang contemplates Wulfric's words, acknowledging the absence of ill will. He nods in agreement with a resolve. "There are no hard feelings," he affirms. "I will do my best as both a warrior and a friend." He casts a sidelong glance at Wulfric, a hint of playfulness in his gaze. "Just remember, you owe me a rematch since I was right about the antidote," he adds, a subtle smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

  Loden approaches Kaiden and gently places his hand on top of his head, affectionately mussing up his muddy blond hair. "Glad to have you back, kid," he remarks, a mixture of relief and affection in his gaze.

  Kaiden lifts his gaze to Loden, a mixture of slight annoyance and happiness on his face. "What happened while I was out of it?" he asks, a hint of uncertainty in his tone. "Some parts are blurry." he continues, the memories of the event hazy and disjointed. "Did you give me alcohol earlier?" he inquires. "And what was the deal with you punching Tibost?" He wonders, his thoughts and memories still in disarray. "Everything feels mixed up in my mind," he concludes, reflecting on the confusion he feels.

  Loden chuckles, taking in the sight of Kaiden's mixed demeanor. He removes his hand slowly, ruffling Kaiden’s hair one last time. "When you were unconscious, some things happened, but we can explain them later," he explains. "Tibost did give you some alcohol, it was his idea. And for the record, I didn't like how Tibost was treating you, he gets under my nerves." He clenches his jaw, remembering the interaction with the physician.

  Wulfric moves a little closer to where Kaiden and Loden stand, and Brokenfang follows his lead. The four stand close together, the atmosphere comfortable and protective. Kaiden beams with a sense of warmth and security with everyone close by. A sudden chorus of stomach growling fills the room, causing everyone to exchange sheepish glances, a mix of embarrassment and hunger evident on their faces.

  The warriors and Kaiden exchange awkward glances as the sound of their growling stomachs fills the room. Kaiden lets out a soft chuckle, breaking the tension with a teasing tone. "Looks like we're all a bit hungry," he remarks, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

  Wulfric nods in agreement, his expression a mixture of weariness and hunger. "Yes, let's go to the banquet hall for some nourishment," he suggests. "We've had quite a chaotic..." He pauses, searching for the right word to describe their recent experience.

  Brokenfang and Loden nod in agreement, and Brokenfang adds to Wulfric's incomplete sentence. "Venture," he asserts, using just one word to capture the essence of their chaotic experience.

  Wulfric glances at Brokenfang, momentarily surprised by his contribution, and then repeats the word “venture," after a brief pause, he nods in concurrence. Wulfric then turns to group, addressing them with a respectful tone. “Loden and I will lead the way to the banquet hall," he says, his voice respectful and poised, gesturing for Loden to take the lead.

  Loden nods and moves to make his way to the door, but Kaiden quickly steps in his path. With his energy restored and rejuvenated, Kaiden moves faster than the warriors could anticipate. He's already at the door, eagerly opening it and announcing, "Let's go; I'm starving."

  Wulfric shakes his head, amused by Kaiden's eagerness. Brokenfang follows suit, keeping a close distance to Kaiden and Wulfric. "It seems like Kaiden will lead the way," Wulfric observes, a hint of resignation in his tone. "Let's make sure he doesn't get himself into trouble again."

  Loden stands back for a moment, a faint smile briefly crossing his lips at Kaiden's eagerness. However, the smile fades as he finds himself contemplating Tibost's words and actions. His thoughts get clouded with doubts and uncertainty. The images flicker through his mind, leaving him pondering the physician's behavior and words with his own words and actions toward Kaiden.

  Loden shakes his head, desperately trying to dispel the thoughts and memories that flood his mind. He reassures himself internally, “I don't like Kaiden like that. I am sworn to protect him. I can't have feelings for him. He is like a younger brother or a friend. Just a friend.” Loden repeats the words in his head, as if trying to convince himself that he holds no romantic affection for Kaiden.

  The image of Tibost leaning in to kiss Kaiden resurfaces again, and Loden's knuckles go white from clenching his fists tightly, his anger rising once more. He vividly remembers the intense emotions he had in that moment, a strong desire to punch Tibost again, to break them apart, preventing Tibost from taking advantage of Kaiden's vulnerability.

  Loden feels a mixture of tension and relaxation as his mind begins to imagine a different scenario—one where he is the one kissing Kaiden in that moment, rather than Tibost. He quickly shakes his head, trying to shake off the thought, his wondering appearing as a question, 'What if it was me kissing Kaiden?'

  Kaiden's voice calls out, breaking through Loden's mental turmoil. "Loden, come on," he urges, calling from the hallway outside the room. Loden shakes his head once more, trying to push away the distracting thoughts and feelings. He quickly joins the others in the hallway, joining Wulfric, Kaiden and Brokenfang as they wait for his arrival.

  Loden flashes a smile, feigning nonchalance. "What are we waiting for? Let's go," he reassures them, trying to play off his delayed departure as innocent. Wulfric gives Loden a skeptical glance but doesn't comment on his tardiness. They set off down the hallway, following Kaiden's lead to the banquet hall.