The night sky. A funny little thing to some, nothing of note to others. The quiet atmosphere of the night illuminated the city. Citizens were in their homes asleep. Guards roamed and patrolled the night roads. Scoundrels stayed up, plotting their next moves. So on...so on...and so on.

  Lyra leans up against a wall, sighing deeply, expression tired and exhausted after the past few days. Stopping highly dangerous monsters, deadly outlaws. It all became routine to her Although, as of late, the severe increase in monster activity has made her work more than usual. And, in turn, has made her more and more tired.

  Goldenleaf city. Lyra remembers the first time she ever came here. She was just a little pup all that time ago. Unsure of the world. Unsure of herself. Everything. Looking up to the night sky, moon shining down, she thinks deeply. Deeply of her past. Experiences, so on and so on.

  She recounts the past few weeks. They've been hectic. Eventful. Exhausting. Despite the rather headache inducing things she's had to deal with, one thing has made the recent days go by a little smoother.

  "Kak-Yak." She says to herself, recounting her short time with him, as well as his absurd stories he's told her.

  She was normally a stoic, quiet individual at heart. Rarely wanting to speak unless strictly business related. However, Kak-Yak, using his weird and joyful nature had actually got her to smile. Laugh. Something she only does in peace and quiet.

  "..." Low growl. "He's so...odd. Yet why do I find him so...so comforting to be around? It doesn't make sense...it just doesn't."

  There was fact to this. A stranger, who she had only met a mere week ago should not be this comforting to be around. Perhaps this is a potential friend for her, she thought.

  She quickly disregards the idea. She hasn't known him for long, not at all. Besides, it would feel extremely weird and uncomfortable for her to be vulnerable with anyone, let alone letting her guard down for a so called "friend."

  Her thoughts clashed with one another, the Wolfian quickly taping her boot fast on the ground below. Why? Why was HE giving her such a conflicting moment right now? Why...why...WHY?

  Deep in thought, she thinks of the only few friends she truly has. Everyone from Honeycomb village comes to mind. Well, them an a certain Imp. That's an entirely different story though, Lyra quickly moving onto other thoughts. Such as why she's standing outside in the cold dead of night.

  With a sigh, Lyra begins walking the empty streets, looking around for an inn or tavern to enter for the night. Anyone with enough walking could be able to find an inn or tavern. This is a city after all. And sure enough, she spots an inn, walking up to the entrance and slowly entering inside. Almost immediately the smell of food and drink filled her nose, as well as the talking from within. Some patrons look to her as she enters, then quickly go back to their own business.

  This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  Lyra walks up to the counter, taking a seat as the woman behind said counter spoke, her eyes hazel and hair neatly done, a charming smile on her face.

  "Hello stranger. What can I get for you?"

  Lyra glances to the menu in-front of her. "Regular water and fish stew, thank you."

  "Coming right up ma'am."

  The woman walks off to prepare Lyra's fish stew. Thinking of a way to entertain herself as she waited, Lyra digs into her satchel, pulling out a book titled "Understanding Dwarves," a book written by a legendary and well known human writer named Ruven Davis. Most know the writer for his insightful tellings of all the various intelligent species, as well as his more...questionable books. These questionable books had led the writer in a bit of controversy in the past. Now if the controversy was an overreaction of certain readers is up for debate. As for Ruven's controversial books, due to them containing actual factual and learning material of all intelligent species more...private areas, they have not been banned, and are actually one of his more best sellers as of recent.

  ...

  ...

  ...

  Eyes droopy, Lyra continues to read her book, empty bowl beside her as the inns bustling noise continues. Ears perking up, Lyra hears the sounds of the entrance to the Inn opening up. Nothing of note she thought, just a random stranger or something.

  Footsteps circled the inside of the Inn, a stranger making conversation with most of the patrons within. Eventually this stranger walked up to Lyra, a loud voice coming from them.

  "Hey Lass! I'm talking to you! Let's chat a bit eh?"

  Sighing, she turns to face the stranger. A dwarf. "What do you want?" Her voice was tired and dreary.

  "I know you! Lyra's the name right?! Well I'm Dernaek!! We was in a hero party together once. You were a fine mage in our little group." He waves a hand. "Pah. Who cares for reminiscing of the past. I'll be frank, I'm looking for two hero's, since the buggers in my party are some bad food last night. Told the weasels that they shouldn't have ate that, those i-"

  "I get it." *head shake* "So you want two hero's for...what exactly? Monster hunt I'm assuming."

  *nod* "Aye. Some weird bloke posted a notice about a monster needing slaying! Between you and me, the guy was flat out weird, wore this odd outfit, along with this even weirder mask. Whatever i thought! As long as he's paying! Hahahaha."

  "..." *deep sigh* "What monster are we supposed to hunt then?"

  "He didn't say, the dang bugger. Who cares though, it'll make finding the beast more exhilarating." The dwarf looks around the inn for a bit, observing the inside. "So. You aboard? And before you say, there is no splitting of money, and not in the way you think. He's paying each hero individually. Win win if I do say so myself hahahaha!"

  "...Mhm..." Lyra gently closes the book on the counter, putting it back within her satchel. "I'll help."

  "That's lovely! One small issue...we still need another hero. Oh, or we could just hunt the bugger ourselves!! Take the glory for ourselves! Who needs a third anyways."

  "..." Lyra thinks for a moment, considering if she should even bring him along. "...I think I have someone who could join us."

  "Really?! Who?"

  Lyra stands up, rubbing her tired eyes. "You'll see."