891 Relaxation
The group returned to their private quarters. The atmosphere was a bit tense, more annoyed than anything, but when they felt the calming heat from the hot springs, they calmed down.
Once inside, Mira convened a quick meeting. "Continue to enjoy your time here," she began. "I've already paid too much money for this to go to waste."
Rhydian paced back and forth, her tail flicking in irritation. She was contemplating just launching out of this resort and finding the perpetrator before handing him/her to Mira to be tortured, but she forcefully stopped herself. "...So what's the plan? Sit here and wait for the next attack?"
"No," Mira replied firmly. "We'll take the offensive eventually, but I'm not all that interested in going on a witch hunt right now."
Elenei nodded. "...Sounds fair. Aelina did tell you to lay low, after all."
Dominique, who had already picked up a book from the resort's library and was flipping through it, spoke up. "What if we try to trace the Qi back to its source? These puppets had to have been controlled from somewhere."
"Next time," Mira said. "Who knows? Maybe we weren't even their target."
"..."
Everyone looked at Mira with a deadpan stare. She was the one who made things seem so serious, and now she was saying that they might've just destroyed a bunch of random puppets for no reason?
Why even get involved, then?!
They truly couldn't comprehend what went through Mira's mind. She may have just made ANOTHER enemy for literally no reason.
"You… Y-You didn't stop to think that maybe they weren't after you?" Rhydian appeared in front of Mira, growling. A majestic aura filled the room as she flared her wings, staring down at Mira.
But the woman shrugged indifferently. "I saw them marching toward our rooms, so I destroyed them. Why else would they be coming this way?"
'What kind of shitty logic is that?!' Everyone thought but didn't dare to voice it out loud. They could think of multiple reasons why a group of weak puppets might be coming to their room, none of which involved anything like an unknown shadow enemy.
However, they couldn't fault the woman. Whenever she went out, she always caused trouble. It wouldn't be weird for some unknown enemy to approach her.
Rhydian took a deep breath to calm down before she turned around to walk away, only to feel a sharp pain in her butt as she was sent flying. She crashed into the ground with a bang.
Standing where the wolf just was, Mira shook her head. "I'm going to go lay down." Then, she walked into her private room.
***
Closing the door behind her, Mira gazed out the window, watching the stars twinkling in the clear night sky. The serene view, coupled with the gentle warmth of the hot springs, was truly a balm for the soul. She sighed contentedly, feeling a rare moment of peace.
***
Meanwhile, Rhydian found herself drawn to the resort's meditation garden. The soft sound of a babbling brook and the scent of blooming night flowers created an almost supernatural ambiance. She settled on a cushioned bench, closing her eyes and taking deep, slow breaths. The stresses of the day melted away as she lost herself in the tranquility of the garden.
Elenei decided to explore the resort's library. She discovered a collection of ancient texts and scrolls, some dating back hundreds of years. Intrigued, she selected a few on herbalism and alchemy, curling up in a cozy armchair by the fireplace. The crackling flames and the scent of old books surrounded her, creating a perfect haven for her inquisitive mind.
Dominique and Hana ventured to the resort's observatory. Equipped with powerful telescopes, it offered a stunning view of the night sky. They marveled at the celestial bodies, how far yet powerful they were.
'Will we ever be able to reach the stars?' They wondered.
lightsΝοvεl ƈοm Back in her room, Mira allowed herself a rare indulgence – a long, hot bath. The mineral-rich water soothed her muscles, and she leaned back, closing her eyes.
In this moment of solitude, she reflected on their journey so far, the challenges they had faced, and the ones that lay ahead. Yet, for the first time in a long while, she felt a sense of calm and clarity.
Later, as the group reunited for a late-night snack, they shared their experiences of the day. The conversation was light and filled with laughter, a stark contrast to their usual strategizing and planning.
"I don't think I've ever felt so relaxed before," Rhydian mused, sipping her herbal tea. "I didn't realize how much I needed this."
Elenei smiled contentedly while she continued to read a book about the history of northern flowers. "It's important to take a step back sometimes. We can't be in battle mode all the time."
Hana nodded in agreement. "True. Very true! I feel like I could train for a full six months after this!" She exclaimed but immediately regretted doing so.
"Oh?" Mira raised an eyebrow, smirking. "I hope you remember what you just said."
"..."
As they continued to chat, the tension from the earlier puppet incident seemed like a distant memory. For once, they were not warriors, beasts, or killers. They were just companions, enjoying each other's company.
The evening wound down, and they each retreated to their rooms, feeling renewed and recharged. Mira, before turning in, took one last look at the night sky, a small smile playing on her lips. The peace of Celestial Springs Resort had worked its magic on her too.
But, she'd see how long that'd really last.
As she lay in bed, the gentle sound of the springs outside her window lulled her into a deep, restful sleep. For the first time in a long while, her dreams were not of battles or threats but of peace.
***
The next morning dawned bright and clear, the sun casting a golden glow over the Celestial Springs Resort. The group set out to make the most of their stay, each indulging in their preferred way of relaxation.
Rhydian decided to start her day with a light swim in one of the larger hot spring pools. The water was soothing, and as she swam laps, her frustrations from the day before seemed to wash away. Occasionally, she would pause to float on her back and gaze up at the clear blue sky, her mind drifting into a peaceful trance.
Elenei chose to try a series of spa treatments. She started with a mineral mud bath, enjoying the sensation of the warm, thick mud enveloping her body. After that, she moved on to an aromatherapy session, the scents of lavender and chamomile filling the air, calming her senses.
Dominique and Hana, meanwhile, found themselves in the resort's herbal sauna. The heat and the herbal scents were a new experience for them, and they chatted happily about the different herbs infused in the steam, guessing their names and properties.
As for Mira, she roamed the resort, seemingly aimless but ever-
vigilant. She wasn't one to indulge in relaxation. Yesterday was all she needed. Her Soul Sense spread wide; she kept an eye on everything around her, alert for any anomalies. Yet, the day passed without incident, the resort remaining a haven of peace and tranquility.
Every now and then, Mira would pause to observe her companions. She watched Rhydian swimming with a small smile. She lingered outside the sauna, listening to Dominique and Hana's laughter. At one point, she found herself outside the room where Elenei was having her massage.
Through the slightly ajar door, she could see Elenei's relaxed expression, a rare sight that made Mira's smile widen just a fraction.
As the day turned into evening, the group gathered for a meal in their private dining area. The table was filled with an array of exquisite dishes, each more tantalizing than the last.
"So, how was everyone's day?" Mira asked casually as she took a sip of her drink.
"It was amazing!" Hana exclaimed, her cheeks flushed from the heat of the sauna. "I feel so refreshed!"
Elenei nodded in agreement. "The treatments here are incredible. I might have to make this a regular thing."
Rhydian, now completely relaxed, chuckled. "I could get used to this. Swimming in those springs is the best way to start the day."
Dominique, always the enthusiast, chimed in. "We should definitely come back here. Maybe make it an annual thing! I mean, we have that new boat and all."
Mira listened to their chatter, feeling something in her chest. It was rare to see her companions so carefree and happy. She might not partake much in the relaxation herself, but seeing them like this made it all worthwhile.
As they ate, the conversation flowed, filled with laughter and light-hearted teasing.
After dinner, they decided to spend the rest of the evening by the poolside, enjoying the cool night air and the starry sky. The resort had arranged a small bonfire for them, and they sat around it, roasting marshmallows and sharing stories.
Mira, while still alert, allowed herself to relax slightly, enjoying the company of her friends. The warmth of the fire, the soft glow of the stars, and the gentle sound of their voices created a perfect end to the day.
As they retired to their rooms, Mira took one last walk around the resort, her Soul Sense still active. The night was peaceful, with the only sounds being the gentle rustling of the leaves and the distant hoot of an owl.
Finally satisfied that all was well, Mira returned to her room, her mind at ease.
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