The road from the festival to the manor wound steadily uphill, the lively sounds of the celebration fading as Adrian, Medea, Lilith, Zack, and the puppet soldier continued their journey. The manor stood on a slight elevation, overlooking the town like a watchful sentinel.

Adrian glanced at Medea, who moved ahead with her usual focused look. She had barely spoken since they left the town square, her eyes locked on the road ahead with an unreadable expression.

Adrian quickened his pace to catch up with her, feeling curious. He had fought against her and, beside her, witnessed her strength and power, but she remained a mystery.

"So," Adrian began, trying to strike up a conversation, "you fight like someone who's been at it for centuries. Where did you learn to handle a sword like that?"

Medea didn't slow her pace, her eyes fixed ahead. "I didn't learn," she replied curtly. "I was born to fight."

Adrian raised an eyebrow at the response but was undeterred by her brief answer. "Born to fight? That's impressive. But surely someone must have taught you how to wield a blade, right?"

"No," she said, her voice flat. "Fighting is in my blood. It's what I do. There was no need for teaching."

Adrian nodded slowly, trying not to look confused or mesmerized. He had spent years training and mastering his skills, so the idea of being born to it was new. But then, she was a goddess, it's kind of expected.

"Born to fight, huh? Must've had quite the upbringing. You've got an impressive way with shadow magic, too. Does that come naturally, or—"

"Everything I am is natural," she interrupted sharply without sounding rude. It was clear she wasn't in the mood for small talk.

Adrian nodded, sensing he was hitting a wall. Still, he pressed on. "I guess you're not much for conversation. It's just, well, I've fought with a lot of people before, but never alongside someone like you."

Medea glanced at him briefly, no expression on her face as usual. "Then you should consider yourself lucky."

Without another word, she resumed her steady pace, her silence drawing a line between them.

Adrian sighed, realising he wouldn't get much more out of her. He slowed his steps and allowed Medea to walk ahead, turning back toward Lilith and Zack.

The two were deep in conversation, and Zack seemed unusually animated, still buzzing from the spectacle of Oogie's power.

"… and that blast of energy! I swear, I could feel it all the way from the back of the square," Zack was saying, his eyes wide with excitement.

When Zack noticed Adrian approaching, his face stiffened, and the excitement drained from his features. He increased his pace, putting a little distance between himself and the others.

Adrian watched him retreat, wondering what had caused the sudden change in Zack's demeanor, then turned his attention to Lilith. "Well, someone's jumpy," he muttered under his breath.

Lilith, always perceptive, laughed softly. "Zack's a bit rattled after everything. And I think you scare him," she teased, nudging Adrian playfully.

Adrian raised an eyebrow at her. "Me? Scare him? After everything we've been through, I'd think he'd be used to it by now."

Lilith shrugged, a playful grin on her lips. "Oh, I'm sure he'll come around. You just need to flash him one of those charming smiles of yours."

Adrian snorted but couldn't help smiling at her. "Speaking of difficult people… what's the deal with Medea? She's your sister, right?"

Lilith smirked, clearly enjoying the shift in conversation. "Of course. More or less."

Adrian raised an eyebrow. "More or less?"

Lilith shrugged with a playful grin. "Let's just say we've got a long, complicated history. Not all of it's the warm, fuzzy kind." She winked at Adrian, her usual flirtatious tone seeping back into her voice. "But we're bound by something stronger than blood."

"I see…" Adrian mused, his eyes flicking toward Medea again.

Lilith continued. "We share the same blood, but we're... different. I thrive on pleasure and desire, while Medea... well, she's all about strife and wrath."

"She's always this... intense? Focused? I haven't seen her smile once."

Lilith's laugh was soft but filled with amusement. "Medea hasn't always been the smiley type, mostly the broody type if you ask me. I mean, not everyone can be as delightful and fun as me, right?" She shot him a cheeky grin, leaning in slightly. "But if you're looking for a tip, I might have something up my sleeve."

Adrian smirked, curious but cautious. "A tip?"

"Oh, yes," Lilith purred. "It's simple. Just give her a little of your love and loyalty."

"My love?" Adrian repeated, raising an eyebrow. He couldn't tell if Lilith was being serious.

Lilith's smirk grew wider, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Oh, yes, darling. Love conquers all and can melt even the coldest of hearts. And when you feel like your love is getting stuck in a rut, just flip her over and do it in the butt."

Adrian's eyes widened in shock, caught off guard by her bluntness.

A laugh escaped him despite himself, and he shook his head, trying to suppress the grin forming on his lips. "You really are something else, Lilith."

Lilith burst out laughing, thoroughly enjoying his reaction. "Trust me, it works. She'll be all over you in no time."

Adrian shook his head, laughing despite himself. "I'm not sure that's exactly what she needs."

Lilith shrugged, her smile never fading. "Just saying. It might speed things along."

"Why do I feel it's more of what you want?" Adrian asked staring deep in her eyes.

"I want it, she needs it. We all get what we desire. Simple."

Still chuckling, Adrian turned to Zack, who had rejoined the group but kept a cautious distance. "So, Zack," Adrian began, steering the conversation back on track, "Any idea what we are walking into? In fact, tell me more about this boss of yours."

Zack's expression sobered instantly, his enthusiasm from earlier replaced by a nervous tension. "My boss… Count Keyz, he's not just wealthy. He's the wealthiest man in the town. Maybe in the entire region. The king's decisions? Yeah, they're heavily influenced by him.

He controls the trade routes, manages the soldier recruitments, and even has a hand in the barracks. He's... well, he's powerful."

Adrian listened carefully, absorbing the details. "Sounds like a man who's used to getting what he wants."

"Count Keyz always gets what he wants," Zack replied, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "And if he doesn't, people tend to disappear."

Before Adrian could ask more, Zack pointed ahead, his voice quick with relief. "We're approaching the gates."

The manor loomed above them, perched atop the hill like a fortress. The gates were tall, with iron bars twisted into intricate designs. Two soldiers stood guard, their expressions shifting from idle boredom to attention the moment they spotted Zack approaching.

"Zack!" one of the guards called out with a grin. "Back already, huh? The boss must be keeping you busy."

Zack chuckled nervously, trying to maintain his composure. "You know how it is," he replied, his voice light but strained. "Always running errands. These folks are with me."

The second guard raised an eyebrow, eyeing Adrian, Lilith, and Medea curiously. "New faces, huh? Thought you always traveled alone."

Zack forced a laugh, waving off the question with a casual gesture. "Yeah, well, the boss wanted me to bring some backup this time. Special delivery, you know."

Sensing the guard's gaze, Lilith flashed him a smile, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "A very important too, by the way. Wouldn't want to keep the Count waiting now would we?"

The guard chuckled, clearly taken by her charm, but the other guard nudged him, reminding him of his duties. "Let them through," he said in a more serious tone. "You know how the boss hates delays."

With a nod, the guards opened the gates, allowing Zack and his companions to enter. Adrian's hand instinctively rested on the hilt of his sword as they passed through, a nagging sense of unease settling in the pit of his stomach.

As they entered, Zack let out a small sigh of relief, his tension momentarily easing.

Lilith hummed softly to herself as they entered, her eyes scanning the manor's grandeur with a flicker of interest. "Well, well," she mused. "Looks like we're in for quite the visit."

Adrian shot her a sideways glance, his lips twitching into a wry smile. "Let's hope it's not the kind of visit we have to fight our way out of."

Lilith's grin widened. "Oh, darling, that's half the fun."

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