After leaving the hidden temple, Leonia led the trio of adventurers to one of the village's unoccupied houses, where they would spend the night.
"So, what's the plan now?" Lyra asked, kicking off her boots and sitting on the bed assigned to her.
"There's not much we can do tonight," Maya replied, already sprawled on her own bed. "Best thing is to sleep now and start keeping watch over the village tomorrow."
"That's it? Just wait for those guys to show up?"
"Got a better idea, princess?"
"Not really. But I've got a feeling you're treating this mission like it's easier than it actually is."
"I've been on hundreds of missions before, and this isn't my first rodeo with a bunch of bandits," Maya said. "Trust me, I've got nothing to worry about."
"Even so… I can't shake this bad feeling," Lyra said. "What do you think, Aiden?"
Aiden stood by the window, gazing out at the village's nighttime view, lost in thought.
'Why would a group of thieves want something so catastrophic?'
'Why would anyone want the power to control demons' wills?'
'And more importantly… why is that gem being guarded in this village? Leonia… is she hiding something? What could it be…?'
"Aiden!"
Lyra's shout snapped Aiden out of his reverie, making him turn.
"Are you ignoring me?" Lyra asked, her tone laced with offense.
"Sorry… I was just distracted."
"What were you thinking about?" Maya asked.
"Nothing… Let's just get some sleep," Aiden said, walking over and flopping onto his bed. "It's been a long day."
"Need me to sleep with you?" Maya teased with a playful smirk, prompting an irritated scowl from Lyra.
"I don't think that's necess—"
Before Aiden could finish, Maya dove onto his bed, snuggling up beside him and clinging to his arm.
"Hey! What are you doing?" Lyra said, indignant.
"It's cold, and they didn't give us any blankets," Maya said, her mischievous gaze unwavering. "You're welcome to join us, you know."
"I… I…"
Lyra fell silent, her face flushing red. Without a word, she abandoned her bed and climbed onto Aiden's, settling on the opposite side of Maya.
"Lyra…" Aiden said, surprised by his ally's boldness.
"Don't get the wrong idea… I'm just cold," Lyra muttered, gripping his arm and trying to hide her embarrassment.
'What a pair of women I'm teamed up with,' Aiden thought, feeling both overwhelmed and amused by the situation.
Within moments, Aiden and the two women were fast asleep, utterly drained by exhaustion.
. . .
"AHH! HELP!"
The woman's scream and the commotion that followed jolted Aiden and the girls awake, all three springing out of bed.
"The thieves!" Maya said, quickly piecing together what was happening in the village.
Wasting no time, the trio grabbed their gear and bolted out of the house.
They quickly spotted two hooded figures fleeing a house, where an elderly woman was screaming.
'Wait a second… those hoods…' Aiden thought, a strong sense of déjà vu hitting him as he saw their attire.
The duo leaped with superhuman agility, hopping from rooftop to rooftop at breakneck speed.
"Quick! We can't lose sight of them!" Maya said, already poised to run.
"Wait!" Lyra shouted. "We'll never catch them on foot."
"Then what do you suggest?"
"Step aside and watch."
Lyra clapped her hands together, striking the same pose she used to summon her eagle Icara.
Orange rays shot from her hands, which she then fired into the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.
When the dust cleared, Aiden and Maya stared in awe at the beast Lyra had summoned: a lion with reddish fur, white mane, and razor-sharp metallic claws.
"Meet Arcan," Lyra said.
Lyra climbed onto Arcan's back, a move Aiden and Maya quickly copied. Once all three were ready, Lyra gave the beast a few firm pats.
"Go, Arcan! Chase those guys down!"