Tales of Undeath: The Von Virtus Chronicles

XII. Walls of Stone, Cracks of Light

In the meantime, Virno had managed to drag himself out of bed and stretch his stiff body. When the door creaked open, he didn't notice right away.

Faya: "Be careful! What are you doing out of bed already?!"

Her voice startled him. He turned his head, then his torso, revealing his bandaged form.

Virno: "I feel fine. Don't worry."

Rel, standing beside Faya, raised a skeptical brow.

Rel: "Seems like that doctor might've done *too good* of a job."

Virno smiled at the comment, but quickly changed the subject.

Virno: "So... any news?"

Faya lit up with excitement, eager to share her accomplishment..

Faya: "Yes -- your rent is now permanently fixed at 250 coppers!"

Virno's face immediately softened with joy and relief.

Virno: "Thank you, Faya... That's a huge weight off our shoulders. I won't forget it."

But as the words settled in, doubt crept into his expression.

Virno: "But... did Cabdan really agree to that so easily? He doesn't seem like the type to just roll over without a fight."

Faya had expected this question and delivered her reply confidently.

Faya: "Don't worry about it. I threatened to leave the arena if he didn't. Of course, he wasn't about to sacrifice his best fighter!"

She giggled, playing up her smugness. Rel smiled faintly, but it wasn't genuine. He glanced at Faya, knowing full well she wasn't telling the whole truth.

Virno: "Alright... One less thing to worry about then. Thank you, again."

He moved toward the door, his posture still stiff from his injuries.

Faya: "Hey! Where are you going?!"

Virno: "Home. My mother's probably worried I haven't come back yet. Plus, I want to tell her the good news. Can I tell her to stop by tomorrow morning to start working?"

Faya: "Yes, of course!"

Rel: "Why don't you come too, since you're feeling so well? We can always use an extra pair of hands."

Faya's eyes snap in Rel's direction, widening in anger.

Faya: "Rel! You're supposed to be the responsible one!"

Virno smiles.

Virno: "I'm alright Faya, really. I promise I'll be extra careful."

Virno smiled, pausing to look at Rel.

Virno: "Since you're inviting me yourself, guess I can't pass that up. And... nice meeting you, Rel. Sometime soon, we'll have a proper fight. Though I should probably learn a thing or two about fist-fighting before I go bare-handed against you again."

Rel smiles and exhales from his nose.

Rel: "Nonsense. You're a sword fighter, that much is obvious. Stick to what you're good at. I'm the one who needs to step up my game -- getting beaten by a newbie in my own arena. How the mighty have fallen..."

His short laugh eased the tension. Faya smiled too.

Virno: "I'll see you guys tomorrow, then. Take care!"