The village gates that had been shut during the night creaked as Leo and his party pushed them open, the torches lining the entrance flickering against the night breeze.
The sounds of laughter and faint music from the tavern carried through the air, a stark contrast to the eerie silence of the forest they had just left behind.
Horo, panted, fear lingering on his face from his near-death experience with Luna. He threw his arms behind his head with a dramatic sigh.
"I think I lost five years of my life back there. That was straight-up abuse, Luna."
Luna brandished her axe and growled.
"You should be grateful you still have any left."
Horo flinched, eyeing the axe warily before muttering under his breath.
"This is what I get for speaking the truth..."
"What was that?!"
"NOTHING!!!"
Leo and Lily exchanged amused glances but didn't comment further as they made their way toward the Village Square. There they found the Village Elder staring wistfully at the moon.
