The air around the table grew thick, a physical weight that pressed against the lungs of the mortal guests. Lorie's breath came in ragged, shallow hitches, her vision tunneling as the world seemed to lose its depth. Sensing her friend's distress, Cassia reached out and gripped Lorie's hand under the table, her own muscles locking with a bruising, desperate intensity as she fought to remain upright.
Natsu noticed the shift in the atmosphere. He looked at the two women who had just arrived, his expression softening into a gentle reproach.
"My love, Veyron," Natsu said, his voice steady. "Could you guys rein in your presence? Our guests haven't adjusted to the atmosphere yet. They're having a hard time."
He reached over and squeezed Nyxara's hand. The goddess of death looked at her sister, a silent exchange passing between them. Then, the heavy, freezing pressure simply vanished. The wind settled into a soft, harmless breeze, and the invisible weight lifted from the knights' chests. The sudden return of the air felt like a shock to the system, a sharp rush that made Lorie's heart hammer against her ribs like a bird suddenly finding the sky after a long cage. Lorie slumped slightly in her seat, drawing a deep, trembling breath.
"I'm sorry I didn't notice sooner," Natsu apologized, scratching his cheek. "It looks like my family was causing some unnecessary pressure. They mean no ill will. It's our first time receiving this many guests, so they're still learning how to adjust."
Silence followed, broken only by the rustle of the distant crops. The soldiers kept their heads bowed, their lips moving in frantic prayers to Ares. Veyron tilted her head at the sound, a single brow arching in silent judgment, but she remained quiet.
Cassia didn't look down. Her gaze was locked on the woman sitting beside Natsu.
"What's the matter, child?" Nyxara asked. Her voice was calm, yet it carried a chill that seemed to vibrate in Cassia's very bones. "You haven't averted your eyes since I arrived."
Cassia felt the influence of the woman's presence—a deep, ancient coldness that whispered of finality. It felt as if her very life was a candle being toyed with by a winter gale. She gritted her teeth, forcing her voice past the lump in her throat.
"What... what are you?" Cassia managed to say.
She met Nyxara's icy-blue eyes. They were fathomless, reminding her of a vast, silent graveyard buried under a mountain of snow.
Nyxara's lips curved into a faint, curious line. "That is an interesting remark. You ask what I am, rather than who?"
The air near the table grew cold enough to turn their breath into mist once more. Natsu cleared his throat, sensing the conversation veering into a dark territory.
"Ah, right. I almost forgot. I haven't introduced everyone yet," Natsu said, his upbeat tone sounding entirely out of place. "Everyone, I'd like you to meet my family."
He gestured to the woman beside him. "This is my wife, Nyxara."
Natsu gave her an intimate smile. Nyxara took his hand, her cold gaze softening instantly as she returned the expression. Across the table, Tanya and Anyael watched the exchange, their expressions clouding with a subtle, unmistakable frown. From behind Nyxara, Tara gave a pointed cough, prompting Natsu to keep moving.
"Right. And to her left is Veyron, her sister," Natsu continued. Veyron gave the group a dismissive 'hmph' and looked away, leaning back in her chair with her arms crossed. "And beside the cleric—who is currently taking a nap—is Lunara, whom you've met. These three are sisters, believe it or not."
Lunara gave a small, graceful bow and a gentle smile that didn't quite reach her neon-purple eyes. Natsu rubbed the back of his neck, glancing between Veyron's cold shoulder and Lunara's polite mask.
His expression then shifted, the casual warmth in his eyes cooling just a fraction. It was a subtle change, but Cassia caught the sudden edge in his posture.
"Now, before I introduce these two lovely women sitting between Veyron and Lunara," Natsu said, his gaze sweeping over Cassia and her party. "We would love to know you all properly. Why don't we start with your names?"
Natsu's question hung in the air, shifting the mood from an awkward dinner to a formal interrogation. Cassia felt the change instantly. The hospitality hadn't vanished, but the stakes had sharpened. She realized this was the moment that would determine if her party returned to Azmuth or became permanent fixtures of the soil.
She took a slow, deep breath, gathering the iron will that had seen her through a dozen death-defying contracts. With practiced discipline, she pushed back her chair and stood up.
"Let me introduce myself properly this time, kind host," Cassia said, her voice projecting a calm she didn't entirely feel. She had decided on the truth; lies would be a death sentence in front of beings who could see through shadows. "My name is Cassia Ghast. I am the leader of this scouting party, and we hail from the Kingdom of Azmuth."
She paused, feeling the weight of Nyxara and Veyron's gazes.
"We were sent here to investigate a supposed demonic stronghold," Cassia continued. "The kingdom's intelligence suggested demonkind was establishing a foothold to invade the continent. Clearly, we found no demons."
Veyron tilted her head, her purple eyes tracing the lines of Cassia's armor. "Azmuth, huh?" she remarked, her voice dry. "You don't look like a soldier. You don't have the soul of one."
The remark hit Cassia like a physical blow. It was unnerving how easily Veyron had peeled back her professional veneer. She had no retort because the woman was right.
"You are correct, Lady Veyron," Cassia said, meeting her gaze. "I am a mercenary and an adventurer. I hope that satisfies your curiosity."
"It does... for now," Veyron replied, a slow, amused smile crossing her face.
Cassia gestured to her group. Lorie was still clutching Cassia's hand, her fingers trembling with a faint, frantic rhythm that betrayed how close she was to the edge. She stood up clumsily, nearly knocking over her water goblet.
"I-I'm Lorie... Lorie Sherry," she stammered, her voice thin. "I'm a-also an adventurer. It's a p-pleasure to be in your graces, Sir Natsu, Lady Nyxara, Lady Veyron, and Lady Lunara."
She sat down so quickly it was a wonder the chair stayed upright.
Gent, the ranger, was next. He didn't stand, but he tipped his head with a casual, rugged grace.
"The name's Gent, Sir Natsu, an' my ladies," he said, his drawl thick and relaxed despite the circumstances. "Pleasure to be yer acquaintance." He jabbed a thumb toward the unconscious cleric beside him. "That there is Jesbie. We've been runnin' together in the same outfit for a few years now."
He gave a small, respectful bow from his seat before returning to his drink. The four soldiers followed, their voices overlapping in a shaky unison.
"I'm Gaz." "I'm Druski." "I'm Brovz." "I'm Allei."
"We're soldiers of the Azmuth line, esteemed hosts," Gaz finished. They all sat back down sheepishly, visibly shrinking under the collective gaze of the household.
Natsu clapped his hands once, the sound crisp in the evening air.
"Wonderful!" he said. "So, it's Miss Ghast and her crew on the lookout for demons." He leaned forward, resting his chin on his palm as he looked at Cassia. "So, from what you've gathered since stepping foot in these lands... what have you seen so far?"
Cassia didn't answer immediately. She thought of the shifting trees, the silence that felt like a predator's breath, and the impossible paradise they were currently sitting in.
"I'm honestly not sure anymore," Cassia admitted. "There is no demonic presence here. The divine message the kingdom received was obviously a ruse. A diversion. But for what?"
Natsu nodded, his expression unreadable. "Looks like you've realized the shape of things. Good." He gestured broadly to the table. "Okay, you answered my question. Now, I'll give you one in return. Ask me, or any of us, one thing. Don't be shy."
Cassia looked around the table. She looked at the shadow maids standing like statues, at the sisters in their fine dresses, and finally at Nyxara, whose presence still felt like the edge of a cliff.
"My question is the same one I asked Lady Nyxara," Cassia said, her voice dropping to a low, serious tone. She looked Natsu straight in the eyes. "What are you all?"